Split with two entrances, the property has three bedrooms and sleeps six, with a covered dining area outside, next to the pool. For more information call 1890 943 928 or log onto www. jamesvillas. ie.

Past perfect With such a slew of boutique hotels opening up, it would be easy to overlook the grande dames of the Irish hotel scene. Easy but very wrong. With boutique establishments, you've got iPods in every room, eclectic d�cor and outr� cocktail bar but what are often absent are a soul and a sense of history.

This is exactly why it does the heart good to visit Mount Juliet in Kilkenny. Steeped in stories and tradition, it was built and named for the wife of the first Earl of Carrick 200 years ago. Wi-fi in your boutique bedroom? Great.

But pelmets, croquet, clay pigeon shooting and ghost sightings at Mount Juliet?

Now we're talking proper hospitality. Telephone 056 77 3000 or log on to www. mountjuliet. com.

The Italian job Chianti, Piaggios and Florentine steak - Tuscany is certainly our kind of place.

But then, it seems to be everyone's kind of place, especially when you take into account the number of Irish people having their nuptials here. Slatterys Escorted Tours are offering an eightday tour of the region, departing Dublin 5 April, costing from Euro999. Taking in Florence, Montecatini, Pisa, Siena and San Gimigano, it's a lovely way of experiencing Italy in spring.

Log onto www. slatterys. com, lo call 1890 200 625 (from Northern Ireland, 0800 515 900) or email tours@slatterys. com.

Horses for courses It's already a celebrated wedding destination and has a reputable cookery school.

Now, Castle Leslie hopes to establish itself as a one of Europe's finest equestrian destinations. They're opening up a new centre shortly with 55 stables in five new courtyards and Olympic stars like Pippa Funnell will be holding regular demos and clinics. Guests can choose from one-day to seven-day all-inclusive programmes, or alternatively have one tailored to their request. There's even the opportunity to combine cooking with riding at the school where Chef Noel McMeel has devised an Equi-Chef programme.

Telephone 047 88100 or log on to www. castleleslie. com Spread the news Fancy spending summer on the beach in New York? The parks department there is searching for 1,200 lifeguards to man the city's 14 miles of beaches and 53 public pools.

This year, they're hoping to attract lifeguards from colleges in Ireland, Britain and Germany. The city helps with visas and will find overseas lifeguards a place to stay.

Lifeguards work 48 hours a week and make $11.72 an hour. To qualify, you must be at least 16 years old, in a lifeguard job and be able to swim 50 yards in 35 seconds.

There's also a written test and 40 hours of training. Log onto www. nyc. gov/parks for more details.