These include the Shopper's Package, with impressive discounts and special offers at stores like Bloomingdale's and Saks Fifth Avenue, and the Roses & Romance Package, a weekend stay for a loved-up couple in a deluxe king or queen suite. Visit www. fitzpatrickhotels. com for more information.

Hip to be Square

The Great Southern Hotel on Eyre Square, Galway, was always majestic even if it did get a little decrepit in its later years. Now that it's Hotel Meyrick, and run by the same people who own the G, it's still sophisticated and refined but considerably more swish. Tosh, its new late night lounge, has just opened its doors for business. Here, it's all about the champagne cocktails, velvet curtains, film screenings in the afternoon and sounds by guest DJs in the evenings. Add in the fact that it's possibly the best location in Galway city and you've got no excuse not to book yourself in here for a few days. Log on to www. hotelmeyrick. ie

King Cong

April is the cruellest month. But not if you treat yourself to three days of luxury at Ashford Castle, Cong, Co Mayo, which is just enough time to explore its delights, such as 350 acres of lush garden, falconry school and nine-hole golf courses. Stay any longer and you might become a little too settled there.

This Easter they're offering spring breaks from Good Friday (6 April) to Easter Monday (9 April), with prices starting from Euro575 pps for a Corrib River View room right up to Euro755 pps for a suite. The rates included three nights accommodation, full Irish breakfast each morning, dinner for two in the George V Restaurant one evening, and dinner in Cullen's at the Cottage on another night. Phone 094 954 6003 or visit www. ashford. ie for more details.

Deal of the week

Drive 26 miles out of Dublin and you'll come to the picturesque town of Trim in Meath. It's famous for its Norman Castle but another good reason to visit is the Knightsbrook Hotel & Golf Resort, which just opened last year.

Four-star, luxurious and modern, they emphasise the great golf and superior spa experience here, and are also keen to attract the conference contingent.

Check out their number of special deals including a mid-week experience which costs only Euro85 per deluxe double room until the end of the month or the introductory spa offer, which is two nights and three days with luxurious accommodation, two full Irish breakfasts, a dinner and spa treatments for Euro369 per person. Phone 046 9482100 or log on to www. knightsbrook. com.

Festival Fit

There's more to festivals than mucky fields and music. Chocolate festivals in Belgium? Sailing weeks in Antigua? The Kentucky Derby? Whatsonwhere. com is the wonderful site alerting you to some of the most interesting events around the globe.

We love the idea of the Spamarama in Austin, Texas on 7 April, a celebration of that somewhat scary pseudo meat product, including a spamburger eating contest and the Spam Jam where local bands perform. Log on www. whatsonwhere. com for more information.