The sumptuous Carton House in Co Kildare promises to banish bad weather blues and at this stage of our seasonal affective disordered malaise, we don't need any convincing.

Its Spring Has Sprung package offers three nights' bed and breakfast with dinner on two of the evenings in the Linden Tree restaurant.

Guests then also choose one of the following activities: a round of golf on one of two championship golf courses; an introductory archery lesson; a lesson in Xtreme driving; three hours' trout fishing or one hour of treatments at the spa. Cobweb blowing an absolute guarantee and the price is 588 per person sharing. Visit www. cartonhouse. com and tel: 01 5052000

2. HEY JOE

Oh me oh my, what a musical extravaganza there is at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney over the Easter weekend.

The Three Tenors kick off proceedings in the INEC, next to the hotel, on 7 April but the main event is Mr Joe Dolan himself, who takes to the stage of the Gleneagle ballroom for a night of hits that will no doubt include classics like 'Good Looking Woman' and 'It's You, It's You, It's You'. Fabulous.

A weekend break at the hotel (6-9 April) includes three nights' accommodation, one evening meal and a ticket to see Joe for 279 per person sharing. Visit www. gleneaglehotel. com and tel: 064 36000

3. GOING FOR GOLD

Eggs at Easter? Not wildly unusual you might think but at the Conrad Hotel on Earlsfort Terrace in Dublin, they're going for classic with a twist. The Golden Easter package here costs 325 per couple sharing and includes a night's accommodation with breakfast and a table d'hote dinner for two in the restaurant, Alex. But it's when you retire to your bedroom for the evening that you'll discover what's golden about this package. The turndown gift consists of miniature chocolate Easter eggs decorated with edible 24 carat gold leaf. Completely decadent and in a very good way. Visit www. conradhotels. com and tel: 01 6028900

4. STROLL IN SPAIN

A walking tour of the Sierra Nevada offers you the perfect opportunity to explore some of the prettiest villages in Andalusia, as well as sampling some of the wonderful local foods and wine.

Uwalk still has availability for this week-long package which includes full escorted walks, breakfast included daily, and seven nights' hostel-style accommodation in the village of Trevelez for 495, excluding flights.

A definite highlight is the opportunity to visit the Alhambra in Granada, the exquisite and ancient fortress built by the Moorish kings. Visit www. uwalk. ie for more details.

Water world

The modern-day cruise holiday has almost (but not quite) shed its image of being the preserve of rich, older people and a new book by Iwein Maassen called The Contemporary Cruise . . . Style.

Discovery. Adventurewill convince any remaining doubters that holidays at sea are the way forward.

A hotel that travels with you as you travel the world is indeed an appealing concept and Maassen explores the endless possibilities a cruise holiday offers, from journeying along the Norwegian coastline to crossing the Atlantic on a classic ocean liner.