Visit www. parkkenmare. com and telephone 064 41200 for details.

On the lough The recently-opened Lisloughrey Lodge in Cong, Co Mayo is a sister hotel to the wonderful Wineport Lodge in Westmeath. Visitors will find the same careful attention to detail, wonderful food and warm welcome in both. There's a lot to like here from the lakeside setting overlooking Lough Corrib to the goosedown duvets and pillows in the rooms and the underfloor heating and L'Occitane products. Lisloughrey currently have an opening Summer Break in the West offer, which includes two nights accommodation and dinner for two in the excellent Salt restaurant, followed by breakfast in bed and newspapers the following morning. Prices start from 195 midweek and 225 weekends for a deluxe room and, if you mention The Sunday Tribune, you'll get a complimentary upgrade to a suite.

Visit www. lisloughreylodge. ie or telephone 094 95454000.

Fabulous feet Wonderful as summer is, it creates its own set of problems too.

Like how to dress appropriately in the office without also melting, and how to counteract six months of comfort eating in time for a beach holiday. Feet seem to be a perennial problem and much work is required post-winter before you can slip into sandals. Before you unleash the unlovely sight of cracked heels to the world, pick up Lipikar Podologics from the brilliant French brand La RochePosay. Containing a micro-exfoliating agent, shea butter and glycerine, you'll notice a dramatic reduction in dryness and cracks, which not only looks unappealing but can also hurt. It's a must pack if you're planning on doing any amount of walking on your holidays. It costs 11.95 from pharmacies.

Get in on the action You can buy the guidebooks or pick up a copy of Time Out but you can't beat insider knowledge when it comes to picking up tips on the coolest places when you travel.

Website www. gridskipper. com, the self-professed decadent urban travel guide, scours the globe for chic hotels, hot restaurants, sweet nightlife and pretty people so that you don't have to. From where to find a great burger in Paris to celebrity hotels in LA, it's all here.

Living for the city Don't do sun holidays? That's ok.

The whole ray-soaking, pool-side lolling thing isn't for everyone.

There will always be us culture vultures (or diehard shoppers) who can't stay out of the city. Jurys Doyle have announced some really good value deals with their Explore the Holidays summer packages in Ireland, the UK and the US. Rates are per night, with breakfast and include the Westbury in Dublin for 249 and the Berkley Court, Dublin from 169.

Further afield you can stay in their Boston hotel for $249 and in Jurys Washington for $169 (ex VAT). Call 01 6070000 and visit www. jurysdoyle. com/holidays.