Life

Travel News: Corsica, New England, haunted Halloween and a Christmas stay away

Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park, near the town of Bar Harbor, in the New England state of Maine
Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park, near the town of Bar Harbor, in the New England state of Maine Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park, near the town of Bar Harbor, in the New England state of Maine

Spooky stayovers

this Halloween

Hastings Hotels have a frighteningly good selection of overnight breaks for all the family this Halloween. If you're brave enough, stay at the haunted Ballygally Castle in Co Antrim from £65 per person sharing for overnight B&B. Lady Isabella Shaw is Ballygally Castle’s friendly ghost with numerous sightings having been reported over the years. Located just five minutes' drive from Derry city centre, Europe's Halloween capital, the Everglades Hotel has a ghoulish Halloween cocktail on arrival and a full Irish breakfast the next morning from just £50 per person sharing. See Hastingshotels.com.

New flight destinations

in Greece and Corsica

Looking to travel somewhere different next summer? British Airways has announced details of new routes from Heathrow to Bastia in Corsica and the Greek city of Preveza in Greece. As the airline flies from Belfast City Airport to London Heathrow’s Terminal 5, onwards connections are straightforward for Northern Ireland holidaymakers. Seats to the picture-perfect Greek town are available for take-off from T5 on Wednesdays and Sundays from May 26 through to September 29 2019. Flights to Bastia will operate every Saturday from May 25 to September 28 2019. Book at Ba.com.

Autumnwatch in

New England

If watching Chris Packman and Michael Strachan encounter moose and flying squirrels on this week’s BBC Autumnwatch New England has made you want to venture west next autumn, this is the perfect trip for you.America As You Like It are offering a 14-night package to New England for a stunning fall foliage experience in 2019. Travel from Dublin from £1,859 per person, including car hire and accommodation. The trip includes stays in Boston, Freeport, Bar Harbour Maine, White Mountains New Hampshire, Berkshires, Newport Rhode Island and Cape Cod. Price is based on two adults sharing. To book call 020 8742 8299 or online at Americaasyoulikeit.com.

Christmas break

in Fermanagh

Seeking a stress-free Christmas? The Lough Erne Resort Christmas Residency package offers singing choirs, mulled wine and mince pies on arrival on Christmas Eve. Younger guests can visit Santa’s Pantry to hand pick the items they want to leave out for their special guests, before enjoying a bedtime story from Mrs Claus. Awake to an indulgent breakfast with Buck’s Fizz. A five-course Christmas lunch awaits, served with bubbles, followed by board games and Christmas movies. Prices start from £595/ €678 per person sharing for a two-night stay (children aged three-13 £279/€318 per person sharing in own room). Lougherneresort.com.

:: All prices and availability correct at time of publication.