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Travel News: Spain, Malta, Monaghan and family ski holidays

Explore the Dingli cliffs during a St Patrick's Day break in Malta
Explore the Dingli cliffs during a St Patrick's Day break in Malta Explore the Dingli cliffs during a St Patrick's Day break in Malta

Celebrate St Patrick’s

Day in historic Malta

Malta's Irish connection dates from the turn of the 20th century when The Royal Dublin Fusiliers, stationed in Floriana, would celebrate St Patrick’s Day. St Patrick’s Day is always a fantastic celebration in Malta, with a street party taking place in Floriana. With Concorde Travel you can depart Dublin on March 12 and stay seven nights at the five-star Corinthia St Georges Bay, St Julians, (B&B basis) for €579 pp. With Budget Travel you can depart Dublin on the March 16 and stay seven nights at the four-star Ramla Bay Resort, Mellieha (B&B Basis) from €395. See Maltaireland.com

We northerners are all

off to Sunny Spain

Ahead of the Holiday World Show in Belfast this weekend, Turespaña (The Spanish Tourist Board) has carried out a survey to find which Spanish destination is most popular with visitors from Northern Ireland. And the winner? A vibrant city that offers a feast for the senses: Barcelona. The remainder of the top 10 destinations were Lanzarote, Costa Del Sol, Majorca, Tenerife, Salou, Madrid, Malaga, Seville and Alicante. The good news for holidaymakers is that flights to Spain are short and affordable. Six airlines (Aer Lingus, Ryanair, Jet2, Thomas Cook, TUI and Easyjet) fly to 14 Spanish destinations, direct from Belfast. See Spain.info

Family ski holiday

offers from Dublin

Crystal Ski offers many family friendly ski holiday options, including kids clubs, child-friendly accommodation, husky rides and ski hire and tuition for all ages and abilities.

Here are just two great family offers. Depart March 9, staying at the three-star Aurora apartments, Bad Hofgastein, Austria, on a self-catering basis, for seven nights, from €1,788. Or depart March 10, staying at the three-star Planibel Apartments, LA Thuile, Italy, on a self-catering basis, for seven nights, from €1,335. More at Crystalski.ie

No babysitter, is no

problem at Hillgrove

The Hillgrove Hotel & Spa, Monaghan, is offering an overnight Valentine's family break, giving parents an opportunity for rest, relaxation and a little romance. Between February 14 and 16 the hotel is operating a supervised kids club from 10am-1pm and 5pm-9pm, to allow mum and dad to relax in the Lir Spa thermal suite and enjoy a child-free candlelit dinner and cocktails in the Vettriano Restaurant. From €215 per night based on two adults and two children sharing. Hillgrovehotel.com

:: All prices and availability correct at the time of issue.