This Weeks News

So it's still not too late to treat the children to an unforgettable festive adventure including the chance to ride husky sleighs and snowmobiles, go Christmas shopping and most importantly, meet Santa himself!

Falcon's Lapland day trip departs from Belfast International on December 9 at 07.15hrs and returns from Rovaniemi at 19.00hrs, arriving in Belfast at 20.45hrs. Adults travel for £459 and children for £409 including all taxes and charges.

For those looking for some winter sun and to recharge the batteries before the Christmas holidays, Falcon has some great deals to the Canaries. A Falcon package departing Belfast International on Dec 12 to Sun's Gardens Apts, Gran Canaria, is priced at £264pp based on two people sharing.

Meanwhile, a Lanzarote flight from Belfast International on December 15 with accommodation at Bitacora Apts is selling at £284 pps, based on two people sharing. A flight a day later to Tenerife, staying at Laguna Park II, costs £289 pps. And if you fancy soaking up the sun on Christmas Day, there's a flight to Gran Canaria from Belfast on December 19. Accommodation is at Cala D'Or Playa Apts and costs £347 pps. For further information or to book, call Falcon Direct, log on to Falcon's website or contact your local travel agent.

Olympic legend and unlikely superstar Eddie the Eagle took to the skies earlier this week to help launch low cost airline bmibaby's new route to Geneva.

The new ski route straight to the slopes, actually begins on December 17 from Belfast City Airport and will operate twice a week Saturdays and Sundays with a Friday service over Christmas.

Following the launch of Amsterdam at the end of October 2011, this is the second European route bmibaby has launched from Belfast City Airport this year. During 2012 the low cost airline will launch six new sunshine routes from Belfast City Airport. bmibaby is currently on sale with flights to Mahon, Malaga, Alicante, Palma, Faro and Ibiza for summer 2012.

Julian Carr, Managing Director, bmibaby, said: "Who better to launch our ski route than larger than life ski jumping legend Eddie the Eagle. The new Geneva service offers Northern Ireland customers the opportunity to get to the slopes conveniently from Belfast City Airport and whether you are a beginner or a seasoned skier, the many resorts close to Geneva will cater for your needs."

Katy Best, Belfast City Airport commented: "Geneva is an excellent destination for skiing, and offers a huge number of resorts within a short drive. We believe the product we have to offer at Belfast City Airport, including close proximity to the city, our customer services initiatives and our terminal facilities will make flying from Belfast City Airport to Europe the preferred choice for passengers in Northern Ireland."

With only four months until lights out again in Melbourne local specialist company Travel Solutions have already unveiled their programme of Grand Prix tours for the 2012 season.

The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most popular, with the race through the streets of Monaco one of the best known and most eagerly awaited on the calendar with its narrow streets making for exciting and close-up action. It is also considered one of Europe's premier social highlights of the year.

The trip with Travel Solutions includes return flights from Dublin with Aer Lingus, 3 nights at the 3* Piccolo Hotel, with breakfast and evening meals, coach transfers to/from the airport, and general admission Rocher tickets on Saturday/Sunday. The tickets are not seated, but upgrades are available. The price has been held for 2012, and starts from £759 per person sharing.

The British Grand Prix is the company's best priced trip from £559 pps. This trip is by coach and ferry, with local pick-ups and luxury coach travel. Stay at the 4* St John's Hotel Solihull for three nights including breakfast and evening meals with transfers to/from the circuit. Meanwhile, new for 2012 is the German Formula 1 Grand Prix at Hockenheim. This 4 day trip departs July 20 and is from £649 per person sharing.

Travel Solutions is also offering other Grand Prix options for the new season - contact the company direct by telephone, go online, or call into your local Travel Agent for more information or to book.

Savvy travellers looking for a low-cost hotel in London in the New Year will be interested to hear that budget hotel chain Tune Hotels will be opening its second London property. Tune Hotel Liverpool Street will open on January 4, 2012 offering great savings for a central London hotel, offering rooms at just £35 per night. Online bookings are already being taken.

Located just 500 metres from Liverpool Street station, the new Tune property features 183 en-suite bedrooms and for the first time in the UK, Tune has introduced twin bedrooms to the new property. The hotel also has a beautiful courtyard garden, spanning 550 square metres, which will be accessible to all guests.

Mark Lankester, CEO of the Tune Hotel Group, commented: "Following the success of our Westminster property, which has had an occupancy rate of 96 per cent over the past year, we realised there is a real need for good quality, inexpensive accommodation in London, which is what we aim to provide. We've listened to our guests and whilst everyone loves our products, some guests have mentioned that they enjoy twin rooms. We're working with the same business model for the new property and will be offering rooms from £35 a night."