In Dublin's fair city...

Discover Dublin this winter with Arabian Pacific Travel. Priced from Dh3,850, you can enjoy return airfares and taxes, three nights at Jury's Inn Christchurch, and a visit to Chic Shopping's Kildare Village with a discount card for Kildare Village.

The trip also includes a visit to Ireland's National Stud, which was established in 1946. It combines an active role in the development and promotion of Irish bloodstock with being one of the country's major tourist attractions.

All prices are based on two people travelling and sharing accommodation and are subject to availability. For more details contact Arabian Pacific Travel on 04 395 0033.

The home front

Hatta Fort Hotel has put together special packages for Christmas and the New Year. Just an hour's drive from Dubai, the hotel offers views of the Hajjar Mountains, a temperature controlled swimming pool and a spa where you can treat yourself to a well-earned massage.

Stay at the hotel on Christmas Eve, for Dh1,760 per night in a deluxe chalet-style room, including buffet breakfast and Christmas Eve Dinner. The New Year's eve package includes a bubbly reception, gala dinner with unlimited house beverages, overnight stay in a deluxe-chalet-style room and bubbly breakfast on New Year's Day.

The rates are subject to 10 per cent municipality fee and 10 per cent service charge, and terms and conditions apply. For full details log on to www.jebelali-international.com

Gateway to South America

If you'd like to go further afield into the great outdoors, Qatar Airways flies from Doha to Buenos Aires, Argentina. At a press conference in Buenos Aires earlier this month, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker spoke about the airline's expansion into Latin America and the strong traffic it has generated from Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

He said, "The Doha-Buenos Aires route provides a key gateway for commercial, leisure and tourism traffic and opens the door to further expansion into South America."

Qatar Airways also announced its 100th destination to Aleppo in Syria from April 6 next year, offering even more options for travellers.