Israels 60th birthday may be over, but the celebrations continue throughout the summer. If you plan to be in Jerusalem next month, there is a whole weekend featuring dozens of guided tours as well as a series of special events (June 5-8). The weekend after (June 12-14), there is New Orleans jazz at Caesarea Harbour, where three world-renowned jazz bands will perform at the ancient port built by Herod against a backdrop of blue sea and red sunsets. And in July, the 60th Anniversary Administration and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel are opening the Kinneret Trail, a 60km path around the Sea of Galilee, integrating existing trails and connecting tourist attractions round the lake.
If you think you can do better bargaining in the Marrakesh souk than the hapless apprentices of Michael Sophocles and team, specialist travel operator Black Tomato is offering a three-night break in the fascinating Moroccan city from £499. The break, with B&B accommodation at the luxurious Maison Arabe, a traditional riad in the heart of the Medina, includes flights and private transfers (020 7610 9008).
Film buffs and wine buffs can combine their passions at two major festivals in Jerusalem in July. The acclaimed annual International Film Festival, which runs this year from July 10-19, will open with the traditional outdoor gala screening in the Sultans Pool beside the Old City walls followed by packed programme of locally-made movies, while a wine festival taking place at Jerusalems spectacular Israel Museum will offer visitors the chance to sample 150 varieties of wine from 30 top Israeli wineries. Alongside the wine, there is the museums art, plus wine and cocktail workshops and jazz.
With the film of Sex and The City opening in just over a week, Kirker Holidays are offering a three-night SATC break in New York, based at the gorgeous, five-star Trump International Hotel and Tower, with indoor pool, fitness centre, spa, restaurant and cool bar, and located just a few Jimmy Choo-clad footsteps from Central Park and Fifth Avenues boutiques and cafs. The break costs £1,351 per person (based on two sharing) and includes B&B accommodation flights (ex-Heathrow or Manchester) and private transfers (020 7593 2288).
The uber-stylish Gran Hotel Son Net in Mallorca is celebrating its 10th birthday this year by offering all guest rooms and suites including the recently opened new Grand Suite Villas at 1998 rates throughout October. There will also be celebratory surprises (0034 971 147000).
The equally stylish Hotel Le Grimaldi in Nice is also offering some enticing bargains until October with a three-night family deal priced at 645 (513) for accommodation in a superior family room, buffet breakfast, a guided tour of Nice, and a beach day with sunbeds and parasol (0033 493 1600 24).