TRAVEL TREATS
CRUISE TO THE FROZEN SOUTH
This may be one for either the bucket list or the very special occasion. Project Travel offers a range of Hurtigruten expedition voyages to Antarctica as well as some to North, Central and South America, all with no single supplement. It includes a Christmas 2019 Antarctic cruise from €7,509 (voyage only, so definitely special occasion) and Mexico/Baja California voyage in May 2020 from €2,490 (voyage only). Most are for travel between January and March 2020, but all must be booked by the end of this month, November 30. There’s also up to 25% off many Antarctic voyages for travel between October 2020 and March 2021 which must be booked by December 15. Project Travel can supply international flights and any hotel nights or excursions required pre- and post-voyage. Subject to availability. See Project-Travel.ie.
THANKSGIVING IRISH STYLE
Celebrate the most American of holidays this year on November 28 at The Lodge at Ashford Castle, where there will be a traditional Thanksgiving feast with all of the favourite trimmings. Guests will be treated to a festive three-course meal full of Thanksgiving inspired classics, including a warming pumpkin soup, perfectly roasted turkey and sweet and sticky pecan pie. Enjoy a festive ‘Fall Cider Cocktail’ or ‘Spiced Pumpkin Eggnog’ by the roaring peat fires at The Lodge, with live music throughout the evening. Dinner costs €70pp, with an overnight B&B + dinner option at €259. See thelodgeac.com.
NY AND PHILLY ON SINGLE TRIP
Make the most of a trip to New York with a three-night stopover in Philadephia in March with Cassidy Travel from €825pp. Enjoy the sights of Philly with its fascinating museums and historic sites, staying in the fourstar Home2 Suites by Hilton Convention Center before jetting to the Big Apple and three nights in the four-star
New Yorker Hotel, whose Midtown West location puts you in the heart of Manhattan, just steps from Times Square and innumerable attractions. Flight from Dublin departs March 6. See cassidytravel.ie.
ORLANDO ON A BUDGET
Whether you have children or not, Orlando is always a favourite holiday destination for Irish travellers. Even more so, of course, if you have little ones keen to visit Disney World. American Sky is offering savings of up to €380 per family on seven-night stays at the five-star Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando for travel between April 1 and December 20, 2020, if booked before December 31, 2019. This holiday costs from €659pp. The resort hotel offers four swimming pools, a full service spa, tennis, fishing, walking trails and a choice of restaurants and bars. It’s minutes away from Universal Orlando and Volcano Bay, with a free scheduled shuttle service to Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure, Seaworld, and Aquatica Water Park.
Price is based on two adults and two children sharing and includes return flights from Dublin. See americansky.ie.
SEE AMERICA IN COMFORT
National rail operator Amtrak offers a comfortable and convenient travel experience for those who prefer not to drive across America, with great views of the landscape that are often inaccessible by car.
It has free Wi-Fi on most trains, plenty of legroom and no middle seat…though US trains do have a reputation for being late.
The long-distance routes such as the renowned California Zephyr, (from Chicago to California through the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevadas); the Empire Builder, (Chicago, Seattle, Portland, Spokane;) Coast Starlight, (down the Pacific coast from Seattle to Los Angeles) feature sleeper cabins with hotellike amenities and observation cars so passengers can soak in 360-degree views. To give you some idea of the cost, currently the price for the California Zephyr in March starts at $141 for a saver ticket for the 52-hour journey, up to $547 for a premium ticket with a roomette and meals. Amtrak’s Black Friday Track Friday sale is highly anticipated. Deals go live on Black Friday (November 29). Last year’s offer included 30% off nationwide travel. See.amtrak.com