Austria shakes up 007 fans
for two – £222 for a double with breakfast. See califavejer.com.
Cloud forest Costa Rica
In the lull between travel seasons, March can be an inexpensive time to go long-haul. In Costa Rica the weather is ideal both for hiking in the rainforests and lounging on the beaches. You can join a small group tour to experience the natural beauty this Central American nation is famous for.
Starting by the Manuel Antonio National Park’s beautiful lagoons, adjusting your bodyclock to its new time zone on its palm fringed beaches.
Then in the Monteverde Cloud Forest you can
JAMES Bond fans should head to the Austrian Tyrol next month for an exciting 007-inspired event.
The tenth edition of the Fireball Festival will be held from March 13 to 14, with skiing competitions, blackjack tournaments take a thrilling zip line, flying over the cloud forest between giant trees.
From there you move on to the Arenal Volcano, with a dip in the hot springs nearby, and finally end up in Costa Rica’s endearing capital San Jose.
This nine-night Nature Trails tour costs just £633, which includes guide, accommodation, transfers and breakfasts, but not flights. There is a local payment of £100. See tucantravel.com.
World craic St Patrick’s Day
The Irish are fabulously good at partying and have established outposts all round the world.
That means the day of their patron saint is a wonderful excuse for a reunion and a celebration – and not only in and other themed entertainment. This year, the event in Kitzbühel – where Bond author Ian Fleming once lived – will pay tribute to Sean Connery’s Diamonds Are Forever. Tickets start from £17pp – see fireballkitz.com.
Ireland and the UK. Huge parades take place in great destinations such as Boston and New York on or around the 17th of the month.
One of the most high-spirited reunions of all happens on the island of Montserrat in the Caribbean, where St Patrick’s celebration lasts a whole week. See visitmontserrat.com.
Luckily we have Dublin on our doorstep. The city comes alive with street parades and arts performances within the framework of the St Patrick’s Day Festival. See stpatricksfestival.ie. Virtually every pub down Temple Bar – and there are a lot of them – will have live music. If you book quickly you could still get a room in the recently opened Mayson Hotel, a stylish design-led property situated right in on the banks of the River Liffey, doubles from £118. See themayson.ie.
There are flights from Aer Lingus, Ryanair, British Airways and Flybe.