Travel TREATS
THE HEIGHT OF COOL :
Iceland has never been cooler as Ben Haugh reveals in these pages. And it’s even cooler during the Nordur og Nidur arts festival from December 27-30 in the Harpa concert hall, Reykjavik, showcasing Icelandic band Sigur Rós, and wiry old Brit popster Jarvis Cocker, among others. WOW has 10% off travel for the festival which translates as ‘go north and go down’. WOW prices start from €49.99 one way, pre-discount. Visit wowair. ie, nordurognidur.is and harpa.is
THAT’S HARDLY FARE:
You get to your airport, you’re tired, and then you face having to lug your luggage onto a bus for the long journey to your hotel while forking out a fair bit too... we’ve all been there. But where’s best (and worst) for getting you into town? Well kayak.ie has done all the heavy lifting for us and London Heathrow is bottom of the class at €24.30 for a 20-minute public transport ride of 27km and €70 for a 40-minute taxi ride. Faro in the Algarve is one of the best at €2.25 for public transport (15 minutes) and €15 for a 12-minute taxi ride. And you step out into guaranteed sun.
CHOC-A-BLOCK FUN:
One of the best visitor centres we’ve been to is Cadbury World, Bournville (naturally) in Birmingham. Laden down with chocs, Daddy’s Little Girl didn’t eat her meal that night. Butlers Chocolate Experience has the same idea. For €13.50pp this Halloween (from October 28) you’ll get entry to the Chocolate Movie, Chocolate Museum, Chocolate Gallery and the Chocolate Experience room. Special family rates available. Tours daily at 10am, 12noon and 3.30pm, Monday-Saturday. Five minutes from the M50/M1 junction near the airport. Visit butlerschocolates.com/book to save 5%. Chocs away!
WINTER IS COMING:
Get your skis on. It’s time to plan your winter holiday. Andorra never goes out of fashion and crystalski.ie (01-433 1080) has Pas de la Casa apartments from €437 for seven nights, down from €522 on January 7.