Travel TREATS

WHY A WINTER BREAK?

Jack Frost made his presence felt in a big way this week. So it was very good timing from TUI Holidays to present us with ‘nine reasons to book a winter holiday’. My favourites were 1) The only ice you’ll see will be in cube form; 2) Warm toes beat cold hands and 3) Waking up in the dark never, ever feels OK. Now, if only I had a few bob to book the break!

SOMETHING ABOUT SEATTLE:

Having started with a list, why not continue with another. Aer Lingus launched new flights to Seattle this week and as it was their 15th transatlantic route, they helped us to 15 fun facts about Seattleites (yes, that’s what they are called). Favourites here were 1) They buy more sunglasses there per capita than any other US city; 2) It’s the original home of Starbucks and 3) It was the first city to play a Beatles song on the radio.

SO WHERE WILL I START?

We’re on a roll now. Here’s another list from the people at Crystal Ski Holidays: the top five ski destinations for beginners. I’m particularly interested in this one as I plan to knock this little babe off my bucket list in 2018. Anyway their view is that if it’s your first time head to one of the following: Arinsal, Andorra; Niedarau, Austria; Alpe d’Huez, France; La Plagne, France and Kranjska Gora, Slovenia are best for starters. They have offers to all of the above on crystalski.ie.

MY KICKS ON ROUTE 66:

And finally, since we are on the lists, especially those of the bucket variety, who doesn’t have a spin on Route 66 on their to-do list? I was reminded of that back-of-my-mind commitment to myself by the people at the Travel Department. Now, this is one for the mid, if not the long finger on account of the cost but this is a oncein-a-lifetime trip down the infamous Route 66 starting from €3,999pp. 15 nights holiday takes you from Chicago to Los Angeles, through St Louis, Branson, Oklahoma, Amarillo, Albuquerque, the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. See traveldepartment.ie