Travel TREATS
IN AWE OF PORTUGAL:
It’s been a great year for Portugal, with it being named as the world’s leading destination in the recent World Travel Awards. I’ve been there on various missions over the years from family holiday to golf-buddies hooley to wine-region break. Each time I’ve had the urge to rebook the minute I got home. Apart from the overall award (the first European country to be so honoured) I was particularly delighted to note that the Pine Cliffs won the leading luxury leisure resort. I would recommend it without hesitation, especially if you’re into the trio above: family, golf and wine!
A DUTCH OF CLASS:
Aer Lingus is determined to fly us to European cities this spring at the right prices, starting at €29.99 oneway. Amsterdam, Dusseldorf and Hamburg are coming in at that price with super value also to Lisbon (€34.99), Rome (€39.99) and a host of other cities across the continent. Book by Wednesday and travel up to mid-March. See aerlingus.com
GIVE KILKENNY A HURL:
I’ve mixed views about Kilkenny. Lovely city, great neighbours (in Carlow, where I live!) and a couple of great festivals during the year. It’s just as a Galwegian, I’m not a huge fan of their hurlers. That aside though, the Kilkenny Inn has a great New Year offer at the moment. Check in on December 30 and stay two nights for €185 per room or check in on the 31st for two nights at €239 per room. Centre-city craic guaranteed and you don’t have to know anything about hurling!
A TITANIC EVENING: It has become fashionable in recent years for movie snobs to look down their noses at Titanic, but 20 years ago it was a spectacular success and it’s still on my list of films I’d look at more than once. Crazy as it seems, it’s two decades ago this Tuesday since its premiere and Titanic Belfast, below, is hosting a great evening out... afternoon tea, prosecco, film, the works. see discovernorthernireland.com WINE AND DINE: This might sound crazy to all you people going around in a frenzy in the run-up to Christmas Day and feeling you haven’t time to make a cup of tea. But just imagine a night away from it all in the next few days to recharge the batteries. Wineport Lodge are offering a luxury night away for €200 on Tuesday with breakfast, mulled-wine welcome and afternoon tea for two. See wineport.ie.