TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe Accessible Travel has launched a river cruise ship which is specifically adapted for the disabled market. The company claims The MS Alegria is the first accessible River Cruise launched. The Alegria has a number of deluxe cabins with toilets and showers totally accessible by wheelchair. The ship’s lift can take passengers in wheelchairs, scooters or using mobility aids from their cabin deck to the promenade deck to the restaurant, library and bar. The lifts also go up to the large sun deck, allowing the ship to be a totally barrier-free environment. The embarkation & disembarkation is fully wheelchair accessible and coach transfers are provided by adapted coaches.
Holiday Hotspot Sao Paulo is the industrial and commercial powerhouse of Brazil. The city grew wealthy on coffee cultivation in the mid-19th century, thanks to the rich soil of the region, and the plantation owners took up residence in the bustling regional centre. Gradually the coffee barons diversified their interests and invested some of their wealth in local industry, resulting in a demand for labour and a resultant surge in immigrant population. Lacking in natural attractions, the city’s leisure pursuits are mainly cultural and artistic, and there are some impressive public buildings to delight sightseers, as well as some top-notch museums, theatres, bars, and some of the best shopping in Brazil. There’s a real buzz about São Paulo. With 19 million inhabitants this huge and sprawling metropolis is not only the third largest city in the world but a remarkably cosmopolitan one, and that makes for very good eating options. The vibrant food culture is bolstered by a large Italian and Middle Eastern community, and there’s an even larger Japanese population (SP is home to the largest Japanese community outside Japan). While visiting this city, it is a good idea to fall into the Brazilian way of dining. Breakfast light, just some of the world famous coffee and perhaps a sweet roll. The
main meal of the day is almoco, which is served from about 11:30 AM to 3 PM. Dinner, or jantar, is served from 7 to 11 PM. In metropolitan areas Brazilians dine late. Plan to arrive at your restaurant about 10 PM on Friday and Saturday evening. The top area for trendy nite-clubs is called Vila Madalena; the places are so trendy, in fact, that they come and go at will. It is wise to have your hotel call first to make sure the place you are interested in is open. n Views of Est Neighbourhoods like Bela aiada Bridg e at Hyatt Vista and Bixiga are very Sao Paulo photogenic, with mansions and impressive skyscrapers. In fact many local families who made fortunes from coffee built mansions in the Avenida Paulista neighbourhood. Beginning with the n Sao Paulo Cathedral post-World War II industrial boom, these homes gave way to skyscrapers. Many of the best hotels are also on or work area offering highnear this avenue. During the eco- speed Internet access. Two restaunomic growth of the 1970s, many rants, Eau and Kinu, serve French businesses moved west and down- and Japanese fare, respectively. A hill to a former swamp. fully equipped fitness centre boasts You’ll find the tall buildings of treadmills and weight machines. A Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, the spa with eight treatment rooms is n Grand Hyatt Sao Paulo Brazil stylish homes of the Jardins neigh- on hand for those determined to bourhood, and the Shopping Cen- relax. Other facilities include an intre Iguatemi (Brazil’s first mall) just door pool and the Upstairs Lounge, off the banks of the Rio Pinheiros. a live jazz and bossa nova venue. Within 40 miles of Sao Paulo there This Brazil Hotel is close to the followed by a Michelin starred dinare excellent beaches, while the offices of major international and ner in the The Park Restaurant….. mountain region is less than a two- national corporations and to sev- Valentine’s Weekend, prices from hour drive away. The Grand Hyatt eral shopping centres. Sao Paulo’s £420 per person for a 2 night stay Sao Paulo is a stylish 5 star hotel Congonhas domestic airport is less inclusive of the following:2 nights’ ideally located in the new, prestig- than 15 minutes by car and Guarul- accommodation over Valentines ious Marginal Pinheiros district. It hos International Airport is 50 min- weekend (valid 11th — 14th Feboffers guests a truly unique expe- utes away. www.saopaulo.grand. ruary 2011), Full English breakfast rience with spectacular views of hyatt.com daily, Champagne cream tea in the the city’s new landmark, Estaiada Drawing Room ,3 course dinner for Bridge. 2 in The Park & Half bottle of rosé The rooms are modern, minimalWeekly Best Buy champagne and red rose in your istic, comfortable and practical room on arrival. Prices are based offering floor to-ceiling windows Take your loved one to Lucknam on two adults sharing a standard with uninterrupted skyline or river Park Hotel & Spa, Bath — a perfect room and are quoted inclusive VAT views. Stylish decor featuring natu- winter escape — this Valentines. and full use of the Spa facilities. ral woods, stones and fabrics create Couples can enjoy romantic walks Six miles from Bath, Lucknam Park a luxurious, residential feel along- through the frosty woodland, relax is one of the UK’s leading counside a marble-tile bath with domed and be pampered in the world class try house hotels and a member of shower and soaking tub, exclusive spa and then spend cosy afternoons the prestigious Relais & Châteaux. bath amenities together with a curled up in front of a roaring log fire www.lucknampark.co.uk
Pet’s Corner...
with Kathleen Murray
Grumpy old dogs with Kathleen Murray: Animal Behavioural Therapist
Dogs go through changes in their lives just like us. They develop in a certain way at certain stages in their lives. When they are very young, life is all about leaning lessons and having lots of fun. As they get older they will start to settle down a bit and become more knowing about things. They will have had many experiences and will not be as excited, or distracted by things that pups would be excited or distracted by. When dogs reach middle age which is about six or seven-years old then many of them become less tolerant of unruly pups jumping on them, or children pull-
Living
ing at them. They just want some order in their lives. It is at this time that some of them growl at other dogs or maybe snap at children if left unsupervised. Some dogs live longer than others so middle age comes a little later for some. The average age that a dog lives for is about 13. Some die younger and some live till they are 19 and older. Small dogs tend to live longer than large dogs. It is always good to supervise dogs in the presence of children no matter what age the dog is and, as dogs get older and more feeble they need to be supervised more, and protected from things that they would have taken
in their stride when they were younger. Heart problems, arthritis and other medical complaints can cause dogs to appear grumpy. This is because the dog is frail and needs to be handled in a gentle way. It can be painful for a dog to have a toddler fall on it or pull it around when it is not well. Very often, an owner doesn’t see the problem until something happens. Never take a dog for granted. It is an animal that is capable of anything given the right circumstances. Please watch out for signs of change in your dog as they age. Grumpy old dogs need a quiet and peaceful retirement.
Home and Away Extra Belfast’s world-famous Europa Hotel is celebrating its 40th birthday this year and wants to give everyone the chance to get into the party spirit. There will be numerous events to look forward to throughout the year and this Valentine’s Day, the landmark hotel is giving couples celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary an extra special gift…Anyone who got hitched in 1971 and chooses the Europa in the heart of Belfast city centre for their extra special Valentine’s dinner on Sunday 13th or Monday 14th February, will be offered an overnight stay with full Irish Breakfast the following morning free. www.hastingshotels.com Robert Walshe is a freelance contributor / broadcaster and is guest travel writer for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland