TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe Frequent strike action in 2010 brought serious travel disruption and affected travel plans for many people last year and with the recent action taken by Aer Lingus staff against the airline already this year has caused concerned for the year ahead. A recent survey by Multitrip.com of 1,000 consumers resulted in nearly half of those surveyed expressing concern over possible Strike action this year and the effect it would have on their travel plans. In addition, just over a quarter, 26% of those surveyed, were also worried about the financial failure of airlines over the coming year and how they would be affected should an airline go into liquidation or what would happen in the event of strike action. Customers are facing another year of uncertainty in air travel and people should be aware of what they are covered for should a delay or cancellation occur. It is important to check what cover is provided under your travel policy in the event of a strike. Multitrip.com Premier and Premier Plus policies also automatically includes the much-valued financial failure holiday protection, protecting you against insolvency of airlines and the other end suppliers of your trip up to a maximum of €2,000 per person. Multitrip.com which is part of Blue Insurances has become the leading supplier of travel insurance. www. multitrip.com
Weekend Hotspot
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Rio de Janeiro? Beaches? Partying? Samba? Well, Rio is all of that and much more. Go here once, and you’ll want to go there all the time. Rio de Janeiro the second largest city in Brazil is famous for its spectacular natural beauty, carnival celebrations, samba dance and picturesque beaches. Apart from this, the magnanimous statue of Jesus, known as the Christ Redeemer located on Avocado Mountain, has recently been included in the Seven Wonders of the World. The Pao de Acucar is yet another mountain-top wonder of this city. Situated 1,299ft above the Guanabara Bay, the Sugarloaf Mountain as the tourists know it provides amazing views of the city and the cable car to the summit of the mountain takes your breath away. En route be. sure to make a stop at Morro de Urca to listen to the summertime concerts.
Living
Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas a beautiful lake provides a haven of relaxation offering many recreational and leisure activities for the visitors. There are also a number of shopping and entertainment spots here. Barra da Tijuca is a favorite beach spot for surfers and swimmers. n Rio de Ja Moreover, it is also nerio at ni ghtime. packed with trendy restaurants, bars and discos. Copacabana is also a famous beach area of the city and also hosts the annual New Year’s Celebration. Casa do Pontal is a popular museum here, which displaying Rio de Janeiro. a wide collection of Bran Christ Redeemer Statue zilian folk art. There are over 5000 sculptures by more than 200 artists from €764pp, Hotel Melia from different regions. Monumento Grand Hermitage 5* Nacional aos Mortos da II Guerra B&B, Golden Sands, from n Rio de Janerio Carnival. Mundial is a memorial to those sol- €630pp &Hotel Victoria diers who lost their lives during the Palace 4*+ B&B, Sunny World War II. The Rio de Janiero Bo- Beach, from €574pp, For tanical Garden is a magnificent park Cyprus try Avanti Holiday that was founded in the 19th century. Village 4* Self-Catering, The Zoological Gardens is also worth Paphos, from €574pp, Hotel Avanti 4* visiting. There is no shortage of en- B&B, Paphos, from €770pp & the Blue tertainment with the annual carnival Crane Apts 3* Self-Catering, Limassol, Sailings on Irish Ferries direct held 40 days before Easter the most from €494pp. Offers are for 7 nights service to France have recomfamous. The New Year is also a major and are inclusive of flights, transmenced for the 2011 season. event in Rio and is held with great fers, accommodation and airport tax. Following the early complepomp and ceremony. The firework www.concordetravel.ie The Mombasa tion of its annual dry-docking, display is the major attraction and Serena Beach Hotel is located on the their cruise ferry Oscar Wilde a number of the famous nightclubs, north coast of Africa and is styled to has returned to service on the bars and pubs are known for their resemble a 13th century Swahili town Rosslare – Cherbourg route. parties with many western celebrities complete with winding lanes, carved Nearer summer, services bein attendance. TAM Brazilian Airlines balconies, fountained courts and tween Rosslare and Roscoff will & British Airways fly to Rio daily ex bustling market squares. The Serena also begin. Looking ahead, Irish London Heathrow while Iberia ex Beach Hotel provides an oasis of tranFerries expects the disruption to Dublin via Madrid also serves this quility whilst offering a unique mix of air travel caused by the volcanic route. Be mindful that accommoda- high-action water sports, world-class ash storm last year to result in tion is exorbitantly priced during New cuisine and vibrant nightlife. A price an increased interest in contiYear and carnival. For further details of only €1332 includes return flights nental motoring holidays. With see www.brazil.org.uk , www.ba.com and 7 nights in a village room on a half this in mind the company has www.iberia.ie board basis and all taxes and charges. launched a number of initiatives Valid for travel during May & June to encourage early booking. Weekly Best Buy 2011. www.sunway.ie One is a low EUR100 booking To celebrate St Patrick’s Day ConRobert Walshe is a freelance condeposit and a requirement that corde Travel have announced some tributor / broadcaster and is guest the balance need not be paid very special offers to beautiful Bul- travel writer for River Media newsuntil six weeks before depargaria including Hotel Barceló Royal paper titles across the island of Ireture. Another is the offer of free Beach 5* Half-Board, Sunny Beach, land return travel to Britain for two
Pet’s Corner...
Home and Away Extra passengers and car for those going on a motoring holiday to France during June, July and August. On board Oscar Wilde, the popular Wilde Nights cabaret will be a feature throughout summer. Other family friendly facilities include children’s entertainers in high season, family cabins, cinemas, children’s play area, games room and more. www.irishferries.com British Midland International (bmi) and SWISS have announced new routes from Dublin & Belfast via London Heathrow to Basel, Switzerland, to start from 27th March 2011. The routes will be operated in partnership with SWISS, and offer three flights per day on weekdays between Dublin via London Heathrow and Basel, with two services on Saturdays and Sundays. www. flybmi.com
with Kathleen Murray
with Kathleen Murray: Animal Behavioural Therapist
Raising awareness about pets
Radio stations and newspapers around the county have been brilliant about helping to raise awareness about animal issues, by giving time and space to articles and guests when it was needed, and also by reading out the lists of lost and found animals... this being one of the main ways that people have been reunited with their pets (after being frantically looking for them in vain themselves). It is only in recent years that animals are finally being seen as important, living beings with rights of their own in this country. In Ireland we have been slow to “get with
the program” unlike our European and American neighbours. A lot of education, time, energy and money has been rolled out to try to raise awareness, save lives and bring some small comfort to many animals in this county and others. The media has been a vital part of animal welfare education and for creating the time and space to help raise the awareness. People are bothered by many problems with animals. Some problems are created by their own animals and some are created by encounters with aniamls. Whether you have lost a dog,
found a dog, been bitten by one, want to express your concerns for animals in general, or just want to give out about them then the media will give you the time and space to do that. Farmers have talked on the Radio about dogs killing their sheep, people have discussed court cases about dogs having bitten someone, people have aired their grievances about deer damaging their vehicle or property, people have given out about fur farming, blood sports, dog fighting, greyhounds found in a river, all kinds of cruelty. Questions have been an-
swered about animal behaviour and medical problems, the law in relation to animals has been discussed and even donkeys killing sheep has been discussed. Articles and photos have been printed about all kinds of animal situations. Articles in relation to education about animals are printed every week and reporters are always on the look out for a good story to write about. Even if you can’t stand animals the media will help you vent your frustration or fears. Animals can’t thank the media themselves so I am taking this opportunity to thank them from the animal
population in the county. Many animals lives have been saved or have been improved greatly because of the media. I have always found the media to be very helpful and willing to help with animal issues. They have attended functions and written some great articles without even being asked to and their input has impacted on many lives both human and animal. On top of the air time and articles the media have given out animal welfare organisation numbers to people with
animal problems. This alone has made a huge difference to the lives of many animals. It is easy to take the media for granted so that’s why I wanted to raise awareness about them in return for all their help to myself and others. Thank you to the media for airing and printing the good, the bad and the ugly about the lives of animals. It has made a tremendous difference to the lives of so many of them. Conditions and mindsets are improving all the time as a result of your valuable contribution.