TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe SAS are one of the first airlines in the world to launch a new product that will make the process at the airport even faster and more flexible for passengers. The SAS Smart Pass uses the latest in mobile technology to make the journey through the airport as swift and hassle-free as possible. The Pass contains all necessary information for a passenger to travel. All you have to do with SAS Smart Pass is simply pass your mobile phone in front of the reader, making the process of identifying your journey faster, more time-efficient and simple. SAS Smart Pass can be used at self-service machines, Security, in the Lounge and when boarding. www.flysas.ie Britain’s leading tourist attractions have reported an increase in visitor numbers over the past year, with many reaping the benefits of appearing as the backdrop to a Hollywood blockbuster. Figures released by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions demonstrate the dramatic impact of being used in a successful film. After appearing in Tim Burton’s film version of Alice in Wonderland, Antony House, the National Trust-run 18th century Cornish mansion, saw visitor numbers quadruple from 25,000 to nearly 100,000 last summer. On average, three trust properties were being used by film companies on any given day last year, generating £5.5m for the charity. Among other films using its settings were Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which was filmed at three of its locations: Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire; Freshwater West in Pembrokeshire and Lavenham Guildhall in Suffolk, and Never Let Me Go, which was filmed at Ham House in Richmond upon Thames. www.nationaltrust.co.uk
Weekend Hotspot
The history of Krakow can be traced back as far as the Stone Age, The city saw great development in later times, and it grew around the Jagiellonian University (the oldest in Poland), becoming the Polish capital in the 11th century The nearby Royal Castle, where all these kings lived, is a largely Renaissance structure, but dates further back although though only a
n Lucknam P
ark exterior
n Karkow City Centre
few Romanesque and Gothic influences remain visible. Krakow boasts 16 beautiful churches, which are linked together in the ‘route of saints’, giving visitors to this elegant town the opportunity to explore the town and learn about the many saints associated with it. The city’s Market Square, rivaled in size only by Venice’s Piazza San Marco, is the focus of much of Krakow’s social life. A multitude of cafés, bars and restaurants are situated on and around this square, offering something for everyone. Just off the square is located the Cloth Guild Hall, an amazing building representing the Krakow merchant tradition, which today is stocked to the hilt with every type of souvenir. Activities include walking the entire Royal Way, from St. Florian’s Gate to Florianska, across the Rynek Glowny, down Grodzka to the Wawel castle. Listen to the Hejnal Mariacki (Trumpet Signal) while sipping a coffee in the Rynek Glowny. The signal is played live every full hour. Walking around the Planty, a large park that surrounds the entire old town is a delight. At Wawel Castle, lounge and take in the sun on the banks of the Vistula river, or take a cruise down the river. See the Dragon’s Lair and see the dragon breathe fire on Sundays or go shopping at the open air flea markets at Plac Nowy and Hala Targowa. The new Radisson hotel is my suggested choice of stay and further tourist information is available a t www.krakow.pl
Pet’s Corner...
Robert Walshe is a freelance contributor / broadcaster and is guest travel writer for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland
n Kempinski San Lawrenz Gozo
Home and Away Extra Gozo, one of Malta’s 3 islands, is a stunning holiday destination with an easy blend of history, a spectacular coastline and a relaxed atmosphere for you to put your feet up. An ideal location for a relaxing holiday, Gozo is a quieter, more scenic option than the main island of Malta. Direct flights operate from Dublin & Belfast to Malta several times a week and gives you a possibility to have a holiday at a duration that suits you - anything from 3 nights or more. Concorde Travel offers a great choice of farmhouses, villas and apartments in the most picturesque parts of this stunning island. Have a look at the following offers to Gozo from Concorde Travel: 12th May: Tal Fanal or Ta’Sbejha Apartments 3* Self-Catering, from €639pp. Based on 2 sharing a 1 bedroom apt. with pool. Price includes car hire or Gozo Villas 3* B&B, from €533pp based on 6 sharing a 3 bedroom villa with pool. Or Hotel Kempinski 5* B&B, San Lorenz, from €897pp. Prices quoted are for 7
with Kathleen Murray
Are owners liable for dog damages?
show a previous mischievous propensity in the dog, or the owner’s knowledge of such previous propensity, or to show that such injury or damage was attributable
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Weekly Best Buy
Celebrate Easter at my favourite UK country house Lucknam Park in Wiltshire and treat the children to a long weekend full of activities and family fun. Ease into the weekend with some fabulous pampering treatments at Lucknam’s world class spa whilst the children enjoy the gymkhana at the Equestrian centre on Good Friday with lots of prizes up for grabs! Guests will all also have the chance to explore some of the 500 acre stunning parkland on bicycle, play tennis, swim or even play five a side football. Easter Saturday is painting day with lots of prizes on offer for the young budding artists. Easter Sunday will kick off with a good old-fashioned Easter Egg Hunt for children, not forgetting the Treasure Trail for the adults in the afternoon. Prices from £675 per room per night based on 2 adults and one child under 12 sharing, including full breakfast daily, chocolates delivered by the Easter bunny, 3 course dinner in The Park restaurant each evening for both adults only, Sunday Treasure Trail, full use of the spa facilities. Prices are valid from the 21st to the 25th of April, and there is a minimum 3 night stay. www.lucknampark.co.uk
with Kathleen Murray: Animal Behavioural Therapist
This week I thought it might be helpful to know some law in relation to dogs so here is just one little piece that could be useful to people. Liability of owner for damage by dog (Section 21 of the 1986 Control of Dogs Act) 1) The owner of a dog shall be liable in damages for damage caused in an attack on any person by the dog and for injury done by it to any livestock; and it shall not be necessary for the person seeking such damages to
Living
to neglect on the part of the owner 2) Where livestock are injured by a dog on land on to which they had strayed, and either the dog belonged to the occupier of the land or its presence on the land was authorised by the occupier, a person shall not be liable under this section in respect of injury done to the livestock, unless the person caused the dog to attack the livestock. 3) A person is liable in
damages for any damage caused by a dog kept on any premises or structure to a person trespassing thereon only in accordance with the rules of law relating to liability for negligence. 4) (a) Any damage or injury for which a person is made liable under this section shall be deemed to be attributable to a wrong within the meaning of the Civil Liability Act, 1961 , and the provisions of that Act shall apply accordingly b) Sections 11 (2) (a) and 11 (2) (b) of the Statute of Limitations, 1957 , shall apply to such damage.
nights and include flights, transfers, accommodation, baggage and tax. www. concordetravel.ie Christchurch’s tourism industry in New Zealand is opening some core services for the first time since the February 22 earthquake. The National Crisis Management Centre has now removed its non-essential travel restrictions for Christchurch. Although Christchurch is still under a state of emergency and many businesses remain shut, some key tourism attractions are now operating. These include Air Force Museum, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, and the Tranz-Alpine train service. The Chateau on the Park hotel has also reopened, which means there are now some more hotel beds available in the city area outside of the cordon zone. Christchurch International Airport is fully operational and all of Canterbury’s regional tourism hubs – Mt Cook/Mackenzie, Ashburton, Kaikoura, Methven, Hanmer Springs and Akaroa are ready to cater for extra visitors.