TRAVEL
Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio Network & Travel Editor for River Newspapers Ireland & Lifestyle Northern Ireland Online - www.robertwalshe.com
Home & Away with Robert Walshe ETIHAD Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates is now operating its state-of-the-art Boeing 777300ER aircraft on the highly successful Dublin and Abu Dhabi route since the end of June. The two cabin aircraft can carry 412 passengers; with 28 fully flatbed seats in Pearl Business Class and 384 seats in Coral Economy Class, and increases Etihad Airways’ capacity on the route by 34 per cent. The Boeing 777-300ER is the biggest aircraft in the Etihad Airways fleet, in terms of passengers it can carry, and the decision to deploy it out of Dublin reflects the importance of the route which celebrated its one millionth passenger earlier in 2013. The Boeing 777300ER will operate on the EY45 and EY42 flights into and out of Dublin each week, accounting for six out of the 10 Dublin services operated by Etihad Airways. An Airbus A330-200 will continue to operate on the four EY41 and EY48 flights. www.etihad. com
side institution that has entertained countless guests throughout its history, playing host to writers such as Sir Walter Scott, William Thackeray and Charles Dickens ■ Etihad B777 and the famous composer Franz deliers. As well as upLiszt. On the 21st Aug grading existing bedrooms, 1922, Michael Collins checked new superior rooms have into the Imperial Hotel una- been added and also a stunware that this was to be his ning 2-bedroom penthouse last night alive. The hotel suite with balcony and views began life as the front portion over the city. All the bedof today’s hotel in 1813, in a rooms are well appointed building commissioned as a with soft colours and commeeting place for the trans- fortable furnishings. We ate action of business, reading in the “Pembroke” which was of foreign newspapers and bright and modern. In quieter drinking of claret by the Cork moments the restaurant looks Committee of Merchants. It like a club lounge, dark floors, was called the “Commercial glass walls, statement lights Rooms”. The property has and chunky leather chairs been run by the Flynn family but on a busy Friday night it (of the Old Ground Hotel in was definitely the city centre Ennis, Co Clare) since 1998, brasserie to be seen. Located and they have completed a on the doorstep to Cork’s finmajor refurbishment of the est fish and meat markets, the Weekend Hotspot hotel, which has brought hotel’s chefs prepare each Imperial Hotel, Cork www. new life to its fine old public meal with fresh local produce flynnhotels.com areas and transformed oth- to ensure the highest quality Located in the commercial ers. The impressive lobby is and taste. Informal dining is district of South Mall in the decked out in old mahogany offered in the Parisian styled centre of Cork the Imperial and marble amid a sweeping “Lafayette’s” café perfect for hotel has graced the city staircase and stunning chan- afternoon tea and an impressince 1813 and is something sive bar menu and carvery of a Leeis available in the traditional pub setting of “South’s” an elegant old fashioned bar with character. Designed for both men and women to indulge in, the Imperial’s Escape Salon & Spa is a diamond in the heart of the city centre. They have tailored a number of packages for you to experience a total escape. I opted for the “focus facial for him “ which was a 60 minute revitalising pure focus facial treatment designed specifically for men combining aromatic steam towels. At Escape Salon & Spa therapists are highly trained rk Co l in Aveda spa treatments Imperial Hote ite Su y lit ta Vi ■ and the vitality suite dispels
Pet’s Corner...
Living
all tension and stress with tropical rain and ■ Pembroke Rest aurant Imperia mist showers, l Hotel Cork aroma and salt grottos, and hydrotherapy pool. The relaxation suite, with soft music and muted lighting, will help restore inner peace, and the scene from this former EuSalon stylists will ensure that ropean City of Culture. The outer peace is also rebal- Imperial is perfectly placed anced. Why not enjoy the for exploring Cork, taking in a two night ‘Imperial Experi- show at the Opera House or ence’ from €129 per person Everyman Theatre or spendsharing. When you arrive, ing a few quite hours in the relax and indulge yourself Crawford Art Gallery. with a complimentary box of You can also find a range the Butler’s Irish handmade of antique stores and a mix chocolates. Start each morn- of high street and designer ing by enjoying a scrumptious shops to suit all styles includfull Irish breakfast including ing the award winning “Sheethe famous locally sourced na’s “boutique. But it doesn’t Clonakilty sausages, bacon end there, after a busy day and pudding. Dinner for one of shopping indulge yourevening at the Pembroke is self with a 30 minute Aveda also included. The ‘Imperial manicure or pedicure in the Experience’ includes lunch in famous Escape Spa. The Imthe delightful Farmgate Res- perial is also well placed for taurant which draws on the access to the renowned golf best food producers in the courses at Fota and the Old region. Why not extend your Head of Kinsale. All in all, a visit to three days and avail trip to The Imperial is a must of the three night ‘Imperial and given its proximity to Experience’ (€199per person Kent train station, there is no sharing) There is so much to need to bring your car maksee and do in Cork including a ing the whole trip even more walking tour of the city where relaxing! For best rates visit you can soak up the artistic www.flynnhotels.com
Home & Away Deal of the Week
Treat yourself to a little bit of luxury for less this summer and escape to Ballygally Castle and enjoy an overnight stay with Afternoon Tea and full Irish breakfast the following morning from only £45pps*.This enchanting hotel is full of character and charm and boasts many of the castle’s original features including the renowned ‘Ghost Room’. Guests can also avail of complimentary car-parking and Wi-Fi in the public areas of the hotel. The famous Glens of Antrim and the Giant’s Causeway are located close to the hotel and the superb scenery can be enjoyed from many coastal and glen walks. www.hastingshotels.com/ballygallycastle Valid until 31st August 2013 for arrivals Sunday to Thursday.
Home and Away Extra British Airways has confirmed that Toronto and New York will be the first destinations served by its 787 Dreamliners.The airline is planning to serve Toronto with the 787 from September 1 and Newark from October 1, subject to regulatory approval.
The airline has ordered 24 787s, which will arrive over the next four years, and has also ordered 12 A380s and six additional 777-300ERs. BA will be the first in Europe to operate both the 787 and the A380. www. ba.com
with Kathleen Murray
Is your dog overweight? ARE overweight dogs a symptom of a human problem? Why do dogs become overweight? They get fat by eating too much. Who is feeding them all this extra food that they don’t need? Dogs are being indulged now to a level that is unhealthy. Putting our emotions and thinking onto our dogs is causing trouble for the dogs. If we are eating and the dog is sitting looking at us, some people cannot ignore the dog. They have to give in to the demands of the dog… that is what the dog is doing… he is demanding your dinner. He doesn’t care if you have a dinner or not. He just wants what you are having and if you give it to him then you are telling the dog that he is more important than you.
The dog won’t feel guilty. He won’t be thinking “My owner has no dinner, I’ll give them half of my dinner”. Dogs think in a very simple and straightforward way. If they want something they let you know. It doesn’t mean they have to get it. If they want to run across the road in front of a car would you say “Oh, go on then, enjoy.” Dogs need boundaries to ensure their safety. Giving in to all their demands does not ensure their safety. Feeding them too much is not ensuring their safety, it is putting them at risk. It will put too much strain on their joints and organs and shorten their life. That is not being kind to your dog, that is killing your dog. If you are really thinking about your dog then only give it what its body needs to function
properly and if you want to be kind to it then take it for a walk. If your dog is already overweight then start to help it by cutting out the in-between snacks and treats. Have the amount of food that it requires for a daily portion set aside and then you can feed it to the dog in one feed, or two smaller feeds. Adult dogs only need one feed but if you are not able to stick to that then make the overall daily amount into two portions. A little in the morning and a little in the evening. If you don’t know how much your dog should be eating then read the portion sizes on the bags of dried dog food. That will give you a measurement to go by. If your dog is still looking for food after its had its dinner then this is normal. If it has been used to more food then it will need time to adjust. Exercise can
help with this. Play a game or teach your dog some new things to distract it.
If you are not sure if your dog is overweight then take it to your vet and they will tell you. 0863192247