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Home & Away with Robert Walshe
Robert Walshe is a freelance contributor / broadcaster and Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe.com
Founded over 30 years ago, Hastings Hotels are Northern Ireland’s premier hotel group. The Hastings portfolio includes the 5 star Culloden Estate and Spa, the world famous Europa and the Stormont Hotels in Belfast, the Everglades in Derry, the magnificent Slieve Donard Resort and Spa in Newcastle and the 17th centuary Ballygally Castle on the Antrim Coast.
Holiday Hotspot – Katoomba Blue Mountains, Australia When you think of Australia, you think of the big cities, the Sydney Opera House, downtown Melbourne, and you think of the Outback. Visit Katoomba and you’ll see a whole other side of Australia. With a population of around eight thousand people, Katoomba rests in the Blue Mountains, one of the most breathtaking parts of the country. While much of the town is home to workers in the tourism industry (alongside retirees, artists and those living alternative lifestyles), Katoomba has actually been pretty resistant to development, even with the increase in visitors in the last couple of years. There are several popular sites to see including a rock formation known as Three Sisters and tourist attraction Scenic World, both of which are located in the town. The venue offers a range of experiences that can be found nowhere else. These include the worlds steepest passenger railway (acknowledged by the Guinness Book of Records); the world’s first cable car with a partial glass floor that opens at the touch of a button to reveal the valley below; Australia’s steepest cableway; and the longest elevated rainforest boardwalk in the Southern Hemisphere. The railway and cableway offer easy and safe transport to and from the Jamison Valley, with its temperate rainforest flora and fauna. Along the way, visitors can view an audio-visual presentation outside the old coal mines and see tools that were used in the mines. The boardwalk
in all nearly three kilometers in length is clearly sign-posted. There are weather shelters along the way. There is also the Rainforest Room where school parties may stop to eat their lunch and review what they have seen. Back at the top, there is also the Scenic Cinema, where students can watch a movie and 3D slide show about the history of the area. There is a buffet restaurant, two cafes and a kiosk on site. www. scenicworld.com.au Australia’s only eco arts village is also nearby at Wentworth Falls. Among the wetlands, wildflowers, valleys and pristine lakes , Wild Valley Art Park which is run on solar power and independent water sources, also has accommodation, resident artists, regular workshops for children and adults, yoga, and special events. www.wildvalleyartpark. com.au Many take a day trip to the Blue Mountains but to really experience the location a two day trip with overnight stay is the way to go. Lilianfels widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading mountain resorts is the top pick for many visitors in need of an indulgent and luxurious weekend getaway either in winter or summer. It has everything you could wish for - first class hotel facilities, views to die for, and a luxurious day spa. The style throughout this resort hideaway fuses old world charm and elegance, but the spa has a more modern spin on contemporary design. A sprawling red-brick manor houses 85 smartly appointed lodgings featuring marble baths with separate shower stalls and heated towel racks. Be sure to request a Valley View room or suite, as they provide the most memora-
ble vistas. The spa sits in the basement of the resort, below the resort’s elaborate indoor pool, featuring a number of treatment rooms - some for couples - and a comfortable lounge. Next door is sister property Echoes Boutique Hotel and Restaurant. Built on the edge of the escarpment overlooking the Jamison Valley as a retreat for Australian writer Thomas Kennelly and his television colleagues. ■ Lilianfells Katoomb a, Blue Mountains Echoes was one , Sydney. of the first luxury guesthouses in the m ountains to offer award winning (0035) (1) 676 7476. Earlier this cuisine. Renovated in 2006, Ech- year Emirates and Qantas formed oes is now a luxurious and styl- a global partnership, working toish boutique Hotel with a much gether to operate 14 flights daily sought after location in the Blue between Dubai, Australia and beMountains and the food here is to yond - along with extensive Australdie for. ian domestic flights, frequent flyer For best rates visit www.echoe- advantages and lounge access. shotel.com.au or www.lilianfells. Emirates customers are now able com.au to choose from 32 Australian destiMy preferred car rental company nations to which Qantas operates on this trip was Hertz & pick up is including Canberra, Port Lincoln, available in downtown Sydney or Cairns and Hobart, opening up at the International airport. Australia to passengers from all over the ever expanding Emirates network. Emirates operate a daily departure from Dublin to Dubai daily at lunchtime with onward connections to five cities in Australia – Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Current Sydney prices ex Dublin are economy class: €1116 & busiA reminder also that gold plus re- ness class: €3429. wards members enjoy fast The main talking point amongst pick up and drop off car those who have flown on the rental including exclusive upper deck of the A380 operating benefits. Hertz consumer on the Dubai to Sydney route and discounts with full details back is the onboard lounge, where are available at www. business class and first class travhertz.i hertz.ie or call Hertz on ellers can exchange tales and talk
business over a drink at 40,000 feet. All Emirates’ A380s are fitted with Wi-Fi, allowing full connectivity with the ground. Emirates earlier this year opened “Concourse A”, the dedicated home of its A380 fl eet and the world’s first purpose-built facility for the aircraft at Dubai International. The concourse, part of Terminal 3, comprises 20 A380-capable contact gates, as well as Emirates’ flagship First Class and Business Class lounges, the largest in the world. A reminder also that the airline’s chauffeur-drive service is available to both First and Business Class passengers across the island of Ireland. All Emirates’ customers can enjoy in-flight telephones, SMS and email and children’s activity packs. Highly trained cabin crews from across the globe, including Irish & UK nationals are on hand to serve gourmet chef prepared meals. www.emirates.com and for all travel information www.sydney. com
Home and Away Extra
■ Scenic World Cable
ns, Australia.
Car Blue Mountai
In 2014, Holland America Line is offering an extensive Canada and New England programme with 48 sailings spanning spring, summer and autumn. With three ships departing from five convenient homeports, more travellers can experience the region’s breathtaking scenery, historic seaports, culinary treats and cultural charm. Scheduled May through October, the nine different itineraries on ms Eurodam, ms Maas-
dam and ms Veendam depart from Boston, Mass.; Montreal and Quebec City, Canada; Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and New York City. The cruises range from seven to 15 days and include family-friendly summer cruises and visits during the height of the fall foliage season as summer turns to autumn and the jewel-toned leaves offer one of nature’s most impressive showings. www.hollandamerica.com