TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe Unravel Travel TV has joined the line-up of Irish channels on free Irish online television service, Aertv.ie.Unravel Travel TV offers a mix of in-depth travel programmes, destination features, videos, diverse holiday reports, travel news and tips and a selection of holiday offers. Through Aertv.ie the channel will be available globally, broadcasting 24 hours a day and will join the other 13 channels currently broadcast by Aertv. The service can be enjoyed by anyone with an Internet connection and either a computer, smartphone or tablet. The Unravel Travel TV team creates their unique and engaging content working with tourism and trade partners – filming across the globe throughout the year. Over the next few weeks the team will take Aertv viewers to such places as far flung as Los Angeles and Durban in South Africa. Aertv is powered by broadband provider Magnet Networks and currently streams 15 channels live: RTÉ One, RTÉ Two, TV3, 3e, TG4, RTÉ News Now, RTÉjr, RTÉ one+1, Russia Today, France 24, DCTV, Aertv Music, Aertv Movies, Aertv Live and Unravel Travel TV. www.aertv.ie
Weekend Hotspot – Hotel Bayerischer Hof - Munich
If you are looking for a destination with a village feel, then Germany’s most popular destination Munich is an ideal choice. The capital city of the state of Bavaria, Munich after Berlin is the most visited destination in Germany. Its location near the Alps has added to its popularity in addition to offering something for everyone. Munich is a city that has developed into a cosmopolitan destination but still has the charm of a small town boasting some of the finest hotels in the land. Leading the way is Hotel Bayerischer Hof a five-star luxury hotel directly on Promenadeplatz
a few minutes walk from the Opera, galleries, first class shopping as well as beautiful gardens such as that of Hofgarten (Court Garden). The Volkhardt family has owned the Bayerischer Hof for over a hundred years with Innegrit currently representing the fourth generation. It was originally opened in 1841 on the wishes of King Ludwig I who ordered it to be built to accommodate his visitors with stylish elegance. In subsequent years, the hotel has been renovated many times. In 1944 it was almost destroyed in bombing raids. The family began to rebuild it in 1945, and in doing so discovered the regal Spiegelsaal (Hall of Mirrors) had survived almost completely unscathed under the ruins. In 1969, the adjacent Palais Montgelas, built in 1813, was added to the hotel. Today guests stay in more than 350 rooms, 60 of which are suites. My Junior Suite on the 6th floor was cosmopolitan and art nouveau with lacquered wood and strong earthy colours. It’s the sheer variety of accommodation choice that is so unique here with traditional palatial rooms in the Palais Montgelas building reminding you of grandeur of times gone by. Bayerischer Hof allows guests visiting Munich to experience old world charm combined with fivestar, sophisticated comforts and latest technologies. The hotels six bars are named in every travel guide and range from a quiet Piano Bar to a Night Club Bar. Falk’s Bar is a favourite for many; located in the famed ‘Mirror Hall’, the only room in the Bayerischer Hof to have survived the Second World War unscathed. . Bayerischer Hof will also put on an outstanding show on its own concert stage with the cultural high point for music aficionados, the Jazz Summer. Trader Vic’s, the hotel’s Polynesian restaurant and bar is popular with locals and the cocktails memorable or not
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er Hof Munich
n Garden Retaur
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depending on how many you had! The gorgeous Innegrit loves to re-invent and over afternoon tea she passionately tells me about how the “Bayerischer “is the true love of her life. Three years ago she introduced another design concept with two restaurants by a famous Belgian designer. The Atelier and Garden restaurants are next to each other and truly authentic. We dined in “Garden “which gives you the feeling of sitting on a sun filled patio. The food experience and service here was outstanding From queens to Hollywood legends to pop stars guest book entrants here include Muhammad Ali, the late Michael Jackson, The Dalai Lama, Kofi Annan,Elizabeth Hurley and Milla Jovovich to name but a few. The Bavarian capital boasts dance clubs, science and art museums and, yes, beer gardens. In fact Munich’s hotel scene revolves around the cities major events including Oktoberfest which is the best-known. River Isar that flows through the city makes the place very green and beautiful. Munich is all year destination for the tourists, with a continental type of climate. It is very warm in summers and very cold in winters. Winter months are good time for a holiday amongst the snowcapped Alps, with number of winter activities to
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indulge in. The crown jewel of Munich’s retail scene is the massive Fünf Höfe a 35-acre space designed by Herzog & de Meuron that houses more than 60 luxury boutiques (Zegna, Strenesse, Ligne Roset). Check out the architectural details, such as the metallic façade and a hanging garden. For best rates see www.bayerischerhof. de Aer Lingus operate daily flights from Dublin to Munich. Fares start from €55.99. For more information, please visit www.aerlingus.com
Weekly Best Buy
Looking for an alternative to an Escorted Tours while seeing some of the Americas finest destinations? Introducing Mauiva Air Cruise. A
yerischer Hof
completely new concept in travel, the Mauiva AirCruise is a guided group vacation that maximises time and experience by trading the road for the sky. This revolutionary form of vacation promises freedom from the hassles of travel to ensure a completely unique and authentic experience. On a Mauiva AirCruise you will trade the road for the sky and trade hours on a coach for minutes on a private plane. Imagine landing in a private airport after a short 59 minute flight and a deluxe coach or rental car is waiting to take you to Niagara Falls. Within an hour of you landing you are boarding the Maid of
Munich.
the Mist. This is only one of the 21 sites you will see during your Air Cruise experience. American Holidays are one of the few tour operators to feature this cruise. Price at €2465pps includes: 6 nights’ tour by private plane, upscale 4* hotels, 7 breakfasts, 6 dinners, one pre and one post night accommodation, porterage and gratuities, attractions and taxes. www.americanholidays.ie Robert Walshe is a freelance contributor / broadcaster and Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe.com
Home and Away Extra The island of Irelands largest Garden Trail was launched recently at Marlfield House and Gardens by garden expert and native Gerry Daly. Twenty one garden attractions across the sunny southeast county have come together to form Ireland’s largest garden trail. The gardens all vary in size, heritage and landscape with some dating back to the 18th Century and others just 10 years old. The trail includes a variety in the style of gardens with unique walled gardens, Japanese gardens, Arts and Crafts, Woodland and award winning gardens on offer to visitors. The Wexford Garden Trail, a joint venture between Wexford County Council and
Wexford Local Development - Leader, links the twenty one garden attractions, Ballinkeele Garden, Ballymore Schoolhouse Garden, Beechdale Plantplus Garden Centre, Camolin Potting Shed, Coin na hAbhann, Colclough Walled Garden, Coolaught Gardens, Glenavon Japanese Garden, Horticare Garden Centre, JFK Arboretum, Johnstown Castle, Kilmokea Gardens, Kilmurry Nursery & Garden, Lucy’s Wood Garden, Marlfield House and Garden, Monksgrange Garden,Newtownbarry House Garden, Springmount Garden Centre, The Bay Garden, Tombrick Gardens and Woodville House Gardens. The Trail has its own website at www.wexfordgardentrail.com
with Kathleen Murray
Thinking about getting a cat? At some stage in their lives people think about getting a cat. The reasons are many, sometimes a child wants a kitten, or memories of a cat in our childhood sparks the thought or someone offers us a kitten. There are, of course, people who would never get a cat because they hate cats or are afraid of them but they are the minority. Having a cat nowadays is very different from having a cat years ago. Years ago cats had kittens and homes were found for them or they just ran around with the other cats and nobody batted and eyelid. Right now in our county the cat
population has gotten out of all control. Homes are not as easily found and the need to neuter cats is very high on the priority list. Bringing home a kitten or an adult cat is a big responsibility. Cats and kittens are very easily toilet trained and make very good pets. They are easy to look after because they love routines and show up at the same time for feeding every day if they get used to a certain lifestyle. You can get them to return home every night at about 9pm so that you can take them indoors and not have every dog in your neighbourhood
barking all night, or to save your cat from being blinded by headlights and killed on the road. Cats eat anywhere so if your cat doesn’t come back at the normal feeding time then someone else is feeding it also. Cats like to wander so if you live in a built up area your cat will be visiting the neighbours... and the neighbours may not appreciate that. Cats tend to go in bathroom or bedroom windows and make themselves comfortable on a bed or sofa. Cats like to nap and they always look for a quiet place, usually somewhere soft and warm.
Anyone that has a new baby, or a young infant sleeping needs to make sure that the door and window to their room is closed so that a cat can’t venture into the room and curl up on top of their chest. Cats like lying on chests because of the heartbeat, warmth and breathing. It is very relaxing and soothing for a cat, not good though for a baby that can’t get the weight of the cat off it’s chest while it is sleeping. Cats can be vaccinated and wormed to keep them healthy. Cat poo needs to be lifted and disposed of in a proper way especially
where children are playing, and if you are pregnant then wear rubber gloves. If you have a dog also then keep the cat litter tray clean... as the dog will if you don’t. You can also have your cat micro chipped, so that if it goes missing and is found by someone else, then your name and address will show up on the scanner. In the interest of neigh-
bourly goodwill it would be good to have no more than two cats (both neutered) so that neighbours are not pulling their hair out in frustration and complaining about a load of cats going to the toilet in their garden or going in their windows. Think about the people around you when you get an animal. Your neighbours will appreciate it.