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 AER Lingus will expand its transatlantic route offering for 2014. In addition to its existing services from Boston, Chicago, New York and Orlando, the airline will commence year round direct service between San Francisco and Dublin from April 2014 with 5 services per week being operated by Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft. Aer Lingus will also commence direct year-round service from Canada from April 2014. A daily direct Boeing B757 service between Toronto and Dublin will operate during the summer season, with up to four weekly services operating during the winter. Two Boeing B757 aircraft will be based in Shannon and will be used to deliver increased frequency on existing services from Boston and New York. Year-round connections from the east-coast to Shannon will be introduced. This expansion will directly support more than 200 new jobs. In addition Aer Lingus customers from sixteen cities across the U.S. (including Seattle, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Diego) will benefit from convenient connections to Ireland via San Francisco, as well as a number of UK and European cities via Dublin. The new San Francisco route also
■ Chris Dougt las Dublin Airpor
GM Hilton
represents a business opportunity for Aer Lingus Cargo. Further to the direct service to Ireland from Toronto, Aer Lingus will provide connections from eight Canadian cities including Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary. www. aerlingus.com
Weekend Hotspot Ballyliffin Hotel & Spa, Co Donegal Malin Head is Ireland’s most northerly headland situated on the Inishowen peninsula. Anyone who has listened to the BBC & RTE shipping forecasts at night will be familiar with the weather reports from Malin Head & ‘sea area Malin’ as it is termed. At Bambas Crown (Mythical Queen of Ireland) on Malin’s north tip a Marconi telegraph station was situated there during the early 20th century making the area an important telecommunications hub in years gone by. Malin Head has always been an area of strategic importance & during World War II then Irish President Eamonn De Valera permitted British defence personnel to operate signals from there for the duration of the war in direct violation of Irish neutrality. For a unique insight into how the mighty Atlantic Ocean has interacted with land over the millennia, visit this spectacular area of north Donegal. Stunning cliff caverns, Europe’s largest sand dunes and maritime relics going back centuries are just some of the treats in store. Walk along the dizzying cliff top to Hell’s Hole, a remarkable subterranean cavern 76m long and 2.4m wide in the cliff face, into which the tide rushes with great force to create a mesmerising explosion of foam. Marvel at the picturesque natural arch, called the Devil’s Bridge, nearby. To the north-east, pick out Inishtrahull Island,
Pet’s Corner...
Living
where a lighthouse was put first put into operation in 1813. Further out to the east, on a clear day you can see the Scottish hills. As you ■ Ballyliffin Hotel gaze at the & Spa Co Done gal exceptionally distinctive shoreline around you, back to the 15th century. you will begin Stay two nights at The Bal- Silver” which offers a true ch of un la e th at n Crew to visualise the lyliffin Lodge and Spa and escape for the more adven■ Aer LingusinCatobiSan Francisco service dramatic and enjoy a third night’s com- turous traveller, with Nuevo the new Dubl changing conplimentary accommodation Mundo, from only € 3225pp + Jacks Bar for two people sharing with taxes (including Uruguay). nections that Explore this fascinating have occurred and Restaurant recently re- full Irish breakfast. It is valid between the mighty ocean furbished offers fresh Don- on any 3 consecutive nights region before setting off to and the land over the 15,000 egal fish with an emphasis from €120pps. The area is the steamy Northwest. Price years since the glaciers on the best local produce. very popular for festivals in- includes: Return flights ex. began to melt. If you’re a na- All forty bedrooms are de- cluding the Clonmany festi- Dublin to Buenos Aires, inture lover or photographer, signed well and the execu- val running currently. Fleadh ternal flights, half-day Tigre then the mixture of dramatic tive suites with sea views are Cheoil na hÉireann which Delta tour, full day trip to the landscapes, rich birdlife, rare my favourite. The Leisure has been running for over 60 Great Salt Plains and Humaflora and rock formations, complex and Spa at the Bal- years across Ireland crosses huaca and a full day Argenis compelling. Carndonagh lyliffin lodge is unique to the the border for the first time tinean Side of Iguazu Falls, which is approximately area and a fabulous addition in 2013 running from 11th- private airport transfers & 20kms from Malin Head itself to the hotel. Ballyliffin is also 18th of August.. This makes 4 star accommodation on a is the main population cen- a golf lover’s paradise with it a brand new phenomenon B+B basis. Finally, escape to the ‘St tre for the area & also hosts two famous courses, The Old for many people, especially the only ATM in the locality! Course and The Glashedy the local community in Derry Tropez of South America’ Depending on your budget Links Course. Just below the and Donegal. The hotel will and a relaxing stay in Uruthere are plenty of choices village is the wide, sandy ex- also run its popular wedding guay’s premier resort city of accommodation to choose panse of Pollan Beach, which fayre on September 15th. Punta del Este. Windswept beaches, exfrom including Hotels, B&BS, is fast becoming a major For best rates visit www.balcellent restaurants and self-catering apartments, windsurfing attraction. lyliffinlodge.com lots of activity (day and cottages & backpacker type There is an exhilarating Home & Away Deal night) make it a great deshostel accommodation. We purpose-built sea walk that of the Week tination to soak up the opted for the wonderful Bal- wanders between the north sun, be active or relax. For lyliffin Hotel & Spa. The prop- Atlantic shoreline and BalTravel to the ends of the travel: January 2014 www. erty is family run catering for lyliffin Golf Course that all occasions including wed- will take you to Carricka- Earth to wild and wonder- nuevomundo.ie/destinadings, golf breaks, walking braghy Castle which dates ful Argentina, the “Land of tions/argentina/. breaks and family holidays. Located in the heart of Ballyliffin this 4 star property is the perfect location for you Hilton Worldwide has announced the will be managing the 166 room Hilton Dubto explore the Inishowen Peappointment of Chris Douglas as general lin Airport with a staff of more than 100. ninsula with its vast range manager at Hilton Dublin Airport. Doug- The hotel has operated on Dublin’s north of local activities to suit las, from Edinburgh in Scotland, brings 16 side since 2005 and the property and loeveryone. With spectacular years of experience to his new role and has cation appeal not only to business guests panoramic views over Malin been part of Hilton Worldwide since 2007, but also the local community, which has Head, the hotel is located most recently spending two years as hotel proved very important to the success of 1km from the golden sands manager at Hilton Milton Keynes. Douglas the hotel’s restaurants and bars. of Pollan Bay and the world famous Ballyliffin golf club.
Home and Away Extra
with Kathleen Murray
How much is that doggy in the window? A DOG is an expensive animal to keep sometimes over it’s lifetime, but it has as many benefits as it has flaws. A dog will cost you emotionally, physically and mentally as well as in the pocket, but you’ll be a better person at the end of it… if you have looked after it properly and responsibly that is, and not cost it it’s life in the meantime. It will pay you back in ways that may surprise you. A dog will never judge you the way a human will so your dog can be your therapist and companion all-in-one. For people that are stressed or worried, a dog makes a great listener and it’s always up for giving you affection. For people that like a perfect home with a perfect family etc a dog can bring some reality to the situation. It can teach them that there is no
perfect thing or being on this planet but that there are a lot of good times to be had while you’re getting over the shock. For anxious, obsessive personalities a dog can bring out the more relaxed and willing to try something new side of you. It may have been hidden for quite a while but the dog will find it. A dog can teach you that you can’t be anxious all the time and that being calm is safe and good for you. Other people will find you more approachable and enjoy that side of you that they don’t often get to see. If you are a cleaning freak then a dog will teach you that it isn’t them that’s going to kill you. It will be a heart attack from the stress that you put on yourself trying to keep up… and for what.? A dog is great at challenging the actions and be-
liefs in people that they thought were set in concrete… or if you have just become set in your ways, or in a rut.
New life A dog brings new life to people and situations. It helps you to enjoy the simple, important things in life that money can’t buy. Love, overcoming challenges, patience, fresh air, good working partnerships, loyalty, fun, trust, coping skills, confidence in your abilities to learn new skills, compassion, gets you out of the house and back into life etc. For relaxed, laid back personalities a dog can get you up and onto your feet. It can make you move and find new things to enjoy in your natural relaxed manner. It will be good for your mind. You won’t lay about all day if there’s
a dog in the house. It will be good for your heart and health in general. People with depression, temporary illnesses and setbacks can recover better with the help of a dog in many cases. The dog needs to be taken care of and looked after throughout it’s lifetime obviously, but in return it will give you experiences and memories that many people will cherish for their lifetime. Always remember that a dog will devote
itself to it’s owner and would never intentionally do something to upset it’s owner so it’s owner needs to be worthy of that devotion by taking it’s care seriously. Learn how to look after a dog properly and the dog will look after you. When your dog misbehaves it’s a sign that there’s something that you need to work on, so enjoy the lesson. That’s one of the dogs ways of paying for itself. Free four legged therapy 24/7.