TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe TOUR operators Panorama and Sunworld will be operating next season under the single Thomas Cook brand – one of the world’s most iconic names in travel has just released its preview brochure for summer 2012. From the exoticism of North Africa to verdant Portugal, the invigorating Canaries and historic Turkey and Crete, a total of 19 destinations are covered by over 48 resorts and 75 properties. Alongside thousands of free child, teenager and grandparent places, Thomas Cook are featuring pre-school offers for kids of 5 and under on selected packages. Many such places are limited to early bookings, and the brochure features special preview prices with discounts built-in. The range of 24-hour all-inclusive properties has been increased, and the canny early booker should note that a particular highlight for 2012 is the availability of free all-inclusive teenager places in the Turkish properties of Voyage Torba in Torba and Delta Beach in Yalikavak, as well as in Paloma Grida in Belek. This means great savings for parents of older children, with meals, drinks and entertainment included. The less energetic over 60s can enjoy a 25% discount on use of the Executive Lounge when flying out from Dublin Airport, while all travellers can avail of special ‘Park, Stay and Fly’ rates if opting to stay overnight at the Airport prior to departure.
Holiday Hotspot
The 4000 miles Nile is the longest river in the world and stretches from East Africa to Mediterranean Sea in Egypt. Besides being Egypt’s main water source, the river is vital to the vibrant Egyptian tourism. Nile Cruises are the best and most popular ways of touring. Cruises give tourists a relaxed explicit view of Egypt’s rich cultural heritage and are recommended as ideal romantic excursions. Picking the right boat for your Nile Cruise
is essential: more than 250 vessels operate the route, plus feluccas (wooden sailing boats).Over the years Nile cruising hasn’t always had the best reputation... cramped cabins, conveyorbelt excursions, a fair-tomiddling chance of food poisoning. But the bar has now been raised in recent years by US hotel chain Sonesta with their ultra luxurious “Star Goddess “offering. The ship sails on the Nile River for three-, four- and seven-night cruises. An all-suite cruise ship, the “Star Goddess “ features 33 suites named after famous composers, giving it a touch of elegance and sophistication and the experience for this writer is a truly wonderful, rewarding cruise experience of outstanding hospitability. On the Star Goddess, you will sample international & Egyptian culinary delights enjoy in-room dining, have barbeques on deck and cocktails in the comfort and ambiance of the lounge or on the top deck as it drifts past biblical scenery that makes you feel like a true ancient explorer! There’s also no need to break your work-out routine as you can keep fit with the jogging track located on the sun deck, and work out in the full-service spa which features a gym, massage rooms, sauna and Jacuzzi. Most cruises journey from Luxor to Aswan or vice versa. Depending on how long your journey
■ Aswan Dam
, Egypt.
■ Star Goddess Exterior.
is set; you will be savoring many stopovers along the way. These consist of all the most fascinating places along the way and from the comforts of the “ Star Goddess “ you’ll have the chance to have guided tours of the main ancient sites Renowned sightseeing stops for excursions include the treasures of Luxor, including the tomb of Nefertiti and the Temple of Karnak. Many of the cruises allow time to visit ancient the Egyptian towns of Aswan, Esna, Kom Ombo and Edfu along with many others along the way. Egypt has suffered a considerable drop in the number of foreign visitors in the months following the popular uprising of January and February and its taking a while for tourists to regain their confidence in the destination. At the moment, the ancient
sites are not so crowded. So there is no queuing to get into the most significant tombs or bumping onto sweaty people when you are underground. Nile cruises are typically just 3, 4 or 7 nights because of the short distances between the major attractions. The best time of year for a luxury cruise is during the Egyptian winter, from December to February. Remember its also important to finalise your itinerary before selecting from the many Nile cruises options as some may not permit a visit at a site you wish to see. Additionally, it is important for a visitor to understand that there are some luxury Nile cruises that include a water journey stretching from as far as Abu Simbel. Everywhere in Egypt you go you feel a hint of change in the air. The atmosphere is different, more
■ Sonesta Star Goddess Guest Suite.
Pet’s Corner...
Living
animated. Egyptians talk with justifiable pride about the events of the past few months, and the elections to come in November. The peoples and their ancient cultures deserve a new life and I look forward to my return to see how they adapt. For best rates see www.sonesta.com/ nilecruises
Weekly Best Buy
Bulgaria’s Sunny Beach resort on the stunning Black Sea is famous for its beautiful beaches, sunny climate and safe, warm sea. Concorde Travel offer package holidays or flight only deals at great prices for August. Travel Self Catering Packages at the 3* Golden Dreams Apartments start from €399 based on 4 sharing a 1 bedroom apartment or €494 based on 2 sharing a studio apartment. Hotel prices starting from €564 in the 3* Grand Hotel Sunny Beach on a B&B basis. Packages include: return flights, transfers, 7 nights accommodation, rep services and all taxes and charges. Flights operate every Monday from Dublin www.concordetravel.i www.concordetravel.ie Robert Walshe is a freelance contributor / broadcaster and guest travel writer for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland
with Kathleen Murray
with Kathleen Murray: Animal Behavioural Therapist
Animal Hygiene “HYGIENE” and “Animals” are two words that many people will not put together. That’s sad because animals are hygienic in their own way. When it comes to dogs and cats there are many people that will not let them inside the house because they think that animals are dirty. These animals are made up of flesh and blood and hair, just like us. They eat, sleep and play in different areas just like us… so then why are they considered so dirty? People that raise animals and children in the house together often think that the kids are dirtier than the animals. When children go out
to play they often come in mucky and smelly. They are cleaned up or dried off and then life goes on. Nobody dies of a disease. If an animal gets mucky or dirty when playing outside, or during a walk, then owners take them in and clean them or dry them off. Children (and some grown ups) pick their nose, eat their “noots” and poke their behind, then they open a loaf and make a sandwich for themselves. People are not as clean as they make out and they don’t tell you about it, but we seldom get diseases from being in other people’s houses or from contact with unhygienic people.
A lot of the “dirt” that we encounter is normal and important dirt. It is part of who we are and it helps to boost our immune system. There is a reasonable level though, as with all things. When children go outside to play with a dog the mother often makes them wash their hands when they come in. This is a good and healthy practice especially before eating. Unfortunately for the very hygienic mum the kids don’t always do this and often come back in and touch everything around the house in the course of their normal day. Mum is also touching these things but she is not getting a disease. Dog hair is often shouted about. We lose hair ourselves. You only have to look at hairbrushes to see this. They have to be cleaned otherwise they’d be clogged up. This hair goes on everything from cush-
ions and pillows to carpets and our clothes. Nobody shouts about that. Dog hair is not dirty. It’s just hair like ours. If it’s brushed it will stay clean and although it may need a wash occasionally it is not hard to maintain. The people that have problems here are people with carpets or mats that don’t go in the washing machine. A quick hoover over a hard floor gets rid of any hair. It’s not a big deal. A dog should be brushed out well a few times a week to keep the hair in good shape. We have to do ours every day… much more hassle. If a dog is maintained properly there should be no hygiene problems to worry about. Animals are good for our health so don’t be afraid of them. If they were so bad then farmers, vets, animals trainers, groomers etc would all be dead long ago.
Home and Away Extra The Old Government House Hotel and Spa on Guernsey has become the island’s first ever five-star hotel. The hotel, part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, was awarded the accolade by the Department of Commerce and Employment in Guernsey following a recent quality rating assessment. Located in St Peter Port, The Old Government House Hotel & Spa is one of the best known hotels in Guernsey.