TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe People who post fake hotel reviews on Trip Advisor will be named and shamed by an online reputation management company. Kwikchex, which is acting on behalf of more than 800 hotels and restaurants, told the paper it plans to publish a list of thousands of reviewers it suspects of posting fraudulent and defamatory comments. It says websites such as Trip Advisor will be told to notify their reviewers of the list, once published, and they will be given two weeks to remove the comments or face legal action if they cannot substantiate their claims and show that were guests of the establishments concerned. Trip Advisor said it will protect reviewers by refusing to release their actual names unless it is ordered to do so by a court of law.
Weekend Hotspot
My favourite Irish 5 star luxury hotel Ritz Carlton at Powerscourt continues to win my affections. The sun was shining the day I arrived, offering wonderful views of the Sugar Loaf Mountain from the impressive lobby and the signature Gordon Ramsay restaurant. The hotel’s spacious entrance is on the fourth floor and with its sweeping spiral staircase; central dancing fountain and the huge open fires make you feel especially welcome. The hotel was modelled after the historic Powerscourt Estate Residence, which leaves guests with a truly elegant residential feel. The hotel has also developed the 3D Concierge which is located in a dedicated lounge in the lobby. The 3D Concierge provides a comfortable location where guests can relax, sit and speak face to face. The service at Ritz Carlton is perfection; with staff striking that seamless balance of being attentive without being overbearing.The elaborate twostorey Espa in my opinion sets this property apart from other Irish offerings. This huge facility spreads over two floors and contains two personal spa suites, 20 treatment rooms. and a Spa Café for those going for all-day treatments without having to slip out of their comfortable fluffy gowns. Treatments at The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt are exclusively by ESPA .They offer a truly personal experience with each
Living
treatment created to meet your mood and temperament. The Thermal Suite facilities are separate for male and female guests with a shared serenity relaxation area. This suite includes crystal steam room, sauna ice fountain, vitality pool, heated relaxation lounge, hot pool and hammam. Powern Gordon Ram scourt also features a sey at Pow erscourt. lton. 20m Swarovski crystalCar Ritz at rt cou ers in Pow as istm Chr n lit pool which is simply adorable. Natural materials of stone, wood and slate reinforce the connection with nature tive treats on arrival includwhilst the relaxation areas all offer ing mince pies and seasonal views of the “sugar loaf”. Gordon fruit punch. It also includes Ramsay is the formal dining room at a delicious 3 course plated Ritz Carlton and has hit the ground set dinner menu on Christrunning since opening night. The din- mas Eve for two in Gordon ner menu to date has been high on Ramsay at Powerscourt and luxury ingredients and seafood, and a Grand Buffet lunch on the welcome inclusion of Wicklow Christmas Day. Ritz-Carlton venison or Tipperary lamb reflects has become synonymous a clear policy of using use local sea- with luxury hotels in The n Burj Al Arab, Dubai. sonal produce The guest room ex- Americas, Europe and Asia. perience for me reflects both local and Powerscourt leads the character and charm along with the way. www.ritzcarlton.com/ elegance of what I expect from Ritz- powersourt Carlton every time. Nearly half the UK. www.holidaysonline.ie Whether guest rooms are suites, and standard Weekly Best Buy you are a seasoned skier taking on accommodations boast some of the The Northern lights time of the the Three Valleys, Paradiski, or St most spacious rooms you will find year is coming around and Project Anton, or you are a beginner lookacross Europe. Another standard Travel has a few things to keep you ing for the fun and excitement that feature is in-bathrooms televisions occupied while you wait in hope. A learning will bring you on the gentle which I have to admit I love! There Norwegian five-night trip including Austrian or Andorran slopes, Crystal will be an array of festive activities flights, two nights in a hotel and Ski caters for all of this and more and this Christmas time for both adults three nights on a Hurtigruten ship guarantees the lowest prices! What’s and children alike, as preparations watching the night sky costs from more Crystal Ski are also offering ½ are made to enchant and entertain €1,395pps www.project-travel.ie price child care, valid for all chilguests. With a life size gingerbread Click and go for an unusual trip to dren on new bookings to selected house, Santa Claus, cookie decorat- Morocco over Christmas. Departing resorts in Austria & Slovenia. Crysing and a Giving Tree for the Jack & Dublin with Aer Lingus on December tal Ski has also extended their 2 for Jill Foundation, the Christmas cel- 22nd and staying for seven nights in 1 Lift pass valid on new bookings to ebrations are going to leave guests the four-star Hotel Anezi will cost Austria only. Current offers include feeling festive and in high spirits. from €489pps, or stay all-inclusive France departing on 20th DecemThe Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt of- from €757pps www.clickandgo.com ber - 7 Nights at Self Catering Apartfers the ideal Christmas retreat to www.holidaysonline.ie has just ments from €399pp in La Plagne /Val enjoy the festive holidays. The Fes- launched a new booking system D’Isere / Valmorel / Brides Les Bain tive Holiday package consists of which allows you to book: English or the 4th Jan - 5 Nights at Horizons a two night stay and is valid from Premier League matches, Rugby D’Huez Apts on a Self Catering basis December 24th until 26th, 2010 and packages - both Internationals and in Alpe D’Huez from €349pp Price is costs from €399 per night per cou- Heineken Cup match, Horse Racing based per person based on max ocple sharing. This package includes event packages including the Aintree cupancy with return flights, airport two nights’ accommodation in a Grand National and the Chelten- taxes transfers & accommodation as deluxe room, daily breakfast buffet ham Festival, Alton Towers Packages stated. Travel insurance extra www. for two in the restaurant with fes- and Christmas Shopping Trips to the crystalski.ie
Home and Away Extra Dubai Tourism has launched a new consumer-facing brand identity, Definitely Dubai, to be used in all its campaigns worldwide. A new website, definitelydubai.com, will have specific UK and Ireland content added by the end of 2010. This will include information on air travel, promotions and tour operators that feature Dubai. Dubai Tourism said the United Arab Emirate saw visitor numbers increase 9% in the first half of 2010 compared with the same period of last year. The UK and Irish markets are the largest for Dubai, representing 10% of Dubai’s total global visitors. Robert Walshe is a freelance contributor / broadcaster and is guest travel writer for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland
Pet’s Corner... with Kathleen Murray Dogs that are “interested” in sheep with Kathleen Murray: Animal Behavioural Therapist
How do you know if a dog is interested in sheep? Any dog that is found looking at, or running in a field of sheep (whatever it’s intention) is interested in sheep. Unfortunately, many dogs that are found running, with no guidance, in a field of sheep are dogs that have been left outside by their owners unsupervised, dumped in that area by an irresponsible owner or if they are with their owner then the obedience control is lacking. A dog that is left to run freely will eventually get into trouble and it may kill sheep from the excitement of the
running about alone. Natural dog instincts kick in and the chase ends in a kill. This is perfectly normal for a dog... if it is living in the wild. Domestic dogs have to be trained not to act on these instincts when working and cannot be left unsupervised in the presence of livestock. It doesn’t matter how good a working sheepdog is or how useless it is at rounding up sheep, it is always capable of hunting and killing if left alone to make it’s own decisions. This is the main reason why working dogs have to be contained and controlled (they still need to
be exercised) when they are not working. I have a 13 year old collie called Wilma that I trained to work with sheep when she was young. She loved to work. She was very enthusiastic about any kind of training, was very obedient and worked well in many areas. To the present day she is just as obedient and enthusiastic even though she is a bit hard of hearing and has a weak heart. If she was left unsupervised in the presence of sheep for any length of time I have no doubt that she would lie down and watch them for ages and
then she’d want to work and most likely run herself and the sheep to death from the sheer thrill of working. Never underestimate your dog. Know what a dog will do given the opportunity. I had two pet ducks once. Wilma used to make sure that they never got lost during the day and she would put them in their house for me when it was getting dark every night. She would take them for walks a couple of times everyday. She would allow them time to stop and root about in the garden for a while but then she would move them on another bit.
Sometimes they would object and peck at her legs, then she would stop, but in no time she had them moving again. I had to take her in to the house to give them a break so I know what she would do if she had a field of sheep to take for a walk. No matter what kind of dog you have, how good or use-
less it is with sheep, whether you think it wouldn,t do any harm to the sheep or not..... please don’t leave it out unsupervised at any time. Always know where it is and what it is doing. Sheep are in lamb now and they don’t need the terror of being chased, mauled and killed by an over-excited , out of control dog.