TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe ANYONE thinking of a last-minute budget holiday in the sun should head to Portugal, according to a survey which claims prices there have fallen by more than 40% over the past 12 months. In a recent holiday costs barometer, its suggested prices have plunged in a number of euro zone destinations. It says the biggest fall in prices has come in the Algarve area where the cost of eating out and of typical holiday purchases fell 42% in the last year. That means Portugal has ousted Bulgaria as the cheapest destination on its list. In neighbouring Spain, where there are similar budget deficit concerns for the government, the cost of holiday spending has fallen 40% as restaurants and shops cut prices to attract hard-to-come-by customers.
Weekend Hotspot In the National Park of the Southern Sintra Mountains, just 25 km from Lisbon Portugal, the Penha Longa Hotel and Golf Resort traces its origins back to the 14th century, when the area known as “long rock” was first inhabited by monks. Set in a graceful palazzo-style estate a landmark monastery was built on the site, and over the centuries became a retreat for The Royal Family of Portugal and visiting dignitaries. Guest rooms and suites come with guaranteed luxury along with your very own terrace or balcony looking over breathtaking views of the spectacular hills, gardens and nearby lakes. The 194 air conditioned guestrooms have light contemporary decor with oak-wood furnishings and contemporary fabrics. The large marble bathrooms are truly Ritz Carlton with separate bathtubs, showers, designer Bulgari toiletries, makeup/shaving mirrors and bathrobes. All rooms are equipped with satellite television, direct-dial phones with voice mail, Internet connections and minibars. The main restaurant, Assa Massa combines modern gourmet Portuguese cuisine with tastes of the Mediterranean. The name originates from an ancient oven found in the Quinta where local villagers gather to bake bread. Midori which opens for dinner only is considered one of the top Japanese restaurants
in Portugal and my favourite was “Arola” a truly innovative and fashionable dining experience. Styled in shades of blue and white interiors with touches of turquoise and violet, the decor is Mediterranean chic and the central circular tables give added privacy by a “curtain” of translucent aluminium. Diners will be able to view the kitchens from the bar and lounge or may just relax completely on the terrace in the summer. During dinner, music will be mixed by the resident DJ offering a combination of funk, jazz and soul. At lunchtime try Serra, poolside serving casual food, refreshments and a warm prawn salad to die for! The hotel boasts two important golf courses including the “Atlantic” which is an 18hole, par 72, championship facility, offering a challenging course with views over the ocean and the “Monastery” course, designed by the famous architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. This is a nine-hole, par 35 ground in the historical heart of the resort ideal for guests who arrive in the late afternoon but who would still like to play a round of golf. The Six Senses Spa a few minutes walk from the hotel main building is designed to create a meditative and contemplative ambience. The Spa with nine treatment rooms is set in stunning gardens where you will find a Jacuzzi, a contrast pool and a three meter waterfall, a platform over the pool for the practice of Yoga, I-Cong and two gazebos for meditation and treatments such as Shiatsu. If you can force yourself to venture outside the resort visit Sintra a Unesco World Heritage Site enjoying breathtaking views over the coastline. The area is also known for its wine growing, traditional confectionery and handicrafts. In Sintra-Vila, (the town itself), the main thing to see is the Palácio Nacional, used as a royal palace until the end of the 19th century. Also near Penha Longa is Cascais a sophisticated holiday resort on the Portuguese Riviera. It retains its laid-back atmosphere and local fishermen still auction their catch on the main square. Colorful fishing boats still moor alongside stylish cruise liners although the clientele is more international jet set interspersed
Pet’s Corner...
Living ■ Arola at Pen
■ Pena Longha Resort Portugal
a Longha P
by a clutch of expats. This atmospheric town with elegant shops, bars and restaurants cater for holidaymakers and besides the lovely local beaches there are some a Longha sightseeing ■ Six Senses Spa at Pen opportunities including the 16th century popular Wyatt Hotel, located in church and the municipal museum. the heart of the town. Staycations Cascais is also renowned for its are fast becoming the new vacaquality dining and vibrant nightlife. tion and with fantastic offers such Just down the road lies Estoril, a as the Wyatt’s ‘Mid Week 3 for 2 former spa town and fashionable Offer’ and ‘Value Weekend Break’ seaside resort, made famous in the these deals are hard to overlook! For just €125pp stay any two 1930s by its Grand Prix track. Ian Fleming set his first Bond novel, night’s mid week and indulge in Casino Royale, here and another a full Irish breakfast each mornBond epic – On Her Majesty’s Secret ing and you can stay a third night Service was also filmed there. .Aer completely FREE of charge (room Lingus operates daily flights from only). www.wyatthotel.com Jurys Dublin to Lisbon. One-way fares Inns is selling rooms in Dublin for start from 39 euro’s excluding taxes its three properties from €59 to and charges. For more information €79 this summer www.jurysinns. on fares and schedules and to book com Meanwhile the spectacular views log on to www.aerlingus.com. Further details on Pena Longha www. of Malin Head are the setting for the Ballyliffin Lodge hotel on the ritzcarlton.com/penhalongha Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal. Weekly Best Buy During July and August you can stay there for two nights and the For those of you looking for a third night is free, from €150pps break in Ireland this summer, why mid-week, and €198 at weekends. not take a trip to the picturesque Tel: 074-9378200 and ballyliffintown of Westport and stay in the lodge.com.
ortugal
Home and Away Extra VISIT Scotland have launched a new online Archaeological Treasure Trail, inspiring visitors to discover more about the histories, mysteries and unearthed secrets of Scotland. The online, downloadable trail features on www.visitscotland. com/perfect and includes three specially created itineraries in Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides. The website also highlights archaeological sites on other Scottish islands such as the Isle of Mull and Inchcolm Island and features information on Perthshire Archaeology Month. The new trail highlights some of the most fascinating sites, artifacts and historical insights on the islands of Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides while also revealing something of the culture and lives of those people who settled on these lands thousands of years ago. . www.visitscotland.com Robert Walshe is a freelance contributor / broadcaster and is guest travel writer for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland
with Kathleen Murray
with Kathleen Murray: Animal Behavioural Therapist
Sheepdogs – what makes them good WHAT makes a good sheepdog? Is it the dog (any dog) or is it the handler? It is more likely to be a combination of both. When we think about sheepdogs we tend to think about Collies. That’s because they are bred to work with sheep and are the most common “sheepdog” in Ireland. Sometimes people dismiss a dog and deem it to be useless because it doesn’t do what they want, or it doesn’t reach their expectation of what a sheepdog should be. I have never met a useless dog but I have met many limited people. Dogs have been given away or killed for gripping sheep,
for scattering sheep, and for killing sheep, to name but a few. A dog that does any of these things is a good working dog in the wrong hands. An interest in sheep is the first step to becoming a good working sheepdog. Controlling and guiding that “interest” is the responsibility of the owner. The second step is the relationship between the dog and the owner. If that is not right then things will go wrong. There needs to be a two-way respect. There are all kinds of “personalities” in dogs the same as there are in humans. If you put a timid or nervous dog in the hands of an owner that
roars at the dog, to relieve their frustration, then the poor dog will be the loser here... and not because it wasn’t a good worker. It was just in the wrong hands. Timid, nervous or sensitive dogs make excellent working dogs. They are hyper-aware of everything that is happening around them so they are always “on the ball”. Left to their own devices, with no humans around, these dogs will “work” sheep because they are not afraid of the sheep. They are afraid of impatient, loud and intimidating humans. They still need to be taught but, as with all dogs, gentle,
firm, well timed correction is all that’s needed. If you find that you are losing patience with the training then ask yourself “Is it me, or the dog?” then go and have a cup of tea and think about what went wrong, and why. The dog is depending on you for instructions, so communication and trust are the key things here. The dog is not a mind reader. It is working on instinct and instructions. Dogs that grip sheep are either afraid of the sheep because they got a fright with a ewe (maybe protecting a lamb) when they were a pup or they may have too much pent up
energy when they are taken out to the field to work. There are many reasons for gripping, all workable. Young dogs can be very enthusiastic and over excited when they are brought out to work, because they love it. Sometimes it is necessary to exercise the dog by playing ball or letting it off for a run with other dogs first, to calm it down before it works, so that it is more focused on working rather than just running off excess energy. Keeping dogs in a run all day, or tied up, makes them want to take off with a burst when they get “free”. This goes for all dogs.