TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe BRITISH Airways is launching two direct flights a week from London Gatwick to Cancun from November 2010. The route, which goes on sale today, will be served by a Boeing 777 with three cabins. Richard Tams, head of UK & Ireland sales and marketing, said: “We’re delighted to be the only UK scheduled airline offering direct fl ights to Cancun. The fi rst fl ight will leave Gatwick on November 3 at 12.45pm UK time and arrive in Cancun at 5.45pm local time. Alaska is proving to be a big hit with cruisers this year, according to Holland America Line. The cruise company says it has seen an unprecedented 77% year on year increase in Alaska cruise sales for 2010, making it Holland America’s most popular cruise destination amongst clients. It said the number of guests cruising with Holland America Line overall has been growing steadily and this year saw an 88% increase. It put the rise down to early booking incentives and increasing brand awareness. The company said it was committed to further growth, with more UK cruises launched for summer 2011. www.hollandamericca.com
Weekend Hotspot
Hotels are like people; they may change from year to year. The owners, managers and staff may set the mood, but the most important person is the guest and that’s how I felt on my first visit to Marlfield House, Gorey, Co Wexford. This Relais &Chateaux property first opened in 1978 is run by a motherand-daughter combination of Mary and Margaret Bowe, but Mary has retired, and now the house is run by the vivacious Margaret and her sister, Laura and I just cant help feeling elated by their addiction to what is Irelands most luxurious country house and gardens. Built in the 1830s and once the dower house of the Earls of Courtown, Marlfield House’s authentic classic design and décor with modern amenities has become a regular for visitors to the sunny southeast including many famous faces like Robert Redford, Tom Hanks and U2.The interior is luxurious in
Living
the extreme with accommodation 8th August) per options including six state and person for lunch twelve superior rooms all uniquely and recital Recital designed using period pieces, fine only tickets are linen, deep-pile carpets, antique €25 if available furniture and regal four poster (€35 on the 8th beds..This Regency style house is August) Known full of antiques and classic pieces as the “Sunny that transport you back to the days South East,” the of gracious living and this stately county of Wexcombination offers a feeling of re- ford provides the fined elegance. The customary Mol- best year-round ■ Marlfield H ouse Exter ton Brown toiletries and televisions Irish weather, ior with DVD players are standard and historic sites I heard Margaret mentioning to guests that pets are welcome. The extensive gardens provide numerous country activities; including equestrian endeavors, archery, fox hunting, golf, croquette, tennis, castle tours, tours and long walks along the eld House nearby beach ■ Dining Room At Marlfi at Courtown are ■ State Room also possible. at Marlfield House Marlfield House and a laid-back atleads the way on food reputation and quality and my mosphere ideal for a relaxing trip. dining experience. was exceptional. With more than 70 miles of white the children. Stay for five nights The dining room and Turner-style beaches and some of the top golf with two evening meals in any conservatory merge into one, pro- courses in the country, Wexford one of the wonderful Flynn Hotels viding modern Irish cuisine with a has a large tourist following. The based in Cork, Kilkenny, Ennis and range of fresh produce including city and its surrounding area offer Dungarvan from €289 per adult for fresh herbs, vegetables fruit, wild some of Ireland’s finest hotels, two adults and two children sharsalmon, spring lamb, Bannow Bay many of which offer special ameni- ing and receive a complimentary oysters, Wexford mussels and beef. ties for four-legged family mem- two night stay just for Mum and My only concern was the use of rich bers.Marlfield House set on 35 Dad in your choice of Flynn Hotel. butter and cream sauces irresist- acres of grounds and woodlands is Or enjoy a family break for three ible to taste but upsetting on the a member of the prestigious Relais nights from just €129 per adult hips! The selection of Irish artisan & Chateaux group of hotels and sharing for two adults and two cheeses with baked biscuits, home Ireland’s Blue Book and has won children sharing, and get a commade apple jelly and caramelised numerous accolades for its charm, plimentary one night stay for two walnuts were also gorgeous. The welcome and cuisine and rightly adults sharing in another Flynn professional service at Marlfield of- so.!! www.marlfieldhouse.com or Hotel! Choose from the stylish Imperial Hotel in Cork city, the fers a true Relais &Chateaux stand- www.relaischateaux.com newly refurbished Newpark Hotel ard all perfectly matched with fine Weekly Best Buy in Kilkenny, and the Old Ground food and wine The Sunday lunch This summer Flynn Hotels are Hotel in Ennis with its eclectic mix time recitals continue for the summer with performances in offering families an unbeatable of traditional and contemporary the intimacy of the state “print summer getaway package, where comforts, or the beautiful Park room “preceded by a four Mum and Dad receive a special Hotel with its scenic views and course lunch in the conserva- break just for themselves, once nearby beaches. www.flynnhotels. tory. Tickets are €65 (€75 on the they book a family holiday with com
Pet’s Corner...
Home and Away Extra Blue Insurances are now launching their Civil Ceremony Insurance for the UK / Northern Ireland Gay & Lesbian market starting from £18.99, giving Gay and Lesbian couples, priceless peace of mind leading up to their special day. Most gay couples are concerned about the increase in hotel liquidations and supplier failures due to current economic times which is leaving gay couples significantly out of pocket and stranded on their big day. Each of the four types of cover provide against cancellation and rearrangement, against theft or loss of wedding gifts, Ceremonial attire, rings etc, failure of suppliers, flowers, wedding cake, transport, photography and video, legal expenses and personal liability. Optional Marquee extension is also available www.gayweddinginsurance.co.uk Von Essen hotels has announced that its new brand Hotel Verta will be the first integrated hotel heliport solution in Europe and will join von Essen’s Forbury Hotel in Reading and Seaham Hall Hotel in County Durham to make up the Collection’s Metropolitan Set. Everything at Hotel Verta, from the unique location on the Thames, to the stunning architecture and state of the art technology, is there to ensure that guests, whether business or leisure, have their every expectation exceeded. www.hotelverta.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
Things that some people do….wrongly SOMEONE once said “A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing” and another person once said “The more you learn, the more you realise how little you know.” People often make decisions based on very little information, or on what someone else, with very little information, told them would work. This can cause so many problems, and in some cases, can be downright dangerous. One example of this is the myth that raw eggs are good for a dog. Raw eggs are not good for a dog... full stop. Your vet will
be happy to tell you about the problems that raw eggs can cause in dogs. Any healthy dog should have a glossy coat (especially a young dog) otherwise it is lacking in the right type of feeding, it is not being brushed enough, it is in need of a worm tablet, or for a variety of other reasons. Next up is the way that some people worm their dogs (and other animals). Worm tablets are supposed to be given according to body weight. Going into a shop and buying worm tablets and then giving them to your dog, without knowing
the weight of the dog, can make your dog suffer a lot for no good reason. The wrong dosage can make the dog sick and cause severe cramps, or not be effective at all. These things are best done under veterinary advice, to make sure you get it right. Playing the vet at home with not enough information can be cruel to an animal. Another thing that is done to dogs, if they have a problem in their eye, is that the eye is washed out with salt and water (sometimes a herbal tea). This is nuts. Try putting some in your
own eye. Ask your vet why this is not the thing to do. I feel so bad for dogs that are treated like this. The needless suffering is awful. So many things from a bit too much chocolate to slug pellets are poison to your dog. It is so important to get the right information. Each dog is an individual and each problem is different. If an animal has been poisoned people often try to treat it themselves. Don’t do this. Ring your vet immediately!!! People that put down poison have a big responsibility to put up a sign stating that there is poison
in that area. Different poisons have different treatments. You could kill an animal by giving the wrong treatment. Ask your vet before you act. If we all know more than the vets, after all the years and money that they had to spend going through college, then we have a problem. They are the experts in animal medical matters... please ask for their advice before you act. It will cost you less in the long run and your animal will thank you for it. If an animal is already
suffering, why add to it? When people take on the responsibility of an animal then these are the things they need to take into consideration. Animals get sick and the vets are not a charity. Showing up without the money doesn’t work. Medicines and time cost money. If money is an issue for you then ring your local charity to see if they can help... and in return how you can help them.