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Home & Away Roam 247 is a newly launched international sim card which can cut your roaming charges for good. Trot the globe and use your mobile without getting the hefty charges and you save up to 80 per cent on mobile phone costs while abroad. Using your mobile phone abroad has always been expensive with consumers paying as much as 10 times more for making calls or sending texts overseas. www.247roaming. com is a global roaming sim card with negotiated deals with more than 700 mobile network suppliers in 213 countries allowing customers to make and receive calls, send and receive SMS, email and browse the internet for a fraction of the cost.
Holiday Hotspot
trends, Queen Street West is where the funky boutiques and bars are. For upscale shopping, go to Bloor Street between Yonge and Avenue Road. Toronto is also a live theatre town, second to perhaps only New York or London. The theatre district on King Street has a lively after theatre scene including restaurants and clubs. The Fairmont Royal York hotel truly is at the centre of life in the city. . This landmark hotel has everything you need. Luxurious surroundings, refined guest rooms and suites, a knowledgeable Concierge, and even a fully-stocked Business Center. See www.fairmonthotels.com. Top 10 things to see 1. The CN Tower 2. Hockey Hall of Fame 3. Royal Ontario Museum 4. Casa Loma. 5. Harbourfront. 6. Toronto Zoo 7. Distillery Historic District 8. The Bata Shoe Museum 9. High Park 10. Rogers Centre
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and the capital of Ontario is Canada’s biggest province. It is a favourite travel destination as east truly meets west with stunning scenery, a diverse culture and friendly locals. Toronto has one of the best redeveloped harbourfronts anywhere. This area has boutiques at Queen’s Quay, restaurants, cafes and galleries. Nearby Ontario Place and the Canadian National Exhibition are annual favorites among locals. A walk along Yonge Street near the Eaton Centre mall will reveal the wilder parts of To- n Fairmont Royal York ronto life. For the latest Toronto.
Weekend Hotspot Geneva, the hub of French-speaking Switzerland is shaking off the snow and welcoming in spring with flowers blooming in the cities many parks. The city is rich in museums and gastronomy. From some
Living
time. See www.kempinski.com.
Weekly Best Buy
n Geneva
parts of the city you look across to Mont Blanc and the French Alps. The main symbol of the city is the Jet d’ Eau which is centered on Lake Geneva. The main attractions include the Patek Phillipe Watch Museum, St Peters Cathedral, The International Museum of Reformation, The Red Cross Museum and the Botanical Gardens across from the UN HQ. Geneva has a huge number of restaurants for a city its size, and the international community means there’s more variety than you’ll find in most Swiss cities. On the downside, Geneva is probably the most expensive city in an expensive country. The Grand Hotel Kempinski is situated on the bank of Lake Geneva, facing the Jet d’Eau, and enjoys an exceptional view over the lake, the Cathedral, the Alps and the MontBlanc. The Grand Hotel Kempinski Geneva is also a self-contained universe of elegance with many rooms enjoying private balconies with stunning views of the Jura Mountains, the Alps and the city. FLOORTWO has a highly contemporary concept and the lounge, bar, restaurant are set side by side and come alive at night
For the month of May, you can stay at the 3* superior Castlerosse Hotel and Golf Resort from only €199 per person. Located on the shores of the Lakes of Killarney, this hotel is just a stone’s throw from Killarney Town. Aim for a hole in one on the 3,000 yards golf course overlooking Ireland’s highest mountains, the Magillicuddys, for a chilled-out midweek getaway. Canvas Holidays is offering a great added value deal to Domaine de Drancourt, St Valery, France from £299 per couple with a free tour of the D-Day landing museum. The Museum at Arromanches offers a fascinating insight into the events leading up to the June 6, 1944 and the end of the WWII. A seven-night holiday at Domaine de Drancourt, St. Valery, France for arrivals onsite on June 1 costs from £299 per couple with accommodation in a two bedroom mobile home
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Pet’s Corner... with Kathleen Murray
with Kathleen Murray: Animal Behavioural Therapist
I didn’t know it would grow so big When people come to me with dog problems we take a look at the situation and see what can be done to resolve the problem… but there is a bigger problem that I need to think more deeply about. That problem is that there are people who get a dog for their family and after a few months they want to get rid of the dog. Reasons given for this range from “It’s pulling the washing off the line” to “I didn’t know it would grow so big”. The first problem is easy to solve, the second one is way more difficult. When someone gets a dog, e.g. a golden retriever, and then after six months comes and says “I didn’t know it would grow so big” I have difficulty with that. We all know what a full grown golden retriever looks like, and if we don’t we can look it up in any pet shop in a book, yet this is a regular complaint from people and a rea-
son to re-home a dog, apparently. This is irresponsible. A cute little pup will grow into an adult dog so if you are thinking of getting a dog then please look at the adult version before taking a pup home with you. It is impor-
tant to know that you can cater to a dog that size. Many dogs are rehomed or passed on in some way between the ages of eight months and 18 months. This is usually because nobody taught the dog any manners
and now it has grown into a big ignorant dog that jumps on people, knocks over children, chews things, goes to the toilet in the house, chases cars, pulls on the lead, raids bins etc etc etc. Who wants a dog like that in their home? Owners create that by not educating their dogs from the day they bring them home. This is not a lost cause because this can be dealt with. Thankfully, a dog can learn new ways when it is shown how, in the proper manner, at any age so it’s not too late to start, no matter how bleak things appear. It doesn’t matter how many holes there are in the garden or how many times the dog has bulldozed into visitors at the door. It can be sorted. If you think you have tried everything and nothing has worked then ask for advice. There is a way. Deal with the dog rather than dump the dog. It’s not the dog’s fault.
TUESDAY 19 MAY 2009
Home and Away Extra The 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic is to be marked in three years time with a once-in-alifetime cruise following the ship’s original route. The historic cruise will include a memorial service in the early hours of the morning of April 15, 2012 above the historic vessel in the Atlantic. The route will include Southampton, Cobh, and onwards for Halifax, Nova Scotia and New York City. The 12 night cruise costs between £2,595 and £7,995 depending on cabin type. www.titanicmemorialcruise.co.uk. If you are looking for the ultimate guide to Europe’s no –frills airlines then log onto www.flycheapo.com. The website will direct you to individual airline websites for prices and bookings. The Royal Horseguards hotel in Whitehall has been officially awarded five-star status by AA Hotel Services following a £16.3 million refurbishment and an extensive service development programme. The hotel, which joined Guoman Hotels in February, is now the first five-star hotel in the collection www.royalhorseguards. co.uk. Irish Ferries Summer season is getting into full swing with the return to earlier sailing times from Rosslare to Cherbourg and Roscoff to suit motorists with onward connections to make. Robert Walshe is a freelance contributor / broadcaster to travel publications and radio programmes across Ireland and the UK.