44 wicklownews
TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walsh THE prospect of a long and hot sum- ents. The cooking highlights for me mer is a bigger threat to the travel included the lesson with Paola at the trade than swine flu or the recession, Borgo Al Gusto country house folaccording to leading industry figures lowed by lunch and the most wonLast week predictions suggested “a derful local wine. Sabina is magical in barbecue summer”, prompting fears every way with unspoilt landscapes overseas bookings would be hit as of rolling hills, olive trees and wine the good weather was likely to trig- groves, fields of wild garlic, rich colger a “wait and ours and Italian aromas. The see” attitude location, Casperia, is a hilltop among consumvillage of cobbled alleyways set ers. Meanwhile, in a rural corner of Lazio, just the UK domestic south of Tuscany and North of tourism sector Rome. Towns like Orvieto , Ascould be set for sisi, Perugia, Viterbo and Rome a bumper sumare all within driving distance. mer, according n Penny Lane Liverpool. or you can take the direct to Visit Britain. The train up to local station Fara organisation predicted a 20 per cent Sabina for Casperia directly from rise in the number of holidays taken Fiumincino/Leonardo da Davinci Airon the British Isles, while Visit Scot- port. While not the best cook in the land forecast a 25 per cent increase. world, my biggest challenge is telling the world about this magical place in Holiday Hotspot the real heart of Italy. I highly recomA Taste Of Rome is for lovers of mend it www.atasteofrome.com. Italy and Italian food to experience Weekend Hotspot the real Italy through small groups Liverpool has something for eveand hands-on cooking while staying in the restored palazzo La Toratto on ryone; pop music, classical music, the medieval hilltop village of Caspe- fine architecture, good beer, interria, Sabina. A Taste of Rome offers national history, museums and art the choice of seven day or four day galleries of the highest standard. For cooking holidays. Included in the the pop music lover there is the Livweek-long holiday are three cooking erpool Beat Route and for lovers of lessons, wine and extra virgin olive classical music there is the Philharoil tastings with Slow Food expert monic Hall. Personally, I like to visit Johnny Madge and a guided visit to the Bluecoat Chambers, the oldest Rome. With each lesson there will building in the centre of Liverpool. It be two to three hours in the kitchen contains an art gallery, a craft shop where the emphasis will be on cre- with excellent pottery, a cut-price ating the traditional dishes of the book shop and a café. Liverpool has Cucina Romana - simple dishes using two modern cathedrals. The Anglionly the finest local organic ingredi- can is the largest and The Roman
n Steps of Casperia village.
Catholic Cathedral is very modern. It is affectionately known as “Paddy’s Wigwam” and seems somewhat utilitarian from the outside but inside it is spectacularly beautiful. Now when it comes to retail therapy, Liverpool excels. Offering a wide range of fashionable, chic, individual and eclectic shops as well as all the major names. Liverpool One is amazing. The best place to stay is the Radisson Hotel overlooking the famous docks.
Living
are offering exceptional deals to the USA from only €318 www. ebookers.ie Travel bag is offering a bargain fivestar Dubai break from £459. Price includes four nights bed and breakfast at the five-star Habtoor Grand Resort, and direct flights from London Heathrow with Royal Brunei Airlines. www.travelbag.co.uk. Canvas Holidays is offering a seven-night stay during July at Sologne Parc des Alicourts, in the Loire, in France, from €424 per family. www.canvasholidays.ie .
Weekly Best Buy
Family quality time is being offered by the five-star Hotel Dunloe Castle, near Killarney, in Co Kerry, until October. A family three-night BB package costs €785 for two parents and up to three children, including dinner for two on one evening, a family ticket to Muckross House and traditional farms, and a host of complimentary activities, including horse riding, tennis and fishing – plus there’s an outdoor playground and leisure centre. For this and other deals, see www.discoverireland.ie. Ebookers
n Taste of Rome.
TUESDAY 26 MAY 2009
Home and Away Extra The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority will treble efforts for its “Summer in Abu Dhabi” initiative in a bid to attract 150,000 visitors to the festival. and runs from July 31 to August 31.The Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be the largest event ever held in the emirate during November .The Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras, Slovakia’s first five star luxury hotel is now open .In May and June guests can take advantage of a special opening rate of €160 for single and €180 for double occupancy per night including taxes, the sumptuous buffet breakfast and access to the wellness and spa area. www.kempinski-hightatras.com. Monart Spa, near Enniscorthy, is offering overnight rates are from €190 for two people for a night’s bed and breakfast, with use of the thermal spa. www.monart. ie. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is introducing two enticing vacation packages with a selection of offerings not just about spending less but experiencing more. The range of value added options are designed to encourage travel up to September. www.ritzcarlton.com/ powerscourt. Robert Walshe is a freelance contributor / broadcaster to travel publications and radio programmes across Ireland and the UK.