TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe BACKPACKERS are strongly advised to make sure they are covered for the basics including Medical Expenses, Cancellation Cover, and Baggage to ensure peace of mind whilst travelling. Standard checks should be made to ensure that medical cover will include health expenses from tropical diseases, or that personal belongings cover will include items such as digital cameras or ipods to prevent any unexpected surprises later on. Over 20,000 backpackers are leaving Ireland annually and that figure is expected to rise year on year. Anyone considering heading off should check that they have adequate cover. www.BackpackerTravelInsurance.ie
Holiday Hotspot Croatia is fast becoming a popular tourist destination for several reasons; the country has some incredibly beautiful beaches, good food, and great cultural attractions and is much cheaper than other destinations in Europe. Stretching alongside the Adriatic Sea, the coastline of a thousand islands is the most dramatic and spectacular I have ever experienced. Over the past few years, old hotels have been renovated and upgraded, as well as new ones built. Hotel chains like Sheraton, Hilton, Westin and Le Meridien now have their hotels in Croatia. The Makarska Riviera is part of the Dalmatian coast and is about 60 kilometres long under the towering mountain Biokovo. Sunny climate and long pebbly beaches make this region popular. The town of Markarska with its palm-fringed promenade, fashionable cafés, bars and boutiques all overlook the pretty harbour where many boats are moored. The old town with narrow stone-paved streets, a main church square with a flower and fruit market, and a Franciscan monastery that houses a sea shell collection featuring a giant clam shell all form a picture postcard. Most of the hotels are located just off the
bay with their own private beaches except the Hotel Biokovo on the harbour front. The rooms while basic enjoy tremendous sea views and the pizza restaurant is definitely worth a visit. Onwards north is the historic city of Split. Orig. inally founded as ■ Makarska Town, Croatia a Greek colony, it has a long and rich history, which is vic (Branislav Deskovic Gallery) reflected in its many historical where you can discover over monuments. The popular Riva 300 paintings and sculptures promenade is the focal point made by 20th century Croatian for visitors and locals alike. It artists. The Dominikanski Sais located exactly in the front mostan (Dominican Monastery) of Diocletian Palace which is a is another site that should not must see and during the sum- be missed housing a famous mer months it swarms with 16th century painting by the crowds enjoying the numerous Venetian Tintoretto. The Grand cafes, restaurants, and souvenir Hotel Bluesun Elaphusa is situshops and I just love the atmos- ated 50 m from the beautiful phere there. Split markets are pebble beach, and only a 10 minfurther up from the Riva and a utes walk from Bol town centre. short walk will take you to the Every morning and evening the nearby ferry harbour and train hotel provides an exceptional station. Split ferries operate buffet breakfast and evening daily with connections to most dinner and family entertainment major nearby islands. The local is second to none. The Thalasso “Jadrolinija” is the main ferry Wellness Centre has indoor and operator, providing large fer- outdoor swimming pools with ries that carry vehicles, as well sea water alongside numerous as fast passenger ferries.The sauna and therapy options. The island of Brac lies nine nautical islands of Hvar and Brac enjoy miles south of Split but to really the most sunshine per month explore the island it is best to and are an essential part of your stay a night or two. The island is holiday experience. Concorde paticularly famous for its beach. Travel is Irelands Croatian “Zlatni Rat” ( golden cape ) on holiday specialist and operates the south coast near the fishing weekly charter flights to Split village of “Bol”. Depending on from 10th July ex Dublin. They the season and the winds, the also offer packages from Dublin cape is ever-changing! This is an on Aer Lingus flights (Sundays) ideal spot if you like to wind-surf and Belfast on Sundays (Jet2. or participate in watersports com) to Dubrovnik. Tailor made and the shallow waters make it options and durations with Aer a perfect place if you have chil- Lingus who have 4 weekly dedren travelling with you. There partures in high season can also are some wonderful cultural at- be organised. www.concordtractions on the island just wait- etravel.ie, www.aerlingus.com ing to be explored. Take a trip For information on Croatia visit to the Galerija Branislav Desko- www.croatia.hr
Pet’s Corner...
■ Split, Cro
atia.
■ Zlatni Rat”
The Jazz and Big Band Festival is taking to the streets of Derry again this year for another weekend of soulful sounds and rhythmic beats! From 29th April to 3rd May 2010, multiple venues in Derry will play host to a range of jazz-tastic acts and unbeatable atmosphere so make sure you don’t miss out on all the fun- The Everglades Hotel, just five minutes from Derry City centre have a fantastic package available for two nights bed and breakfast and one evening meal for just £85 per person sharing or £115 for single occupancy. www.hastingshotels.com/everglades-hotel 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
Are owners liable for dog damages?
show a previous mischievous propensity in the dog, or the owner’s knowledge of such previous propensity, or to show that such injury or damage was attributable
to neglect on the part of the owner 2) Where livestock are injured by a dog on land on to which they had strayed, and either the dog belonged to the occupier of the land or its presence on the land was authorised by the occupier, a person shall not be liable under this section in respect of injury done to the livestock, unless the person caused the dog to attack the livestock. 3) A person is liable in
Beach Brac, Croatia.
Weekly Best Buy
with Kathleen Murray: Animal Behavioural Therapist
THIS week I thought it might be helpful to know some law in relation to dogs so here is just one little piece that could be useful to people. Liability of owner for damage by dog (Section 21 of the 1986 Control of Dogs Act) 1) The owner of a dog shall be liable in damages for damage caused in an attack on any person by the dog and for injury done by it to any livestock; and it shall not be necessary for the person seeking such damages to
Living
damages for any damage caused by a dog kept on any premises or structure to a person trespassing thereon only in accordance with the rules of law relating to liability for negligence. 4) (a) Any damage or injury for which a person is made liable under this section shall be deemed to be attributable to a wrong within the meaning of the Civil Liability Act, 1961 , and the provisions of that Act shall apply accordingly b) Sections 11 (2) (a) and 11 (2) (b) of the Statute of Limitations, 1957 , shall apply to such damage.
Home and Away Extra Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts newest Chinese property has just opened at Guilin. The classic Chinese-style hotel is the first international standard five-star luxury property located on the banks of the scenic Li River The new hotel is the perfect place from which to explore the attractions that lie along the river and the area’s unusual landscape, including Elephant-Trunk Hill, Pagoda Hill and the Forest of Odd Shaped Peaks. Taking advantage of its location, the hotel offers guests the opportunity to explore the Li River in style, on a 10km luxury cruise while enjoying a four-course meal, designed by the hotel’s Executive Chef, accompanied by live classical Chinese guzheng music (a Chinese plucked zither.) Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin with 449 guest rooms is the first hotel in the region to offer an outdoor swimming pool. Guilin is situated in the Guangxi Zhuang province, and considered one of China’s most beautiful and scenic destinations. The property has a special opening offer of RMB788 (approx £77*) per room per night for double occupancy in a Deluxe Room, including buffet breakfast. www.shangri-la.com