TRAVEL
Good mood
travel Whether you want to take a break from it all and completely unwind or go in search of an exhilarating boost of endorphins, here’s some holiday inspiration to put a smile on your face
92 IRISH COUNTRY MAGAZINE AUGUST | SEPTEMBER
TRAVEL
Meditate in Beara Cooking near Lough Erne Head to Fermanagh for an immersive learning experience and brush up on your skills in the kitchen at the Bell Isle Cookery School. With a variety of one-day courses, including Indian and Thai cuisine, seasonal comfort food as well as food for entertaining, there is something for beginners to more proficient cooks. Learn to prepare seafood fresh off the boat from Killybegs in Co Donegal, or indulge in a two-day Weekend in Paris cookery course. There are also private classes available for four to 14 people. Based in Lough Erne Estate, with cattle and sheep grazing in the surrounding meadows, free range hens and an adjacent walled kitchen garden, this is the perfect environment for learning about wholesome food and preparing hearty meals. One-day course only approx â‚Ź122, course plus accommodation approx â‚Ź172. www.irishcookeryschool.com
LEARN iTALIAN IN sICILY
Nothing lifts our mood more than to envisage living like an Italian, Eat Pray Love-style. The Solemar Sicilia school in Cefalu is a traditional Italian language school offering lessons to foreigners with courses for a range of competencies from basic to business levels. Take your language classes in the morning at the school or in your apartment, Monday to Friday, with WKH DIWHUQRRQV IUHH IRU H[SORULQJ WKH DUHD Cefalu is home to sandy beaches, a buzzing atmosphere, and is just an hour away from the Aeolian islands, so it is the perfect base for taking in the sights and sounds of Sicily while picking up the language. Accommodation options include local hotels, home stays and apartment shares, so there is something for every budget. Optional activities in the evenings include the historic markets of Palermo, a boat trip to Fabrizio for snorkelling, and Sicilian cooking lessons. One week of 20 lessons from â‚Ź160, with home-stay accommodation from â‚Ź220 or shared apartment accommodation from â‚Ź200 | www.solemar-sicilia.it
<RX G WKLQN \RX ZRXOG KDYH WR WUDYHO IDU WR o QG D Tibetan Buddhist retreat centre, but nestled on the west Cork coastline is Dzogchen Beara. With workshops on everything from contemplative ZDONLQJ JULHI o QGLQJ SHDFH GHHS OLVWHQLQJ DQG introductions to Buddhism, this destination will EHQHo W WKRVH QHZ WR DQG PRUH H[SHULHQFHG LQ mindfulness. With vegetarian food, views of the sea and daily meditation classes, you are guaranteed a restful, rejuvenating break. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be Buddhist, as many visit the peaceful retreat just for a chance for rest and renewal. If \RX DUH ORRNLQJ IRU VHFOXVLRQ DQG WLPH WR UHp HFW this is a nurturing environment to do so in breathtaking surroundings. Minimum two-night stay, prices starting from â&#x201A;Ź40 PPS per night | www.dzogchenbeara.org
Cycling in Germany One of the greatest ways to experience Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich culture, history and landscape is by bike. A trip worth taking is from Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest university in Heidelberg to historic Koblenz â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a route that follows the meandering River Rhine, surrounded by vineyards, orchards and wooded mountains. Stop off in towns of traditional half-timbered houses, trying wine in Boppard or taking in the stained glass windows of Mainz. With fairytale castles and stunning architecture, Koblenz is a captivating destination to end your trip. And if all that sounds like too much pedalling, you can always get an e-bike so you can save your energy for sightseeing and sniffing out pastries. Six nights for â&#x201A;Ź645 PPS in double/twin, B&B, and luggage transportation. www.freedomtreks.co.uk
AUGUST | SEPTEMBER
IRISH COUNTRY MAGAZINE 93