DAVIN O'DWYERwith the latest horse racing and soccer deals
Horse racing
Cheltenham is preparing for its annual Irish invasion, with more than 40,000 fans expected to travel from Ireland to the festival (March 10th to 13th).
Tully’s Travel (www.tullys.ie, 059-9136100) has one-day packages from €399 per person, with race ticket; an overnight trip to Friday’s Gold Cup from €525 per person, with race ticket; a four-night package with accommodation in Cheltenham town for €789 per person; a three-night package, including four days of racing, for €679 per person; and a four-night coach tour from €395.
Leopardstown Tours (01-2958901) has a four-night package for €699, including flights and transfers but not festival tickets, and day tours to the Gold Cup for €399, which includes flights, transfers and festival tickets.
Newbridge Travel (www.newbridgetravel.ie, 0818-332793) is offering similar packages, including four nights from €699 per person sharing.
You can buy festival tickets from Cheltenham Racecourse (www.cheltenham.co.uk, 00-44-8445-793003).
The festival is a notoriously difficult time to find accommodation, but, if you have flights, Hotels.com still has rooms in a few hotels outside the Cheltenham area but still within a short drive of the track.
Soccer
Abbey Travel (www.abbeytravel.ie, 01-8047100) has an attractive deal for the Inter-Manchester Utd game in Milan on February 24th: €199 per person, including a night’s accommodation and a ticket to the magnificent San Siro stadium, where Champions League nights are a sparkling affair. What sort of wine will Alex Ferguson offer former rival José Mourinho after the match?
Amazingly, it’s also approaching cup final time, with both England and Scotland having theirs next month. On Sunday, March 1st, Manchester United take on holders Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley; in Scotland, Celtic play Rangers on Sunday, March 15th.
Abbey has packages for both games, beginning at €399 for a night’s accommodation and match ticket.