One way to see a country is take a tour by coach. Our nearest neighbour Wales has much to offer by way of places to see and things to do. Stena Line (01 204 7777) have put together two tours for March that will give you the opportunity to see the attractions of Wales and also Manchester. Tour one on March 16th is for four nights, dinner, bed and breakfast at the Clarence Hotel in Llandudno. There will be excursions to Snowdonia, Betws-y-Coed, Granada Studios and Chester cost £172, and no single supplement.
Tour two on March 20th stays at the Celtic Royal Hotel for three nights in Caernarfon. There will be excursions to Port Meirion, so if you are a collector of their ware this is the trip for you. They will also take you on a very scenic train trip from Minfford to Blaenau Ffestiniog, cost £146.
Canada has become a fast growing destination for the Irish market in the past few years. Partly due to the good exchange rate with the Canadian dollar and also with the introduction of better services from Ireland. CIE Tours International have been offering trips to Canada for a number of years and their flights are terrific value, starting at £259 to Toronto.
The brochure this year also has a good hotel and car hire rates, city stays and tours to various places in this huge country. One of the most interesting tours is the City Contrasts. Over seven days you get to visit Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Kingston and Niagara Falls. Prices for the tours start at £756. Brochures from your nearest travel agent or (01 703 1888).
Planning for any holiday should always start at the nearest library. Guide books are invaluable in giving an insight into what to expect and how to plan your trips. Fingal County Libraries annual travel promotion is on this month at all their branches. Called "Faraway Places" they will have displays of guides, brochure and travel literature. A take entitled "Happy Holidays: some practical considerations" will be held at Rathbeale on the 16th, Blanchardstown on the 18th and Malahide on February 19th at 7.30 p.m..
St Patrick's Day is coming along soon and one of the best places to spend it is in New York. Usually all the flights are booked out months in advance but for February and March Aer Lingus are operating an extra flight to New York every day from Dublin direct. It will go later in the day both ways, 5 p.m. from Dublin and returning at 9.30 p.m. from New York. So this may be your chance to see the Big Apple in all its greenery this year.
If you cannot make New York, then next best might be the Disney Celtic Festival at EuroDisney. The Disney Village will have a Celtic Theme and Irish artists, the Hot House Flowers, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Frances Black, Luka Blook and lots more. The festival is running from March 14th-18th and prices are from £259, details from Break Away Tours, 01 676 5181.
Relive your holidays with that Spanish sound at the Dublin Guitar Club's Costa Del Sol night at Paddy Cullens, 14 Merrion Road, Ballsbridge every Sunday at 8.30 p.m..