Bali who?
Eastern promise: Photo by Oleksandr Pidvalnyi
Anne would ask me every week if a Bali trip had come across my desk and every week I’d tell her that if it did then I’d go to her first.
Her eyes danced the day I gave her the news. It’s an aural thing but bear with me. ‘I’ve got Ballet for you.’
I didn’t leave her hanging though and immediately told her that it was the Leeds Ballet, and good they are too but not what she was looking for.
She didn’t deserve that but I’m glad to say that I had got her away skiing and since then to Normandy.
Tropical Sky can ensure that you WILL get to Bali, and at a great discount price too.
Stay seven nights B&B at the five-star Laguna Resort & Spa for travel completed before December 24, if booked before June 30 from €1,349pp, a saving of up to €440pp. Includes return flights from Dublin and transfers.
So what’ll you get for your money? Well, you’ll be on the Nusa Dualists peninsula with lush lagoons and soaring palms.
And for facilities you’ll get tennis, fitness centre, sauna/steam room, hairdresser, Atisaya spa and a choice of water sports.
Visit http://www.tropicalsky.ie/(01) 664 9999.
Bowled over by the Maldives
So right, but oh, so wrong: The Maldives
Anyone watching the Cricket World Cup, and hoping that Ireland puts one over on the home of the game, England, again?
I adopted the Sri Lankan cricket team after the staff invited me to join their match in the Maldives a couple of years ago.
No Kuma Sangarkkara me, but I did score a couple of runs before getting my teammate run out and tearing my leg open diving into the crease. It was an astroturf pitch you see.
Whether you want to be throwing yourself around a cricket pitch in the baking sun (unlikely) or just lying back and relaxing (you deserve it) then Hayes & Jarvis will set you up with the bespoke trip just for you. Because remember there is just ONE you!
And by checking out Hayes & Jarvis’ latest destination deals you could save yourself up to 40%.
H&J has Atmosphere Kanifushi, Maldivesfrom €3,799pp, based on December, departure from Dublin, staying for seven nights all-inclusive in a Sunset Beach Villa (two adults sharing) and including return airplane seaplane transfers (and believe me that’s one experience you’ll really treasure).
Call (01) 513 4329 or visit http://www.hayesandjarvis.ie. Or call into their office at 16 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2.
Piping hot
Holy smoke: Photo by Artem Beliaikin
There are some things that a child should never see their Dad doing…. dancing at a wedding, doing Karaoke, smoking a shisha pipe.
Come again?
Talk Turkey (as I often do) and the Son and Heir will bring up his terror at seeing his Dad (and inspiration!!!!) smoking that dangly pipe in Bodrum when he was just seven years of age.
Like so many things we all do on holiday and regret it’s best left to the locals.
On my recent visit to Jordan I spent a relaxing half hour at the end of an exhausting but fulfilling day sipping my Turkish tea and watching two guys playing chess, smoking the shisha and blowing smoke in each others’ faces, though they didn’t seem to mind.
It’s what they do and I’d advise anyone to spend a little time just people watching in a Turkish or Middle Eastern cafe… it’s what they do.
Just down the road from Bodrum, and TUI are spotlighting Dalaman with its beautiful historic sites, stunning Blue Flag beaches and a lively nightlife scene. TUI has seven nights’ self-catering on June 10 at the 3-star Club Even from €389pps. Visit http://www.tuiholidays.ie or call 1850 45 35 45.
Paris for families
I can hide in here for a while: The Louvre. Photo by Timea Kadar
The very same Son and Heir had me climbing the walls in Paris when he kept insisting on stopping to refuel on food (or was that Rome or New York, but you get the point?)
France is perfect for families but Paris is probably best kept for courting couples. Or is it?
Les Villages Nature Paris is the ideal way to do Paris for families… by staying outside and travelling in.
And new to Les Villages Nature Paris is the indoor Climbing Paradise which boasts modern interactive technology. Personally, I prefer the modern interactive technology of a phone videoing someone else doing it, but, hey, climbers all look to be having great fun.
A seven-night stay at Les Villages Nature Paris in a Clan Comfort Cottage, arriving July 6 is priced from £418.50 (£1,674 total reduced from £2,242, saving 25%) based on four people sharing on a self-catering basis. And remember when you do your currency conversion that this Brexit palaver means our Euro does well against the Pound.
Visit http://www.lesvillagesnatureparis.co.uk.
Everything in the garden’s rosy
Blooming wonderful: The terrace at the River Lee
Hello blossom! I love gardening. I could sit and watch the Indomitable Mrs M prune and weed all day.
One of the charms of a staycation in the country is the joy of opening the curtains and seeing the explosion of colour before you before taking a walk in lush gardens.
The River Lee Cork has a stunning River Club and new Blossom Grove Terrace installation in partnership with Lillet and Brown Thomas to show off and is backing it up with a great offer.
BTs, you say? Yes, there’s a €25 voucher included in the Brunch, Bubbles and Blooms package.
Brunch, Bubblers and Blooms at The River Lee is based on two people sharing and includes overnight accommodation, bubbles on arrival, brunch with complimentary Lillet cocktail and that BTs voucher.
Call (021) 493 7772 our visit http://www.thedoylecollection.com/es/hotels/the-river-lee-hotel/packages/brunch-bubbles-and-blooms.
Letter from America
As you know, all things being equal, I should be in West Hollywood and on my way to meet up with my old pals Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy at Disneyland.
And I will of course keep you posted when I get back on Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge Star Wars attraction and all that Universal Studios has to offer.
Until I get back though a quick reminder that Aer Lingus flies to LAX from €208.99 each way as part of a return trip. Four flights per week. Average flying time 11 hours.
And our national airline carrier is also offering €40 off return flights to our hottest summer destinations too and €20 off return flights to all our European routes. Visit http://www.aerlingus.com.
MEET YOU ON THE ROAD, IN THE SKIES, AND ON THE SEAS
And look out to for a great new series when I return United Stays of America.
2 thoughts on “HOLIDAY SNAPS”