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Countries, Culture, Deals, Europe, Ireland, Sport, UK

Rossmeister, Braywatch and Andorra’s Box

6th December 20206th December 2020 funtime65

You know Christmas is coming when… the latest Ross O’Carroll Kelly book hits the shelves and he coins another killer pun like Game of Throw-Ins of Andora’s Box.

And as it happens the new Ross book hits the shelves this Friday… and I’ve already told Santa that, roysh, I want that.

As well as a Beamer with one of the Seoige sisters (or both) sprawled over the hood.

Andorra was where Ross decamped when he had to get out of town.

From the looks of it Ross is having to make the most of things these days in Bray, the old-fashioned Co. Wicklow resort I know so well.

Although I prefer the luxury of leafy Powerscourt in nearby Enniskerry.

Back to Andorra.

And In truth if you do during the winter you’ll not be able to hook a T bar or ride a gondola without bumping into someone you know from Dublin 4..

If you want a taste of Dublin’s Rugbyland and walk in the Rossmeister’s footsteps then the InterCon is where you’ll stay.

And he’ll no doubt have a thing or two to say about Ireland’s win yesterday against Scotland.

Pyrenees please

Andorra is an ideal country to get the skiing kick.

And Pierre & Vacances are all over the Pyrenees with more than 455 rooms and apartments.

It is adding to that with two new residences in the Pyrenees, Hotel Austria and Residence Andorra Degas.

Deal me in

Hotel Austria boasts 62 rooms and is just 1km from the Peretol ski resort.

The Degas Apartments are right on the doorstep to the skiing, just 750m from the Grandvalira slopes.

A seven-night stay at the Hotel Austria at a flexible rate, arriving on March 13 is from €395/£358 for a double bedroom with breakfast included.

And a week at the Andorra Residence Degas is from €757/£685 for an apartment that sleeps up to three. Flights and transfers not included.

I’ve looked up at those Pyrenees from my post-Lourdes tour so this is unfinished business.

Countries, Deals, Europe, Ireland, Sport, UK

Holiday Snaps – the Venice ghetto

6th September 20205th September 2020 funtime65

Much has been made about how Venice has been allowed to breathe again.

As the crowds have eased with dolphins leaping in the Grand Canal and mermaids sitting by the Rialto Bridge.

Of course, in spite of what everyone says you can get away from the crowds in St Mark’s Square.

One obvious place to go is a church and don’t worry if you’re not religious you’ll be bowled over by the art.

While you can leave the young (and old) lovers on their gondolas while you retreat for a bit of history in the Jewish ghetto.

Although you won’t make the same mistake and turn up on their Sabbath, Saturday.

Anyhoos, while there is never a bad time to go to Venice, there are some great deals just now.

With Ireland’s national airline carrier Aer Lingus offering Dublin-Venice from €29.99 for travel until November 30. Book by September 14.

Hitting the slopes again

location-vacances-residence-le-sequoia-pyrenees-2000-PYL_62148_34 — Snow business: In the Pyrenees

I can rarely be accused of not keeping my social distancing on the slopes… I’ve usually veered off piste, heading obviously for a fall.

But, of course, like everywhere and everything the ski industry has had to adapt to this virus, and they are.

And the good news for the punter is that they are bending over backwards (a bit like me in a heap on the snow) to lure us back on the slopes.

Pierre & Vacances have ‘a new flexible rate’ only requires a €1 deposit to book.

And you can cancel free of charge if you change your mind.

They also have an early booking offer with savings of up to 20% for all winter dates.

For bookings until September 23 while they pledge to refund the difference if you find it cheaper elsewhere.

You want a deal? Of course you do and this a Christmas one too.

You’ll get seven nights at the Residence Le Sequoia in Font-Romeu in the Pyrenees down from €609 to €488 from December 19-26.

That man Van again

Put your hat on it: Van Morrison at the Europa

And this is tailor-made for social distancing, Van Morrison in a cabaret setting at the Europa Hotel, Belfast, which I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying.

The concerts will take place over three nights on October 29, 30 and 31.

Tickets which you can get from Ticketmaster will be sold in pairs or by tables of eight and the maximum number at each show will be 184.

You’ll get a drinks reception beforehand (remember them!) and a two-course supper.

Prices for the first two rows are available at £250pp, or £2,000 for a table of eight.

And all other tickets are £150pp or £1,2000 per table of eight.

8And there are a host of attractions on the doorstep.

If you can pull yourself away from the nearby Crown Bar such as the excellent Ulster Museum, Grand Opera House and Titanic Belfast.

Countries, Culture, Deals, Europe, UK

Can I visit a great French island? Of Corsican…

8th August 20208th August 2020 funtime65

There are some islands our politicians have forgotten to ban so for fear of alerting them here’s one I can get to… of Corsican!

Flights from the UK are resuming to Figari from tomorrow, August 9.

Because despite their veiled threats, and let’s remember Lyon, the epicentre of the spike is 822kms from Corsica, they haven’t quarantined them yet.

So get on this quickly.

Self-catered accommodation experts Pierre & Vacances have only increased their offerings with three new first-class residences.

Vensa Rossa, Les Villas de Porto Vecchio and Les Terrases d’Arsella are close to beaches and cooling pools.

Each holiday rental has a private heated pool and guests can access the Wellness Centre for a fee.

A week’s stay is from €1317/€1187 total for four people sharing a two-bedroom villa.

We all know Corsica, of course, as Napoleon’s home island.

And failing me getting to his last resting place St Helena where I was lined up for I would gladly visit his birthplace.

Les Villas boasts among other other features a barbecue area, three swimming pools and four beaches.

A week’s stay from €660/€595 total for four sharing a one-bedroom apartment.

Les Terrases places nature at the forefront while also offering creature comforts.

If you want your own private pool book one of the private houses which sleep up to eight people.

Lea Terrases d’Araella

A week’s stay from €1445/£1302 total for six people sharing a three-bedroom house.

Direct flights from London Heathrow cost from £116pp return with British Airways.

And because of our amour for France let’s revisit some favourites from the vaults.