Whisky drinkers, your time has come - at last you are being recognised by a special weekend to celebrate your tipple. The Speyside Whisky Festival takes place from October 2nd to 5th. If Craigellachie, Glen Moray, Speyburn, Aberlour, Balmanach, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Glendullan, Royal Brackla and Mortlach are names you are familiar with or would like to get to know better then this is the place to be. Events include tours to distilleries that are not normally open to the public, nosing competitions, evaluations, talks, ceilidh, restaurants offering whisky-related meals, golf, charity walks, jazz and lots more to celebrate the water of life. Full programme from The Whisky Shop, 1 Fife Street, Dufftown Scotland AB55 4AL or (00 44 1340) 821 097.
The newest guide to Dublin is the recently published Dublin on a Shoestring in conjunction with Dublin Bus. This handy pocket guide gives good hints for not just visiting Dublin but also living there. It includes sections on accommodation, shopping, entertainment, eating, museums, tours and trips and sports. Written in a light-hearted way, it would be a good guide for students coming to Dublin or visitors who will be spending more than a weekend. Available from Dublin Bus and bookshops for £5.99.
Another sign that Dublin's southside docks area is improving is the opening of the Ferryman Hotel on Sir John Rogerson's Quay. The hotel is made up of two listed Georgian buildings which have been restored to their original splendour and are over the Ferryman pub, one of Dublin's liveliest traditional music venues. The Southbank Restaurant will serve food throughout the day. Needless-to-say it's called the Ferryman, because the link from the south to north quays was here. During the Tall Ships the Cutty Sark will be moored outside the Ferryman. Rooms from £55 single (01) 671 7053.
Planning on pampering yourself during the autumn? A little break away to shift those excess pounds or a round of beauty treatments before the social whirl of Christmas and New Year? Ragdale Hall is set in rolling Leicestershire countryside in the heart of England. Ragdale combines modern facilities with the charm of Victorian architecture and beautifully landscaped surroundings.
An additional delight at Ragdale is the cuisine. No lettuce leaf cuisine here, instead there is an extensive choice of really healthy food devised to appeal to weight watchers and gourmets alike. Treatments include a variety of massage techniques, flotation, aromatheraphy, detoxifying, facials, make up, vega testing, aerobics, boxacise, stress counselling and too many more to list here.
The good news is that Ragdale was deemed best value in a recent survey by another newspaper. Brochures from Ragdale Hall Health Hydro, Ragdale Village, Nr. Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE1 3PD (00 44 1664) 434831. The nearest airport is East Midlands which has services from Dublin with Cityjet and British Midland.
