From a short break at home in early January to an organised tour of Russia JOAN SCALESanswers your travel questions
January break in Ireland
I am looking for a short break in Ireland during the first week of January. With schools closed till January 10th we would like to use our free time to explore a different part of the country. Maybe there’s a cultural event or exhibition in Dublin, easy hill walking in the west, or an introduction to Northern Ireland? We would like to stay in a town, where we might get in a traditional music session, good restaurants and reasonably priced accommodation.
MMC, Cork
Getting out walking in the first week in January could be fun, hopefully the weather will not be as bad as last year, when Kerry looked like the Alps and the east coast was very icy.
There are a number of walking festivals on over the New Year weekend and you will just miss these. The walking site on discoverireland.ie/walking is a good place to start. There are dozens of way-marked and looped walks around the country and you will find them here.
Towns to think of as bases are Westport, Clifden, Ballyvaughan, Sligo, Graiguenamanagh (Kilkenny), Carlingford, Dingle, and Donegal. All of these have good walking nearby and a chance of some lively pub music.
If you come to Dublin, you will be guaranteed a great variety of cultural events to enjoy – entertainment.ie is a good place to see what’s on. In the capital new places this year are the Grand Canal Theatre, the Aviva Stadium and the Big Wheel at Point Village. Not forgetting that the museums in Dublin are all free – visit museum.ie for more.
On Dublin’s doorstep is the Wicklow Mountains. Getting out for walking is easy, either a short drive or bus journey. There are suggestions for forest walks around Dublin and Wicklow on coillteoutdoors.ie
If you go to Northern Ireland, I suggest you drive around the coast of Co Down, where the scenery is spectacular. Stay a night or two in Belfast and enjoy the buzz of the city. There are many events, exhibitions and shows on – see bcvb.com.
As you are a teacher, I think you would also love the W5 Interactive Discovery Centre – see w5online.co.uk.
For music on in Belfast including traditional, have a look at belfastmusic.org. A number of pubs have sessions on during the week.
Head northeast out of Belfast to the Antrim coast and along the way make sure to cross the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, see the Giant’s Causeway, marvel at Dunluce Castle, taste whiskey at Bushmills and visit Mussenden Temple at the Downhill Demesne. At Carrick-a-Rede and Giant’s Causeway you will get plenty of walking. Check out discovernorthernireland.com for planning what to see and finding good value accommodation deals. Some special offers coming up include two nights BB and one dinner in the Holiday Inn, Belfast for £79pps (about €92) or two nights with dinner in the Clarion Hotel, Carrickfergus for £74.50 (about €86). Book with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board on 1850 230230.
Organised trip to Russia
My wife and I would like to go on an escorted trip to Russia next spring or summer. We would like to visit Moscow and St Petersburg. I believe it can be difficult to get visas/permission to visit. Are there any organised trips from Ireland?
BM, Dublin
An escorted trip is a good way to see Russia, especially as you would like to visit a number of cities. You will need a visa for travel to Russia, and when you book your travel you can then apply. The travel company will supply the necessary documentation/invitation and details of how to apply.
There are two tours in the spring from Ireland to Russia. The first is by Sunway with Trafalgar Tours and will begin in St Petersburg, spending three days there with time to visit the Hermitage. The next day is spent travelling by coach to Novgorod, with time also spent in the region of Tver.
The final two days will be spent in Moscow for tours and sightseeing. The cost is from €1,543pps plus flights from Ireland. See sunway.ie or tel 01-2311858.
The other tour will be by Citiescapes and is eight days too. It starts in St Petersburg with plenty of time to visit the Hermitage and Peterhof Palace, and free time to explore the city over four days.
The journey to Moscow will be on the Sapsan train, the high-speed link between the two cities. In Moscow you will stay three nights in a four-star hotel.
There will be guided tours of the city and also some free time to explore on your own. The cost from €2,500pps includes chauffeur pick up to and from your home within 50km of the airport, flights, accommodation, some meals and all tours. See citiescapes.ie or tel 01-2941000.
Bringing gifts to orphanage in India
A pal and I are travelling to India on Christmas Eve and landing in New Delhi on Christmas Day. We thought it would be nice to bring some gifts collected from family and friends in an extra bag to a local children’s orphanage on Christmas Day which might be close to the Karol Bagh area of Delhi, but I am finding it difficult to locate an orphanage and get in contact.
AP, Dublin
When my colleague Roisin Ingle was in Delhi she visited the Palna Orphanage and suggested that this would be a good place for you to see. The Palna Orphanage is run by the Delhi Council for Child Welfare for children who are abandoned, homeless and destitute. Contact them in advance to see what items they might need for the children.
The website is dccw.org/palna.html and email address is palna@bol.in.net.
E-mail questions, with your name and address, to jscales@irishtimes.com