Cunard, synonymous with ships, luxury and cruising brings you the Icelandic idyll Cobh Arctic Circle Vistafjord
picks up passengers on July 18th and cruises via the Western Isles and Outer Hebrides to Reykjavik, Akureyri and Torshaven. Shore excursions will give you the opportunity to see the plunging Gukkfoss Falls and the Great Geyser. In Akureyri, just south of the Arctic Circle, the summer air is scented with birch and the indigenous flora is complemented by species from Africa, China and the Mediterranean.
Nine nights cruising in the lap of luxury and then back to Dublin to disembark. In a special offer to Harry Cahill Travel (01) 670 5123 the cost has been reduced by sterling £1,850 to sterling £2,180, it also includes one-way rail fare to meet the ship.
Who ever heard of a guidebook that pays for itself in one day? The London-for Less guidebook not only steers you around with great information and a good pull out map, but provides a discount card for hotels, museums, attractions, restaurants, tours, shops and more. The card also doubles as a telephone card and has £5 of free calls on it.
The discount card covers up to four people travelling together, and is valid for seven days. The book is only available from the British Tourist Authority, 18 College Green, Dublin 2 (Tel: 670 8000) at a cost of £12.95. Other guides in the series include smaller versions for Edinburgh, Bristol and York at £3.95 each.
If you are free between June 2nd and 16th, Irish Ferries have some availability to France on the Normandy. The fare of £249 includes car, driver and up to three friends free, two children count as one adult. This allows you two nights on board and eight in France. Call for details on (01) 661 0533.
Budget Travelshops have recently been appointed the agents in Ireland for and New Zealand
for specialists Ausbound. Return fares to Australia begin at sterling £549 and to Adelaide from sterling £649. They also have very reasonable priced one-way fares and long stay fares. Ausbound also provide an extensive range of value holiday options including hotels, car hire, motorhomes, coach tours and worldwide stopovers.
The newest guide to unusual accommodation has appeared - The Green Book of Ireland would describe itself as a portrait of private hotels, castles and houses of character. It also has lots of good information and background on your chosen destination.
Those travelling on business may find somewhere different to stay in Dublin and Cork. The book is available from 12 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2. Tel: (01) 676 2555. Email: ireland@greenbook.ie.
The Walter Raleigh Hotel in (I'm sure someone could let me know if he had a connection with Youghal) is the ideal base for touring East Cork Waterford . Overlooking the bay, the hotel has a restaurant and entertainment at the weekends. Two nights bed, breakfast and one dinner cost £65. Golf courses in the area include Youghal and West Waterford. Tel: (024) 92011.