IF YOU are planning on touring around the country this year be sure to get a copy of the Touring Guide to Ireland's Heritage. The booklet details major places of interest and includes itineraries to save you time. It also includes a free discount card for reduced entrance prices to many attractions. You can obtain the booklet from tourist offices or Heritage Island, 37 Main Street, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, email: heritage.island@indigo.ie.
PANORAMA HOLIDAYS has launched a special cruise programme in the Mediterranean this year. Cruises are on the MS Carousel and there are two journeys. The first to the coasts of Spain, France Italy, visits to such cities as Barcelona, Florence, Rome and Villefranche. The other cruise is called Iberian Inspirations visiting Malaga, Cadiz, Gibraltar and Lisbon. Prices start at £499 and you can also add on a week in Majorca, where the cruises depart from. Details from your local travel agent.
ONE OF the most exotic exhibitors at this year's Holiday World Experience was the Musket Cove and Beachcomber Resorts in the Fiji Islands. Owned by expat Dick Smith the resorts are a little piece of heaven in the South Pacific. The Beachcomber resort is ideal for the young at heart. The all-inclusive resort is situated on a marine sanctuary, a barefoot paradise. They can even arrange for you to get married here. Both resorts are ideal stopping-off points on the way to or from . Colette Pearson Travel has brochures and details (01) 677 1029 or 1147.
IT'S NICE to see a new tour operator entering the market, especially an Irish one. Trade Wind Holidays will be operating initially to Florida. They will have weekend departures from Dublin and Shannon. Prices begin at £399 for the Winter Garden Inn in Orlando, in May. Resorts covered will be Orlando, the Gulf Coast and the Gold Coast. You can book Trade Winds Holidays though your local travel agent or (01) 667 7777.
FINALLY AN Irish tour operator has organised holidays to the beautiful Mediterranean island of Sicily. The largest island in the Med its geographical position half way between Europe and Africa has resulted in a unique blend of cultures. Many place names are tinged with Arabic and the food is noticeably different to the rest of Italy. Sunway Travel (01) 288 6828, has launched their brochure, which includes accommodation in self-catering apartments or hotels. Flights will be weekly with Aer Lingus charter to Catania. The resorts include Taormina, Giardini Naxos, San Vito Lo Capo and Agrigento. You can book though your local travel agent.
JAPAN AIRLINES is continuing their duty free campaign until the end of March. Flying from Ireland to Japan business class and you will receive a £50 voucher to spend and economy passengers receive £20. Fares to Japan have been reduced considerably in the last six months.
Congratulations to Tyrolean Airways which has won the World's Best Regional Airline Award, presented by Air Transport World magazine, it is the leading industry award. Irish passengers have enjoyed the Tyrolean service from Dublin to Vienna for the past year.