Go Ask Joan:From a relaxing week on honeymoon in Italy to somewhere to stay in Istanbul JOAN SCALESanswers your travel questions
Honeymooning in Italy
We are getting married in April and have one week to chill out after the wedding. We would like to visit Italy, we have been to Rome and Florence before, but what we are looking for now is a little luxury for a week, not doing much but strolling around a nearby town in order to seek out the gorgeous restaurants along the way. Where would you recommend? Also, the name of any hotel that you know of that would be perfect for a honeymoon would be great. We would be flying out on April 23rd and back on the following Saturday.
YM, Cork
If you have been to Rome and Florence, then you should consider Sorrento and the Amalfi coast for a relaxing honeymoon after your wedding. It is a very scenic area of Italy and there are lovely places to see, towns to wander around and islands to explore.
The only problem is getting there from Cork on Easter Saturday.
There is a flight from Dublin to Naples at 7.20am. Otherwise you will have to wait until the following Tuesday or go via London.
A travel agent should be able to assist you, try travelnet.ie or tel 1890 303303.
I have two hotel suggestions: the Hotel Bristol at Sorrento has one of the best locations with views over the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius in the distance.
It is exclusive to Topflight and you can expect a week there to cost in the region of €1,000pps half board, including flights, topflight.ie.
See the hotel on bristolsorrento.com.
The weather in the Amalfi coast in April has highs of around 18 degrees.
The other hotel is Capo La Gala, between Positano and Sorrento and is a smaller more atmospheric place, hugging the cliffs and with fantastic sea views in all rooms.
Topflight should have rates here in its tailor-made programme. Tel: 01-2401701. The usual rate is around €255 per night with breakfast. You can see the hotel website on capolagala.com.
A place to stay in Istanbul
I am travelling to Istanbul for four days with my boyfriend as a surprise for his birthday. Are there any four/five-star hotels you would recommend? My mind boggles when I look at all of the hotels available online! Also, as there is so much to do and see, I was hoping you might be able recommend some must-see highlights. Would it be worthwhile getting a guide or maybe booking some day tours? Are there any operators you would recommend?
Anon, Cork
Abbey Travel will have a programme of packages to Istanbul using daily services with Turkish Airlines from Dublin to Istanbul. The packages include accommodation mainly in four-star hotels and the prices last year were in the region of €350pps. Abbey also has a selection of optional tours, such as a boat trip on the Bosphorus, and a tour of classic Istanbul with the Blue Mosque. Tel: 01-8047100 or abbeytravel.ie.
If you were to plan your own trip, you can book flights to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, thy.com, prices are from €256 return including taxes.
Istanbul has many good quality hotels, all the well-known brands are there. I suggest the Senatus Hotel, which is a modern design-led hotel between the old and new cities and well located for exploring.
Rates are around €115 per night, you can book on senatushotel.com or with hotels.com.
Spacious house for seniors
We are a party of seven golden oldies looking to rent a (minimum) five-bed house – all rooms en suite for a self-catering holiday within 100-150 miles of Dublin. Any suggestions as to websites we might search for this larger than average accommodation?
NW, Dublin
Larger than average houses do exist around the country and are ideal for groups of friends and families. I have a few suggestions for you within two hours of Dublin.
The first is a lovely period property, the resorted wing of a 16th century castle. Durgarvan Manor, Co Waterford, is near the town between the valley of the Blackwater River and the Nire Valley. It has five bedrooms and five bathrooms. You can see details of it on statelyescapes.co.uk, where there a number of other large Irish properties for rent.
In the Midlands, you ladies can feel like ladies of the mansion when you stay in the elegant Ballycumber House, in Offaly. Built in 1627, the house is splendid and well sited for exploring sights, such as Clonmacnoise, and Durrow Abbey. It also has all the comforts of home and a jacuzzi. Weekends from €650. See it on holiday-rentals.com/936.
Near Curracloe in Co Wexford, there is a lovely modern house on an acre of gardens that fits the bill for your group. It has six bedrooms and five bathrooms and is reasonably priced from €170 per weekend night. You can see it on pureholidayhomes.com, property number 15162.
North of Dublin in the medieval village of Carlingford, you will be spoiled for choice of things to do. Through the year there are many activities on, including the Leprechaun Hunt on March 27th. Abbey Lodge is a former bed and breakfast at the quiet end of the village and has five bedrooms en suite. It does special offers for weekends, see it on daft.ie/62220.