Go readers tell their travel stories...
William Mullen of Templeogue in Dublin got in touch in response to fellow reader Brian Hipwell’s account last week of taking up the Spanish government’s offer of a subsidised holiday under its Travel Senior scheme
Like Brian Hipwell and his wife, we availed of this offer – and not once but twice since it started, last October. Like the Hipwells, our first stay was at the Triton, in Benalmádena, last November; a few weeks ago we stayed at the Pez Espada, in Torremolinos. The staff were efficient and helpful, the food was very good and served in well-run dining rooms, and the free wine was okay. For a step up in quality a selection of
Rioja and Ribera del Duero was available at very reasonable prices. Bar facilities were excellent, with entertainment each night.
Mr Hipwell’s inability to find a good restaurant is amazing: La Carihuela, a short hop from either hotel, has a surplus of them, with stiff competition to attract customers. His complaints about transport are also difficult to understand, as buses travel in both directions close to the hotels.
And now to the free bus tours. Here Mr Hipwell has a case. We went twice to Antequera, the town I believe he was referring to, and on each occasion the guide was worse than useless. Not only was his English poor, but he didn’t appear to have the least interest in the people in his care. As a result a number of people were mislaid in the narrow streets of the town, not having a clue as to where their bus was parked. Had he bothered to tell us that we were parked on Calle de Jesús – Jesus Street – it is unlikely that anyone would have forgotten.
That aside, we had a great time, and we are looking forward to repeating the medicine next autumn. I can see no reason why we in Ireland cannot come up with a similar offer to attract us seniors.
Ann McEwan got in touch to praise Dublin Coach
I live in Clondalkin, in Dublin, and noticed a green Dublin Coach coming and going from the Luas station at the Red Cow. You could set your watch by it. I discovered that it travels 16 times a day from Portlaoise to Dublin airport. The first one leaves Portlaoise at 4.30am and the last bus leaves Dublin airport at 9.30pm.
In February I was travelling to Spain and decided to get the coach to the airport. The coach arrived at the Luas right on time and departed at 11.50am. We arrived at the airport at 12.10pm, courtesy of Sunday- morning traffic. The coach was clean, comfortable and spacious. On our return journey the trip took half an hour in Friday-afternoon traffic.
The best thing about this service is the price. It cost me €5 to Dublin airport, and €3 each for my student daughters. Compare this with the €40 my daughter paid for a taxi from Dublin airport last year. It’s great to discover a service that is so reliable and cheap.