The limestone mass that is the has attracted people for thousands of years, and you can see evidence of their existence with an experienced guide. Shane Connolly is a native of the Burren and enjoys nothing more than a good day's walk with interesting people and lots of conversation. Along the way he will talk about the botany, natural history, folklore, archaeology, and wildlife of the Burren.
Based at the relaxing Carrigann Hotel in Lisdoonvarna, the annual `Spring in the Burren' weekends will take place from March 12th to April 23rd. Excellent value at £89 per person which includes two nights bed and breakfast, one dinner, two packed lunches and two days walking with Shane Connolly. Mary Howard has the details on 065 7074036.
If you haven't made up your mind about Skiing this year, then you might be tempted to avail of some of the late offers on a new Irish website. SkiMcNeill is an expert in the business, and its site is updated daily with special offers. SkiMcNeill also specialises in tailor-made ski holidays for individuals or groups. You can see them on http://www.skimcneill.com, or telephone on 1800 40 94 95.
Travelling around the United States can be more affordable if you use coupon passes. If you are planning on visiting the south, west and mid-west, TWA has some great fares via Gatwick to St Louis, and their coupons passes start at £229 for three flights. See your local travel agent for details.
If you are going to travel around the States and would like to see a different type of hotel, then I can recommend the Historic Hotels of America directory. Produced by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, it lists a wonderful collection of eclectic and unusual places to stay. You can get a copy by writing to 1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20036-6412, or visit their webpage on http://www.nthp.org.
One surefire way to get to know a country well is to travel its highways and byways by bicycle. Emerald Trail has arranged a number of tours of Northern Ireland that will give you a great insight to the loughs, the Atlantic coast or the two-week `Great North' tour. They will supply bicycles, guides, van for luggage, maps and accommodation. The one-week tour costs from £775 and you can get details from 080 1232 813200.
IMAGINE spending 28 weeks travelling overland from London to Indonesia. The Grand Asia trip is the ultimate overland journey, from Europe to Islamabad to Hong Kong, and finally to Bali. Considering the journey is seven months the cost of £4990 plus food kitty, is not too outrageous. Colette Pearson, the agent for Exodus, has all the details on (01) 677 1029.
IF YOU plan on using the new CSA Czech Airlines service to Prague when it begins in the spring, you may be interested to contact Accommodation Line in London, which specialises in value for money hotels for independent travellers. They have hotels in Prague from £11 per night, you can call them on 00 44 171 409 1343.