Aer Lingus and Continental announced last week the continuation of their successful two-for-one tickets to the east coast of the United States. Competition is a great thing for travellers, because it is getting cheaper to fly to the US. Unfortunately, the cheap fares will disappear in the summer but until March two can travel for £379, on either airline to New York or Boston. Aer Lingus also has direct services to Chicago at the same price. If you fly with Continental to other than Newark, you will have to transfer at Newark for Boston. Tickets must be purchased before December 22nd and travel must be between January 5th and March 10th with Aer Lingus, and March 25th with Continental.
The Downturn in business in Asian markets has a positive side for Irish travellers. If you are intending on travelling to Japan, the fares with Japan Airlines have been considerably reduced. From Dublin, Cork or Shannon to Japan will cost £529 until the end of March, and if you travel up to the end of January you will also receive a £20 gift voucher to spend in the duty free shop. Business travellers might be interested to hear that the business class fares have also been reduced to £2,575 from over £4,000. You can book these fares through your local travel agent or with Japan Airlines on (01) 661 0749.
Another advantage of the Asian downturn is that the Joe Walsh Tours golf holiday in February, organised by Mary Walsh, is terrific value. But you do not have to be a golfer to enjoy the luxury of three nights in the five star Sheraton in Bangkok and 12 nights at the five star Meridien Hotel in Patong, near Phuket. The cost including flights and accommodation is £1,399. The golf competition will be played over four days at the Phuket Country Club and the Banyan Tree Course. The golf package cost £210 per person and includes all green fees, transfers, caddies and prizes. If you want to know more, give Mary Walsh a call on (01) 269 1463.
If you wanted to treat that special someone to a little break for the new year the Fitzwilliam Park Hotel in the heart of Georgian Dublin has some availability for romance. A two-night break with champagne and chocolates costs £89 per person and a three-night break costs £130 per person. Tel: (01) 662 8280.
Another new Dublin hotel opened this month in the well-known suburb of Rathmines, the Quality Charleville Inn. If you fancy reliving your past when you had lodging in Dublin 6, it has a special opening offer of £60 per night per room. The Quality Charleville Hotel on Rathmines Road is located almost opposite what used to be the Rathmines Inn and can be contacted on (01) 406 6100. Come and see the changes in Rathmines.
Villa owners, golfers and escapees from the Irish winter will be delighted to hear that Viva Air are offering some great value to the Costa del Sol. For flights between January 10th and February 28th seats will be available at £149 and they tell me they will have space for golf clubs. Flights will be on Saturdays and Sundays and you can book through Michael Stein Travel (01) 475 5401.