The city of Gloucester boasts a long and colourful history and celebrates its past each year with the Gloucester History Festival. From May 24th to July 7th there will be all sorts of things happening from exhibitions, concerts, films, children's activities and re-enactments to performances and many of the events will be located around the Docks area. This year the theme is the Victorians. You can obtain more information from the British Tourist Authority at 18/19 College Green, Dublin 2. (01-670 8100).
THE newest and most innovative way to see the sights of Dublin is to take the Audio Walking Tour. You hire a personal stereo, tape and street map and take it at your own pace. The commentary is available in five languages, English, German, Italian, French and Japanese. The tapes have been developed by professional guides and are narrated by native speakers. Audio Tours are at 7-9 Aston Quay, Dublin 2. (01-670 5266). The cost is £6 a day and a refundable deposit of £25.
Madrid offers a vast treasure trove of art and architecture, galleries, magnificent parks and public buildings. The capital of Spain is a cosmopolitan city of fashionable restaurants and fabulous shops. The balmy days of May are a particularly nice time to see the city and the surroundings. Cultural Tours of Spain will take you there for seven days and show you not only the city but also Avila, Segovia and Toledo. The tour, including flights, accommodation and sightseeing cost from £599. Write to 3 Dalkey Park, Co Dublin or Tel: (01-285 8508).
If you are wondering about the recent increase in the price of travel to the United Kingdom, you will no doubt be interested to hear of the latest tax on your travelling enjoyment. The Passenger Service Charge or PSC as it is known, has always existed. It is the cost charged by airports to airlines for using their service. But now, with the approval of the Civil Aviation Authority in the UK, this charge is being shown separately on air tickets. Needless to say, the cost of tickets has not been reduced accordingly. To make matters even more complicated, each airport charges a different amount and some are on inbound travel and some on outbound. For example London City is £5.60 arriving - the only London area charging Irish passengers. But if you are flying onwards the cost at Heathrow is £7.30, Gatwick £4.90 and Stansted £4.80. Regional airports charges are, Manchester £8.40, Belfast £12.20, Newcastle £11.80 and Edinburgh £10.70.
Looking for a summer break with a difference, a chance to see a particularly beautiful part of Ireland, Clare Island, and learn something of the Celtic past? The Bard summer school in July promises to be of great interest. All that is required is an openness to excavating an ancient story along with poetry, feasting, island lore, satire, story-telling and the odd late-night sing song. The theme this year is the Myth of Midir and Eatain. The cost is £350. You can obtain further information at www.bard.ie or tel: (01-6149770/ 4904879).