Travel Log

Robbie Fenlon has been climbing mountains for years and is Ireland's only full-time mountain guide

Robbie Fenlon has been climbing mountains for years and is Ireland's only full-time mountain guide. He was also a member of the Irish Everest Expedition in 1993. This November he is going to share some of his experiences by leading a group to the Himalayas for a 28-day adventure. Any reasonably fit person will be able for this trek, which will visit Kathmandu, Solu Khumbu and Manche Bazaar, the base town of Everest. The cost will be about £2,200. You can give him a call on (01) 2872910 or 087 2220242.

Good news for business travellers on the Transatlantic routes. Delta reduced its fares to celebrate the new BusinessElite product. Now Aer Lingus, not to be beaten, has also reduced fares. Competition is always great for consumers.

The fares on JFK from June 1st will be £1,890, down from £2,533, with Aer Lingus. Delta's new service will begin on July 16th, but is on sale now. Los Angeles, which will be direct with Aer Lingus, will cost £3,000 and via JFK with Delta for £2,753, a reduction of almost £1,000 on the published fares.

Last year 80,000 people took a winter sun holiday with JWT and, if the summer this year lives up to last year's disaster, they can expect to bring thousands more to the sun. Early booking incentives include free adult places for the fourth adult in a one-bedroom apartment and the fifth in a two-bedroom apartment. You can save up to £90 per three sharing.

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Groups of friends travelling and staying together can also avail of some good discounts. Millennium packages are available to help you celebrate. Pick up a brochure from your local travel agent.

Congratulations to Ski McNeill who came away with top honours in the first ever Northern Ireland Web Awards last week. Its site is a great example of what a good website should be, easy to use, informative, changing regularly and updated with new products each week or even daily.

The site helps you plan your ski trip and gives lots of resort information. There are also some great bargains. Being a specialist agency ensures a wide selection of snow holidays. Check it out on www.skimcneill.com

Why settle for just one Scandinavian capital when you can experience three. The Capital Combination tour designed by Scandinavian Travel Service gives a taste of Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen over seven days. From £497 including flights and accommodation. Details from call-save 1850 381138.

Only 39 days left to get duty-free. I can't wait for the closing down sales! But I will miss buying the odd bottle of champagne, brandy and perfume. My John Rocha Waterford collection will also come to a halt. One of my favourite parts of travelling will be gone.

I will particularly miss the duty-free at Dublin airport, which has consistently being one of the best in Europe for selection and value. Are they going to surprise us with new shopping experiences?