A new website provides comprehensive travel health information in Ireland. From SmithKline Beecham, www.travelvax.net gives details on travel-related diseases and vaccinations and includes links to information sites on weather, events, languages and hotels.
A good guide book is an invaluable friend when travelling and especially so when you are going off the beaten track. The Trailblazer range of guidebooks includes trekking, train and route guides. They cover trekking in the Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, Macchu Pichu, or Pyrenees regions; travelling by rail across Canada, Vietnam, China or the Silk Route; and overland trips to the Sahara, Asia, or Azerbaijan.
Irish Ferries has recently produced a booklet on taking your car to Britain. It is available from travel agents and from Irish Ferries. The Britain Travel Centre, 18/19 College Green, Dublin 2 (phone 016708000), has a wide range of maps and brochures to help you plan your trip. Pick up a copy of the Movie Map, which highlights places that have appeared on screen, or the Gardens of Britain map, if you are interested in things green.
Arrow Tours, specialists in short break holidays for the past 40 years, now offer breaks from Cork and Shannon. From Cork, you can take short breaks in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Paris and Amsterdam. Prices for two nights in London are from £159, Birmingham from £166 and Paris from £208. Destinations from Shannon include London, Paris, and Brussels. Prices begin at £167 for London, £175 for Brussels and £208 for Paris. Brochures from travel agents, or call 041-9831177.
The significant work of An Oige in promoting tourism is demonstrated by the fact that 221,000 visitors from 55 countries stayed in its hostels during 1999. Only about 20 per cent were Irish. Family membership is good value and many hostels can cater for families. Membership details from An Oige, 61 Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1. Tel 01-8304555.
Malev Hungarian Airlines now runs direct flights from Dublin to Budapest. Prices start at £220 for the three-hour flight and there are four flights a week. Budapest is a good-value destination and many travel agents are offering short break packages to this lovely city.
Aer Lingus and British Midland have recently joined international airlines alliances, which should result in better fares on long-haul routes and easier transfers through airports. Aer Lingus is now a member of the Oneworld alliance, which includes British Airways and American Airlines. British Midland has joined the Star Alliance, which includes Lufthansa and United Airlines.