Thinking of taking your dog on holiday?

Here are some novel suggestions for places to stay...

But check out this important information from Stena Line if you are taking your pet to the UK or France by ferry.

 Pets can travel with Stena Line either in your car (free of charge), or in kennels on board the ship

- Kennels come in three sizes, but availability is limited and they must be booked in advance (Belfast to Cairnryan route)

- If your pet is travelling in your vehicle, it must be well ventilated and they must remain inside at all times.

- Guide dogs may accompany their owners onto the ship and into their cabins.
- Dogs must be microchipped and fully vaccinated against rabies if travelling to the UK or Europe.

- Pets must have a valid pet passport to allow entry into the United Kingdom. 

- For terms and conditions, please visit www.stenaline.ie  and to book an on board kennel or make arrangements for your guide dog, ring 01 907 555

How to get an EU Pet Passport in Ireland

INFORMATION FOR PET OWNERS

Every Irish pet that is brought out of Ireland to another EU Member State or re-enters Ireland must have an EU Pet Passport. In Ireland this is issued by private Vets directly to pet owners.

If you wish to have your pet’s photograph on its passport (this is optional), you should bring a photograph with you to your vet. The photograph should be no bigger than 6 cm wide and 4 cm long, should feature the pet only and show its colour and markings clearly.

On receipt of the Pet Passport from your vet check all entries are legible and correct, as any errors could lead to your pet being detained.

INFORMATION FOR VETERINARY PRACTITIONERS

Blank passports are available for purchase from the Department. If you have not yet registered with the Department and received your information pack/order form contact the Pet Passport Section at livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie or 01-6072127.

With the recent adjustment to sterling it's a good time to pop across the Irish Sea and here are some options that your pet will love.

cottages.com

www.cottages.com

0345 498 6900

Mount Pleasant Farm – Wayside Cottage – Kellfield, nr. York

Property reference: 18012

Set on a working arable farm in a peaceful countryside location, this property enjoys open views across the fields and access to a children’s play area. This is the ideal holiday location for peace and quiet, yet only a short distance from the village of Cawood, where guests can visit the Castle – the former home of Cardinal Wolsey, Archbishop of York. What’s more, York is just ten miles away and has a wealth of attractions that guests can enjoy – from the iconic Minster to the many museums, there is something for every member of the family.

PRICE: WAS: £522 NOW: £451 (£16.12pppn)* for seven nights’ self-catered accommodation arriving 5^thAugust 2016. Sleeps four in two bedrooms with three pets welcome.

Woodhouse Cottage – Dobshill, nr. Chester – save 10%!

Property reference: RWW2

Close to Chester, this cosy detached cottage is perfect for relaxing in after a hard days’ shopping or exploring the bustling city. Complete with a wood burning stove, barbeque and spacious patio area, guests can a summers evening in the garden with delicious cooked food from the barbeque. When guests have seen all there is to see in Chester including Chester Zoo and Cheshire Oaks, they can venture slightly further afield to North East Wales and Llangollen which are both within easy reach.

PRICE: WAS: £953 NOW: £861 (£24.62pppn)* for seven nights’ self-catered accommodation arriving 30^th July 2016. Sleeps five in two bedrooms with two pets welcome.

The Arch, London

The Arch London is a luxurious five-star Georgian townhouse hideaway in the heart of central London. The hotel is dog friendly with an ethos to treat pooches to the same indulgent experience as their owners, with luxurious dog beds, bowls, and a delicious doggy menu cooked to order by the chef.  Dog walking services are also available, allowing owners to relax whilst their furry friends are exploring the 350 acres of nearby Hyde Park, special offers of £250pn until September and pets stay for £15pn.

If you're planning on staying closer to home and want to bring your pooch to a cosy country house, here are some welcoming places from the blue book.

Tankardstown House, Co. Meath

It is far from ruff at Tankardstown for our canine chums. Dogs are welcome to stay at Tankardstown and even Millie, Choo and Mika Tankardstown’s own resident pooches are excited to have new friends come by. Though, the main house is only for 2 legged creatures, dogs are more than welcome to stay overnight in one of the Courtyard Cottage Suites. Enjoy an amble or a bracing walk around the estate, the cottage suites open directly out to a courtyard and into the garden so you won’t be disturbing anyone. There is no charge for our chums!

Description: Get away from it all and relax in a truly special place. Bring your well behaved four legged family members along with you for some well deserved rest and relaxation in the tranquil grounds of our estate. Check in with your dog at reception and be taken to our beautifully appointed courtyard cottage suites where a complimentary doggie treat welcomes your four legged friend. There's 80 acres of woodland and parkland for you both to explore.  Take a seat for dinner by candlelight in the critically acclaimed award winning restaurant, Brabazon and enjoy a 3 Course a la carte Menu, laced with strong seasonal influences. Let restful sleep take you over with only trickling fountains and birdsong to disturb. Awaken with a quick dip in the hot tub before a hearty breakfast sets you up for the day.   

From: €145 per person sharing

For more information, please see www.irelandsbluebook.com, or contact Tankardstown House directly on 041 982 4621

Gregans Castle Hotel, Co. Clare

Dog friendly rooms available. Surrounded by botanical archaeological and cultural treasures and with breath taking views across Galway Bay and the unique Burren terrain, Gregans Castle Hotel is the ultimate hideaway. Gregans Castle offers genuine Irish hospitality, innovative cooking and elegant bedrooms free from the intrusion of televisions. A mature garden and the surrounding bucolic setting, together with a strong environmental ethos, ensure a sensitive co-existence with nature. Being animal lovers Gregans appreciate the need to treat one's pooch to the occasional night away and so a welcome is extended to particularly loved four legged friends. There are a number of ground floor bedrooms which can easily accommodate you and your dog and have access to the garden.

Gregans Castle do not charge for pets to stay.

They have an offer called - LAST MINUTE BED & BREAKFAST ADVANCE PURCHASE RATE 

Description: Very SPECIAL RATE per Room per night and inclusive of Full Irish Breakfast, Evening Turndown Service, Complimentary WiFi and all taxes and service. Recently awarded Georgina Campbell's "Hotel of the Year" and "Irish Breakfast Award".

From: €195.00 per room per night

For more information, please see www.irelandsbluebook.com, or contact Gregans Castle directly on 065 707 7005

Rathmullan House, Co. Donegal

Dog friendly room available. With a 3km sandy beach at the bottom of our garden, it would be a shame for your dog to miss out on a trip to Rathmullan House. The doggie room (adjoining the human bedroom) ensures that your beloved pet also gets to enjoy the best of country house luxury. Rathmullan even provide company with their own Jack Russell – Brushie. All that is asked is that Brushies position as MD is not questioned!

Rathmullan House charge €10 extra per night for a dog.

They have a 2 night bed and breakfast offer called -  STAY LONGER FOR LESS (2 NIGHTS BED AND BREAKFAST)

From: €160 per person (this is not including the extra €10)

For more information, please see www.irelandsbluebook.com, or contact Rathmullan House directly on 074 915 8188

Find Your Epic - three adventures across the Irish Sea in Wales.

Feeling adventurous this summer?

Then I suggest you hop on the ferry and Find Your Epic in Wales.

I've three suggestions for activities that will push your boundaries to the max.

I started off with a trip To Blenau Ffestineog in beautiful Snowdonia National Park and took a ride on the world's longest Zip Zone.

Titan is made up of three parts, A which is the longest part of the course but most gentle with spectacular views. B is more dramatic and moves at break neck speed. By the time we reached Zip line C we were adrenalin junkies and on reaching the bottom wanted to do it all over again. I was with three of my pals and one of them had bungee and parachute jumped in the past and she thought this was just as good.

Titan costs £50 pp to find out more see. www.zipworld.co.uk

Ride Snowdonia’s rapids – the National White Water Centre, Bala

This one isn’t strictly ‘sea’, but it’s no less exciting. The UK’s National White Water Centre is located on the River Tryweryn, which races across the Snowdonia National Park www.canoewales.com . The grade 3-4*, fast-flowing Upper Tryweryn is the foremost rafting challenge, with waves crashing around near-constant boulders. Water levels are dam-controlled so the rapids provide plenty of action during the summer.

Prices start from £40 including equipment hire for a one hour triphttp://www.canoewales.com/rafting-taster-session but our most popular is a the Full Session http://www.canoewales.com/full-rafting-session which is a two hour trip that you can either book as a group trip or if there aren’t enough in your party for a group trip you can join others in a shared raft.  The minimum age for these two is 12 years old but we have another trip http://www.canoewales.com/tryweryn-raft-safari which is suitable for 10 year olds and over.

About Anglesey Adventures

Anglesey Adventures is an adventure activity company that provides adventure days and breaks on Anglesey and throughout North Wales. If you are looking for an outdoor experience with a difference then our adventure breaks will not disappoint you. adventure coasteering £120 per day

The Isle of Anglesey is an absolute playground for the adventure enthusiast with a huge range of activities to choose from. Our location on Holy Island provides a stunning coastline, towering sea cliffs and numerous award winning beaches. Amongst this we provide world-class outdoor experiences for individuals, family groups, schools and colleges, youth groups, stag and hen parties and corporate teams looking for bespoke development courses.

Some of the activities that we offer from our base include coasteering, rock climbing, abseiling, kayaking, mountain walking, sea level traversing, gorge scrambling, canoeing, canyoning, tyrolean traverse, orienteering, raft building, mountain biking, bush craft, initiative games .

We also offer a range of tailor made skill based courses for complete beginners all the way through to seasoned adrenaline junkies, covering half day trips to multiple day courses in rock climbing, mountaineering, sea kayaking and canoeing.

Let us organise that perfect stag or hen weekend, company away day or general family fun activities for you on your holiday in Anglesey. Come join us for one the best adventures in North Wales!!!

Cliff camping with Gaia Adventures is wild camping at its wildest. Campers sleep high above the sea, suspended in mid-air on a vertical cliff face near Beaumaris, Anglesey. The experience starts with guests journeying down the cliff in time to catch the sunset and enjoying a hearty, locally sourced meal. As the evening proceeds it will be time for hot chocolate – or something stronger! In the morning, campers wake to the sunrise, fresh coffee, bacon baps and croissants. Depending upon the location, Gaia Adventures offers the opportunity to either rock climb out, or simply climb the rope using ascenders. From £190. www.gaiaadventures.co.uk

For more information see www.visitwales.co.uk

Fancy a day at the Exeter Races...then read on!

Luxury boutique hotel, Cary Arms in Devon, is celebrating the start of the Autumn racing season with an exclusive racing-themed break hosted by legendary Grand National winner, Bob Champion. 

The two night package is priced at £397.50 per person including accommodation, breakfast, an evening dinner with Bob Champion and a day at Exeter Races. Visitors can fly into Exeter from Dublin with FlyBe.  

THAT’S CHAMPION!

Cary Arms teams up with Legendary Jockey on Exclusive Autumn Break

·           Luxury boutique hotel, The Cary Arms, celebrates start of Autumn racing season with exclusive racing break

·           Guests to enjoy gourmet dinner with legendary Grand National winner, Bob Champion, plus day of top class winter racing at Exeter Races

SEPTEMBER 2015 – Devon’s Cary Arms, situated in the picturesque Babbacombe Bay, has linked up with racing royalty and nearby Exeter Races to create the ultimate holiday break for race-goers.  National treasure and Grand National winner, Bob Champion MBE is inviting guests to join him for a very special weekend where guests will have a chance to enjoy a three course dinner with the legendary jockey and hear all about his life story which is played out in the book ‘Champion’s Story’ and was made into a movie starring John Hurt. The next day, guests will be able to try out the top tips gleaned from the racing champ in a day at the nearby Exeter Races, along with luncheon and a free raceday tour. 

Fliss Crosby, general manager of the Cary Arms, said: “All of the team at the Cary Arms are so excited to welcome Bob Champion. We’re really looking forward to giving our guests the opportunity to meet this national treasure and learn the fascinating story of his life.’

Born into a hunting family, Bob was riding almost as soon as he could walk. With a racing career taking him to the States, Bob rode several winners and enjoyed a fruitful sporting career, until, at the age of 30, he was given the devastating news that he had cancer and was given six months to live. Bob came through the chemotherapy and returned to riding, against all odds, with several winners.

In 1981 Bob won the Grand National on Aldaniti, and two years later finally retired from racing after over 500 wins, including The Tote Eider Chase, The Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, The Black & White Hurdle, The SGB Chase, The SGB Hurdle and the Whitbread Trial Chase.

Awarded an MBE, Bob formed the Bob Champion Cancer Trust which, to date, has raised over ten million pounds towards cancer research.

The offer includes:

·              2 night stay in luxury accommodation

·              Full English Breakfast on both mornings

·              Welcome cocktail and canapé reception

·              An evening with Bob Champion including a three course gourmet dinner

·              A Day at Exeter Races with the Cary Arms own Sponsored Race including a luncheon.

·              Transport to and from Exeter races or complimentary parking provided.

£397.50 per person

Available - Tuesday 10 - Thursday 12 November 2015

For more information please visit www.caryarms.co.uk

-Ends-

For more information please contact Minty Woolgar or Arwen Sellick at desavaryhotels@brightergroup.com or call 020 7326 9880.

About the Cary Arms

Sitting in the sheltered and sunny spot of Babbacombe Bay on the south Devon coast, the Cary Arms, a de Savary property, is the perfect setting to relax and enjoy a stay by the sea.

With eight sea facing, en-suite bedrooms, each with an effortless seaside feel, most rooms have a spacious balcony or terrace, each with magnificent views of the bay. There are also four luxury cottages, ranging from one bedroom to five bedrooms, all boasting stunning views.

The onsite restaurant is passionate about fresh, local ingredients. Expect superb Devon beef, Lyme Bay lobster and line caught seafood. Guests can dine outdoors in the warmer months and watch south Devon life in the bay unfold.

For more information, please visit www.caryarms.co.uk

Free trip to Britain with Stena Line

OH LA LA…STENA LINE OFFERS IRISH HOLIDAYMAKERS A FREE TRIP TO BRITAIN

STENA Line has put the oh la la into booking a last minute summer getaway to France as Irish holidaymakers who book a great value trip and set sail by car from Rosslare to Cherbourg before August 31 will also snap up a free trip to Britain* at the same time.

Book a return car trip to Cherbourg on Stena Line’s website for travel until August 31 and as well as enjoying the French summer sun you will also be able to enjoy the beauty of Britain for free. Two trips for the price of one will surely float everyone’s boat!

Taking the car to France with Ireland’s leading ferry company provides the perfect gateway to exploring the much loved country which boasts medieval and port cities, tranquil villages, mountains and Mediterranean beaches.

Diane Poole OBE Stena Line’s Head of PR & Communications said: “By taking the car on holiday, people can enjoy the luxury of designing their own bespoke break and can stop off where they want and when they want along the way. France is such a beautiful country with so much culture to take in and delightful food to enjoy, not to mention exquisite wine to sample,” Diane added.

France is one of the most visited countries in the world and diverse in everything from landscape to climate and with your car you will be able to travel the length and breadth of the country sampling the famous culture, sights, fine wine and delightful food.

Why not visit one of France’s most iconic landmarks, Normandy’s Mont Saint-Michel and take in the tidal island’s stunning gothic style Benedictine Abbey, known as the wonder of the west. While Paris is less than four-hour drive from Cherbourg and boasts many of the country’s best known attractions including the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe and not to mention Disneyland Paris which is sure to provide countless hours of fun for the whole family. By taking your car on holiday with you the choice is endless.

Stena Line boasts lots of other great offers for holidaymakers wishing to book a holiday to France including hotel breaks from only €69* per person, per night with hundreds of hotels to pick from. Or why not choose from a wide range of self-catering breaks to France with great value deals starting from only €555* for travel and seven nights’ accommodation for two people. There’s lots of locations to choose from with a wide range of self-catering villages, residences and parks with Center Parcs, Pierre et Vacances and Maeva.

Choose the Stena Line break that suits you. For further information click on www.stenaline.ie or call 01 907 5555.

The Dylan Thomas Centenary Year is the perfect time to visit Wales!

 

The words, ‘Do not go gentle into that good night,’ used to send shivers down my spine and throw me right back to my school days. But I’ll never forget that it was Dylan Thomas who wrote the poem or that it was about the death of his father. I recently set off on an Odyssey to discover more about the man and the myth in South Wales. The town of Swansea, where Dylan was born, has also given us Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey. It is set up for a revival, and the old docks that once were filled with coal ships now offer an eclectic mix of restaurants and bars.

I started at the Dylan Thomas Centre which is a small but accessible museum set in the Old Guild Hall. It holds a host of letters and information about Dylan and his life in Wales, London and where he met his tragic end in the infamous Chelsea Hotel in New York. It is an interesting place to get a picture of the poet’s life and hear his recorded work on the interactive displays. I was especially intrigued by the beautiful illustration of his play for voices, ‘Under Milk Wood’, which was recently re-recorded by famous Welsh stars, including Charlotte Church, Sir Tom and Cerys Matthews.

5 Cwmdonkin Drive is the home where Dylan was born and lived for much of his life. It has been carefully and authentically restored by the Haden’s who make it available for rent on a Bed and Breakfast basis and it would be a wonderful treat to send a fan of the poet here for an overnight break. The Thomas’ Maid was alive until a few years ago and she was able to describe the décor of the house from Dylan’s time in great detail, so it is a genuine trip into the past. Dylan’s tiny bedroom looks as if he stepped outside for a moment. It is complete with images of him and his first girlfriend and authors who inspired him, including our own Joyce and Yeats.

Cwmdonkin Park is close by the house, and it is here that the young Dylan ran in the open spaces and here that recitals will be happening all this year to commemorate the poet – especially during this the centenary of his birth.

Don’t leave Swansea without taking a trip out to the Mumbles – a suburb set at the mouth of the sea where there are a host of beautiful restaurants and bars which Thomas and the people of Swansea went to enjoy their leisure time. I dined in ‘Patricks With Rooms’ and was blown away by the presentation and cuisine which included Laver bread (a substance similar to seaweed and mentioned in Under Milk Wood).

It is impossible to make a pilgrimage to Dylan Thomas country without visiting the small town of Laugharne, pronounced Larne. The scenic route to take from Swansea is via the Gower Peninsula. The Gower is criss-crossed with winding roads and ditches filled with wild-garlic and bluebells. Along the way you can see Llanstefan and the landscape that inspired his poems, such as ‘Fern Hill’. The town of Laugharne has long been credited as the inspiration for Dylan’s ‘Under Milk Wood,’ and if you visit Brown’s Hotel Bar on a Saturday night you may be able to spot a few of the characters who appear to be alive and well and enjoying the local brew at the counter.    

I dined later in The Cors Restaurant, a quirky eatery with delicious cuisine. Set among exquisite gardens, The Cors also offers accommodation and is well worth a visit if in the locality. An interesting pilgrimage linked closely to Dylan’s ‘Poem in October’ traces the route he took on the morning of his thirtieth birthday. Bob Stevens is the creator of this excursion and it is a delightful way to follow the steps that Thomas walked himself. But you mustn't leave laughaurne without visiting the Boathouse where Dylan and his tempestuous wife Caitlin lived towards the end of his life. The actual shed where he worked is reconstructed and set in a magnificent horseshoe cove.

 The Boathouse at the water’s edge is now a visitor's centre and tea rooms and must be seen. Dylan Thomas is laid to rest in the grounds of St Martin’s church – only a short stroll from Brown’s Hotel. His grave is marked by a brightly painted white cross. Even if you are not a fan of poetry the fabulous Bluestone Park Resort is close by and a wonderful base for families who are looking for a fun and adventurous place to stay. It might be nice to combine a visit to Laugharne and bring a little culture into a family holiday.

I returned to Cardiff to catch my flight home with my head full of poetry but there was still so much to see and do. Cardiff Castle is a remarkable museum with some of the finest examples of decor from the Arts and Crafts Victorian movement. Created at a time in the nineteenth century when the owner, The Marquis of Bute, was the richest man in the world. Just outside the castle is the main shopping street and a covered market with quaint shops and boutiques.

Whether you decide to fly into Cardiff or take the ferry from Rosslare, Wales is only a stone’s throw across the pond and well worth a visit this summer.

www.visitwales.com

www.dylanthomasbirthdaywalk.co.uk

www.thecors.co.uk

For information on upcoming events to celebrate the centenary of Dylan Thomas see www.dylanthomas.com

www.bluestonewales.com

All about the elves at Bluestone

We had the most fantastic time in Bluestone Resort in Pembrokeshire a couple of weeks ago when I took a trip to see Kingdom of the Elves for the Irish Mail on Sunday. the weather was cracking with plenty of sunshine and we were able to partake in a host of wonderful family fun including archery, catapulting and high rope tree climbing! It's a self contained park with lots of wonderful shops and restaurants and all the accommodation is sympathetically built in tandem with the natural beauty of the landscape.

We got to see the Elves and swim in the amazing Aqua park. It was lovely for me too as I escaped to the Well Spa which was a real treat with lots of luxury in thermal suite and outdoor whirlpool. The food was cracking and we dined in the Careg Las restaurant among other delights. In fact it was so good we are hoping to return next summer when the weather will be warmer. It is easy to get to from Ireland if you take the Rosslare - Fishguard ferry and the boat trip was a pleasure in itself. Neither of the kids wanted it to end and it was wonderful to avoid the stresses of the airport so I will be taking a Stena Line trip again when I want to go to the UK. To read more about the trip the full article was published on the 8th December in the Irish Mail on Sunday.

Liverpool

It's that time of year again when football is a very important topic in our house. The season has started off well for Liverpool FC and my son has already started to drop hints about a return to Anfield. My article about our last trip is available on the Sunday World website and to read it just click here http://www.sundayworld.com/lifestyle/travel/weekend
It really is a lovely city to visit and there is a lot more to see than football. I managed to fit in a Beatles Pilgrimage too. Here we are at the original Strawberry Fields. A local cab driver brought us on a tour of all the Beatles sights and it's a great way to get to see everything when you have a pressing appointment like a football match to go to.

 I look forward to our return but we have some other destinations to see first and I will be blogging soon about our visit to Bluestone Park in Wales - you will be able to read about it in the Irish Mail on Sunday too.

Happy travels

Michelle :)