Galway Advertiser 2004/2004_08_05/GA_0508_E1_014.pdf 

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14 F E A T U R E S

GALWAY ADVERTISER

August 5 2004

HOLIDAY SPECIALS
Cruise the Med
Having just returned from a Mediterranean cruise I can thoroughly recommend it, but it is best to book early as people usually plan cruise holidays well in advance. This package aboard Royal Caribbean (for two adults and two children) departs Southampton on July 2 2005 for 14 nights. Price, based on four sharing an interior cabin, is 4,028 plus insurance. All meals included. Further details from First Choice Travel (091) 563755.

BREAK-AWAY
TRAVEL WITH JULIE TIERNEY

BYGONES
August 10 -- Danish farmers used to predict the forthcoming winter by the weather on this day. If the sun shone brightly on rising, and glowed when setting, there would be prolonged frost. Aug 11 -- Clare of Assisi -- Foundress of the Poor Clares. Having been inspired by the teachings of St Francis, she desired to become a Franciscan herself and an order for women was founded between 1212 and 1214. Not all members wished to live in extreme poverty, so different rules were authorised; the milder Urbanist one prevailed until St Colette reformed the order in the 15th century. In 1958, Pius XII named Clare patron saint of television writers, owing to a vision she had of a matins service, complete with singers and organ, which she was too ill to attend (those addicted to soap operas often claim that they become hooked while off sick). Since she is said to have spent her time while ill in embroidering liturgical vestments, she is also patron saint of embroiderers. Her feast day was formerly August 12.

Travel Tasters -- around the world with our local travel agents

Malta & Gozo
With a warm climate, crystal clear blue sea, a choice of lively resort towns, and pretty fishing villages, the Maltese islands offers something for everyone. Gozo, 25 minutes away by ferry, is greener and quieter than its neighbour with picturesque fishing villages, rolling hills and valleys, and small beaches to explore. Deirdre O'Connor from Budget Travelshop, Headford Road describes her recent visit to both. Malta is an ideal destination for those looking for a combination of sunshine, history, and culture. I stayed in the town of Sliema which I found very central as both Valletta the capital and St Julians were only a 10 minutes drive away. You will never get bored in Malta, if you enjoy a real sun holiday the place to stay is Qawra, Bugibba, or St Paul Bay where you will find lots of sandy beaches. If you enjoy sightseeing you can hop on the local buses which will take you all around Malta. They are very reasonably priced. The island has many attractions. In Mellieha the film Popeye was set, which is worth a visit. It has a marine park where you can swim with the dolphins. You can also take day trips to Gozo, Comino, or Sicily. I travelled to Sicily where we visited Mount Etna and enjoyed the breathtaking views. Gozo is only 25 minutes by ferry from Malta or 10 minutes by helicopter. It has plenty to offer for all age groups. The more adventurous can go on a jeep safari or go scuba diving. Deirdre O'Connor. Sightseeing is a must in Gozo, taking in views of Azure window and also Rambla Bay Three of the staff travelled to Malta so please feel free to call into our office at the Galway Shopping Centre on the Headford Road or call us on (091) 566155. Opening hours are Monday to Wednesday and Saturday 9am to 6pm, Thursday and Friday late night opening until 9pm.

Fab footy offers
Be it Tottenham, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, or any other premiership team, there are matches from the end of August to next May to be seen. Packages (from 269pp +tax and insurance) offer flights, one night's accommodation B&B, and match ticket. Extra night stay options available on request. Full detail from Martina Forde Travel today at (091) 566866.

City of the month
Manchester is the city of the month at McDonagh Travel (091) 565931 and Fahy Travel (091) 563755 and both have this super deal. For 179pps you get return direct flights from Dublin, three nights at the Britannia Hotel B&B, half price entrance to the Man United Museum and Stadium, discount shopping voucher, and Manchester guide. Prices based on midweek travel and do not include taxes.
Malta has many sightseeing attractions which can be seen by hopping on local buses which are very reasonably priced.

Music and fun in one
The Music and Fun trips that Paul Claffey Tours organise to the Caribbean, South Africa, Portugal, Spain, and Cyprus are first and foremost about music and fun, with a splash of sunshine and golf thrown in! Paul Claffey Tours were setup in 1999 by Mayo man Paul Claffey who spotted a niche in the over 35s market for tailor-made music trips, for those well past the disco stage! Five years on, his tours are more successful and popular than ever before. You can join Paul Claffey for the October Cape Town Extravaganza from October 21 to November 1. Flights are from Dublin via Knock Airport staying for 10 nights bed/breakfast at the 4-star Protea President Hotel in Bantry Bay, Cape Town with three evening meals and all transfers. Cost is 1,795pps excluding taxes and insurance. Evening entertainment will feature top Irish musicians Keith McDonald and the Showband Show, Tommy Fleming, and special guests. For further details of this and upcoming holidays contact the holiday hotline on (094) 9631040 or visit www.paulclaffeytours.com

Radisson break winner
Last week's competition for a fantastic weekend break for two people in The Radisson SAS Hotel, Athlone, was by far the most popular competition run by Breakaway to date. We had hundreds upon hundreds of entries. But there can only be one winner and she is Margaret Ollett from Kilconnell, Co Galway. Congratulations! Margaret's prize is a relaxing weekend break for two people to include bed and breakfast and one evening meal at the hotel's Elements restaurant. Well done Margaret, we hope you enjoy the break!

GALWAY'S FAVOURITE PAPER

Can't get into the city centre to place your advert?
Then why not call into

THE KIOSK,
Galway Shopping Centre, Headford Road, Galway.

Tel 091 539440 / 539441 / 539442 or Fax 091 539443

Free night in Copenhagen
McDonagh Travel also has third night free offers to Copenhagen in a selection of hotels with prices starting at 339. Full details from the travel agent.

OPENING H OURS
MONDAY - TUESDAY, 9AM - 5.30PM, WEDNESDAY 9.30AM - 5.30PM THURSDAY 9.30 - 5.30PM FRIDAY 9.30AM - 5.00PM, SATURDAY, 10AM-1PM & 2PM - 5PM.

A convenient way to place your adverts

WEATHER
THURSDAY
Cloud thickening with outbreaks of rain spreading in, and some locally heavy bursts expected later. Becoming breezy in the brisk southerly wind. Max temp 15-18C (58-64F).

SATURDAY
A bright start, but more rain later.

High Tide in Galway

SUNDAY
Outbreaks of rain, some heavy.

Clifden

15 Tuam
17

MONDAY
Sunshine, but a risk of more rain later.

20

17

FRIDAY
A much drier day. There will be some cloud along with some warm sunshine in places. Blustery as south-westerly winds will be freshening. Max temp 16-18C (61-66F).
Information supplied by PA Weather Centre

GALWAY
17

16

Thursday August 5 Friday August 6 Saturday August 7 Sunday August 8 Monday August 9 Tuesday August 10 01.18 Wednesday August 11

09.13 09.56 10.43 11.36 00.02 14.03 02.39

21.27 22.13 23.03 **** 12.42 15.13

TUESDAY
Plenty of cloud with a few showers.

Ballinasloe

Phases of the Moon
Saturday August 7 --

WEDNESDAY
Sunny spells and patchy cloud.

Galway ship movements
Noon Thursday

15

Two tankers will dock this week. The Crescent Oratuna on Friday and the Forth Fisher on Sunday.