Galway Advertiser 2003/2003_11_06/GA_0611_E1_030.pdf 

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GALWAY ADVERTISER

November 6 2003

HOLIDAY SPECIALS
Dreading the dark cold nights?
Europa and Celeste Apartments in Lanzarote are available at 279pp plus there are many more getaway offers to the Canaries this winter. Call Budget Travelshop Headford Rd (091) 566155.

BREAK-AWAY
TRAVEL WITH JULIE TIERNEY

BYGONES
NOV 9
On this day in 1989, the government of the German Democratic Republic, by accident under pressure and not design, opened the Berlin Wall, thus setting in motion the collapse of the East German state. A proposal to celebrate this as the Day of German Unity in place of June 17 came to naught upon the recollection that it was also the anniversary of the Reichkristallnacht pogrom in 1938, the most serious concerted physical attack on Jews under the Third Reich before the outbreak of war.

Don't wait for snowstorms to book your ski holiday
Whether you're itching for the pure adrenaline of bombing down the slopes or you prefer the relaxed comfort of a bearskin rug in front of a glowing fireplace, it's never too early to plan your winter skiing holiday. Smart travellers know the earlier you book the better prices you'll get on packages which usually include air fare, accommodation, meals, lift passes, and ski equipment. There was a time when Austria was the only direct ski destination on offer. Now local travel agents have a range of destinations available including France, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Bulgaria, and Andorra. There is also demand for Vermont, Colorado, and Canada -- serviced through the UK or via New York. Andorra is still one of the best sellers with Galwegians and one of the best value ski destinations. Because it is a duty-free principality, the living costs and ski costs are quite reasonable. The mountainous, romantically rugged country of Andorra is situated in the eastern Pyrenees, bordered by France and Spain. Four rivers run through the country and there are several mountain lakes. Accommodation consists of more than 350 hotels and guest houses. Its two greatest attractions are that it is both a duty-free state and a centre for winter sports, particularly in the main towns of Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany. Everybody wants to book that special room with a fireplace, balcony, or gorgeous mountain view. But it's first come first served. So don't wait until the last minute to make reservations or you may find yourself so far from the slopes you'll have to take a shuttle or a long cold trudge through the snow with your skis over your shoulder. Key areas to watch out for when choosing a resort are height; variety of runs to suit ski ability, ie, there is no point in a complete beginner paying the high prices charged by top ski resorts with vast ski areas; and remember, north facing slopes tend to hold the snow till later in the season. Most ski resorts in Andorra offer good facilities. Nursery slopes and skiing for intermediates are available. Andorra la Vella, the country's capital, lies at the junction of two mountain streams. Sights worth visiting include a fine 12th-century church and the Casa de la Vall, the ancient seat of gov-

White Christmas
If you want the guarantee of a white Christmas, spend it on the ski slopes in Andorra. A limited number of seats are left from Shannon to Andorra on December 21. Package includes one week self catering from 589, based on two sharing. The resort of Alpe d'Huex is also available the same week from Dublin with self catering at the Ours Blanc apartments 519pp. More info from Fahy Travel (091) 594747.

NOV 10
It is said that this day can give a great indication of how the winter's weather will be. This comes from the line which says "if the tenth day be cloudy, it denunciates a wet; if dry, a sharp winter."

NOV 11
Armistice Day, commemorating the armistice that ended the fighting in World War I "at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month". .

Prague in luxury
Return flight ex Dublin and two nights accommodation in a 5 star hotel B&B from209pp. Travel tax extra and optional travel insurance. Phone Aran Travel (091) 562595.

Andorra is one of the best value ski destinations.

Winter warmer
McDonagh Travel (091) 565931 has an excellent price of 209pp based on two sharing to Lanzarote for one week. Tax and insurance extra.

ernment. Cuisine is mainly Catalan, and local dishes include coques (flavoured flat cakes), trinxat (a potato and cabbage dish) and truites de carreroles (a type of mushroom omelette). The many bars and hotels provide a variety of evening enter-

tainment Remember, ski holidays are highly recommended for the inactive as well as the active. The scenery, fresh air, and choice of non-ski activities such as tours, walks, snow walking, and cross county skiing, makes it an ideal holiday for all.

NOV 12
Hollantide in the Isle of Man, but on the Hebridean island of Scarpy, Hallowe'en continued to be observed on this day. It was observed by girls who left Hogmanay to the boys. Wearing short pinafores and head-dresses, they took part in fortunetelling rituals relating to their marriage prospects: Each girl dug a hole to which she returned in the daylight, hoping to find a worm in it; each dipped her hand blindfold into one of four saucers, of which three contained oatmeal, salt, and water, signifying respectively wealth, widowhood and marriage, and the fourth was empty, meaning that the girl would end up as a spinster.

Trip of a lifetime
This 22 day air and coach tour to Australia departing on June 1, 2004 covers visits to Sydney, Melbourne, Ayers Rock at both sunrise and sunset, Alice Springs, and a full day excursion to the Barrier Reef, Perth. You can also try your hand at boomerang throwing, visit a sheep station, or see the Penguin Parade at Philip Island. Contact Eblana Travel. Phone (091) 766802.

Enjoy the benefits of early booking
With rainy days, dark nights, and Christmas fast approaching, the last thing on our minds is booking our summer holiday 2004. But by not booking early we are missing out on great deals. According to local travel agent Budget Travel, booking early helps travel agents to plan their business and as a result they offer some incentives for you to do so. According to Kerri O'Connor of Budget Travel, 8 Eglinton St the earlier we book the better choice of holiday and availability of the most popular accommodations. Early booking is not only essential for the peak Christmas and New Year holiday periods, it will ensure we don't miss out on the opportunity to ensure a sunshine break. Some advantages of booking early: 1. Freebies Free kids places Free weeks Free grandparents Free entertainment Group places -- one in 10 go free 2. Accommodation A larger selection of 2/3 bedroomed properties A better choice of properties in popular resorts Family plan prices Availability at peak times 3. Flights Day time flights Local airport availability Shannon and Knock Pre-assigned seats Have you been missing out on these offers? Make a call to Budget Travel 8 Eglinton Street (091) 560400 and the friendly and professional team will tailor make your family holiday. You can also avail of Budget's family deposits and easy pay scheme.

WEATHER
THURSDAY
Cloud will clear leaving a fine and dry day, with bright, sunny spells. More cloud later. Mild for November but windy. Fresh to strong winds. Max temp 14-16C (57-61F).

SATURDAY
Bright spells. Breezy and cold.

HIGH TIDE IN GALWAY

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Clifden
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SUNDAY
Dry and sunny. A cold breeze.

Tuam
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Thursday November 6 Friday November 7 Saturday November 8 Sunday November 9 Monday November 10 Tuesday November 11 WednesdayNovember 13

03.23 03.56 04.29 05.00 05.33 06.04 06.36

15.27 16.04 16.39 17.14 17.48 18.23 18.58

MONDAY
Cloudy with light rain early on.

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FRIDAY
Cloudy with bright spells increasing later. Breezy, particularly fresh on the coast. It will remain rather mild in moderate southerly flow. Max temp 14-16C (57-61F).
Information supplied by PA Weather Centre

GALWAY
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PHASES OF THE MOON
Sunday November 9 -- Full Moon

Ballinasloe

TUESDAY
Mostly cloudy with light rain.

SHIP MOVEMENTS
It will be a busy week at Galway Harbour -- The Waterms arrives on Friday from Dunkirk to collect bogmats. Also on Friday the oil tanker Forth Fisher arrives from Milford Haven. The Arduity and the Activity tankers arrive from the same port on Saturday and Sunday respectively. The Lucas docks to pick up hevay machiner on Monday. Thanks to Galway Harbour office for supplying this information.

WEDNESDAY
Cloudy with light rain.

Noon Thursday

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