Galway Advertiser 2004/2004_01_01/GA_0101_E1_037.pdf 

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January 1 2004 F E A T U R E S

GALWAY ADVERTISER

37

HOLIDAY SPECIALS
Budget sale starts Tuesday
The Budget Travel sale starts on January 6 with lead in prices from 99 to Estartit, Ibiza, Benidorm, Menorca, and Salou for May departures. Family plan prices start from 459 for two adults and one child to Salou. Preregister now with the Budget Travelshop, Headford Road (091) 566155 and Eglinton St (091) 560400.

BREAK-AWAY
TRAVEL WITH JULIE TIERNEY

BYGONES
The first Monday in January was known as Handsel Monday when gifts were given to servants and children. Anything received on that day is supposed to bring luck for the coming year.

Celebrate the new year by winning a break to Jurys Inn Cork
Jurys Inns is offering Galway Advertiser readers the chance to win a two-night midweek break in Jurys Inn Cork. Within walking distance of Cork's vibrant business and shopping districts and a host of restaurants, bars, museums, and galleries, Jurys Inn Cork is perfectly located for a midweek or weekend break to explore the city or the stunning Cork countryside. Cork is a great place to visit with excellent shopping, lively restaurants, and a wide selection of cinemas, theatres, and clubs. Or if you'd like to escape the city altogether why not drive to Blarney Castle, Fota Wildlife Park, or historic Cobh Harbour and Heritage Centre which are all within 25 minutes drive from the hotel. Jurys Inn Cork offers up to the minute comfort from just 55 per room per night (this is a promotional rate valid until January 31 2004 so it is subject to availability). To place a booking log onto bookajurysinn.com or call Central Reservations (01) 6070000. The 3-star hotel lies in the heart of the city overlooking the River Lee and has 133 spacious rooms which accommodate three adults or two adults and two children sharing. The hotel's facilities include Arches Restaurant for onsite dining for breakfast and dinner at attractive prices. The Inn Pub is perfect for a quick lunch or a drink.

January 3 -- The Quadantrids, an annual meteor-shower, peak about this date every year. January 4 -- According to Lloyd, "this day doth forshew the nature and state of November" so make a note of this long term weather forecasting technique. January 5 -- And on this day, you can use the same technique to foretell the type of weather we will have next December. January 7 -- Another way of predicting the future was used in Norway on this day. It is called eldjorgdagen (the firesaving day). It is reported that in this, the mistress of the house would celebrate the return of the sun after the winter by drinking a draught of ale in front of the fire, then she would throw something into the flame and exclaim "so high be my fire that hell is no higher or hotter". The family of the said woman would then gather around on the floor with the bowl in the centre. They would have their hands behind their backs and each in turn would lift the bowl with his/her mouth, drink the ale and cast the bowl behind him/her with a toss of the head. If it landed face down, one would die within the year; if not, one would have the fortune to drink at the same event the next year. This was also the day on which it is said that a hibernating bear turns over in his sleep.

Escorted Thailand tour
An fully escorted tour of Thailand (Land of the Smiles) leaves Ireland on April 7 for 16 days. Cost is 2,099pp + tax and insurance. Accommodation is in first class hotels and internal travel is by luxury air conditioned coach. Also included is breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Further details from First Choice Travel, Eyre Square (091) 563755.

Racing holiday
1 Stop Travel has a limited supply of the always popular International Racing Tours 2004 brochure featuring all of the Formula 1 Racing plus more for the new season. Call into 1 Stop Travel, Odeon House, Eyre Square for a brochure.

COMPETITION
Jurys Inn Cork in association with the Galway Advertiser is offering readers the

opportunity to win a two-night midweek stay (Monday to Thursday) B&B for two people sharing. To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following question: Rooms in Jurys Inn Cork can accommodate how many people? Send your answer along with your name, address, and daytime telephone number to Jurys Inn Cork Breakaway competition,

Galway Advertiser, 41/42 Eyre Deadline for entries is January 9.

Square.

Thailand -- a tempting destination for golfers
Offering numerous courses designed by some of the biggest names in the sport, coupled with its famous hospitality, Thailand is one of the best and cheapest places to spend a holiday on the links. For those who enjoy the game of golf, Thailand has a special treat for you, especially on the courses up country. It begins with cheap green fees. You can actually afford to hire a caddy here as well. The private courses are beautifully maintained, and you can normally play as a twosome. Golfing is possible at almost any time of the year in this region, even in the rainy season Green Valley Country Club is one of the oldest with its usually short-lived downpours that and most popular courses in Thailand. rarely bring a game to a complete halt. Thailand is blessed with an average of 12 hours of daylight every day throughout the year, until sunset at 6.30pm. As the temperature is cooler in the morning and late afternoon, it is popular to tee-off early or late in the day, avoiding the strong midday sun. Essential equipment, such as clubs, shoes, and umbrellas, can be rented for a nominal fee. Please beware of shoe rental as most shoes available fit the smaller Asian feet and it is therefore best to bring your own shoes with you. Due to heavy import taxes, golf equipment is quite expensive to purchase in Thailand, compared to Europe and USA.

Booking Budapest
Beat the New Year blues by booking a trip to Budapest. From just 222 + tax and insurance you could spend three nights in a 3* hotel. Valid from January 1 to March 31. Direct flight from Dublin to Budapest. For more info contact Aran Travel (091) 562595.

WEATHER
THURSDAY
A very windy day with a risk of north-westerly gales. There will be some sunshine but also blustery showers, possibly falling wintry later. Max temp 6-9C (43-48F).

SATURDAY
Mainly dry and bright with sunshine.

High Tide in Galway
20
Clifden
8
Thursday January 1 Friday January 2 Saturday Janaury 3 Sunday January 4 Monday January 5 Tuesday January 6 Wednesday January 7 00.09 01.17 02.11 02.58 03.39 04.18 04.53 12.27 13.32 14.27 15.16 16.00 16.41 17.19

SUNDAY
A wet and blustery day with heavy rain.

Tuam
5

FRIDAY
Some early brightness, but becoming increasingly cloudy with rain, some heavy especially in the north and later on. Moderate south-west winds. Max temp 5-8C (41-46F).
Information supplied by PA Weather Centre

MONDAY
Breezy with sunshine and showers.

GALWAY
5

Ballinasloe
5

Phases of the Moon
Wednesday January 7 -- Full Moon

TUESDAY
Cloud will build with rain.

30
Noon Thursday
8

20

WEDNESDAY
Unsettled with a risk of rain or showers.

7