83027
Open
Galway Advertiser 2005/2005_09_15/GA_1509_E1_028.pdf
28 F E A T U R E S
GALWAY ADVERTISER
September 15 2005
Holidays & Me
Tim Kirwan, general manager of Hotel Commonwealth in Boston
Which three things do you always take on holiday with you? Music, fancy clothes for a nice night out on the town, suntan lotion (very Irish, too many freckles). A lounge in the sun holiday or a grab the guidebook and let's start exploring holiday? Grab the guidebook and go! Who would your dream holiday companion be? A James Bond girl and if she's not available then my best friend. Where would that holiday be? Portugal because the Algarve is the most pristine undiscovered, most romantic, uninhabited ocean front in the world. What culture do you most identify with? The lovely Irish. What do you hate most about holidays? Airline food and jet lag. What is the best time of year to get away? Winter What is the most bizarre thing you've experienced while on holiday? An emergency landing of a hot air balloon in the middle of a vineyard luncheon in Sonoma California. Where is the most over-rated place you've visited? LA because it is tourist trap. How do you choose a holiday? Always looking for an adventure with interesting people, breathtaking sights, and good food.
BREAK-AWAY
TRAVEL WITH JULIE TIERNEY
Boston -- where comfort and charm never go out of style
Some look at Boston as the gateway to New England and a wonderful starting or ending point to any New England trip. Then there are others like me... those who can't seem to tear themselves away from this magnetic city once the plane touches down at Logan Airport. Boston has a huge selection of things to do and should be visited at least once in your lifetime. And even though you may find yourself surrounded by skyscrapers and expressways, you'll also be surrounded by the colonial and New England feel for which Boston is greatly adored. With so many direct flights to Boston now available and so many Irish eager to avail of short city breaks to the US it is not unusual to make the six hour flight for just a couple of days break. Not only is this possible but it is quite a thrilling way to tour the city by the bay. Finding a suitable hotel is one of the most important decisions when embarking on a break, and in Boston there are myriad plush hotels vying for your attention. If you're lucky, like I was in July, you'll come across a hotel like Hotel Commonwealth which leaves you feeling like you've well and truly fallen into the lap of luxury. This 150-room hotel is located in the heart of Boston's Kenmore Square, steps away from Fenway Park, Boston University, and world renowned medical institutions. Opened in May 2003, it was named Best New Business Hotel in the World by Forbes.com and was awarded Four Diamonds by AAA in its first rating. The hotel is also home to Great Bay which was named Best Seafood Restaurant by Boston Magazine in 2004 and the chic new brasserie Eastern Standard, a hit with residents and locals alike. And you don't even have to leave the hotel for a bit of retail therapy. A cluster of personalised boutique shops are attached to the hotel including Fanny&Delphine, Persona Jewellery, Jean Therapy, and Nantucket Natural Oils. The hotel's simply stunning 500sq ft Commonwealth rooms have a kingsized bed, separate sitting area, and windows overlooking historic Commonwealth Avenue. Rooms facing Kenmore Square and Fenway Park (home of the Boston Red Sox baseball team) are also available. The Boston Red Sox are of course the city favourites especially since winning the 2004 World Series. Hotel Commonwealth is always coming up with new and exciting offers. First there was the Desperate Housewives-inspired package followed by the desperate husbands getaway. Now the hotel is running Zodiac packages featuring customised amenities to coincide with guests' astrological signs. For example Sagittarians (born between November 22 and December 21) are well known for being optimistic, broad-minded, athletic, and adventurous. The Hotel Commonwealth Sagittarius package features tickets to tour exciting and interesting sights in and around Boston and/or tickets to an athletic sporting event to cater to the travel/adventurous/sporty side of Sagittarians. Zodiac packages are priced at $299 for one night with two people and include preferred access to the telescope at Boston Universities Astronomy Department, bottle of champagne upon arrival, birthday cake, daily horoscope at turndown, breakfast at Eastern Standard, and 10 per cent off all retail stores. The zodiac packages make for a great birthday gift -- for yourself or somebody else! Aside from personalised service, the guest rooms are defined by a very generous sense of comfort, space, and ease, and offer a graceful balance of old world charm and the most comprehensive technology in the country. Believe me I nearly didn't want to leave my room once we checked in -- then I remembered there's a city to be discovered! The hotel is within walking distance of Boston's vibrant business and shopping districts and a host of restaurants, bars, museums, and galleries. So I recommend putting on a good pair of sneakers and checking out the city on foot. Harvard University, the Museum of Fine Arts, Northeastern University, and Symphony Hall are all in close proximity to the hotel. The Freedom Trail, a 2.5 mile walking route marked in red on the sidewalks, is a great way to explore the city. The Duck Tour, a tour on an amphibious landing vehicle, is also a fun way to get around and always a huge hit with children. Public transportation is one of the best ways to get around Boston and easy to navigate. There are science, history, art, and many more museums to choose from. In fact the gallery selection can be overwhelming. When you go to Quincy Market, it only takes a minute for the old city feel to take over. Quincy Market is a shopping area on cobblestone streets, and most importantly it is car free! So whether its for a few weeks or just a few hours, I guarantee you that once you visit Boston you'll definitely have a story to tell on your return. And more than likely that story will end with: I'm definitely going back.
Hotel Commonwealth offers a front row seat to all the excitement. The only luxury hotel located in Fenway Park's backyard, it is the prime destination for tourists visiting Boston and the home of the 2004 World Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox.
WEATHER
THURSDAY
A cloudy day with outbreaks of rain. The odd heavier burst is possible. Moderate south-west winds. The evening will still be cloudy and wet. Max temp 16-19C (61-66F).
High Tide in Galway
Thursday September 15 Friday September 16 Saturday September 17 Sunday September 18 Monday September 19 Tuesday September 20 Wednesday September 21 03.40 04.30 05.14 05.55 06.34 07.13 07.53 15.51 16.40 17.24 18.06 18.47 19.29 20.10
SATURDAY
A dry day with sunny intervals.
17
SUNDAY
Dry with sunny spells.
Clifden
16
14
Tuam
18
MONDAY
A rather cloudy, but dry day.
FRIDAY
Cloudy and wet at first with outbreaks of rain. It will be drier in the afternoon. Brisk northeasterly winds. The evening will become clearer. Max temp 14-17C (5763F).
Information supplied by PA Weather Centre
GALWAY
18
17
Phases of the Moon
Ballinasloe
18
Full Moon
TUESDAY
Dull with light rain or drizzle.
Galway ship movements
The following tankers dock this week. The Activity and the Crescent Cuillin today (Thursday); and the Forth Fisher on Saturday. The research vessel Biz Conde de Eza docks from sea on Saturday. The navy vessel Aisling is in port on Friday.
WEDNESDAY
Plenty of cloud and showers.
Noon Thursday
17
15