Galway Advertiser 2005/2005_02_17/GA_1702_E1_034.pdf 

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34 F E A T U R E S

GALWAY ADVERTISER

February 17 2005

HOLIDAY SPECIALS
Spanish Grand Prix
Combine a week in the sun in Salou with the Spanish Grand Prix. Price 436pp includes flights, transfers, and accommodation. Entry into grand prix and insurance are extra. Flights from Shannon on May 4. Further information from First Choice Travel (091) 563755.

BREAK-AWAY
TRAVEL WITH JULIE TIERNEY

Passenger numbers up fifty one per cent in Knock International Airport
Some 373,000 passengers were carried through Knock International Airport during 2004 representing a 51 per cent growth on the previous year for the airline which now operates 52 weekly scheduled flights. The number of charter passengers also rose from 32,000 to 58,700, a very significant 83 per cent increase. During the past five years Knock International Airport's passenger numbers have more than doubled from 171,000 in 2000 to 373,000 in 2004. Last year Knock Airport introduced new daily flights to Manchester and Liverpool. In partnership with Panorama Holidays, the airport also introduced skiing holidays to Andorra in winter 2004 and, in association with United Travel, once again offered oneday excursions to Lapland in December. The commencement of charter flights to Cape Town, South Africa, was a further positive success for the airport. Further developments during 2004 included the opening of a new 2 million departures and retail area along with a 1 million extension to the arrivals area. The airport was awarded the inaugural `Best Regional Airport' Award by the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland's Air Transport Users Council, a significant recognition of the airport's success. January 2005 has already seen the commencement of two daily flights to London Gatwick with easyJet and Ryanair, and a daily flight to Birmingham with bmibaby. In summer 2005, both Stein Travel and Falcon/JWT will operate charter flights to Faro, Portugal, for the first time.

Florida special
This early summer special is perfect for families planning a holiday to Orlando as the accommodation is just nine miles from the Walt Disney Resort area. Prices from 599pps a two bed townhouse or 659pps a three bed town house in the Regal Palms Resort. Price includes flights from Dublin, 14 nights' accommodation, and basic car rental. Departure dates available: May 9, 16, 23, 30, and June 2, 6, and 9. Full details from 1 Stop Travel (091) 532707.

Wheels in motion for next year's Travel Expo
The first travel show to be held in Galway for 10 years took place in Leisureland on Sunday and was attended by visitors from all over Galway, Mayo, Clare, Sligo, and Roscommon. Midnight Promotions which organised Travel Expo `05 said it was delighted with the response and that the feedback received so far from exhibitors and attendees has all been very positive. Declan Power, marketing manager of Shannon International Airport, sponsor of the event said: "I am confident that Travel Expo will become a major annual event on the Galway calendar providing the west of Ireland with a new dimension on selecting their holiday destinations." Several fantastic prizes were won on the day including a week in Thailand, flights to any of the destinations on the US Airways network, flights to the UK and Europe, as well as weekend breaks in Ireland. With this year's show barely behind them the wheels are already in motion for Travel Expo `06, which Midnight Promotions says will be bigger and better. For information on upcoming events log onto www.midnightpromotions.net

HOLIDAYS & ME Siobhan Burke
Which three things do you always take on holiday with you? Guidebook to make the most of precious time, a camera for capturing those memorable moments, and a couple of paperbacks for chilling out under the sun umbrella. A lounge in the sun holiday or a grab the guidebook and let's start exploring holiday? It tends to be a lounge in the sun holiday when I want to relax and chill out, but I also try to incorporate some sightseeing/adventure. I've visited Australia on a couple of occasions which was a great experience as it combined both. Who would your dream holiday companion be? Now that he's reportedly single, Brad Pitt! If he wasn't

, GENERAL MANAGER DAYS HOTEL

(FORMERLY THE GALWAY RYAN)
I would say that at this stage I identify most with the Australian culture as they have a relaxed approach to life, while at the same time they combine it well with their worklife, which I think is everyone's ideal. What do you hate most about holidays? Coming back to the Irish weather tends to be the worst part. Otherwise, it's hard to think of a negative. What is the best time of year to get away? Anytime, I'm always ready to head off. However May/June or September tends to be my best time, before and after the busy season. What is the most bizarre thing you've experienced while on holiday? The souks in Marrakech were a surreal experience, especially after dark, when you're trying to find your way out as they are just a maze of narrow passages! It was just like going back in time. Where is the most overrated place you've visited? I love to experience a location in the same way as the locals and see it for what it really is, no one place stands out as being overated but generally if the location is too commercialised with the culture element diluted this can be a turn off. How do you choose a holiday? Recommendations from friends, the internet. Last minute decisions with no definite plan can also be fun.

Real Caribbean cruising
The new Royal Clipper has the distinction of being the largest and only fivemasted sailing ship built since her predecessor was launched at the beginning of the last century. From 2,999pps you can sail her for seven nights on a full board basis in an inside cabin. Price includes return flights ex Dublin and one night pre-cruise and postcruise hotel in a 4 star hotel. Book before February 25 and get a 200 voucher for Brown Thomas. Full details from Oranmore Travel (091) 788988.

available it would have to someone easy going with a sense of humour and an adventurous spirit. Where would that holiday be? I would really like to experience a trekking holiday in Thailand. What culture do you most identify with?

WEATHER
THURSDAY
A dry and bright start, with sunny spells. Becoming cloudier in the afternoon with a few spots of light rain or drizzle. A light northwesterly wind. Max temp 8-10C (46-50F).

SATURDAY
Rain will clear during the afternoon.

High Tide in Galway

SUNDAY
Sunny spells and wintry showers.

Clifden

Tuam
8

10
8

MONDAY
Sunny spells and wintry showers.

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Thursday February 17 Friday February 18 Saturday February 19 Sunday February 20 Monday February 21 Tuesday February 22 Wednesday February 23

11.42 00.26 01.59 03.02 03.49 04.26 04.59

**** 13.18 14.38 15.32 16.12 16.48 17.21

FRIDAY
Cloudy and fairly mild. Most parts will start off dry, but there is a risk of patchy rain in the afternoon. A moderate north- westerly wind. Max temp 9-10C (4850F).
Information supplied by PA Weather Centre

GALWAY
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Phases of the Moon
Thursday February 24 -- Full Moon

TUESDAY
Cold, with more snow showers expected.

Ballinasloe

Galway ship movements
The Alexander arrives from Foynes today (Thursday); the Tees Fisher docks on Friday as does the Crescent Connemara; the BBC Holland arrives from Newport USA with machinery for Tynagh power on Saturday; the Rathrowan brings bitumen on Monday; the Jumbo Spirit and the BBC America arrives from Rotterdam and Shanghai on Tuesday with machinery for Tynagh.

WEDNESDAY
Sunny spells and sleet showers.

Noon Thursday

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