Galway Advertiser 2005/2005_12_22/GA_2212_E1_032.pdf 

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32 F E A T U R E S

www.galwayadvertiser.ie

December 22 2005

HOLIDAY SPECIALS
Bulgaria and Romania summer special
Eblana Travel has availability for a seven night stay at the Holiday Park Hotel, Golden Sands, Bulgaria from only 449 per person sharing, departing June 4 2006. It also has availability for a seven night departure on the same date to Mamaia in Romania, staying at the Hotel Majestic for only 549 per person sharing. Or to make the most of your holiday - experiencing two countries during the one trip with a two centre holiday, combine one week in the fabulous resort of Mamaia, Romania, with one week Golden Sands, Bulgaria. For further details contact Mary Concannon at Eblana Travel, Ballybrit on (091) 766802 or email mary.res@eblanatravel.ie

BREAK-AWAY
TRAVEL WITH SINEAD MCGOVERN

Travel Taster: Beautiful Barcelona
This week's Travel Taster is from Mary Concannon at Eblana Travel, Ballybrit, who has visited Barcelona on several occasions.
Make your next city break a trip to the amazing Spanish city of Barcelona. With its wonderful sights, rich history, great bars, restaurants, shops, and even a beach and funfair - you won't be short of things to do. towers and enjoy the views of this wonderful city. After taking in the unique buildings, spend some time strolling around the Old City, with its quaint squares and winding, narrow streets, this is where you'll find the famous La Rambla. The bustling mile-long stretch of road runs from the heart of Barcelona to the harbour, and offers shops, cafes and bars - plus a real insight into the people of the city. After that, go to the Tibidabo Funfair. This charming mountain-top fairground dates from 1899 and has more than 30 rides. If that's not enough to keep you going, there is an exhausting number of museums and art galleries to visit. Barcelona also has a wonderful strip of sandy beaches along its coastline. As well as topping up your tan there are lots of bars and restaurants along this stretch, and even a casino!

Sightseeing
The structures of Barcelona's great architect Antoni Gaudi dominate the city. The best way to see them - and everything else - is to catch one of the sightseeing tourist buses. Bus Turistic runs two circular routes, where an on-board

Last minute ski deals
If you've been left behind in the ski rush, don't worry because it's not too late to book on line with Panorama Holidays at www.panoramaholidays.ie/s ki. With offers from just 249pp, there are bargains to be sought! Destinations to pick from include Andorra, and Sauze d'Oulx in Italy. You can also buy learn to ski and learn to snowboard packs on the website - great for a Christmas present for all the family! The passes include equipment hire and lessons, so all your loved one will have to worry about is staying upright on the piste!

guide gives detailed information and tickets include discount vouchers for many other popular attractions. The bus visits the breathtaking Sagrada Familia which, with its dramatic spires, is Barcelona's most famous landmark. Gaudi worked in this cathedral for 40 years until his death in 1926, and construction isn't scheduled to finish until 2030! Go to the top of one of the

Shopping
Stroll down the wide avenue know as La Rambla and experience a sea of stalls selling everything from flowers to brass and leather. If you're on a limited budget, avoid the city's shops at all costs! It's not that they are expensive, it's the exact opposite. Things are so cheap that once you start you won't be able to stop! But if you can't resist a bit of retail therapy, the main shopping locations for high-street chains are Avda/Portal del l'Angel and C/Pelai.
Gaudi's colourful architecture is visible all over Barcelona city.

Bars and Nightclubs
The imposing Sagrada Familia, Barcelona's most famous landmark, isn't scheduled to be finished until 2030.

before 11pm and clubs often don't get going until the early hours. For stylish drinking there are some really cool bars located in Barcelona's top hotels. Check out the Hotel Pulitzer and Hotel Omm. For something a little more lively, head for the bars that line La Rambla. If you plan to go clubbing there is an endless list of exciting options.

Tenorio Braseria, both a stone's throw from La Rambla. For a first-class meal try Thai Gardens - it's the perfect setting to spend a lazy evening, and the cocktails are really cheap! Alternatively, the Hard Rock Cafe is the perfect place to refuel after a long day's sightseeing and shopping. Sun, sea, and sangria - what more could you want? To book your city break to Barcelona contact Mary at Eblana Travel, Ballybrit on (091) 766802 or email mary.res@eblanatravel.ie

Restaurants
There's no shortage of places to tuck into tasty tapas in Barcelona. Visit BBrB and

If you've come to Barcelona one thing to remember is that people rarely head out to bars

WEATHER
THURSDAY
A cloudy and dull day with drizzle near to the coast. Any bright spells will be short-lived. However, it will be mild. A freshening southwesterly wind. Max temp 9-11C (48-52F).

SATURDAY
Chillier and cloudy but dry.

High Tide in Galway
10

SUNDAY
Cold but dry with sunny periods.

15
Tuam

9

Thursday December 22 Friday December 23 Saturday December 24 Sunday December 25

09.12 10.00 10.53 11.58 00.51 01.46 02.34

21.53 22.46 23.48 **** 13.04 14.03 14.54

Clifden

MONDAY
Sunny spells with local wintry showers.

FRIDAY
Coudy for much of the day, with occasional bright spells. Some patchy light rain and drizzle is likely. Misty in places. A gentle southwesterly wind. Max temp 8-10C (46-50F)
Information supplied by PA Weather Centre

GALWAY
10

Monday December 26

Ballinasloe

Tuesday December 27 Wednesday December 28

TUESDAY
Mainly dry and bright but cold.

15 25
Noon Thursday

11

Phases of the Moon
Last Quarter

WEDNESDAY
Sunny spells and wintry showers.