11 Awesomely good reasons to visit Ireland (and there are at least a 111 more!)

 

1. Irish chefs are the best in the world according to Le Guide du Routarde http://www.independent.ie/national-news/irish-chefs-best-in-world-2489465.html my memory of eating out in Ireland a few years back totally endorses this tribute to Ireland’s slow food movement. Every meal was prepared with spell-bindin

g Irish passion and each mouthful was an exquisite experience.
2. The Irish Folk are, in my humble opinion the friendliest and funniest in the world. Just take the hop-on, hop-off bus around Dublin and you will be rocking with laughter at the bus driver’s commentary, his anecdotes are almost better than the sight-seeing. Bring your smile to the Emerald Isle and it will be returned to you 100 times!
3. Ease of access for South African travellers – it is not necessary to fly via the UK and have the hassle of a British Visa you can fly into the legendary city of Dublin via Istanbul and Abu Dhabi either on Turkish Airlines or Etihad Airlines.
4. Enjoy fresh air and beautiful scenery as you drive, cycle or walk the country roads less traveled. This is an opportunity to get off the beaten track, unwind and take in the beauty of these rural areas such as West Cork, Kerry, the Connemara region of Galway and the North West Clare – around Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher http://www.doolin-tourism.com/
5. Kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle, this medieval stronghold dates back to 1446. According to Irish legend, those who kiss the Blarney Stone receive a gift of eloquence that enables one to obtain, through persuasion, anything one wants!

Blarney Castle

http://www.blarneycastle.ie/
6. For the historian a visit to one of the most famous prehistoric sites in the world Newgrange in County Meath, featuring the passage tomb of the Brú na Bóinne complex is a must. It was built so that when the dawn breaks each year on the winter solstice a narrow beam of sunlight illuminates the floor of the chamber. Well worth the visit.
7. An evening at the Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet – this most superb evening of entertainment is for the whole family. Experience the magic of Irish Traditional Music, Song & Dance with a company of finest singers, dancers and musicians from the local villages and dine on home cooked food and great wine while joining in with the lively entertainment.

Bunratty Castle and the entertainers

8. Visit the Guiness Storehouse in Dublin and enjoy a pint of of the dark nectar while admiring the views across Dublin from the Gravity Bar: http://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/WeatherCam.aspx
9. Surfing the waves of Ireland’s coastline, such as Lahinch where the waves are good and the night-life is loads of fun. If there is a swell out in the Atlantic Lahinch will have waves.
10. Visit the the home of Ireland’s thoroughbred racehorses, the Irish National Stud and the Japanese & St Fiachra’s Gardens in County Kildare. The Gardens are an oasis of woodland and lakes.
11. Spend at least 2 nights, 3 days in Dublin visiting Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, where you will find ‘The Arch’ Archbishop Emiritus, Desmond Tutu featured prominently as a guest of the Cathedral’s, a long walk in Phoenix Park, visit Kilmainham Gaol & Hospital it is really worth the visit. Spend an hour or two at Bewley’s Coffee Shop on Grafton Street http://www.bewleys.com/bewleys-grafton-street-cafeafter a shopping expedition. And be sure to visit the stylish Café en Seine on one of the nights spent in Dublin

Cafe en Seine

http://www.cafeenseine.ie/it’s stunning art deco interior is reminiscent of the turn-of-the-century France. It is a great atmosphere and you can’t leave Dublin without sapping up the atmosphere with a glass of ‘champers’ whilst listening to the excellent jazz. I can’t leave Dublin without spending at least one evening in this fabulous cocktail bar.

Lindsay Quail

Ensure a great holiday by being ever vigilant of fraudsters and thieves while having fun!

Ensure a great holiday by being ever vigilant of fraudsters and thieves while having fun!

Nothing ruins a holiday more than when your passport or credit card is stolen.
Fraudsters and criminals know that tourists are an easy target so be vigilant while having fun!

We suggest you avoid holiday theft of credit cards, passports and other ID documents by following the following security tips:

• Don’t display your home address on your luggage, instead use a work address or your mobile number would be best.
• We would also suggest using work addresses when checking into hotels abroad.
• Keep your ID documents separate from your debit/credit or travel cash card.
• Only take the cards you are going to use on your holiday.
• Don’t write down PINs – use a more memorable number.
• Always keep your passport locked in the room safe of your holiday hotel.
• When walking amongst crowds of people keep your bag strapped across your body or held firmly. Money belts are not the most attractive accessory but they are ideal to carry your cards and valuables
• Leave a copy of your passport with family or friends back home.
• Never let restaurant, hotel or shop staff go out of sight with your card and always check bank statements when you return home.

Bon Voyage!

Lindsay Quail

A first launched by the Travel Insurance Company – travel insolvency cover for cruises lines, hotels, car rental, rail and coach tours!

Good news in the this tough economic climate the travel insurance company, Travel Insurance Consultants (TIC) has launched travel supplier insolvency cover.
From June, the insurance provider will be offering comprehensive insurance with scheduled airline insolvency protection as well as cover for insolvent cruise lines, hotels, car-rental, rail and coach operators.
Jason Veitch, TIC managing director, says the insurance is being introduced as clients require “absolute security” in their travel arrangements during such “complicated financial times”.
“We have investigated all manner of travel supplier insolvency programmes and made a principled decision to ensure that we can offer the market the most comprehensive cover available. This is why TIC has decided not just to provide airline cover but to extend this cover to travellers’ full travel arrangements.” Even more reason to NEVER travel without travel insurance, it could literally save you millions!

A South African traveller appalled by the US government’s requirements when applying for a Visa to visit America, decided to abandon the trip in favour of other possible destinations…! Read on…

US Visa applications for South Africans…

I think that Carte Blanche should do an expose on what it takes to visit America !!
Travelling to Cape Town, paying the R1100 for the interview (apart from a hotel, food etc) is just one aspect !
Getting originals of my title deeds and providing them with three months of activity on my bank account is quite another !
Don’t worry about flight costs…I’ll not be visiting America !!

Oh well, I will just have to visit Libya, stopping off in Cote Ivoire, and maybe if there is time I’ll go to Japan, I hear the northern region is very nice this time of year, and the fish and vegetables are very tasty.

Maybe I will go to China, but I am not sure if the ink on my FREE TIBET posters will be dry by then.

What is Haiti like in July ?

What is the weather like in Darfour during July – hot ?

Maybe I’ll just stay in South Africa and do the Julius Malema tour, see his birthplace, meet his schoolmates, learn a few songs.

Options lead to insanity !!

I unfortunately cannot linger I am off to Game to buy a huge screen TV and lots of videos on America, they say it is the same as being there …especially if you have surroundsound.

Did I mention that if you book here, you will need the following "easy to get items":

1/ A letter from a Doctor of more than ten years standing guaranteeing your health.

2/ Letters from three previous lodges you have stayed at certifying your behaviour and that you did not take any towels, tubs of jam, or the soap.

3/ A letter from your bank manager stating that you are in a position to pay the bill.

4/ A certified letter from your asset manager listing ALL of your assets and liabilities so that if you don’t pay, I know which assets to claim.

5/ Notarised letters from inter alia, your School Head, family members and your local police station stating that your conduct is socially acceptable.

6/ If travelling by car, I will need full details on the vehicle, if paid for, proof of payment, if on lease, a letter from the lease company stating that they do not object to your driving it in the countryside.oh yes, and you may also need a warm jersey as it can be cold at night – please send photos and descriptions of at least five suitable jerseys – the selection committee will advise you in person at our registered office in Modileng in Mpumalanga which jersey is approved. THE ORIGINAL OF THE JERSEY APPROVAL CERTIFICATE MUST ACCOMPANY YOU AND BE PRESENTED AT OUR GATE BEFORE ENTERING.
We will also perform our standard strip search on you before allowing you onto our property, but we can assure you that Willem, our guard is trained. Of course we record all strip searches for security and customer satisfaction purposes.

I clearly have too much time on my hands.

Please don’t waste any time looking into airline tickets to the USA or Europe for me !

Jann
Swartberg View Mountain Lodge.

25% of travellers have their holidays interrupted by illness.

Article sourced from Traveldailynews.com
Tuesday, November 16, 2010

According to the results of a new poll released by Orbitz Worldwide and Walgreens, 25 percent of the holiday travellers surveyed have had their travel plans interrupted by unexpected illness. With millions of travellers expected to travel this holiday season, it is a good idea to take note of precautionary measures one can take to minimize any possible illness.

The poll shows results from 1,000 consumers, and included questions related to the importance of preventive health measures, such as flu shots, to travellers.

Survey highlights include:

• Nearly two-thirds of all respondents (59 percent) feel travel isn’t a factor in impacting their health, however the remaining 41 percent believe that it does increase their chances of getting sick.
• The most common preventive measure people take to stay healthy while travelling over the holidays is to wash hands frequently and/or use sanitizers (58 percent). Getting a flu shot is second most common, with 29 percent who say they get one as a practice. Not over-eating was the least common response.
• Of travellers surveyed who haven’t received a flu shot, 52 percent said they don’t believe they’re effective and 26 percent said they’re afraid it may actually give them the flu. Note: According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health authorities, a person cannot get the flu from an injectable flu shot.
• Conversely, of the respondents that have gotten or plan to get a flu shot this season, 75 percent said their primary reason for doing so was as a “general precaution during the colder fall and winter months.” Nearly 15 percent got a flu shot because they are travelling over the holidays or they have children at home.
• The survey found that of respondents with health insurance, 61 percent said that flu shots are covered as a benefit under their insurance plan. Nearly one-in-five (18 percent) said they don’t know whether flu shots are covered.

The following measures are suggested for travellers to stay healthy through their holiday:

• Get a seasonal flu shot
• Wash hands frequently using soap and water or an alcohol-based rub
• Don’t touch your eyes, hands or mouth when hands haven’t been washed
• Get enough sleep – Annals of Medicine studies show those who get fewer than seven hours of sleep are three times more likely to develop a cold when exposed to the virus
• Eat right and exercise regularly.

The most frequent obstacles to travellers when travelling in a foreign country.

Article sourced from TravelDailyNews.com

The world’s largest privately held provider of language services and translation-related technologies, TransPerfect, presents data and offers solutions to ease future travel plans.

The most frequent obstacles to travellers when travelling in a foreign country is public transport, dining out, public signage and poorly translated websites.

TransPerfect announced survey results regarding the top four travel issues that visitors face in foreign countries. The survey indicates that communication barriers are the primary issue for travellers visiting cities abroad. Survey takers detailed the most common problems they face due to language barriers and expressed the need for easy solutions.

“The travel survey results reinforce what we already knew; travelling in a foreign country can be a fun and exciting experience, but that enjoyment is tempered by confusion when travellers encounter text they can’t understand”

According to the survey, the top four problems are:

1. Public transportation – The number one obstacle while travelling in a foreign-speaking country is navigating the public transportation system. Survey takers noted that manoeuvring transit systems is the most difficult issue.
2. Dining out – Among the top reasons this was rated number two is ordering food. Respondents shared that reading menus and communicating with the wait staff can be extremely difficult.
3. Public signage – Tourists cite not being able to read signs as a big problem when exploring cities in foreign-speaking countries.
4. Booking hotels online – Travellers are often frustrated by poorly translated websites, which can lessen their chances of booking vacations.

The TransPerfect survey also focused on which tools, tips, and solutions travellers wish they had while abroad. Responses included: mobile applications, translation dictionaries, access to interpreters and more knowledge of the local language.

“The travel survey results reinforce what we already knew; travelling in a foreign country can be a fun and exciting experience, but that enjoyment is tempered by confusion when travellers encounter text they can’t understand,” said Liz Elting, co-CEO of TransPerfect. “We help eliminate these obstacles for travel-related businesses with solutions such as GlobalLink, the travel industry’s leading software for streamlining the process of website translation. And for individual travellers, we’ve released technology such as TransPerfect’s TransImage, a free iPhone application that translates images captured with the phone’s camera, including street signs and menus.”

Lindsay Quail

Travel by Rail – sit back, see the countryside and arrive at your destination feeling fresh & relaxed!

“ BOOK EARLY ” FARES FOR FRANCE !!

The lowest prices to travel on French long distance trains are available throughout the year for travel in first or second class. The “Book Early” fares range from Paris to Avignon, Lyon, Rennes or Strasbourg from only 22€ or from Paris to Dijon from Lille from 17€.

Terms and conditions apply

JAPAN RAIL PASS

The Japan Rail Pass is available through our preferred suppliers extensive portfolio. Experience Japan’s state of the art Rail system (with the famous Shinkansen bullet trains) and dive into Japan’s amazing natural wonderlands, magnificent cultural and historical sights and modern Japanese life.
As in Europe, the Japanese railway system is so great that rail travel is one of the best ways to discover Japan.

5 different passes are available in standard or superior class. Prices start from 19€.

• the Japan Rail Pass, valid 7, 14 or 21 days
• the Japan Rail Kyushu Pass, available for 3 or 5 consecutive days
• the Japan Rail Kansai Pass, from 1 to 4 consecutive days
• the Japan Rail Sanyo Pass, valid for 4 or 8 consecutive days
• the Japan Rail Hokkaido Pass, available for 3 or 5 consecutive days

BRITRAIL LOW SEASON PROMOTION

The BritRail promotion is still available, offering 20 % discount on first and second class for the following passes :
BritRail (England) Pass
BritRail (England) Flexi Pass

Valid for sales until 15 February 2011
Valid for travel until 28 February 2011

Terms and conditions apply

Call us at Computravel or drop us an email at info@computravel.co.za for the best train travel deals around the globe.

Lindsay Quail
COMPUTRAVEL CC
Your portal to the Travel Experts.
‘Travel is our passion, your peace of mind our pledge.’
Tel: +27 (0) 21 762 0511
Fax: +27 (0) 21 762 0512
Cell: +27 (0) 84 674 0246
Skype: Computravel
Email: lindsay@computravel.co.za
Website: www.computravel.co.za

Join us for some fun on facebook http://www.facebook.com/Computravel