With new year's eve less than 180 days away, the pressure is on to celebrate the millennium in some style.
Despite all the hype about over charging by restaurants, nightclubs and just about any business aiming to cash in on the celebrations, it seems that original celebration ideas for the event are thin on the ground. Even travel agents do not seem to have put much thought into enticing people to enjoy it abroad. Organising a trip to many of the world's more lively spots for the millennium takes considerable effort and expense. Packages to places like Rio de Janeiro, Sydney or Capetown are just not readily available. In reality, it is up to yourself to arrange your own connections and accommodation.
"We're only selling from the normal brochure as is," said a sales executive at one of the biggest travel agents.
It's a pity as Rio will host the world's biggest beach party on new year's eve, while Sydney is putting on a spectacular water-based show in its famous harbour.
Elsewhere, a variety of cruise ships and charter planes will try to enable their well-heeled passengers to celebrate the occasion in different time zones by crossing the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean.
For those who just want to get away, all the standard sun package deals which encompass the new year's eve period are still available. So, if you fancy ringing in the new year with your compatriots in the relative warmth of the Canaries, Costa Del Sol or north Africa, there is still time to make a booking.
On the other hand if you prefer winter sports, then a week's skiing or ski-boarding on the pistes of Europe could well be the millennium tonic for you.
There are still vacancies at most of Europe's better-known resorts, although operators expect this to change once the summer holidays are over. A week half-board in Andorra, flight departing December 26th, will set you back £750 (€952) from Panorama Holidays in Dublin. Booking the same week in a four-star hotel in the Italian resort of Sauzed'oulx in the Alps will cost £1,089. The price does not include the ski pack or insurance, which will add about another £200 to the cost.
Ms Katie Conlon, marketing executive at Panorama holidays, said prices for the particular week were averaging about £200 over last year's levels, but noted that all the venues would be organising a range of events with millennium themes. You might think a trip to where it all began in the Holy Land might be a popular choice for the dawning of the new millennium, but surprisingly Irish tour operators are not offering specific tours over the period. "There is just no demand (for Holy Land trips) from Ireland at that time," said one travel agent who offers religious tours.
This might well be fortuitous, as the area will undoubtedly be a magnet for end-of-the-world enthusiasts at that time. A group of US Christian fundamentalists are scheduled to gather at Megiddo in the north of Israel, where they believe the Armageddon battle will be fought. For those who prefer to remain in Ireland, many better-known hotels are putting on special programmes of events for the millennium celebrations.
In addition to getting fed in style and pampered at every opportunity, a comprehensive package of entertainment is also laid on for your enjoyment.
The millennium celebration programme in the Park Hotel, Kenmare, Co Kerry, kicks off on December 28th and promises its residents five fun-filled days beside the Killarney lakes.
As well as the usual entertainment offered by the hotel, there will be an in-house casino, a vintage car tour of the Beara peninsula and a classical harp recital in the run-up to new year's eve.
The big day itself opens with a treasure hunt, followed by a whiskey tasting session and a black tie banquet. Music is provided by the Cork City Jazz Band and a firework display will usher guests into the new year. The programme costs £1,850 per person sharing and general manager Mr John Brennan reported brisk booking. A five-day programme of festivities is also planned at Ashford Castle, Cong, Co Mayo, although proceedings commence on December 29th. However, Ms Paula Carroll, director of sales and marketing at Ashford Castle, was coy about revealing too many details about the itinerary of events.
She did say that every day would have a different theme, incorporating an aspect of Irish culture, and that prominent Irish personalities would be on hand to provide the entertainment each evening. The five-day programme for Ashford Castle costs £1,625 and places are still available. Dromoland Castle in Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare, is hosting a three-night all-inclusive package, starting December 30th. The facilities include golf, archery and clay pigeon shooting. The seven-course new year's eve dinner starts with a champagne reception and dancing with Paddy Cole and the All Stars. It costs £2,500 per person sharing, and there are still some vacancies.
So, whether you want to quaff your champagne in hot or cold climes, or watch the inevitable firework display in foreign skies or those closer to home, just remember, barring some breakthrough in anti-ageing technology, this will be your only chance at ringing in a new millennium.
