New waterslide opens in Tayto Park

Tayto’s Viking splash

Tayto Park opened a brand new water slide this week. Viking Voyage at the Park is Ireland's largest water ride, with 1.7 million litres of water, a Viking village and six replica Viking ships making up the new attraction in Co Meath. The park used Viking experts from Sweden and theming contractors who have worked in major worldwide theme parks and film sets including Disneyland and Game of Thrones to get the new ride just right. For more about the theme park and zoo see taytopark.ie.

High as a kite

The Dublin Kite Festival is flying high on Sunday, June 18th, on North Bull Island in Clontarf. Make your way to the beach from 11am to 5pm for the family-friendly, free event where kiting experts, kite-making workshops, tutorials, live music, games, and even a kite flying competition are a go. See dublinkitefestival.ie for more.

Air Fair

Celebrating five years in business this summer, WOW Air has announced €65 flights from Ireland to the US throughout June. Fly from Dublin and Cork Airport from €65 one way including taxes and charges via Reykjavik to LA, Miami, San Francisco, New York, Pittsburgh, Montreal and Toronto. See wowair.ie for more.

Art Deco Escapes 

Shanghai
The Bellagio Shanghai is a design lover's dream. Set to open at the end of the summer, the architecture is a reference to its location near the Bund district, where the buildings exude the elegance and glamour of the city's 1930s era; bellagio.com.

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Walks for the Weekend: St Declan’s Path, Ardmore

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London
Perhaps the most iconic Art Deco hotel of them all, Claridge's of Mayfair is a feast for the senses. Chequered floors, drop chandeliers – the works. Be sure to request an art deco suite when you stay, for the full experience; claridges.co.uk. 

New York
Home to the famous Lambs Club restaurant, The Chatwal on West 44th Street also boasts a beautiful art deco cocktail bar, complete with wooden panels and red finishes that are very Gatsby; thechatwalny.com.

Get Appy

Hipmunk
This is an all-in-one travel app that allows you to plan your trip and book flights and hotels. It also links up with TripAdvisor to help you make the best holiday choice. Available on Android and iOS; hipmunk.com.

Tremendous Tremezzo

On June 24th, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo in Italy is offering guests the chance to experience Lake Como in a unique way. Stay between June 22-25 for two nights with breakfast and be transported via private boat from the hotel's very own marina to Isola Comacina, a small wooded island of Lake Como. The new package is in honour of St John's Festival, a midsummer celebration on June 24th, so expect fireworks and music with an unforgettable view of the lake. Stay from €354; see grandhoteltremezzo.com for more.

Travel deals with Joan Scales

Abu Dhabi

Feel the roar of the cars and smell the fumes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November. Four nights with flights, Gran Prix tickets and five-star hotel from €1,799pps, Ref 1503757, Travelmood.ie, 01-9609518.

Thomas Land
Irish Ferries have a three-night trip to Drayton Park and Thomas Land for a family with car ferry crossing, hotel and one day pass to the park from €491, Irishferries.com/drayton, 0818-300400.

Miami
Book now for one of the upcoming destinations from Aer Lingus. A week in the Art Deco city in November, staying in the Dorchester Hotel, from €899pps, Touramerica.ie, 01-8173558, ref. 602280