A low rumble in the distance calls you to Arizona for Bike Week from February 7th. It's every guy's dream to ride a "Hawg" across the States. Or your could rent an ElectraGlide Classic, or a Honda Goldwing, or a Triumph Trophy, or Thunderbird. Cruise America specialise in renting bikes and motorhomes or RVs (recreational vehicles) across the US. The whole family can take part in this dream because, if you rent a couple of bikes, the cost of the motorhomes decreases. They are also agents for Kampgrounds who have over 600 locations spread right across the country, some are even close to major cities. More details from Cruise America, PO Box 9, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 8YJ or Tel: 00 44 990 143607, email: 100136.1165@compuserve.com.
Anyone needing to use up annual leave in January could not go far wrong with some of these special offers from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board at 1850 230 230. Madison's Hotel, Belfast, £20 per night; Wellington Park Hotel, two nights £60; Causeway Hotel, Bushmills, two nights and two dinners £80; Burendale Hotel, Newcastle two nights and Saturday Night Dinner Dance £77; Drumgooland House and Equestrian Centre, Downpatrick, two nights and one dinner £49.
Special offers from two tour operators and an airline this week. Funski are giving a £100 discount per couple on all departures to Andorra in January and February, call for availability on 1850 386754 or your local travel agent. Sunway Travel have a competition of a Citroen Saxo for holidays booked in any of their travel shops. Air Canada have reduced fares to various Canadian destinations by over £200 and must be booked by January 28th, 1800 709900. Sample fares from Britain are Toronto, St Johns, Ottawa, Montreal for £217 sterling, or Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton for £299 sterling.
Interesting travel sites are appearing on the Internet all the time. One of my recent favourites is the Travlang site . Not only can you check public holidays where you are going, convert currency and print out a ready reckoner, learn the rules of the road but, best of all, it gives instant translations or words or phrases in the local lingo. There is also a chat section where visitors can surf the Internet together. They are at http://www.travlang.com.
Recent Changes in taxation have increased the cost of travel quite significantly. Britain increased travel tax to £10 tax on short haul travel which adds £16.20 to visits to Britain and if you are travelling from Britain onwards. Longhaul destinations have increased to £20 which adds £27.40 to the cost of tickets. The US government brought in a new $12 arrivals tax and doubled the departure tax to $12. You also have to pay a $5 Customs User Fee, $6 Immigration Inspection Fee and a $2 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Fee giving a total of $37 and, in total, this adds £49 to the cost of flights to America via Britain.
The Wexford 1998 Bicentenary Commemoration promises an incredible calendar of events for the year. The '98 programme can be obtained from Comoradh '98, Market Square, Enniscorthy, Tel: 054 33540 or email: 98com@iol.ie.