Many people in Ireland have relatives who lost their lives in battles in Flanders and the, some of whom have no known grave. To commemorate them, the Island of Ireland Peace Park will open at Messines Ridge, Flanders, on Wednesday November 11th. It will be opened by the heads of state of Ireland, Britain and Belgium. MAP Travel (01 878 3111) is the official travel agent for this event, and has organised a number of packages to Flanders, from one day to five days. The organisers of the event may be able to help people with information about relatives: they will need name, date of birth and place of enlistment. Marian and Patricia at MAP will be pleased to help.
Scandinavian Seaways has just announced a special low fare from October to February. If your business or leisure interests take you to Scandinavia Germany Holland, a car, four passengers and a berth on the Scandinavian crossing will cost £279 return. Using Stena Line from Ireland, same day departure connections from Newcastle and Harwich are possible. More details from your travel agent or Stena Line.
The Autumn is the time to relax and discover Ireland North or South, and both Bord Failte and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board's (NITB) winter brochures are recommended reading. You will be amazed at the sheer number of places on offer in the Bord Failte brochure: hotels, hostels, guesthouses, caravan parks, town and country homes and self-catering apartments and houses. The prices are excellent and many include not only bed and breakfast, but evening meals.
When it comes to activity holidays there is a wide range, from jewellery making to fishing for pike, from gambling weekends to gardening, from health spas to shooting, from painting to murder mysteries. Pick it up from your local tourist office.
On the subject of home holidays, the NITB is continuing its successful short breaks, £49 or £59 for two nights in an hotel and £25 for two nights in self-catering. Belfast, like Dublin, has had a lot of new hotels appear lately, and you can try out either Holiday Inns, Jurys Belfast Inn, McCauslands or the Hilton. The self-catering accommodation is mostly in cottages, some located in the best scenery in the North. Small clusters of houses - clachans -are characteristic of the North, and the answer for getting a group together. Brochure from 16 Nassau Street, Dublin 2, or callsave 1850 230230.
Traditionally, we always think of the Canaries for winter sun, but, Malta, Gozo and Sicily all have mild winters and are good value destinations for Irish travellers. Belleair are specialists in these Mediterranean islands, and prices for the winter for self-catering starts at £226 or £253 for half board in a three star hotel. There are direct flights to Malta from Dublin on Saturdays. Sicily is only 60 miles from Malta, and you can combine the two destinations. Phone for brochure on (01) 660 6321.
Talking about Malta, this might be short notice, but Ireland are playing Malta at home, and Delta Travel has put together a short break for the empty legs of their flights. From Monday to Thursday you can go to Malta for £169 and stay in a four star Hotel. Phone them quickly on (01) 874 7666.