Remember the Times Square Millennium Ball, specially created by Waterford Glass, to officially welcome the new millennium in New York? Now, visitors to Waterford can enjoy a similar event at the new Times Square Millennium Experience. Opened last week at the Waterford Glass factory, by the American ambassador, Michael J. Sullivan, it is an addition to the visitors' tour of the glass factory. The multimedia experience recreates the atmosphere of that night and the finale is the flashing crystal ball. Tours are available from 8.30 a.m. 4 p.m. every day and cost £3.50 per adult.
ANDALUCIA, in southern Spain, has so much to offer visitors. From the style of Marbella, the yachts of Porto Banus to the history of Granada, from the white villages of the Sierra de Las Nieves to the beauty of the Alhambra - one of the wonders of the world. The best way to see Andalucia is to take a tour with Viajes Culturales a Espana. The next trip will be from October 22nd29th and costs £599, including flights, accommodation on a half-board basis and sight-seeing with an English speaking guide. Details from Michael Stein Tours 014086350.
THERE was a lot of interest when the Headfort Demesne was sold and developed into private accommodation. If you did not manage to buy one of the properties, you can still enjoy them and also the two golf courses. Active Ireland is marketing a number of mews houses on the Demesne for leisure breaks. The beautifully appointed mews houses are set around two courtyards, the most striking of which is the main courtyard with its Georgian landscape designs representing the suits of cards. Headfort is about a mile from Kells and also convenient to visit the Hill of Tara, Newgrange, the newly rebuilt Trim Castle and Slane. Two-bed houses cost from £140 per weekend and from £280 per week. Three and four bed-roomed houses are also available. Tel: 014782045, www.activeireland.ie
JOE Walsh Tours have fares to Australia for £699 up to the end of October. Holidays to Bali including accommodation from £879 for 10 days and also holidays to Pattaya Beach, Thailand for the same price. Langkawi, in Malaysia for 12 nights costs from £789. All prices are in Irish pounds from Dublin. You can book through you local ITAA agent or 01-6760991.
LET'S Go, the budget travel guides, have given An Oige's hostel at Foulksrath Castle a commendation in their awards this year. The hostel was acclaimed for its quality service to customers. It is a 16th-century castle surrounded by three acres of garden and retains many of its original features. All the rooms lead off a spiral stone staircase that was fashioned for defence in the 1520s. Hostels are a terrific way to see the country on a budget, details from An Oige, 61 Mountjoy Street, Dublin 7, 01-8304555.
Joan Scales can be contacted at jscales@irish-times.ie