This week we are visiting our friends in the UK. The Big News is that there is no Big News! Brexit means very little change for the Irish traveller. I was chatting to Pat Dawson from the ITAA and he assures me that it means very little for the Irish passenger and for the next 11 months there will be no significant changes happening while transferring through UK airports. The big changes will be for UK passengers most likely. But for this year there’s no need to be concerned about delays.
Our friends in the north have some wonderful hotels and if you haven’t been up yet then there are some great deals with Hastings Hotels who have a broad selection of properties scattered across Northern Ireland, There’s so much to do when you get there too and if you haven’t been up to the Titanic Museum make this the year.
I stayed recently in the fabulous Grand Central which is perfectly located to walk to all the attractions in Belfast.
I’ve got some special prices for stays in a few of Hastings Hotels….
GRAND CENTRAL HOTEL BELFAST
DINE AND DREAM – From £120pps
Treat yourself to a luxurious overnight stay in one of the hotel’s stunning bedrooms with views right across Belfast and enjoy a sumptuous 2-course dinner in the Seahorse Restaurant with full Irish Breakfast the following morning.
The Grand Central Hotel boasts 300 luxurious bedrooms and suites with a range of fabulous dining options including the Grand Café which is perfect for casual meetings to catch-ups over coffee and long, lazy lunches and the Seahorse Bar & Restaurant offering sumptuous Afternoon Tea and an exquisite evening menu. The Observatory on the hotel’s 23rd floor, is the tallest and most luxurious cocktail lounge in Ireland. Guests can sit back, relax and sip on the finest cocktail and drinks selection and enjoy the breathtaking views of Belfast and beyond.
CULLODEN ESTATE & SPA, BELFAST
LUXURY ON THE LOUGH – From £100pps
Enjoy a luxurious overnight break in Northern Ireland’s premier 5-star hotel and receive complimentary credits worth up to £60. As well as overnight accommodation and Full Irish Breakfast, this fabulous package includes:
£10 credit per adult towards a 2-course lunch in the Cultra Inn
£10 credit per adult towards a 3-course dinner in Vespers Restaurant
£10 credit per adult towards a 50-minute spa treatment in The Spa at Culloden
This magnificent hotel is just six miles from Belfast and the perfect location for guests to completely unwind and relax with roaring log fires and views over Belfast Lough and across County Antrim. The Culloden Estate has 98 stunning bedrooms and suites, luxurious spa and a range of dining options including Vespers Restaurant serving modern cuisine using only the finest and freshest local ingredients; The Lough Bar offering light snacks and the hotel’s famous decadent Afternoon Tea and the Cultra Inn, a cosy bar and bistro which nestles within the Estate and is perfect for a tasty lunch, evening meal or pint by the fireside.
EVERGLADES HOTEL, DERRY
BE A DERRY GIRL – From£80pps.
To celebrate the roaring success of Derry Girls, the Everglades Hotel is giving guests the chance to ‘Be A Derry Girl’ and enjoy luxurious overnight accommodation with breakfast and themed Derry Girls Afternoon Tea with sandwiches, freshly baked scones & breads and pastry assortment but with a Derry Girls twist – sausage roll baps, fresh cream horns, cone of chips and cocktail. You’ll also get your very own Michelle, the Derry Girls duck to take home with you.
The there is a DERRY GIRLS TOUR PACKAGE available on selected dates including Saturday 18th April, Saturday 23rd May and Saturday 27th June. Priced from £95pps includes above package and guided Derry Girls Walking Tour.
Get your photo taken at Free Derry Corner and Dennis’ wee shop whilst hearing about life in the Bogside during the troubles from an expert local guide. See the Guildhall, where President Clinton was welcomed to in the early 90s as portrayed in season two and walls. You’ll also have the chance to take a selfie at the famous Derry Girls Mural.
For further information or to book any of these fabulous offers go to www.hastingshotels.com or call 048 9047 1066
Northern England Newcastle
Often ignored or considered a city for stags and hen parties, I found that Newcastle is a bubbly city with lots of surprises including art and culture. It’s home to the Angel of the North and the Baltic Museum of Contemporary art which is right in the centre of the city. For all you need to know check out the website https://www.newcastlegateshead.com/ It’s easy to get to with daily flights from Stobart Air only €29.99 each way.
It’s also now a hub for the arts and The Baltic Museum is a wonderful place to observe the city at its best! I popped by the animalesque exhibition and learned about the language of chimpanzees called yerkish which was devised by an american primatologist. The exhibition is open until April 19th 2020 and Entry is free.
Eating is cheap and there are plenty of fabulous bars and restaurants in this bustling city!
I paid a visit to Beamish the living Museum of the North which is about 25 minutes from the city centre and will fill an entire day with amazing historical villages from Georgian Times, through the 18th century and even features an Edwardian Village that was a location in Downtown Abbey. It’s incredible value at £19.50 for adults and £11.50 for under 16s. The ticket lasts a year.
When I was there I stayed at the lovely Copthorne Hotel which is on the quayside of the city centre and a great base with views of the Tyne Bridge! The staff were friendly and warm and all locals who love their city which is so refreshing when you are seeking to experience the soul of a place.
Lead-in rates start from £70.00 room only with breakfast vouchers available at £8.99 per person and dinner vouchers available at £15.00 per person.
Plan a Trip to London
There’s always so much to do in London but the big news for this year in the theatre scene is the opening of Pretty Woman – Keith Prowse has a selection of lovely packages to enjoy the best of London.
Pretty Woman The Musical – Opens in London’s West End
Keith Prowse Opening Special – from €399pps
- 2-nights in the new 5* Tower Suites with breakfast
- Ticket to Pretty Woman the Musical in Picadilly Theatre
One of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time, PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL is now coming to the West End’s Picadilly Theartre. PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL features direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Hairspray), an original score by Grammy® winner Bryan Adams and his longtime songwriting partner Jim Vallance (Summer of ’69, Heaven) and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J.F. Lawton. At the Piccadilly Theatre from 13 February 2020 to 2 January 2021, book your PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL hotel & ticket package today!
Tower Suites
Commanding sweeping views over the River Thames and the Tower of London, Tower Suites offers a diverse range of accommodation, hospitality and events services. Located in the heart of the City’s famous business district and with easy access to Canary Wharf, the Square Mile, financial heartland and London’s most vibrant tourist attractions, Tower Suites is a perfect base for a productive stay in the capital. Beautifully appointed suites provide all the amenities sought by today’s most discerning international travellers. Each of the 273 individual suites feature wireless and fixed high-speed internet and state-of-the-art LED flat-screen smart TVs. Guests can enjoy independent living inside elegant suites with fully equipped kitchens and lounges whilst having access to the myriad facilities & services of a five-star hotel. Recognising the burgeoning trend for independent living and personal space, Tower Suites is perfect for any length of stay or purpose whether for business or leisure.
https://www.keithprowseattractions.com/en/index.htm
Call Us Today + 353 1 878 3500
Mamma Mia – London Theatre Break
- 2-nights in the 3* St.Giles Hotel with breakfast
- Stalls seat to Mamma Mia in the Novello Theatre
Travel Monday –Thursday on a midweek Special – from €235pps
Weekend packages (show ticket Friday or Sat night_ – from €289pps
Join the fun at MAMMA MIA!, the world’s sunniest, most exhilarating smash-hit musical! Since premiering in London’s West End over 20 years ago, ‘the ultimate feel-good show’ (Classic FM) has thrilled over 65 million people around the world. Fall in love with the irresistibly funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads on a Greek island idyll, all unfolding to the magic of ABBA‘s timeless songs. The worldwide phenomenon has now been turned into two record-breaking movies – MAMMA MIA! The Movie and MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again. Whatever age you are, you can’t help but have the time of your life at MAMMA MIA!
St.Giles London, Oxford Street
The St.Giles enjoys a prime setting at the heart of the West End in London. The hotel provides the ideal setting for travellers who are eager to explore the exciting sights and sounds this charming city has to offer. Guests will find themselves within easy access of the renowned shopping area of Oxford Street, as well as a selection of traditional and international restaurants. The hotel is well connected to other areas of the city due to its close proximity to Tottenham Court Road underground station. The hotel enjoys an attractive architectural style, welcoming guests with warm hospitality and excellent service. The guest rooms are tastefully decorated, offering comfort and convenience for guests pleasure. The rooms offer the perfect sanctuary in which to escape the bustle of the city. The hotel offers one of the largest leisure centres in London with excellent facilities.
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Anyone for tennis?
This is the time of year to think about taking a trip to that most English of Events Wimbeldon
Wimbledon The Championships 2020. Keith Prowse Ireland are an authorised overseas re-reseller of the Official Exclusive Hospitality Provider to the Championships, Wimbledon.
We are also actively selling Wimbledon at the moment and I have attached the official hotel and ticket packages for you. Prices start at €1517 and go up to €6335 for the Mens Finals.
Our Wimbledon Official Hospitality and Ticket Packages include:
- Return flight from Belfast, Cork, Dublin or Shannon to London
- One night in the 4* Wellington Hotel or 4* Rochester with breakfast
- London Underground Travelcard for the day you attend Wimbledon
- Shuttle Bus transfers from Southfields Underground Station to your Hospitality Area
- An Official Reserved Seat at the Championships, Wimbledon on Centre Court or Court No.1
- Full hospitality in The Lawn or The Rosewater Pavilion Hospitality Area
- Guide Book to The Championships, Wimbledon
Wimbledon Official Hospitality and Ticket Packages in The Lawn include:
- All Day access to The Lawn
- Official reserved ticket for Centre Court or Court No.1
- English garden with giant outdoor screen
- Whisky & Cigar bar
- Live music throughout the day
- Situated opposite Gate 5 with shuttle bus to the gate of less than one minute
- Exceptional customer service from experienced event staff
Food and Drink:
- Three-course a la carte menu designed by Albert Roux OBE, Michael Roux Jnr & Emily Roux
- Traditional Wimbledon afternoon tea including selection of cakes, scones and pastries
- Strawberries and cream
- Seafood counter
- Patisserie counter
- A choice of specially selected wines
- Complimentary bar including premium spirits
- Chilled Champagne throughout the day
- Bespoke cocktails designed and served by mixologists
- Also available from Keith Prowse Travel https://www.keithprowseattractions.com/en/client/site/m23561-the-championships-wimbledon.htm___
For those that love the garden what about a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show?
Chelsea Flower Show 2020 – 21 – 24 May
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in London and have the day at leisure for independent sightseeing
Day 2
Attend the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. With a huge range of designs, plants and plots, there are ideas here for every taste and growing space, whether you have a small yard or a wild flower meadow. There are plenty of refreshments on hand too, everything from cafés, farmers’ market stalls, wood-fired pizza and seafood restaurants to a real ale bar and champagne lounge. Or you might want to picnic and relax to the sound of live music at the Gardens bandstand. By the end of the day, you’ll have so many creative ideas you will be raring to get home and dig up your window boxes!
Day 3
Day at leisure for independent sightseeing before heading to the airport for return flight
Price Per Person – from €519
Includes:
Return flight to London Gatwick, including taxes and charges
Two nights in the 4* Rochester Hotel (Thursday & Friday or Friday and Saturday stay)
Breakfast daily
Full Day ticket to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the Friday or Saturday
https://www.keithprowseattractions.com/en/client/site/m25752-rhs-chelsea-flower-show.htm
