Top holiday magazine

HOLIDAY 2005 magazine, an annual guide to the world of holidays and travel from Ireland and within, is on sale in newsagents from this week.

Featuring articles from top writers and show business personalities, it highlights new cheaper destinations in eastern Europe such as Bulgaria and Romania but also deals with city breaks, short, medium and long haul destinations.

Readers have an opportunity to win a holiday in exotic Borneo, combining a stay in a deluxe beach resort with a jungle expedition. The 160-page full-colour publication is on sale at €1.95.

IRISH visitors to Germany can now enjoy some of the country's finest and hitherto private collections of trees, flowers and plants in an array of exotically-designed gardens.

From magnificent rhododendron parks near Nuremberg to beautiful collections of roses close to Passau and Lake Constance and a palm tree paradise on the outskirts of Stuttgart, an increasing number of privately owned parks and gardens are now open to visitors.

The idea is not new indeed, as early as 1927 cash-strapped aristocrats in Britain began opening their estates to members of the public to help cover costs but it is really catching on in Germany.

Over the last few years, the programme Open Garden Gate in Germany has grown to include more than 300 private parks and gardens, with many more expected to join during the course of this year.

Most of the participating gardens are open to visitors all year round, while some are only accessible on specific dates.

For a selection of some of the private treasures on offer, visit www.germany-tourism.ie/pages/parks-and-gardens.html.

HERITAGE Island, Ireland's visitor attraction marketing group, recently launched its newly designed Essential Touring Guide for the 2005 season.

The guide provides concise information on over 80 visitor attractions and heritage towns throughout Ireland, including centre description, web and email address as well as opening hours.

Highlighting the success of the Touring Guide in adding value to tourists visiting Ireland, Mr Steven Roberts, marketing manager of Heritage Island, said: "Over the past 13 years, the Heritage Island Touring Guide has been an invaluable aid to the individual visitor touring the island of Ireland."

For 2005 the range of discounts available has been extended to include 21 performing arts venues around the country including the Abbey Theatre, Gate Theatre and Cork Opera House.

Heritage Island provides a free one-stop marketing service to the travel trade. This includes regular updates via an online newsletter; CD library of images for use in brochures and websites.

For further information and prices, visit the website at www.heritageisland.com