Good and bad news

CORK Airport’s new terminal building is up and running, and it is a delightful example of modern architecture.

Pity, though, that the financial battle with the Dublin Airport Authority continues after a series of broken promises from the Government!. Pity, too, that some of the commercial units have decided to make a real killing on costs.

In the Red Bar, on the upper floor, you pay €4.10 for a pint of Beamish (it’s more for Guinness), and the astronomical €4.80 for a shot of either Paddy or Power whiskey.

Downtown prices in some of the best bars in Cork are at least 25-45% less.

Irish travellers certainly won’t be impressed with those prices.

Yet, the homegrown lot will be pleased by a new development by flygibraltar, which promises a new weekly route from Cork to Gibraltar, starting in March 2007. This is good news for those with property in the region as well, of course, for those just seeking short breaks.

The trick will be to get there without having to spend the budget before they get out of the country, taking into account bar and food prices, allied to the tricks “low-cost” airlines like Aer Lingus and Ryanair have adapted to get the last cent from their customers.

*MEANWHILE, if you’re looking for something different in the Spanish arena, take a look at www.loslentos,com.

It’s a new website which highlights the Lecrin valley in Andalucia and, of course, to push for customers at Los Lentos, a restored mill which is centred around agri-tourism.

Vogue Spain has described the property as one of the top 10 rural inns in Spain. It won’t appeal to everyone, but it surely will suit some, particularly those who would like to take over the entire property for a specific period of time and treat the family to a very special event.

Los Lentos is a 30-minute drive from Granada.

*THOUSANDS of Irish people have properties abroad, particularly in Spain and France. Some places, notably Spain, have even become a home from home for the Irish.

Imagine, the new Dubai Airport has six runways and will be the world’s largest passenger and cargo hub capable of handling 120 million passengers a year.

Now, the rich and famous are investing in Dubai in purpose-built developments, surrounded by an airport city development that embraces an 140 square kilometre city.

And there’s no doubt the money is definitely there in Dubai to create this amazing infrastructure.

For many, this ongoing development will take the breath away.