Accessible sun flights

ONE of Ireland’s leading tour operators, Slatterys Sun, is to operate to three sun destinations from Galway and Waterford airports.

The company is offering twice-weekly services to Malaga, Faro and Bordeaux from both regional airports.

David Slattery, CEO, said the decision was taken to make travel to popular sun destinations as accessible as possible.

The flights commence on June 22 and run initially until the end of September. Flights to Malaga depart Tuesdays and Saturdays; Faro flights depart on Wednesdays and Sundays, and for a flavour of France, Bordeaux will operate on Fridays and Mondays.

For reservations visit www.slatterys.com or locall 1890 200 425 or contact any local travel agent.

ANYONE interested in travelling to Cyprus will be interested to know that Budget Travel has launched a mid-week flight in addition to its usual weekend departure. The flight will operate from Dublin to Larnaca in Cyprus from Tuesday, June 26, until August 26.

Flights and self-catering accommodation for two people for two weeks start at €484.

Details through www.budgettravel.ie or any Budget Travel Shop nationwide.

AT Torre del Lago, near Pisa, home place of Puccini, a very special Opera Festival takes place every summer to celebrate the great composer’s work.

Abbey Travel has just launched its package for Tuscany and the Puccini Opera Festival 2007. This self-drive holiday includes direct flights Dublin-Pisa, seven nights in a three-star superior hotel in the spa town of Montecatini Terme, car hire, and tickets for two operas. This year’s programme includes performances of Madame Butterfly, Tosca, La Boheme and La Rondine. The price per person sharing is €885 plus tax, and there are departures on July 21 and 28, August 4 and 11 (ex Dublin).

The holiday can be extended to include other destinations within Tuscany, from an extensive selection of hotels, villas, residences and ‘agriturismi’ available to view on www.abbeytravel.ie.

For details, call Abbey Travel on 01 804 7100 or [e-mail]

ONE can only be astonished by the ways and means the “Low Cost Airlines” will come up with plans to grab an extra few bob from their passengers. If it’s not baggage charges it’s some form of levy.

Aer Lingus have just come out with something new again with a charge for allowing online passengers select their seats. It will suit some, but not necessarily all. Aer Lingus call the new charge “enhancements.”

From the end of May customers may choose to pre-book seating in the first five seat rows at a charge of €10, an exit row seat at a charge of €15 and all remaining at a charge of €3. It’ll cost nothing just to queue up and take your chances!