Modern fleet is going east

DUBLIN-based tour operator United Travel will start a weekly programme from Dublin to Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates on July 13.

United will use the national airline of Ras Al Khaimah, a modern fleet of Boeing 757s. Flights will leave Dublin at 11am, and will arrive back in Dublin at 7pm. Full in-flight services are included in the price.

Seat-only prices are from €399 plus taxes. Five-star hotel accommodation from €699 plus taxes for six nights B&B, or from €999 plus taxes for 13 nights. Free domestic connecting flights to Dublin are available for bookings up to June 30.

Ras Al Khaimah is a 45-minute drive from Dubai city. It borders the Persian Gulf on one side and the State of Oman on the other.

Dubai, which has become one of the most popular year-round leisure destinations, is also featured in United Travel’s United Arab Emirates programme. Included are three Dubai city hotels, and two beach properties. Prices are from €799, plus taxes, for one-week stays including B&B.

Contact any local ITAA travel agent, United Travel on 01-2190600 or see www.unitedtravel.ie.

FOR those staying in Ireland this year, deals are available from just over €300 for a week’s family holiday with Trident Holiday Homes.

The company has properties countrywide, all of which have a minimum three-star rating by Fáilte Ireland.

See www.tridentholidayhomes.ie or tel [phone].

EAST Cork Tourism has launched a revised comprehensive website at www.eastcorktourism.com.

The original site had 50 pages. This has been enhanced and expanded up to 3,000 pages.

There are 5,000 live links and 1,500 pictures have been uploaded on to the site, resulting in a staggering 6,271 images. The new site is geared to creating superior marketing opportunities for the area.

THOUSANDS of students have their thoughts on exams, after which many will take off in search of adventure and the invaluable education travel brings. What they may not realise is that now is also the time to plan a vaccination schedule.

Before students get caught up in the thick of exams, they should think about protecting themselves from the horrors of diseases that can strike at any time in those far-away places.

The Tropical Medical Bureau (www.tmb.ie) provides all the necessary health care services for would-be travellers and offers country by country vaccination requirements as well as health advice and safety guidelines.

Remember, allow for up to eight weeks prior to departure to have a full vaccination programme. Expect to pay up to €500 for a range of inoculations covering a number of destinations, and much less for certain countries.