Flights bring far east closer

MALEV, Hungarian Airlines, have introduced cheap flights from Dublin to China, with fares starting at €519 plus taxes.

Malev re-opened its link to China on August 2 with flights to Beijing via Budapest in a code-share operation with Hainan Airlines (HU).

Malev will operate via Budapest to Beijing three times per week with economy fares from Dublin to Beijing and Shanghai from just €519 and other Chinese destinations from just €619 return, including a 30kg baggage allowance for economy class passengers.

- THOSE planning a trip to Britain should take note of an announcement from Irish Ferries of a new stay-as-long-as-you-like summer fare of €258 return for a car plus two, inclusive of a Children Go Free offer.

Equating to a 40% reduction on brochure prices, the fare applies to Monday-Thursday sailings up to August 30 on Rosslare-Pembroke cruise ferry services.

The weekend rate is €20 extra with supplements for Dublin-Holyhead cruise and fast ferry services. An additional €30 return applies to each additional adult.

- MEANWHILE, the return of Stena’s Express fast ferry service, after a €10 million investment and subsequent maintenance work, on the Rosslare-Fishguard route has co-incided with the introduction of special fares deals.

To mark its return, Stena Line has announced a summer online offer which allows passengers to enjoy a five-day return on the Stena Express from €229, based on a car and two persons. Additional adults cost €15 single and just €1 each way per child. To book, click on www.stenaline.ie, call 01 204 7777 quoting V526 or visit your local travel agent.

The return of the Stena Express is also set to give Stena Line’s coach day trip product to Oakwood, Wales’s biggest theme park, a boost, with prices starting at just €45 return per adult and €38 return per child.

To book an Oakwood day trip, click on www.bookstenaline.com/oakwood or call Stena Line on 01 204 7600.

- CANVAS Holidays feature seven-day August getaways for a family of two adults and up to four children, beginning on August 28, at Raguenes, a campsite enjoying a rural location but just a 15-minute walk from the nearest beach.

The holidays are priced at €955 and include return landbridge ferry crossing from Dublin to Holyhead and Dover to Calais plus accommodation in a Maxi Tent. For those who want accommodation only, the price is €509.

Details from 1890 923 045 or www.canvasholidays.ie.

- SKYTOURS (01-6704440) offer special deals on four different dates (August 26, September 2, 9 and 16) to Orlando.

The packages, based on two, three or four sharing, are priced at €689 with tax (€98) and insurance (€65) extra per head.