Travel digest

A NEW TRAIN OF THOUGHT TO SEE THE USA BY RAIL

THE Travel Department is offering the opportunity to experience the best of the USA by rail in October 2011. The new 18-night ‘USA Coast to Coast by Rail’ (ex Cork or Dublin) holiday features visits to New York, Washington, Chicago, Denver, The Grand Canyon, Los Angeles and San Francisco. It’s priced at €3,249 plus taxes. www.thetraveldepartment.ie / 01-6371600.

TROPICAL THOUGHTS TURN TO MEXICO FOR AUTUMN BREAK

TROPICAL Sky is offering seven nights at the four-star Occidental Grand Xcaret Hotel in Mexico from €989 per person. Valid for selected departures in September and October, the price includes flights from Dublin (via Gatwick) with British Airways. Accommodation on an all-inclusive basis. www.tropicalsky.ie/ 01-8077996/ 068-56800)

SEE EXOTIC DESTINATIONS AT DISCOUNTED PRICES

ETIHAD’S seat sale continues, with flights from Dublin to a range of destinations at discount prices. Examples are Abu Dhabi/Dubai from €599, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Colombo from €699, the Maldives from €719 and Seychelles from €899. visit www.etihad.com, call 01-6569900 or any local travel agent.

75,000 PROPERTIES TO CHOOSE FROM AT CLICK OF BUTTON

TRAVELAGENT.IE celebrates 10 years in business and a very successful first year at new premises (5 South Mall, Cork). Now the company is to launch a subsidiary operation www.bookhotels.ie, providing online accommodation with over 75,000 properties from Killarney to Kathmandu. Although it’s a 24/7 online booking facility, the bonus comes in the form of support staff during office hours at the South Mall base.