New Titanic hall is sure to excite

New Titanic Exhibition Hall in Belfast is a grand structure.

Nothing excites me more than events and stories surrounding the Titanic. So these days I'm very excited about the opening of a new attraction in Belfast which will bring the mighty ship back to life - in our minds, at least.

In just a few days, a new visitor's attraction called "Titanic Belfast in Northern Ireland" will open in that charming city where the "unsinkable" ship was built and from where she set sail on her ill-fated maiden voyage on which she struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic and dropped to the bottom of the ocean, where her skeleton remains still lie.

Our friends over at Tourism Ireland sent word yesterday that the finishing touches are being put on a new six-storey Titanic exhibition hall which officially opens March 31 and will feature lots of Titanic memorabilia. The unique structure of the Titanic hall - 3,000 shards make up the building’s impressive exterior while its plaza includes the world’s largest outdoor map of the northern hemisphere, tracing Titanic’s route across the Atlantic - and the fact the story of the Titanic still evokes interest these many years after she sunk, will make this Belfast attraction a must see this summer.


In Belfast you can visit the dockyard where Titanic was built.

 The Titanic hall features nine interpretive and interactive galleries that explore the sights, sounds, smells and stories of Titanic, as well as the city and people that made her. Visitors will learn about the construction of RMS Titanic and the wider story of Northern Ireland’s industrial and maritime heritage.

Over 50,000 advance tickets have been sold to the new hall, which just proves that lots of people like me remain fascinated about the great ship. People from as far away as Canada and New Zealand have booked passage to this new museum. While in Belfast, you can also visit the old Thompson dry dock where the Titanic was built and the city has plenty of other reminders of the great ship's brief but romantic history.

A 15-tonne ‘Titanic’ sign – the same weight as Titanic’s main anchor – dominates the building as visitors approach. Laser-cut and made from eight, 30mm-thick solid steel plates, the 4.5m-tall, 15m-long sign is the same length as the private promenades that were available on RMS Titanic’s most expensive accommodation, the First Class Parlour Suites.

In conjunction with the opening of the new Titanic Belfast visitor attraction, the Titanic Belfast Festival will take place from March 31 until May 2012 and will include plays, tours, exhibitions and talks all themed around the Titanic. Commemorations for the lives lost on the anniversary of the ship’s sinking will take place from April 14 to 15.

So make time this year to get to Belfast and see this permanent Titanic exhibition.

For more information, go to http://www.discoverireland.com/

Scotland offers great golf deals



If you've never palyed gold in
Scotland, then you've never played golf!

 Scotland, the home of golf, is showcasing its legendary courses with a program called "Drive it Home" that offers some fabulous stay and play deals, especially in the off season.

Example: You can play Gleneagles, site of the 2014 Ryder Cup, in March and stay one night at its cozy B&B for just $275 Cdn - that's about half off the regular price.

If you've never played golf in Scotland, then you've never played golf.

Gleneagles is one of the premier places to play the game - its three courses, Centenary, King's Course or The Queen's, are rated among the best in the world.That old Scot Jack Nicklaus designed the PGA Centenary course, where the Ryder Cup will be played.

Other examples of what's being offered by Scotland's great tourism agency, VisitScotland, in this "Drive it Home" promotion include:

Fairmont St Andrews, Fife: Situated on the Fife coastline, Fairmont St Andrews offers panoramic views across the Tay and the surrounding golf courses. The spa facilities and regular shuttle bus to the centre of town make this an ideal golf break. Two championship courses are available, the Sam Torrance designed Torrance Course and the Kittocks. During March, April, October, November and December enjoy 1 night B&B and 1 round of golf for two for $315 Cdn.

Mar Hall, Glasgow: Located just 10 minutes from Glasgow airport, Mar Hall is a five star hotel offering fine dining, spa treatments and the par 70 Earl of Mar golf course. Spectacular views over the River Clyde and a host of strategically placed bunkers make this a great course for all levels of golfer. From March until end of May stay and play Mar Hall for $190.

Macdonald Marine Hotel, Scottish Borders: The Macdonald Marine Hotel & Spa in North Berwick is renowned for its beautiful coastal location and glorious 19th century Victorian architecture. Located at the heart of East Lothian's golfing coast, the hotel features 83 rooms, superb dining and a state of the art spa. On offer for $350 is one night's B&B and 2 rounds of golf on the West Links (North Berwick) and Gullane No. 1.

Meldrum House Hotel, Aberdeenshire: Set amidst beautiful countryside only a few miles from Aberdeen, the 4 Star Meldrum House Country Hotel and Golf Course offers unrivalled quality and is one of the finest luxury hotels Scotland has to offer. Meldrum boasts a world-class golf academy and teaching centre and the course is one of only a few in Scotland measuring over 7,000 yards. Throughout the year, based on two people sharing a twin or double room, 2 nights in an Executive Room, including dinner and breakfast, a round of golf at Cruden Bay, Murcar Links and Meldrum House will cost $465 per person.

Brits ban credit card fees on travellers



  Just back from a few days R&R over Christmas and was surprised that one country - Great Britain - has given its travelling public an unexpected gift by passing a bill into law that bans fees on credit and debit card charges "made up" by tour operators and airlines.

Consumer groups were quick to claim a "victory for travellers" but the bill was squarely aimed at one particular airline - Ryanair, which has raised its credit and debit card fees 15 fold over the past seven years, according to British newspaper reports.

Example: If a bank charges a $1 credit or debit card usage fee, Ryanair charges $20!

So much for being a "low cost" airline. Of course, we all know Ryanair is just a low class airline which eliminates bathrooms to squeeze in extra passengers.

More than 50,000 supported a London Telegraph newspaper campaign which was launched in support of the bill.

British travellers are some of the most taxed in the world - the Air Passenger Duty which every British citizen must pay when departing from  the U.K., has risen 333 per cent in the past seven years.

No wonder so few Brits are travelling these days and big tour operators like Thomas Cook are facing bankruptcy.

When Air Canada and WestJet eliminated cash payments on their flights, I warned people that they could be gouged with credit card fees. So, can we expect the Canadian government to follow the British lead. Not bloody likely! This, after all, is Canada - pity!