Travel

Check-in: The latest deals and breaks in Ireland and abroad

Party like a native at new year’s festivities in Rio de Janeiro, Sydney or Edinburgh

Fireworks explode over Copacabana beach during New Year celebrations in Rio de Janeiro. Photograph: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters

Jo Linehan
Sat Dec 24 2016 - 03:00

News

Hogmanay Hootenanny

The Waldorf Astoria, in the heart of Edinburgh, offers guests a New Year’s Eve with a twist. Embrace the festival of Hogmanay, which celebrates the last day of the year, with a traditional Hogmanay feast and all of the Scottish traditions. There will be pipers, food and festivities on the night. With the city’s Christmas markets on your doorstep, a stay at there is the perfect seasonal celebration away from home. B&B plus entry to the ball starts from €626, see waldorfastoriaedinburgh.com.

Treat yourself to a new you for the new year with a pampering break at Monart Resort in Wexford.

Have a hoot at Hogmanay at the Waldorf Astoria in Edinburgh.

Lighting The Way

Aer Lingus has launched an online visual guide to help people with autism to prepare for air travel. The airline, in partnership with the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support at Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, has created a guide that explains the entire air travel experience in colour photographs with first-person language. This new service is hoped to give those with autism, as well as their parents and caregivers, a more enjoyable experience of air travel. See aerlingus.com for more.

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Festive Nitelink

Dublin’s Nitelink service is in full swing from now until December 31st. Get to and from the city centre after hours from €6.50 and €5.20 using a Leap card. City centre pick-up points include Westmoreland Street and D’Olier Street, but for a full list of drop-off points see dublinbus.ie.

New Year’s Festivities

Rio De Janeiro

One of the biggest outdoor New Year celebrations in the world takes place on Copacabana Beach where more than 2.5 million people gather each year to celebrate. Dress in your best white outfit and let Rio show you how to party like a professional. See rio.com.

Dublin

The annual NYF Dublin festival takes place from December 30th to Jan 1st, with music, light shows, performances and family-friendly workshops popping up city-wide. See nyfdublin.com for more.

Sydney

Ringing in the New Year Down Under sounds like a lot of fun. Parties, musical performances, fireworks and a surprise or two on the night make for the perfect beginning to 2017; sydneynewyearseve.com.

Get Appy

Biz Airlines

This flight booking app is tailored to help business travellers fly as cost-effectively and efficiently as possible. Specify your needs from airport on-time efficiency to wifi access in the air. Available on Android and iOS. twitter.com/bizairlines.

Merry Monart

Treat yourself to a new you for the new year, with a two-night pampering break at Monart resort in Wexford. Enjoy a gala dinner of gourmet cuisine and fine wine on New Year’s Eve, followed by entertainment, Champagne, and fireworks over the Monart Gardens at midnight. Relax in the spa and thermal suite the following day, and start 2017 renewed. The two-night break includes accommodation, breakfast each morning, New Year gala dinner and entertainment from €495 per person sharing. See monart.ie for more.

DEALS

Exotic: in June three nights Dubai and a week in Phuket from €1,399pps, Travelmood.ie, flights and accommodation, (01) 9609696.

Foodie weekends: Strand Hotel, Limerick, February 3rd-4th and Mulranny House, Westport, February 10th-11th from €169pps, showcase by local producers, and tasting menus (061) 421 800 and strandhotellimerick.ie.

Montenegro Riviera: all-inclusive seven days exploring the stunning coastal scenery, €889pps, May, traveldepartment.ie, (01) 637 1650.