Tech-no stay
Ballymaloe House serves as the serene setting to a Digital Detox this Sunday May 7th. Arrive at the 300-acre farm in East Cork at 2pm to a talk on the benefits of putting away those devices and some helpful tips on ditching technology at home. After that, there’s a ban on all digital devices for almost 24 hours while you enjoy off-line activities, including storytelling, mindfulness, yoga, Ener-Chi Rebalance, gong baths, nature walks, foraging, and much more. The special digital detox price includes dinner, B&B and all activities. See ballymaloe.ie for more.
Uncovering Africa
With the Ivory Coast finally opening up to travellers, Explore Beyond has launched a new trip exploring the remote villages of the west African region. Spend 13 days uncovering the masked ceremonies in the hill villages of Yakuba, meet the chiefs of the Dozo people and explore the rainforest, home to baboons and birdlife. Departing November 25th, 2017, from €3,516 per person including return flights to London, 12 nights’ accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, transport, and the services of an Explore leader, driver, and local guides. See explore.co.uk for more.
Up and Away
Etihad Airways has introduced an additional daily year-round service between Abu Dhabi and Dublin, increasing frequency on the route to 14 flights a week. Business and leisure travellers will be able to enjoy double daily connections via Abu Dhabi to several key destinations, including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Manila, and daily connections to markets such as Brisbane, Perth, Beijing, Tokyo, and Phuket; etihad.com.
G-Whizz
The InterContinental Dublin’s interpretation on the traditional Afternoon Tea is right on trend. Their G&Tea is a gin-infused menu of treats served in the Reading Room. Gin cocktails served in a glass teapot, a Tanqueray Infused Earl Grey Tea, savoury bites including Foie Gras Lollipop, Caesar’s Taco and slow-cooked pork belly finger sandwiches with fig marmalade followed by a sweet selection of Tanqueray Gin panna cotta, tonic foam and cucumber caviar, Ginger Cosmo Cone and gin-macerated Irish strawberries with vanilla Chantilly and light éclair will have afternoon tea connoisseurs wowed. From €30pp, served daily. See intercontinentaldublin.ie
Check-In: Scent-sational Stays
Barcelona: Master Perfumista, Jimmy Boyd, was chosen to capture the essence for the new Almanac hotel, Barcelona. The Jasmine hue wafts through the hotel and permeates their candles, in-room soaps and cosmetics. See almanachotels.com.
Milan: The Armani hotel experience is highly scented, with the designer’s signature fragrance permeating the luxury 5-star in Milan’s shopping district. See armanihotelmilano.com.
Paris: Stay at La Réserve in the french capital and create your own fragrance with the help of a great “nose” from the Parisian perfume industry. See lareserve-paris.com.
Get Appy
As You Stay: This new app allows guests to choose what time they check in and out of hotels. Choose from more than 50 properties in New York City, Miami, Chicago and San Francisco. See asyoustay.com.
DEALS by Joan Scales
Sorrento: the best location is the Hotel Bristol, one week, April 30th or May 7th one-week half-board return flights from Dublin, €899pps, Topflight.ie, (01) 240 1772.
May Bank Holiday: choose from Turkey, Spain, Italy, Canary Islands, Majorca, prices from €279 – €349 for a week with flights, accommodation and baggage, sunway.ie, (01)2311800.
Kenya: chill out in Mombasa at the beachfront Pinewood Resort and Spa. A week half board in June from €949pps, book by April 30th, tropicalsky.ie, (01) 664 9999.