Cliff Games
Game Of Thrones fans might have recognised the cliffs of Fair Head, known as Northern Ireland's tallest cliff face, featured in the latest season of the cult TV show. The cliffs are regarded as an outstanding rock-climbing location and are believed to be the biggest expense of climbable rock in Britain or Ireland. HBO filmed parts of season seven at Fair Head; it formed the backdrop for much of episode three, "The Queen's Justice". A new series of walking routes are part of the visitor experience at Fair Head, offering breathtaking views of Ballycastle, Murlough Bay, Rathlin Island and the Scottish Isles. For more see discovernorthernireland.com.
Air Update
Aer Lingus has announced its largest-ever winter schedule with 138,000 extra seats from the UK to Ireland being added to their roster. There will also be 350 additional transatlantic flights, a 13 per cent increase in transatlantic capacity compared to last year. From September 1st, travellers can avail of a new long-haul route to Miami, plus 12 flights per week to the West Coast – Los Angeles and San Francisco. For the full winter schedule, check out aerlingus.com.
Hot Stuff
A new museum has opened in the Vogelsberg in central Germany, examining the region's volcanic treasures. The museum in the town of Schotten, 90 minutes drive north of Frankfurt, takes visitors on a journey through the area's volcanic history with interactive stations. See vulkaneum.com.
Top of the afternoon teas
Mandarin Oriental
The Rosebery at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London has swapped champagne for beer with its new afternoon tea. Enjoy all the classics: finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam and home-made pastries paired with the finest brews from England, Belgium and the USA. From €71 per person, mandarinoriental.com/london.
The Conrad
Lemuel's at The Conrad pays tribute to its neighbours at The National Concert Hall with its Thank You For The Music afternoon tea, a musically inspired selection of treats. From €60 for two, lemuelsdublin.com.
The Dorchester
Book in now for the London hotel's Sleeping Beauty afternoon tea, launching October 23rd for one week only, with fairytale-themed treats. From €75 per adult and €43 per child, dorchestercollection.com.
Stradbally Saviour
Those planning on enjoying the full festival experience at this year's Electric Picnic would be wise to book into The Heritage Killenard and avail of its Post-Picnic Pick-Up package. Close to the festival's home in Stradbally, the hotel is offering an overnight stay, a two-hour Spa Experience in its Thermal Suite and a 30-minute ESPA spa treatment, dinner in the Arlington Restaurant and breakfast from €150 per person sharing. It's the perfect way to recover on September 4th. See theheritage.com for more.
Get Appy
Fly Europe This app calculates the cheapest airfares to and within Europe by scouring over a dozen websites. Available on iTunes and Google Play.
Deals with Joan Scales
Costa del Sol: over-50s special for eight nights in October in Torremolinos, from €599 including flights, Hotel Sol Principe, half board, water and wine with dinner. John Galligan Travel, jgt.ie, 01-2076555.
Morocco: Take a November week in the sun at Agadir, staying in the Argana Hotel from €459pps, B&B and 20kg baggage allowance, travelcheaper.ie, 01-6636536.
City deals: Autumn is the time for good value city deals. Two nights, flights and accommodation in Paris from €245pps, Budapest from €175pps, Nice from €203pps and Edinburgh from €183pps, gohop.ie, 01-2412389.
