From flying to Norway to insurance for the over 70s and a large group holiday,
JOAN SCALESanswers your travel questions
The best way to Norway?
I want to go to Norway, specifically to the Trondheim Fjord in central west Norway next February for a month. There’s a project there on the island of Tautra that I would like to volunteer in, so I’m not open to changing the venue. Can you tell me the easiest and cheapest way to go there, please? My nearest airport is Waterford or Cork but Dublin isn’t a problem.
EE, Waterford
Getting to Trondheim is not too difficult from Ireland with two carriers on the Dublin to Norway route. Scandinavian Airlines has connections via Oslo to Trondheim on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday with prices in February from €220. See flysas.ie.
Norwegian Airlines also fly from Dublin to Oslo on Tuesdays and Thursdays with connections to Trondheim. Prices are from €174 in February (norwegian.com). The journey takes around five hours.
Travel health insurance for over 70s
Is it possible for two old boys (I’m 73, my brother is 70) with medical conditions to obtain health insurance for an extended stay abroad (three weeks in Australia then for the winter in Thailand.) I tried Backpacker Insurance but they don’t do “backbenders”.
CD, Donegal
Cleartotravel.com deals with the type of travel insurance you are looking for. I cannot give you an indication of the cost, as that will depend on a number of factors. But it does cover seniors travelling worldwide for up to 94 days with pre-existing medical conditions. Tel: 0818-286520 or cleartotravel.com.
Gathering the family in the south or west
My parents celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary next July and we plan to holiday together as a family to mark the occasion. We are a party of 30, ranging in age from three to 75 years. We are looking for good quality self-catering accommodation, ideally with access to hotel facilities. There are requests for water sports, good restaurants and nice scenery. Any suitable locations in the south or west of Ireland?
SS, Meath
For a group that size holidaying together, it is important to plan early. I don’t expect flight prices to be lower next year, so early bookings will keep the price down for the overseas visitors. Also July and August turned out to be surprisingly busy in the south and west this summer.
Taking a tour from Cork around the country up to Mayo, and with a variety of price bands, my first idea is the Castlemartyr Resort near Middleton. It has lovely houses in the grounds, golf, horse-riding, spa, pool, etc on site. It’s also near the beaches at Garryvoe and Ballycotton (castlemartyresort.ie).
The blue flag beach at Inchydoney Island is beautiful and you have the advantage of modern apartments next door to the Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa. There is a surf school here too and you are also close to Clonakilty for sessions in De Barra’s and great restaurants. See inchydoneyisland.com
The Maritime Hotel in Bantry is in the town and has nice two-bedroom self-catering apartments. The hotel has a leisure centre, and nice restaurant. All the water sports of west Cork are on your doorstep. See themaritime.ie.
In Kerry, there are so many great places it is hard to stick to a few. Really upscale is the Sheen Falls Lodge where there are gorgeous houses in the grounds, sheenfallslodge.ie, and the Parknasilla Hotel and Resort is perfect for children and adults alike, with lovely houses, great beaches and good restaurants nearby. See parknasillahotel.ie.
I can also direct you to a group of houses just on the outskirts of Kenmare – there are seven houses on a private site overlooking Kenmare Bay perfect for a group your size. Kenmare also has a great selection of restaurants and hotels. See them on kenmareholiday.com.
In Limerick, Adare Manor has recently-built lodges in the grounds and provides plenty of activities for everyone, adare.com. In Clare, the lodges and suites at Doonbeg Golf Club are luxurious and near the fun of Lahinch and Kilkee for water sports, the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, doonbeggolfclub.com.
My choice for a family in Galway would be the 16th century Ross Castle and estate. On the banks of Ross Lake less than 30 minutes from Galway city, it comprises the castle and a number of cottages and suites. The dining room can seat 30 for dinner. It also has an indoor swimming pool. Clifden is about 7km away. See rosscastlegalway.com.
In Mayo, the Park Inn at Mulranny is always a hit with families. The self-catering accommodation is a good standard and the hotel provides all the extras, like restaurant, bar, entertainment, leisure centre, and in the summer, children’s club. It is also a good place for beaches and water sports and long walks along the coast (mulrannyparkhotel.ie).
Have a look also at Natural Retreats, as it has houses in some of the resorts I have mentioned, with concierges who can arrange any activities and outings you had in mind, naturalretreats.ie.
Travelling to Oxford in a wheelchair
I intend travelling to Oxford in early October with a family member who will be using a wheelchair. I understand that there are no direct flights from Shannon to Oxford and that we will have to travel to London. Can you confirm if this is the case and, if so, what’s the best way of journeying from London to Oxford for a wheelchair user?
TS, Limerick
Heathrow is the most convenient airport for travel to Oxford and Aer Lingus has three flights a day from Shannon. There is a regular wheelchair accessible coach service from Heathrow to Oxford, you can check the timetable on oxfordbus.co.uk. The fare is £22 (€26) return.
- GO ASK JOAN:Please send your questions with name and address to jscales@irishtimes.com