be the one that got away winter markets: vienna, berlin, copenhagen shopping breaks: london, new york, dubai weekend escapes: paris, barcelona, rome BOOKEARLY PAYLESS! BOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLYBOOKEARLY Budget Travel is a fully bonded and licensed tour operator TO: 010Budget Travel is a fully bonded and licensed tour operator TO: 010Budget Travel is a fully bonded and licensed tour operator TO: 010 ON SALE NOW SUMMERPREVIEW ON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALEON SALE NOWNOWNOWNOWNOWNOWNOWNOWNOWNOWNOW SUMMERPREVIEWSUMMERPREVIEWSUMMERPREVIEWSUMMERPREVIEWSUMMERPREVIEWSUMMERPREVIEWSUMMERPREVIEWSUMMERPREVIEWSUMMERPREVIEWSUMMERPREVIEWSUMMERPREVIEWSUMMERPREVIEWSUMMERPREVIEWSUMMERPREVIEW 2010 www.BudgetTravel.ie 01 631 1076ITS CHEAPER TO BOOK ONLINE! 1k get away for RTs Kathryn McKiernan tells us why she would go to the Queen Of The Adriatic if she had a grand to spare This week: Venice Where would you go? Venice. You are transported into another world a land of mystery and romance. Sounds like a movie trailer voice over doesnt it? Why would you go there? Its a beautiful, relaxed city to escape to. There are no cars, so its a noise-free, peaceful place. You can walk everywhere. The food is yummy. Theres a little bit of magic to be found around every corner. Whats there to do/see? St Marks Basilica in San Marco Square is a must though brace yourself for the long queues. There are so many famous landmarks steeped in history including the basilicas complex heritage and the adjoining prisons of the Doges Palace. Leaving the crowds behind, youll enter a maze of narrow passageways, alleys, canals and delicate bridges. You can also take a cruise along the Grand Canal and learn the history of the palaces and churches. And last but not least, take a gondola trip. Is it a tourist trap? Yes but you get over it! Who would the holiday suit? Its romantic, so couples. Or a relaxing girls weekend. How to get there? Fly direct to Marco Polo International Airport. A 20-minute bus trip will take you to Piazzale Roma. Or you can go by water you immediately feel like youre in Venice. For 6 you get from the airport to the centre. What do you get for a grand? Flights will cost between 130 and 160. A double room in a three-star hotel close to the centre can start from 95, including breakfast. Look for good deals in small hotels as some of the bigger hotels in the centre can charge crazy prices. Theres no harm in booking somewhere a little further out as everywhere is in walking distance or a short boat trip away. What made your visit memorable? I went with my Mam just before Christmas and it was really lovely. Watch out for the incredible glass displays in shop windows some of the pieces are so intricate. Venice Carnival happens in February every year and is supposed to be spectacular. Its basically a masked parade through the streets. Anything else to add? Pack your walking shoes and coat. Make time for coffee (and cake) and some people-watching in St Marks Square. Next time I visit, I would love to see an opera. How very cultural of me! Watch Kathryn McKiernan on Kazoo weekdays at 3.15pm on RT Two or catch her live in Christmas musical Robin Hood at the Olympia Theatre from December 29. Tuesday, November 10, 2009 metrolifeextra 19 Courses metro lifeextra To advertise call 01 637 5979 index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html