Must see, Must do

Make Your Weekend Truly Free at The National Trust

Thursday, 18 March 2010 22:24

The National Trust is running a free weekend on 20th- 21st March 2010 to encourage us all to breathe in some springtime fresh air, get out and about and investigate and explore the Trust's stunning properties.

Within Northern Ireland there are Trust properties on your door step or even further a field but no more than a drive down the motorway before you're met with breathtaking views and gorgeous gardens. With over 120 miles of coastline and 40 square miles of scenic countryside from Ardress House to Castle Ward, Mount Stewart (pictured left) to Wellbrook Beetling Mill you're spoilt for choice with what's on offer.

If you're after a heart-stopping adventure then make the trip to Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge on the North Coast. It's sure to get the heart rate going as you traverse the exhilarating coastal path bridge before crossing to the rocky island. Awe-inspiring views to Rathlin Island and bird-watching opportunities await your safe arrival across the swinging bridge to Carrick Island. Or why not pack up the kids and the dog and drive to Springhill. The children can explore the new activity trails while parents relax in the herb garden, with camomile lawn, before a picnic in the garden.

For something of a tranquil nature make a visit to Florence Court and preamble around the grand gardens and 18th Century house before enjoying a delectable delight in the Stables Restaurant.

All you have to do to take advantage of this generous offer is visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bonus and download a voucher. Visitors will also benefit from free parking so don't forget to display your Bonus Time voucher in your vehicle. Don't worry if you forget your voucher, you'll still get in free!

Win £300 Aer Lingus New Gift Vouchers!

Thursday, 03 December 2009 15:57

Aer Lingus have just launched a perfect gift idea just in time for Christmas - Aer Lingus gift vouchers and are now available to buy online!

It's a great gift for family and friends who have everything! The vouchers can be purchased online in Euro, Sterling or Dollars and can be redeemed on aerlingus.com

Whether you want to arrange a trip to visit a loved one, fly someone home for Christmas, or help towards a dream holiday or honeymoon - Aer Lingus gift vouchers make the ideal purchase.

Vouchers are available in the following denominations 25, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450 and 500.

For full list of Aer Lingus Gift Voucher terms & conditions, visit www.aerlingus.com . Gift vouchers are available to buy online.

Aer Lingus have teamed up with Sugahfix.com to give one lucky ready the chance to win an Aer Lingus voucher worth £300!

Every new subscriber who signs up for our weekly e-zine updates in December will automatically be entered into the draw.

Current subscribers can also get their name in the hat by recommending a friend. When that friend signs up - they simply add their pals name in the ‘where did you hear about us?' box and it's win win!

Subscriber benefits:

You will receive your weekly life & style update 'Hey Sugah!' directly into your inbox with details of all the new content on the site.

You will receive details of exclusive VIP events.

You can post on the forums, enter competitions and prize draws, access exclusive offers and hidden content - which can only be viewed when you log in.

Click here to subscribe. It's free!

Ts&Cs voucher to the value of £300 to be used on any Aer Lingus service from Belfast. Flights are subject to availability and exclude travel at bank-holidays. There is no cash alternative. The draw will take place on 5th Jan and the winner will be notified by email.

The Westin Hotel, Dublin.

Sunday, 22 November 2009 16:24

By Helen Carson.

You'll be quids in at the five-star Westin Hotel in Dublin this Christmas. The historic former bank building is offering luxury breaks for budget-conscious shoppers keen to bag a bargain in the run up to the festive season.

The historic 19th century facade of the Westin Hotel in the heart of Dublin reflects a bygone era of elegance, but recessionistas have discovered this is the perfect spot for Christmas shopping... and it won't put you into the red.

The five-star hotel, which is opposite Trinity College, has one of Dublin's most enviable addresses just minutes walk from Henry Street and the shopping mecca that is Grafton Street.

And Christmas has come early for those in need of some retail therapy, and perhaps a spot of pampering too. Now the Westin is offering pre or post-Christmas shopping breaks priced from 220 euros per room per night (single person supplement). And the good news for those who may dread the seasonal drudge of shopping is there are a few extras here to make your stay really enjoyable.

Find your journey this Autumn... in Northern Ireland.

Wednesday, 21 October 2009 12:56

Soak up the zest and charm that makes Northern Ireland so unique. With stunning coastal drives, cool attractions and even cooler shopping, it's the perfect place to get away from it all this autumn.

Belfast is home to every shop imaginable - including the biggest House of Fraser in the UK and a magical Christmas Market in December. Treat the kids to a trip to W5 - an incredible interactive science discovery centre. See 140 different species at Belfast Zoo.

Want to feel the crisp autumn wind in your hair? Then look no further than the Giant's Causeway, the Glens of Antrim and the Causeway Coastal Route. Drop by the Old Bushmill's Distillery for a taste of the famous tipple before boarding the miniature railway at Carnfunnock Country Park. Or see medieval Dunluce Castle clinging precariously to the cliff edge.

Go golfing and fishing at Loughall Country Park. Learn about the local wildlife at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre and Oxford Island Nature Reserve or follow the story of Ireland's patron saint at Saint Patrick's Trian Centre.

Enjoy a boat trip, water sports or step into the hidden underworld of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark. Tour Belleek Pottery or head for the historic Enniskillen Castle Museums and Devenish Island Monastic site.

County Tyrone is full of natural wonder. Visit the An Creaghan Visitor Centre at the foot of the Sperrin Mountains which is home to a number of local archaeological sites. Of course Tyrone is also home to the world famous Tyrone Crystal. And no trip is complete without a visit to the Ulster American Folk Park.

The capital of culture in Northern Ireland has to be Londonderry. Take a trip to the Tower Museum to catch up on the city's history before visiting Roe Valley Country Parkwhere you can go fishing, canoeing or rock climbing. And of course, Derry has restaurants, nightlife and entertainment galore.

Wherever you rest you head in Northern Ireland, you can be sure of an excellent range of accommodation. From quaint guesthouses to luxury boutique hotels, you'll be glad to spend a night or two, or three or four...

Click here to Find your Journey

www.discovernorthernireland.com

Win! 4 nights in Munich with Aer Lingus

Thursday, 01 October 2009 12:14

We can try to ignore it but the countdown to Christmas is well and truly on - 12 weeks to go! If you fancy doing your Christmas shopping somewhere different this year, want to find that all-important festive gift that that no-one else will have bought or just fancy a trip to help chase away the winter blues, then look no further!

Sugahfix has teamed up with Aer Lingus to give one lucky reader a trip for two to Munich for four nights this winter.

The Bavarian city of Munich has a rich culture, and countless tourist attractions, most famous among them are the Deutsches Museums, beautiful galleries and other historical buildings. It is a culturally vibrant city, with opera houses, orchestras, ensembles, and theatre houses.

Munich's Christmas Markets are world renowned, the most famous of which is the Christkindl market. This is traditional Christmas at its very best and you'll find all manner of stalls selling crafts, sweets, cakes, food, mulled wine and other delights. In recent years there hasn't been much snow at market time but the atmosphere is always very special.

We are offering one Sugahfix reader the chance to win a fabulous trip to Munich for two people, staying for four nights in the luxury Hotel Maximilian(pictured left) (www.maximilian-munich.com ) and flying direct from Belfast International Airport to Munich with Aer Lingus.

THIS PRIZE DRAW IS NOW CLOSED.

For more details on all Aer Lingus services please visit www.aerlingus.com

Terms and conditions:
Prize is valid from 27 November 2009 to 17 December 2009 inclusive.
Travel is from Tuesday to Saturday only.
Flights are direct from Belfast International Airport to Munich and are subject to availability.
One double room at Hotel Maximilian for two people.

Click on any of the images below to bring up the slideshow.

Must See, Must Do...Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare, Co Kerry

Sunday, 16 August 2009 12:23

by Andrea McVeigh

This summer we've been all about the staycation - albeit with a nip over the border to enjoy pampering, yummy food, amazing scenery and luscious decor in Sheen Falls Lodge, Co Kerry.

A quick flight with Aer Arann got us to Cork - so cheap and convenient we wondered why we hadn't done it before. After that, we picked up the keys to our spacious Nissan Qashqai at the Avis desk in the airport and we were on our way, driving from Cork to Kerry - singing Whiskey In The Jar as we drove, natch (and practically shouting our heads off at the "Cork and Kerry mountains" lines).

Just off the Ring of Kerry is the village of Kenmare, surrounded by mountains covered in rich purple heather (a very 'this-season' colour doncha know!) and just ten minutes away from the village is Sheen Falls, a magnificent five-star, privately-owned country house hotel overlooking Kenmare Bay.

Must See, Must Do...in Newquay

Thursday, 16 July 2009 11:27

The festival season is in full swing and it is good news for all you festival lovers as this year, thanks to Jet2.com's direct flights from Belfast International Airport to Newquay so you can now attend The Relentless Boardmasters Festival, in Newquay, Cornwall with just one short flight.

The Festival kicks off from 5-9 August and boasts an eclectic mix of music and sport with 45 bands across 4 stages performing on Fistral Beach, the 5 Star Pro Men's World Qualifying Surfing Competition, skateboarding and BMX competitions and for the ‘beautiful people' a bikini competition! Headline acts performing at the festival this year include The Streets, Cypress Hill, Calvin Harris and Super Furry Animals, as well as beach club night parties.

The Carn Marth Hotel is the perfect location to stay as it commands a magnificent location overlooking the famous Fistral beach and Newquay Golf Links. Yet, it is just a short walk to the live gigs, shops and bars in the heart of the town. This hotel also has its own on site surf school if you wish to learn how to become a surf dude (www.englishsurfschool.com ) or if you just want to relax and unwind the Carn Marth hotel has panoramic views on their terrace (pictured).

There are adequate camping facilities too, if you really want to be immersed in the festival atmosphere and have a budget holiday. Recommended camp-sites are listed on the relentless Boardmasters website.

For further information check out www.relentlessboardmasters.com

Check out www.carnmarth.com

Jet2.com has flights starting at £24.99* from Belfast International airport. * One way including taxes.

Tortue Rouge organic beauty products-making course, France.

Thursday, 25 June 2009 11:38

By Andrea McVeigh

Petre Sefton is the change she wants to see in the world.

Many people are inspired by Gandhi's famous quote, but, to our minds, this is one lady who has not only changed her own life, but has inspired other people to do the same.

Petre is the founder of Tortue Rouge, an organic beauty products and essential oils making business located deep in Laval de Nize, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France.

The gentle, softly-spoken Englishwoman became passionate about the healing power of plants after contracting septicaemia and coming close to death.

A high flying lawyer and business women, she gave up her career and moved to rural France to set up her business creating organic essential oils and tinctures, growing the ingredients organically on her farm and surrounding land.

As Petre says: "you can go out into nature and flowers will lift your mood, but if you can't get into the country, essential oils bring the country to you."

As well as making essential oils and beauty treatments on her own land, Petre also runs organic beauty making courses, suitable for everyone, from beginners to professionals.

The courses cover everything from the essential properties of oils to actually creating your own perfume or moisturiser.

They're perfect for sophisticated hen party trips and quite a few mother-and-daughter pairings take the courses too, especially if the daughter is a bride-to-be.

Not only do guests get the opportunity to relax in a retreat-like environment surrounded by wild flowers, a tranquil river and the most amazingly beautiful countryside, many find it to be a life-changing experience.