Travel cou8nsellors have launched a campaign to make travel dreams come true.  The Dreammaker app (http://apps.facebook.com/tcdreammaker)
allows you to submit your own dream and add pictures.  Peopel can vote for your dreams.  The most popular will win the prize of

During June, Failte Ireland ran a series of workshops around the country for self-catering operators to discuss the "New Vision" strategy to help support and reposition the self-catering sector.  Included in the strategy is a self-assessment Categorisation Scheme where operators can choose to promote their property as Family Friendly Walkers Friendly etc. 

It is a bad end to the week with two travel companies disappearing.  Kumuka the adventure travel specialist, based out of Australia have closed their doors leaving some very disappointed long haul travellers.  And here in Ireland, Selfcatering.ie, known as Selfcatering Ireland has also gone into liquidation in the height of the summer season 

Selfcatering Ireland was run by Mary Power who will be familiar to viewers of TV3. She appears on Ireland AM with hotel and holiday deals.

Surge in UK searches for Irish destinations ahead of London 2012

With just over a week to go to London 2012, latest figures from travel experts Hotels.com reveal that some in the UK are looking to escape the Olympic fever this summer. According to Hotels.com searches* by UK travellers for Irish destinations across Ireland have increased considerably in the past fortnight indicating that many are planning a break away in Ireland during the Olympic fortnight.

Offaly has seen the largest surge in searches in the past two weeks, up 637% compared to the same time last year while Dublin, Carlow and Clare have increased by 476%, 474% and 438% respectively. Other counties to experience a rise in interest from the UK include Wexford (+368%), Sligo (+394%) and Donegal (+393%).

I travelled through London Southend Airport last week and it was a very comfortable journey.  The airport is in Essex and a 50 minute train journey from Liverpool Street Station.  Southend has had an airport for many years and it  has recently been refurbished and upgraded.  The rail station is three minutes from the airport allowing for swift transfers.  Fares are around £15 one way and £22 return a bit cheaper than Stansted.  Trains run about ever 15-20 minutes and you also get to see the Olympics Park on the way.   Everything is nice and new.  Flights to Dublin are operated by Aer Arann under the Aer Lingus Regional brand,  using Turboprop ATR72 and carry 70 odd passengers. The journey time is a little bit longer at about 1 hour 20 minutes. Flights can be booked on Aerlingus.com.  Prices are good and I have seen fares under €100 return in July and August..  

In the terminal there is a cafe, WH Smiths newsagent and a shop selling perfumes and luxury goods.  There is also a bar and a business lounge, called after the owners Stobart, better known for their haulage/ distribution business.  Easyjet are also using Southend for European routes.

This is a slide gallery of the new Emirates Air Line Thames Cable Car that began operating on June 27.  It crosses the Thames from Royal Docks to the Greenwich Peninsula right beside the O2.  Take the Docklands Light Rail to Royal Victoria and the departure station is about two minutes away.  Prices are £4.30 for adults and £2.20 for children.  Discounted tickets with Travelcards of Oyster Cards are £3.20 am d£1.60.

The cable car runs for about 1.1km across the river on three mighty towers, amost 100m at the peak.  It is a brilliant piece of engineering, the views are fantastic and great value.  I highly recommend this newest landmark in London.  As you will see from the video it was a wet and cloudy day in London (July 10).  I can only imagine how spectacular it would be on a fine, clear day. The sightline must cover miles of the city.  Deails from this website of how to get there and times.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/terminals/24132.aspx