Trip to Lido Di Jesolo (2010)

Trip to Lido Di Jesolo (2010)

On Saturday September 11th a group of 47 departed Ballinasloe at 3.00 a.m. to catch our Aer Lingus flight to Venice at 8.30 a.m. When we arrived in Venice at 11.05 a.m. local time we were excited to see a cloudless blue sky and feel the warmth of the air. Our holiday began on reaching our 4 star Cambridge Hotel. We rested for a couple of hours as we had such an early start to the day. Dinner was at 7.00 p.m. so we dressed up in our finery, came down in the lift and waited eagerly outside the restaurant door. The beautiful stained glass door was opened, a musician played a rousing tune as we marched in and were presented with a red rose and sat down to an 8 course candlelit gala dinner. What a great start to our holiday!

The hotel is situated by a lovely beach with recliners and parasols to accommodate the guests. A lovely pool just outside the hotel is a relaxing place to sit or sun oneself furnished with recliners and parasols too.

On Tuesday a group went to Venice and visited St. Mark’s Square and many other interesting places. We, who remained in Jesolo, cycled on 4 wheeled bicycles steered by some of the men and pedalled around the town on cycle lanes. It was great fun and a lovely leisurely way to explore the town.

On Thursday a group went to Verona and Lake Garda and a small group of 7 or 8 went to the Dolomites and Cortina. The weather remained glorious and sunny until Friday which was cloudy and rainy and there was a downpour on Friday night. Some of us went to Padua on Saturday to visit St. Anthony’s tomb. We touched the black stone at the back of it and petitioned him for our personal intentions.

At night time after dinner we walked off our calories either on the beach walkway or down town. Games of bridge and 25 were played some nights. The weather was good again on Sunday and Monday and people sunned themselves on the beach. Most of the group had massages during the week so we arrived back in Dublin on Tuesday afternoon really relaxed after a fabulous holiday in Lido Di Jesolo.

Marjorca Sept 2011

Our Trip to Majorca

We have just returned from nine wonderful days on the island of Majorca, one of the Beliaric islands , off the coast of Spain, in the Mediterranean .It was a great experience for all 38 of us and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

As we had no summer weather in Ireland this year, we were thrilled with the sun and high temperatures of Majorca and stayed outdoors as much as possible. We could not resist the allure of the Mediterranean which was so soothing in the heat of the day. Our vitamin D should now be at an all time high.!!

Our 4 star hotel, Sol Cala Blanca, was very comfortable, just steps away from a sandy beach in Palma Nova. We also enjoyed an indoor and outdoor pool in our hotel. Aqua-arobics was organised for us in the outdoor pool and one of our own members, a former manager of Ballinasloe Swimming Pool, very kindly gave us an extra lesson in the heated indoor pool.

Entertainment each evening was provided in the hotel, from jazz to national song and dance.We thoroughly enjoyed the heeltapping flamenco dancing and resisted the urge to join in. Of course we also enjoyed other music and song in outside venues.

Some travelled to Palma, the capital, to see the sights, others to the famous caves and more took trips by boat around the Island. All were very enjoyable.

Our Restaurant was buffet-style, with a great variety of food. We could also avail of a snack in the pool area. A pianist entertained us at dinner , each evening, with a variety of light music.

This brings to an end our sun holiday but hopefully there will be many more to follow.

We now look forward to our Baltic Cruise in July 2012.

CLICK ON "OVERSEAS EXCURSIONS & TRIPS" in SECTIONS on top right for photos of trippers by trippers

Majorca 2011

Ballinasloe Active Retirement Goes to Europe!

This seminar was part of programme being developed by Marian Harkin. M.E.P. Marian is co-founder and co-President of the Parliament Interest Group on Volunteering. This was a crucial concrete first step taken by the European Commission that will bring volunteering into the EU policy arena to recognise,value and support over 100 million volunteers across the EU.
Marian Harkin along with four other MEPs from Germany, Greece,Poland and Portugal launched a Written Declaration calling on the European Commision to announce 2011 as the European Year on Volunteering The European Year of Volunteering will compliment and provide a structured link to 2012 as the European Year on Active Aging and Intergenerational Solidarity.

Douglas Rafter

Doing the Polka in Prague

47 members of the Ballinasloe Active Retirement Association recently enjoyed a wonderful three day break in the beautiful city of Prague. They went on long guided walks through the cobblestoned streets taking in all the principal sights. It was an interactive history lesson in which the buildings, monuments, streets and personalities of Prague told the caDoing the Polka in Pragueptivating story of a city through time. Exhausted from the heat, they attended a lunchtime concert in the cool of the enchanting Prague Castle. Food for the mind and soul, it was a wonderful experience. The figures on the Astronomical Clock performed their hourly rituals as the group sipped their lattes and enjoyed the local delicacies i.e. apple strudel in a nearby cafe. It was then on to the Child of Prague Church and the iconic Charles Bridge offering majestic city views. The highlight of the trip was a Dinner/Cruise By night on the river Vltava. It was a fun-filled night with music, song and dance. A fantastic fireworks display added to the magic of the evening. Ann danced the Czech polka with a tall handsome young local man. Gradually the entire got into the swing of things and a great night was had by all. On the final day, the group toured the countryside and visited a magnificent showroom displaying precious stones, jewellery and crystal . However, the smaller souvenir shops were more suited to their pockets! With aching muscles, they touched down on Irish soil tired but happy. All members feel grateful that the Active Retirement Association provided them with the opportunity to travel and continue to enjoy life as a group.