Dublin is planning ReJoyce Dublin 2004, a five-month festival–from April to August–to celebrate the 100th anniversary of James Joyce’s “Ulysses.”
The novel recounts the journeys of Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom through Dublin on June 16, 1904, so Joyce fans consider this year the centenary of that date, Bloomsday.
The festival consists of programs for children, literary neophytes and Joyce scholars alike. Theater and musical performances will complement art, literature and photographic exhibitions, as well as the free annual breakfast for 10,000 on O’Connell Street on June 13.
For more details, see www.rejoycedublin2004.com, or call 011-353-87-657-8697.
The Irish Tourist Board can provide a list of tour operators, many of whom can arrange custom tours to Ireland. The board’s address is 345 Park Ave., New York, NY 10154; telephone 800-223-6470; www.tourismireland.com,
Catamaran charters
Sunsail USA, a leading sailboat charter company with bases in Annapolis, Md., and St. Petersburg, Fla., has launched a fleet of powered catamarans along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
According to the company, the combo sail/powerboats are designed for stability and safety. And you don’t need to be an old salt to sail one. Novices are welcome to charter one for a day’s outing, weekend jaunt or weeklong excursion.
The 34-foot cats draw only 2 feet of water, so you can navigate the region’s shallower coastal areas. Each boat sleeps up to six people in two double cabins and a lounge area. Creature comforts include dining and living areas, air conditioning, television, and CD and DVD players. Cost for Sunsail’s charters vary; in general, charters are $1,600 per weekend or $3,200 per week. (Ask about midweek specials.)
The boats are available in Florida from November through April and from May through October in the Annapolis area.
For more information, call Sunsail at 888-350-3565, or go to www.sunsail.com/usa on the Web.
Traveling the Web
Some new travel Web sites:
– Book internal flights in Europe at www.openjet.com. The site sorts through fares on seven of the eight major low-cost carriers. Check the one left out, Ryan Air, at www.ryanair.com.
– Customize high-end packages at www.classicvacations.com, a division of Expedia.com. Only top hotels are listed. The site includes presidential suites and the option of First-Class flights. Browse and plan online, then book with a travel agent or a Classic Custom Vacations employee. Cost of a typical one-week vacation: $3,000 to $50,000 per couple.
– Find discounted hotel rates in London at the city tourist board’s new site, www.visitlondon.com, which guarantees lowest prices.
– Plan a trip to rural California at www.californiacountryside.com. Ideas, weather forecasts and seasonal activities are included.
