Departure Lounge: Cruise the rivers of Europe — and end up in Budapest
Budapest Cruise Travel Wx261024 River
Few things sound nicer than a five-star cruise meandering along Europe’s rivers.
And Scenic’s 15-day luxury itinerary, sailing along the Rhine, Main, and Danube, is currently on special offer. Save 30% on the Jewels of Europe 15 days trips, starting in Amsterdam and sailing from the Netherlands, through Germany and Austria, and finishing in beautiful Budapest.
The all-inclusive trip includes flights, suites with butler service, select excursions, e-bikes, a salt therapy room, wi-fi, beverages and meals, from €5,195.
- scenic.co.uk
Top up your winter vitamin D with a sneaky week in sunny Tenerife. Close to town and several beaches, the Regency Torviscas Apartments Suites hotel in Costa Adeje offers self- catering, an outdoor pool and spa on site.
Five nights from €359pp departing Cork with Ryanair.
- loveholidays.ie
The Dolomites in north-east Italy are having a moment.
The spectacular mountain range is host to a growing collection of luxury retreats where wellbeing and chic design merge in nature.
Top of our list is the newly renovated Hotel Granbaita Dolomites, a gorgeous five-star in the heart of Selva Val Gardena, a paradise for walkers, hikers, and bikers before the ski set arrives.
Owned by the same family for over 60 years, the hotel offers guests old-school hospitality, world class views, excellent food, and the fantastic Savinela Spa which draws on the best of the Alpine elements.
Half-board from €550 per night for two people.
- hotelgranbaita.com
You don’t need to be a golfer to enjoy autumn at Killeen Castle.
The 600-acre Boyne Valley resort offers 5km of ancient woodland walks with walled gardens to enjoy and a selection of castle rooms and spacious new guest lodges sleeping up to five.
Just 45 minutes from Dublin, it’s also handy for visiting Emerald Park, Newgrange, or simply enjoying a round on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course.
Overnight B&B Autumn Retreat in a lodge with two-course dinner from €200 for two people sharing.
- killeencastle.com
In last week’s Weekend, Leslie Williams wrote about his trip to Kentucky on the bourbon trail.
It’s timely then to see that Mint Julep Experiences, a leading tour operator specialising in Kentucky Bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, and equine tourism is expanding into Europe with the launch of Ireland Whiskey Tours and Thoroughbred Country Tours.
As one of Condé Nast Traveler’s Best Guided Drinking Tours in America, a guided trip to Kentucky with this outfit is worth considering.
- mintjulepexperiences.com