Travel Irish Destinations Examiner

Departure Lounge: Direct flights from Cork to Turkey, and Christmas getaways

"Ski season is upon us which means there’s a host of deals to woo the snow bunny market."

Sat, 23 Nov, 2024

I’ve skied every continent and over 50 ski resorts – here are my favourite places to head downhill

With a 30-year career spanning ski resorts and polar icecaps, Flip Byrnes shares her ultimate insider's guide to finding the world's best ski and snow experiences for every level

Mon, 18 Nov, 2024

Departure Lounge: Experience Tunisia for history, scenery and opulence

Plus: Christmas nights in Dublin, a sniff of Provence, and solitude in Ballygally, Co Antrim

Sat, 16 Nov, 2024

Iceland in the off-season: There’s loads to do, even in its darkest days

Despite less daylight and cooler climes, Iceland in winter has plenty to capture a tourist’s attention with everything just a short journey away, writes Ben West

Mon, 11 Nov, 2024

Portrait Of Traditional Santa Claus On Christmas

Departure Lounge: Pay Santa and the crew a pre-Christmas visit in Lapland

Plus: Christmas markets in Kraków; fancy digs in Donegal; and posh skiing jollies in France's Three Valleys

Sat, 09 Nov, 2024

Reindeer standing in snow in winter landscape of Finnish Lapland, Finland

Departure Lounge: Lapland calling with a new resort and an audience with Santa

"Snowmobiling, husky sledding, and reindeer rides are all included too. Return flights to Kuusamo from Dublin, two nights accommodation, meals, and all activities, from €1,519pp."

Sat, 02 Nov, 2024

Majorca: Getting the most of a misunderstood sun-holiday staple

A glam holiday in Palma makes Ali Dunworth regret her preconceived ideas about the Balearic beauty

Sat, 19 Oct, 2024

Departure Lounge: A day of rest and relaxation at Carton House

"Book in for the session or add an overnight stay and enjoy all the glorious country estate has to offer, including walks, cycles, and a lovely pool."

Sat, 19 Oct, 2024

Medoc Marathon: Is this the world's 'naughtiest' road race?

Fuelled by wine and fine food, Kevin Pilley ran a marathon in the vineyards of Bordeaux

Sat, 28 Sep, 2024

Departure Lounge: Take a Hallowe'en break at Limerick's Strand Hotel

Plus: more flights from Shannon; road trips with luxury car rental app Driverso; Algarve Walking Season

Sat, 28 Sep, 2024

Departure Lounge: A new sauna experience at Ballynahinch Castle

Plus: budget-friendly kids' flights with Play; solo trips to the Maldives and more

Sat, 14 Sep, 2024

Going back to Galicia: falling back in love with the quieter part of Northern Spain

Having enjoyed her visits as a teenager, Arlene Harris fell in love all over again with this beautiful (and quieter) part of northern Spain

Sat, 07 Sep, 2024

Departure Lounge: Prague is a winter wonderland

With return flights from Dublin to the Czech capital, Click and Go offers a three-night city break with room-only accommodation at the four-star Saint George Hotel from €199 per person sharing, based on November travel.

Sat, 07 Sep, 2024

Departure Lounge: Miami offers excellent hotel value for a winter break to the USA

Plus: shoulder-season deals on travel, now that the summer peak has tailed off

Sat, 24 Aug, 2024

Ancient Mexico: Exploring the jungle ruins of Palenque, abandoned a thousand years ago

The jungle ruins of Mexico’s Palenque bear an otherworldly beauty which conceals the wider region’s struggles

Mon, 12 Aug, 2024

beautiful bay in Paleokastritsa in Corfu island, Greece

12 reasons to visit Corfu, the Greek island filled with history, culture and more

Corfu offers something for everyone’s interests with its heritage, architecture, shopping, great food, water sports and clean, sandy beaches

Sun, 04 Aug, 2024

Finding 'freedom time' on the relaxing, all-inclusive resort island of Cora Cora Maldives

Tranquillity, turquoise waters and tropical fish are only half the pleasures on offer in this Indian Ocean resort

Sat, 03 Aug, 2024

Departure Lounge: Immerse yourself in a techno trip to Frankfurt

Or head to Nashville, Tennesee, the historic home of American country music

Sat, 20 Jul, 2024

10 lesser-known holiday destinations to avoid the crowds and save some money

Skip the obvious and enjoy these quieter and better-value spots

Tue, 09 Jul, 2024

Chateau de Chenonceau is a french castle spanning the River Cher near Chenonceaux village, Loire valley, France

Loire Valley chateaux: The beauty, space and spectacle of France's castle houses

"There is opulence in every eyeful. Chateaux sit at commanding and defensive standpoints, surrounded by moats, parallelograms of trees on long avenues. Get closer and the devil is in the detail."

Sat, 29 Jun, 2024

Longs Peak at Bear Lake - Longs Peak and Glacier Gorge reflecting in blue Bear Lake on a calm Summer morning, Rocky Mountain Nat

Colorado: the home of the Rocky Mountains is calling

Colorado has a immense connection with its surrounding nature, and shows a breathtaking different way of life, writes Cian Byrne

Sat, 22 Jun, 2024

The insider's guide to East Cork: 50 things to experience — plus unmissable seaside hotspots

"Local pillars and pioneers, such as Ballymaloe House, have inspired the food movement in a region now synonymous with it, while in more recent years resorts at Fota and Castlemartyr have brought a luxury cachet to the area."

Mon, 17 Jun, 2024

Waterfalls Krka, National Park, Dalmatia, Croatia. View of Krka National Park, Roski Slap location, Croatia, Europe. Beautiful w

Croatia: A summer odyssey in a country full of sunny beauty spots

With idyllic islands, captivating culture and spectacular scenery, the Dalmatian Coast offers a relaxing and rewarding getaway, writes Melanie Mullan

Sun, 16 Jun, 2024

Departure Lounge: A family cruise to France for late-holiday bookings

Plus: solo safaris, Cork gin tours, Cornwall break and self-catering in the sun

Sat, 15 Jun, 2024

Departure Lounge: Experience outdoor adventures in Tampere, Finland

Plus: soak up the Cajun-Creole charms of New Orleans with a 5-night trip to the colourful city

Sun, 09 Jun, 2024

Departure Lounge: Cosy, comfy New Year's breaks in Killarney's Cahernane House Hotel

I visited the ski resort where the Wham! 'Last Christmas' video was filmed

I won the Faroe Islands volunteer tourism lottery — here's how I got on

Walking in the Algarve: On the trail of undiscovered treasures and incredible scenery

72 hours in Las Vegas: More pomp and circumstance, than fear and loathing

Porto: 12 reasons to visit one of Portugal's most enchanting cities