Charmed by Lisbon: Direct flights from Cork to the Portuguese capital

With direct flights from Cork to Lisbon Stephen Rogers pays a visit to compile a guide to the city and beyond. From the history to fine food to shopping, it's the ultimate weekend break.

London or Paris is where you go for a weekend break. Portugal’s where you go for the full-on summer holiday — it’s too far away to venture for anything less than a week, writes Stephen Rogers.

I confess that was what I was inwardly thinking when I rocked up to Cork Airport to try out the new Aer Lingus Cork-Lisbon route for a three-day trip.