Departure Lounge: Photography retreat in the Kingdom creates long-lasting memories

Plus: cruise to eight different countries or splurge on safari

Guests at the Cahernane House Hotel's retreat will have the chance to photograph magnificent Muckross House and Torc Waterfall. 

Snap happy

Kerry’s a glorious spring canvas for a photography holiday. The 4-star Cahernane House Hotel’s ‘Cahernane Captured Photography Retreat’ takes place from March 19-21.

Guests will enjoy a full day of expert guidance and hands-on tuition with photographers Keith and Evelyn Woodard, snapping magnificent Muckross House and Torc Waterfall. 

• Two nights B&B, two dinners and welcome drinks with the photographers on arrival, from €346 pps.
• cahernane.com

Enjoy a seven-day cruise setting off from the spectacular Carcassonne

Deal of the week

7-night self-catering sailing Canal du Midi and Camargue with Emerald Star, June 12, 2024 ,€1,569 per boat sleeping 6 

Enjoy a week’s cruising with Emerald Star from spectacular Carcassonne to Homps and the picturesque Lac de Jouarres with its beach, perfect for swimming, kayaking or canoeing.

Make the 12km bike ride from Homps to the medieval, cobbled town of Minerve then cruise east to Port Cassafières, with the sandy beach of Portiragnes and fairgrounds, mini golf and go-karts at Vias. A gorgeous family holiday.

• emeraldstar.ie/boating-holidays/france/canal-du-midi

Celebrity Cruises' Epic European Voyage will visit 17 ports

Cruising along

Can’t decide where to go on holidays? Then Celebrity Cruises’ Epic European Voyage this summer can help with the dilemma! 

Visiting 17 ports across eight different countries, including four overnight port stays, Celebrity Equinox’s a 28-day journey, you’ll visit Europe, North Africa, and Turkey.

Book the whole itinerary or break it up by choosing one of the three back-to-back sailings available. 

There’s a nine-night Spain and Portugal cruise (July 2, from £1,345pp), nine-night Italian Riviera and France cruise (July 11 from £1,129pp) and a 10-night Greek Isles and Turkey cruise (July 20, from £1,339pp) 

Did we mention there’s up to 75% off the price of a second guest?

• celebritycruises.com

The new JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge is the first luxury safari lodge to sit within the Masai Mara National Reserve. 

Safari splurge

Splurge on a safari in the savannah lands of Kenya’s sublime Masai Mara. 

The expansive reserve is home to over 100 mammal species and new JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge is the first luxury safari lodge to sit within the Masai Mara National Reserve. 

• Rooms from £1,278 (€1,492) per night
• marriott.com

Kathryn Thomas founder of Pure Results at Parknasilla. Picture: Norman McCloskey

Female fitness

Kathryn Thomas and her Pure Results team return to Parknasilla Resort and Spa, Co Kerry, for a female-focused fitness retreat.

The 5-day retreat kicks off on International Women’s Day, March 8, with a mix of bootcamp workouts for all levels of fitness, hikes, day trips as well as yoga classes, women’s health workshops and relaxation time in the Parknasilla spa. 

• 10% discount for two ladies booking a twin together. Three-day programme also available. €1,199 pps.
• pureresults.ie