Departure Lounge: Take a jaunt into the rolling hills of Tirol

"A glorious mountain playground, active visitors can look forward to new hiking, running, and biking trails while daredevils can hang about on thrilling via ferrata routes."

Sat, 30 Mar, 2024 - 02:00

Jillian Bolger

An alpine adventure

The Austrian Tirol is waking from winter, casting off its snowy cover for flower-cloaked meadows and lush green peaks.

A glorious mountain playground, active visitors can look forward to new hiking, running, and biking trails while daredevils can hang about on thrilling via ferrata routes.

Our pick of accommodation is the new Henri Hotel, next to Kitzbühel railway station, making this a simple jaunt from Munich or Vienna airports.

The welcoming, retro style décor, hearty food an small spa and gym with sauna, steam bath, indoor pool and gym are perfect for soothing alpine adventurers.

henri-hotels.com/en

Pretty Provence

Maisons Pariente’s hotels are the ultimate in holiday chic. As the warm weather returns to southern France, a new season begins at their picture-perfect Provençale bolthole, Hôtel Crillon le Brave.

Opening this weekend, the honey-hued five-star hideaway — in the pretty Vaucluse village — is back with indulgent new offerings, including a wellness retreat, new spa treatments and sports classes.

B&B from €350, crillonlebrave.com

Green pastures

Fancy a swanky golf break in Mallorca? Swing it like a Pro is Zafiro Palace Andratx’s new golf package, offering the five-star hotel’s new Club Suites — with private swimming pool, green fees for two on the island’s most famous golf courses, and 10 hours of golf lessons.

All meals in the hotel’s eight restaurants, premium brand drinks, 30-minute massage for two and airport transfers are included. Seven nights, from €3,081 per person.

zafirohotels.com

Deal of the week

Seven nights on Gran Canaria, August 26, €565 from Cork.

Enjoy seven nights’ B&B at the two-star Corona Roja, based on two adults sharing, with flights from Cork (priority boarding). 10kg carry-on bag per person and return airport transfers.

sunway.ie

Relax in Kerry

Looking for a chilled Kerry escape that’s great value? Smuggler’s Inn in Waterville is a stylish, affordable, and relaxed Kerry landmark overlooking beautiful Ballinskellig Bay.

The famous clifftop inn enjoys sensational views of the ocean, mountains, and of Waterville’s championship golf links.

Family-run, with smartly refurbished rooms and excellent cooking using local ingredients — including great seafood — served in the bar and restaurant, there’s 2km of sandy beaches on its doorstep.