Departure Lounge: Five travel deals to book, including escapism in Italy

Plus a Christmas to remember in Cavan

Make for Lake Garda and Cape of Senses, a luxurious spa hideaway above the famous lake.

Italian magic

If you feel like a little Italian escapism this season, make for Lake Garda and Cape of Senses, a luxurious spa hideaway above the famous lake.

Your festive stay includes three nights B&B in a suite overlooking the lake and a Luxury by Candlelight couple’s spa treatment. Add in a private wine tasting at the Facci winery (complete with round-trip transfer), time to explore the Christmas markets in an electric Fiat 500 and chill out time in the exquisite spa’s wellness area with its pools, saunas, and relaxation spaces.

Staying during Christmas week? On December 24, you can enjoy a special Christmas dinner, while Christmas Day promises festive afternoon tea with live music.

capeofsenses.com

Christmas to remember

For something completely different this Christmas, 14 lucky guests can join Richard Corrigan at his 100-acre county Cavan estate, Virginia Park Lodge, to experience a truly exclusive celebration.

Hosting its first-ever Corrigan Christmas Celebration — a two-night escape — chef-patron Richard Corrigan and his team will lay on a stay to remember. Think fireside mulled wine, a Christmas Eve celebratory dinner, leisurely Christmas morning breakfast, festive drinks, a traditional Corrigan-style Christmas lunch and evening of live music, roaring fires and nightcaps. You’ll leave on St Stephen’s Day after another mighty breakfast. Just 14 places are available, staying in the Main House at €2,600 for both nights.

virginiaparklodge.com

Deal of the week

Prefer sun to snow? Then there’s still time to grab a spot aboard the Marella Voyager to cruise around the Canary Islands this Christmas.

Departing December 19 aboard the two-year-old cruise ship, you’ll enjoy seven nights of sailing with 27 restaurants as well as an indoor cinema, pool deck and big show lounge, returning December 26. From €1,439 per person.

travalue.ie

Baltic beauty

Vilnius has always appealed and now the attractive Lithuanian capital has been honoured as European Hospitality City 2025, an award that isn’t handed out every year.

That means the Baltic beauty is in top form for hosting guests, noted by the judges for its “sincerity, openness, excellence, and human warmth... beyond its architectural beauty and heritage.”

We’ll be making it part of Examiner Escapes’ plans for 2026.

govilnius.lt

Luxury in London

If Santa comes early this year, you might find yourself booking a stay in one of London’s headline five-stars. How about Corinthia London, which has transformed into a winter wonderland, with fabulous décor, florals and gilt partridges adorning the Christmas trees?

Throughout December, there will be a daily five o’clock champagne hour, marked by the chime of Five Gold Rings. Enjoy it in the alpine-themed garden, under cosy blankets. We are quite taken by candlelit swims under twinkling lights for the Seven Swans a-Swimming evening sessions and, upon departure, guests will be gifted Two Turtle Doves — symbols of love and devotion. Stays from £946 (approx €1,073) per night in December.

corinthia.com/en-gb/london