Departure Lounge: Big savings on your dream Dominican holiday

Club Med’s January sale offers appealing deals on holidays booked before January 16 on all their sun and ski stays and cruises up until November 27

Sat, 10 Jan, 2026 - 01:00

Jillian Bolger

Club special

Club Med’s January sale offers appealing deals on holidays booked before January 16 on all their sun and ski stays and cruises up until November 27. Discounts of up to 15% are valid for winter and summer departures, up to €500 per person for Superior rooms and €700 for Premium rooms across long-haul and short-haul destinations.

The brand new Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari, which opens on July 4 is included. A seven-night all-inclusive stay without flights at Club Med Punta Cana, Dominican Republic costs from €1,233 per adult, based on double occupancy, departing June 30.

clubmed.co.uk/r/punta-cana/y

Geneva fever

Aer Lingus has launched two new winter routes, to Switzerland and Italy, in time for your ski trip. Fly from Cork to Geneva and Dublin to Turin.

Beautifully located on the shores of Lake Geneva, Switzerland’s second largest city offers the joys of a culture break with the snowy peaks of Morzine, famous and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Within the city, enjoy the iconic Jet d’Eau fountain, climb the tower of St. Pierre Cathedral, and watch the blooming L’horloge Fleurie (Flower Clock) — a tribute to the city’s watchmaking heritage. Flights will operate once a week from Cork, on a Saturday, until March 28.

aerlingus.com

Medieval marvel

The Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel, in the centre of Kilkenny, makes a great base for exploring this medieval city.

Its winter sale runs until January 31 and offers 20% off B&B rates when you book in advance and stay before March 31 (excluding weekends). After a day of sightseeing or enjoying the atmosphere along the Medieval Mile — just steps from the hotel — relax in a spacious room and enjoy access to the leisure club, with its 21m swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, children’s pool, and fully equipped gym.

kilkennyormonde.com

All aboard for Alaska

Explore Alaska on an eight-night cruise with Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, sailing from the hip city of Seattle into the heart of the Inside Passage.

Passing incredible glaciers, pretty little fishing ports and rare wildlife, you’ll visit Seattle, Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, and Victoria. From €1,950 per person, including direct return flights from Dublin, checked baggage, airport transfers, one pre-cruise hotel night in Seattle, and seven nights aboard Anthem of the Seas in an interior cabin with all meals onboard, departing May 10-18.

travalue.ie

Europe by rail

Prague train station, one of the destinations on the new major rail line

Launching in May 2026, the new Prague-Berlin-Copenhagen train route connects three of Europe’s coolest cities with one line.

The journey links Central Europe to Scandinavia and Byway’s new 12-day trip incorporates the train route, finishing in Copenhagen where those arriving by train and staying longer than four days can benefit from the city’s CopenPay initiative, including free bike rentals, yoga, and guided tours. In Bremen, a return stop on Byway’s journey to Denmark trip, tourists will receive goodie bags filled with small gifts and vouchers from local businesses. Tickets are already available from May 1 onwards.