Departure Lounge: Take off to Shanghai on Ireland's longest direct route

Plus lazy beach days in Canada on the Toronto Islands

Explore some of this week's best getaway opportunities

Shanghai Direct

The city skyline of Shanghai's Lujiazui financial district

Fasten your seatbelts: The longest direct route from Ireland takes off next week with China Eastern’s debut flight from Dublin to the epic metropolis of Shanghai. The three-times-a-week service to Pudong International Airport will take just over 12 hours flying east (add an extra hour for the return leg). Beyond the city’s infinite urban delights, the appeal of regional attractions — from the tea plantations of Hangzhou to the scenic town of Suzhou, dubbed the Venice of the East — will herald a new wave of Irish travel east.

• Return fares available from €800 via ceair.com

Uzbekistan on the Up

Uzbekistan is a booming tourist destination according to the UNWTO

The latest global tourism report from the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) revealed some fascinating tourism trends, not least the booming visitor numbers to one country in particular: Uzbekistan.

Thanks to recent visa-free travel reforms for dozens of countries (including Ireland), the once-elusive nation has seen its year-on-year tourism figures boom by a whopping 37%. Enjoy a nine-day tour of the country, from the Unesco World Heritage-listed town of Bukhara to sleeping in a yurt under thousands of stars in the Kyzylkum Desert.

• From €1,232 via trailfinders.ie.

Midsummer Macroom

One of my favourite hotel stays of the year is the family-run Castle Hotel in Macroom, not least for its fine value.

From €385 per couple this summer, you can book a two-night stay at the four-star property, which includes an artisanal breakfast on both mornings and a three-course dinner in the wonderful Dan Buckley’s Bar on a night of your choice. While there, check out West Cork’s inland highlights, including hiking in Gougane Barra, birdwatching at the Gearagh or, for a real hidden gem, the public swimming spot at Chúil Aodha, a heavenly place for a heatwave cool-down.

• castlehotel.ie

Wholesome Canada

The forest and lakes of Algonquin Park in Canada

Wholesome, unplugged travel has never been more in demand, and could there be a more wholesome destination than Canada?

Lazy beach days on the Toronto Islands or a scenic road trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake are all on brand for 2026, but for the ultimate unplugged adventure, why not rent some bargain camping gear and join the locals on a wilderness trip to Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park?

There’s fantastic long-haul value with Aer Lingus this summer, with return flights to Toronto this August from €550, dropping a further €100 if you can travel in September.

• aerlingus.com

Deal of the Week

Beautiful sunset cityscape landscape view illuminated city lights Town of Oia at night in Santorini Island

While visiting Santorini in summer may feel like being packed into a Greek sardine can, escaping to the postcard island in the off-season is a far more inviting affair.

Travalue.ie is offering a seven-night stay in the Aegean from €845 per person, based on a stay in the three-star Merovigliosso Apartments in the clifftop village of Imerovigli. The price includes return flights from Dublin, with sea and sunset views as standard thanks to the deluxe apartments.

• travalue.ie