Travel Big Read

Hiking in Tenerife: Its extra-terrestial terrain is out of this world

Sat, 03 Sep, 2016

Blue skies and turquoise waters in Jamaica, the most beautiful islands of the Caribbean

It’s a paradise island where they speak English and offer a variety of vacation ideas like no other. And it doesn’t warrant its reputation as being dangerous, writes Isabel Conway.

Sat, 20 Aug, 2016

You’ll enjoy plunging into the historic town of Bath

2,000 years of history, John Chambers finds there’s more to the historic town of Bath than buns and Jane Austen.

Sat, 20 Aug, 2016

The Wild Atlantic Way makes us realise what we have on our doorstep

Sat, 13 Aug, 2016

Italian beach resort Viareggio is a real gem under the Tuscan sun

Steve Cummins visits Viareggio, the resort that is just a short hop to cultural hubs like Florence, Pisa and the incredibly pretty Cinque Terre.

Sat, 06 Aug, 2016

Small town America really does exist, in Louisville, Colorado

Sat, 30 Jul, 2016

2016 European Capital of Culture Wroclaw in Poland is quirky and eccentric

Sean Geary visits Wroclaw, the 2016 European Capital of Culture. The good news? Tourists have yet to really discover the city, so it’s a perfect time to visit.

Sat, 23 Jul, 2016

Mammoth memories made in the city of Nantes in Western France

Anna O’Donoghue samples sun, sea and castles and the odd mechanical elephant on her visit to Nantes, and discovers how the Loire Valley’s cultural capital comes into full bloom in the summer months.

Sat, 23 Jul, 2016

Gallic greatness with plenty to do on the Western coast of France

Taking advantage of new direct flights Sean O’Riordan headed to the Atlantic coast of France and enjoyed the beautiful La Rochelle and its scenic surrounds.

Sat, 16 Jul, 2016

Discovering hidden treasures in the Castilla y Leon region of Spain

Heading off the beaten tourist track to uncover the hidden wonders of Spain’s Castilla y León region, Carolyn Moore discovers it’s far from grim up North.

Sat, 16 Jul, 2016

Síle Seoige explains why there’s no place like her hometown of Galway

No one knows a city like a local. So who better to give the lowdown on Galway than Síle Seoige. She describes her perfect day in the county to Ciara McDonnell.

Sat, 09 Jul, 2016

Author Michael Murphy accesses all areas of the White House and Capitol Building

 A private tour of the White House was the highlight of a trip to Washington DC for author Michael Murphy when he visited the US capital.

Sat, 02 Jul, 2016

Planning a perfect staycation in Co Kerry

Planning a staycation? From accommodation to food, sight-seeing to spas, Ciara McDonnell has the lowdown on a short break in Kerry. 

Sat, 25 Jun, 2016

The Harmony of the Seas cruise ship is a big, brash behemoth

What is it really like on board the world’s biggest cruise ship? Hilary Fennell finds out as she boards Harmony of the Seas for its inaugural sailing.

Sat, 28 May, 2016

The people are friendly, the food delicious, in Rajasthan India

Sat, 21 May, 2016

You won't be disappointed when visiting the Vendée region of France

Having first visited the Vendée region of France as a teen 30 years ago, Conor Power decided to return there with his own family. They weren’t disappointed.

Sat, 14 May, 2016

Legoland can be the perfect family holiday

Sat, 07 May, 2016

Here's how you can combine a holiday with a music festival abroad

WE Irish know how to put on a music festival, and this year sees the return of our favourites, from city runs like Live at the Marquee to the annual highlight of Electric Picnic. 

Sat, 30 Apr, 2016

Charlie Chaplin’s former home in Switzerland opens as a museum this month

Kevin Pilley takes a cane-twirling, splay-footed stroll through Charlie Chaplin’s former Switzerland home, which has become a museum to the great man.

Wed, 27 Apr, 2016

With new Cork-Dusseldorf flights, people should consider visiting gorgeous Germany

Former Irish Examiner sub-editor Mareike Graepel lived in Cork for years before she returned to her native Germany. With new Cork-Dusseldorf flights on offer, she gives the local lowdown on the Ruhr Valley.

Wed, 27 Apr, 2016

The Girona region in north eastern Spain is a top location for Irish holiday-makers

Artist Salvadore Dali chose to live in the Girona region of Spain for good reason, says Liz Dunphy.

Sat, 16 Apr, 2016

Oregon is off the beaten track for Irish tourists and we're missing out

On our first night in Oregon we were greeted by a young maÎtre d’ at the Bridgewater Fish House, in Florence — a converted mercantile store reminiscent of the Oleson’s in Little House on the Prairie.

Sat, 09 Apr, 2016

Live like a local in north Vietnam and you won't want to leave

Want to live like a local in Vietnam? Just master crossing Hanoi’s chaotic streets. After that, you can do anything, says Shilpa Ganatra.

Sat, 09 Apr, 2016

The 10 most breathtaking National Parks to visit in America

Sat, 02 Apr, 2016

Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital, Buenos Aires, is unforgettable

Buenos Aires is a feast for the senses with a pulsating street life that leaves you gasping for breath writes, Ethel Crowley.

Sat, 02 Apr, 2016

Deirdre Reynolds takes a trip to the Holy Land in Israel

Witnessing a row of women weeping openly at the Western Wall, Deirdre Reynolds couldn’t help but wish she had some of their faith on a trip the Holy Land.

Sat, 26 Mar, 2016

A taste of paradise in the Maldives, where the ocean is electric blue, the sand sugary white

Shilpa Ganatra tries out three resorts in the Maldives – like a pub crawl, as she describes it, but with paradise islands instead of busy bars. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it...

Sat, 19 Mar, 2016

South Tyrol in north Italy is a favourite for skiers in winter and is even more enthralling in summer

Forget pizzas and piazzas — South Tyrol in the north of Italy is dominated by the Dolomites, says Suzanne Harrington.

Sat, 20 Feb, 2016

Luxembourg is a city with a mixture of ancient fortresses and cutting-edge architecture

It may be a city of high finance but Luxembourg’s historic heart succeeded in converting Colette Sheridan.

Sat, 20 Feb, 2016

Enjoy sunset on the Indian Ocean in Mauritius

Jo Kerrigan travels to Mauritius, the ideal Valentine’s destination, and samples the culture that can be found away from the luxury hotels.

Sat, 13 Feb, 2016

Unspeakably beautiful wilderness at Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race

Today a dog race begins at the top of the world in mind-numbingly freezing conditions, writes Jo Kerrigan.

Sat, 06 Feb, 2016

De-camping to Brittany with the kids

Looking for the perfect family holiday? Esther N McCarthy enjoys some quality time with the kids in Brittany.

Sat, 23 Jan, 2016

New year, new you after visiting Thailand

Alexander Fitzgerald visited Thailand for a seven-day detox of juices and clear soups. His verdict? He’ll be back.

Sat, 16 Jan, 2016

Visiting Iceland in the footsteps of St Brendan

Rory Boland chases the Northern Lights and experiences the culinary delights of Europe’s latest foodie destination.

Sat, 09 Jan, 2016

A letter from paradise on the Greek island of Skyros

An oasis of peace on a Greek island proved the perfect environment for Claire Droney to practice her writing skills tutored by a Man Booker author. 

Sat, 02 Jan, 2016

Sousse looking rebound from Tunisian terror attacks

Six months after the attacks, Tunisia is trying to rebuild its broken tourist industry, says Eoghan Corry.

Sat, 26 Dec, 2015

A magical trip to Lapland is a once in a lifetime experience

Vickie Maye experiences Lapland, the magical winter wonderland that’s home to Santa, on a one-night trip of a lifetime.

Sat, 19 Dec, 2015

The best options home and abroad for a 'Twistmas' break

The period between Christmas and New Year is fast becoming peak season for holidays. Ciara McDonnell has the best options at home and abroad for a “Twistmas” break    

Sat, 12 Dec, 2015

Our list of the best holiday destinations for Christmas sun and skiing

More and more of us want to get away for the festive season — whether it’s for a sun-drenched Christmas, a cruise, or the ski slopes, says Ciara McDonnell.

Sat, 05 Dec, 2015