Travel - Destinations - Irish Examiner

Travel – destinations

Our pick of the best places in the world to visit

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Departure lounge: A breathtaking train journey through the Swiss alps

Plus vibrant India, the cosy Costwolds, and the beauty of Barbados

<p>The medieval city of Carcassonne in France was restored by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. Ireland should emulate his work on landmarks including Timoleague Abbey in Cork and Quin Abbey in Clare. Picture: iStock</p>

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Timoleague and Quin abbeys could be Ireland's Carcassonne

<p>People in the streets of Omoide-Yokocho in Shinjuku Tokyo Japan</p>

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We spent 15 days in Japan with our teens — here's why it's the ultimate family holiday

Amazing sunrise and ski resort in the French Alps,Europe

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50 fantastic holidays for your travel bucket list, from family getaways to luxury escapes

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Departure Lounge: Take a trip to the Savannah of Rwanda

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Departure Lounge: Cast your holiday longings toward Valletta, and the Maltese sunlight

I spent five days in downtown Chicago — here's why I found it hard to leave

Diverse and friendly, Chicago’s cultural scene is another great reason to visit this fun city, writes Aoife Barry

Sat, 15 Nov, 2025

The magic of Morocco: How the Northwest of Africa shimmers with lifelong memory

From the history, amazing architecture, and memorable markets of capital Rabat to the fab food of Casablanca, this could be a perfect winter break, says Roz Crowley

Sat, 08 Nov, 2025

Departure Lounge: Head for Botswana for a safari escape

Bringing together the thrill of a safari, the luxury of a Wilderness camp and the beauty of Botswana, The Sanctuary at Wilderness Mombo is the first of Wilderness’s new wellness destinations.

Sat, 01 Nov, 2025

S I spent the night in a haunted castle in Tipperary, here's what happened

Maeve Lee spends the night with a team of paranormal investigators in a haunted castle, and discovers why 'ghost tourism' is on the rise in Ireland

Tue, 28 Oct, 2025

Florence cityscape and Duomo Santa Maria Del Fiore, Italy

Bottled memories: Grief, scent and healing in Florence

In crafting a perfume in honour of her late mother, Jacqui Deevoy embarks on a journey into memory, artistry, and emotional alchemy that transforms stagnant grief into something beautiful

Sat, 25 Oct, 2025

Departure Lounge: Budapest is a winner for an autumn getaway

Elegant and imperial, Budapest is calmer than Prague, easier than Berlin, and cheaper than Vienna, making it a winning choice for an autumn escape.

Sat, 25 Oct, 2025

Departure Lounge: Get 2026 off to a sailing start to the Maldives

"...sipping champagne with oysters at sunset, dining on a menu by Michelin-starred Tom Aikens and enjoying a guided stargazing session in absolute luxury..."

Sat, 18 Oct, 2025

Ernest Shackleton's footsteps: Antarctic hero's cabin is restored and open to visitors

Explorer's cabin had been used as a shed in Norway for most of a century — but now it's been brought back to his Irish birthplace and meticulously restored

Sun, 12 Oct, 2025

Departure Lounge: Make the best of those new Dublin-Marrakech flights

"...why not factor in a brunch to remember at the lavish five-star palace hotel, Selman Marrakech?"

Sat, 11 Oct, 2025

Departure Lounge: Tee up for a sunny Spanish golfing escape

"If sunny fairways are calling you, why not avail of Royal Marbella Golf Resort’s deal on the Costa del Sol?"

Sat, 04 Oct, 2025

Viva Las Vegas: Secret thrills, spills, and bumps in America's entertainment capital

From hidden speakeasies to F1-inspired karting, boredom isn’t an option in Nevada’s neon city, writes Darren Norris

Sat, 27 Sep, 2025

Departure Lounge: Prepare for autumn with a trip to Edinburgh's Witchery Hotel

"Quirky, glamorous, and luxurious, the atmospheric five-star hotel sits on the Royal Mile in the gothic heart of the city."

Sat, 27 Sep, 2025

Departure Lounge: Five travel deals to book this week, including Las Vegas, Bali, West Cork

Plus save up to €1,190 and enjoy a free all-inclusive service in the Maldives

Sat, 20 Sep, 2025

Departure Lounge: Five travel deals to book this week, including cruises and skiing

Or maybe some island hopping in Southeast Asia?

Sat, 13 Sep, 2025

I solo-travelled to an almost-empty Greek island in winter — here's what I learned

What does one do on an almost-empty Greek island in winter? Unlike Leonard Cohen, Liv Monaghan did not find a muse, but become enveloped in nature

Sat, 06 Sep, 2025

Departure Lounge: Five deals to book, including a Northern Lights city break sale

"Return flights from Dublin to Reykjavik start at €179 while a three-night Northern Lights city break from €419 includes a guided tour to chase the Aurora Borealis."

Sat, 06 Sep, 2025

Around the Swiss Alps in a Porsche: following in the footsteps of 007

Alf Alderson follows James Bond around the Swiss Alps in a classic Porsche on the Grand Tour of Switzerland

Sat, 23 Aug, 2025

Saranda seafront on the Albanian Riviera

Departure Lounge: Take a trip to Albania for a Riviera summer next year

It has been a long time coming but Ryanair has just announced its first direct flights to Albania from Ireland.

Sat, 23 Aug, 2025

Departure Lounge: See why Canada has become the alternative in North American travel

"...nowhere is the unlikely beneficiary more than Saskatchewan, the remote prairie province which is also reporting a huge surge of tourists on the back of a reference in Chappell Roan’s latest single, The Subway..."

Sun, 17 Aug, 2025

Trieste: Italy's Mediterranean crossroads of history, food and natural beauty

Rich in history and on the doorstop of Slovenia and Croatia, this Italian city is worth more than a brief stopover

Mon, 11 Aug, 2025

Departure Lounge: How to get 15% off The Lodge at Ashford Castle

Included is breakfast and a delicious three-course meal at Wilde’s restaurant, when the booking is paid in advance.

Sat, 09 Aug, 2025

Murcia: 12 reasons to head inland for a Spanish break with a difference

In search of a Spanish break with a difference, away from the busy coast? Look no further than this inland gem, writes Amanda Kavanagh

Sat, 02 Aug, 2025

Departure Lounge: New flight route takes you directly to the best place to see the Northern Lights

Aer Lingus' brand new direct route will connect Dublin to Tromsø in northern Norway

Sat, 02 Aug, 2025

Indianapolis: Exploring the home of speed, sport and sass

Fast cars, Art Deco glamour, eclectic culture and Midwestern charm move edgy Indianapolis into pole position, writes Fionn Davenport

Sat, 26 Jul, 2025

Saadian pavilion, Menara gardens and Atlas in Marrakech, Morocco, Africa

Departure Lounge: Take a solo trip to Morocco's Medinas, mountains and coast

"Solos’ new women-only tours for 2026 offer private rooms with no single supplement, small group sizes, female tour leaders, and women-focused experiences designed for mature, independent travellers."

Sat, 26 Jul, 2025

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Departure lounge: A breathtaking train journey through the Swiss alps

Timoleague and Quin abbeys could be Ireland's Carcassonne

We spent 15 days in Japan with our teens — here's why it's the ultimate family holiday

50 fantastic holidays for your travel bucket list, from family getaways to luxury escapes

Departure Lounge: Take a trip to the Savannah of Rwanda

Departure Lounge: Cast your holiday longings toward Valletta, and the Maltese sunlight

I spent five days in downtown Chicago — here's why I found it hard to leave

The magic of Morocco: How the Northwest of Africa shimmers with lifelong memory

Departure Lounge: Head for Botswana for a safari escape

S I spent the night in a haunted castle in Tipperary, here's what happened

Bottled memories: Grief, scent and healing in Florence

Departure Lounge: Budapest is a winner for an autumn getaway

Departure Lounge: Get 2026 off to a sailing start to the Maldives

Ernest Shackleton's footsteps: Antarctic hero's cabin is restored and open to visitors

Departure Lounge: Make the best of those new Dublin-Marrakech flights

Departure Lounge: Tee up for a sunny Spanish golfing escape

Viva Las Vegas: Secret thrills, spills, and bumps in America's entertainment capital

Departure Lounge: Prepare for autumn with a trip to Edinburgh's Witchery Hotel

Departure Lounge: Five travel deals to book this week, including Las Vegas, Bali, West Cork

Departure Lounge: Five travel deals to book this week, including cruises and skiing

I solo-travelled to an almost-empty Greek island in winter — here's what I learned

Departure Lounge: Five deals to book, including a Northern Lights city break sale

Around the Swiss Alps in a Porsche: following in the footsteps of 007

Departure Lounge: Take a trip to Albania for a Riviera summer next year

Departure Lounge: See why Canada has become the alternative in North American travel

Trieste: Italy's Mediterranean crossroads of history, food and natural beauty

Departure Lounge: How to get 15% off The Lodge at Ashford Castle

Murcia: 12 reasons to head inland for a Spanish break with a difference

Departure Lounge: New flight route takes you directly to the best place to see the Northern Lights

Indianapolis: Exploring the home of speed, sport and sass

Departure Lounge: Take a solo trip to Morocco's Medinas, mountains and coast

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