Travel - Destinations - Irish Examiner

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

Departure Lounge: Take a small-ship trip to Antarctica

"AE Expeditions, an award-winning, Certified B Corp and 100% carbon neutral leader in small-ship adventure travel, has an excellent deal on Antarctica voyages, destined to tempt you to book that bucket list trip."

Sat, 19 Jul, 2025

Brittany: Boating in the beauty of France's Celtic heartland

A live-aboard boat voyage is the perfect way to take in some of France’s most beautiful towns and villages, while also disconnecting from life’s many distractions, writes Conor Power

Sat, 12 Jul, 2025

Aerial View of Coastal Road to Town Surrounded by Ocean and Mountains

Departure Lounge: Shannon's new routes take flight with a €150 discount for sun breaks

Shannon Airport’s newest routes offer direct access to Madrid, Lapland and Madeira, and Munster holidaymakers can enjoy €150 off all sun holidays for those flying between June 2025 and December 2025.

Sat, 28 Jun, 2025

Nashville: Ship off to the capital of country music

The Tennessee capital is also home to the Grand Ole Opry which, as well as being the world’s longest running radio broadcast, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Sat, 21 Jun, 2025

Departure Lounge: An equestrian escape, new flights to Greenland and a luxurious Greece getaway

The private equestrian estate is paradise for pony fans, with polo, riding, and starry glamping up for grabs. Best of all, no riding experience is needed, just an appetite for adventure.

Sat, 21 Jun, 2025

Departure Lounge: Zambia's key to the wild frontier reopens

From June through to October, guests once again have the chance to explore this 28,000-hectare private wilderness, staying in luxury camps encircled by expansive grasslands that are home to over 55 species of large mammals, including six cat species, and more than 500 bird species.

Sat, 14 Jun, 2025

Departure Lounge: Five travel deals to book, including Lisbon Pride Week

Plus a spectacular spa hotel in the Dolomites

Sat, 24 May, 2025

I had one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life in Uganda

Jamie Ball takes a trip to western Uganda where he lands a front row seat at a gorilla showdown in the wilds of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Sat, 10 May, 2025

Departure Lounge: Five deals to book, including a week in sunny Malta

Plus lakeside luxury in Killarney

Sat, 10 May, 2025

Visit Ireland: Irish tourist hotspots size up their prospects for the summer of 2025

Despite a sharp early 2025 visitor decline, Ireland’s tourism sector remains upbeat with strong summer bookings forecasted

Sat, 26 Apr, 2025

Departure Lounge: Five holidays to book, including the first Orient Express hotel

Orient Express has opened its first hotel in Rome

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

Melbourne for beginners: How to spend your time in Australia's second city

Tapping into the things that locals love is the key to making the most of Australia's second city, suggests Justine Costigan

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

Locals’ guide to Bordeaux: 10 of the best spots for food, wine, arts and more

Long famous for its food and drink, Bordeaux has a buzzing arts scene, too. Three local experts pick places to delight your palate and mind, ideal for any rugby fans travelling through the city en route to La Rochelle this weekend

Tue, 01 Apr, 2025

Departure Lounge: Five holidays to book, including a wild west adventure

Plus a family deal for a stay in Powerscourt Hotel this Easter

Sat, 29 Mar, 2025

We went on three cycling holidays in France — here's what we learned on each one

DJ and music producer Shane, and training manager Sinead Johnson have embraced slow travel on two wheels

Sat, 22 Mar, 2025

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