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Spain 40C ‘severe' heat & thunderstorm warning for Irish tourists as 10 worst-hit holiday spots pinpointed amid heatwave

Spain 40C ‘severe' heat & thunderstorm warning for Irish tourists as 10 worst-hit holiday spots pinpointed amid heatwave

The Irish Sun14 hours ago
IRISH holidaymakers heading for Spain are being warned of sizzling temperatures and thunderstorms set to blast the country.
Temperatures soared as high as 46.6C across
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Tourists are being warned of sizzling temperatures in parts of Spain
Credit: EPA/MORELL
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Temperatures hit 46C in parts of Europe in recent days
Credit: meteologix.com
A number of holiday hotspots in
Spain's State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, has warnings in place for a number of popular holiday spots including Seville, Alicante, Mallorca, Madrid and Girona.
A 'severe high-temperature warning' has been issued for Seville, the Córdoba Countryside, Guadalquivir, Morena and Condada.
Weather chiefs at
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'Severe damages to people and properties may occur, especially to those vulnerable or in exposed areas.'
The mercury is expected to reach a scorching 40C.
A 'moderate high-temperature warning' is in place in Valle del Tajo, with temperatures hitting 38C.
Meteoalarm said: 'Be aware, keep up to date with the latest weather forecast.
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'Moderate damages to people and properties may occur, especially to those vulnerable or in exposed areas.
Health chiefs share signs and symptoms for Irish people to look out for after heatwave
Thunderstorms with 20mm rain expected to accumulate in one hour are set to hit other areas today.
This means that Irish jetsetters hoping to escape to the sun might find themselves disappointed.
The thunderstorm alert has been issued for Mallorca, Alicante, Valencia, Tarragona and the Barcelona coastline.
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Jetsetters are advised to take caution in severe weather, especially with the extreme heat, and follow the authority guidelines.
Using sunscreen with a factor of 30 or higher is recommended.
And ensure to reapply it every two hours and after swimming at the beach or pool.
IRELAND HEAT SPELL
Meanwhile, a number of weather alerts have been issued for parts of Portugal with temperatures reaching 38C.
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A yellow high-temperature warning has been issued for Sardinia, Italy.
In Greece, an 'orange max temperature' alert is in place with a 'yellow high-temperature' warning issued for other areas.
Here in Ireland,
Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel warned people to brace for the "hottest spell of weather since 2022" as Met Eireann confirmed temperatures will skyrocket this week.
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Nolan said warm temperatures will return with isolated light showers in some parts of the country this week, starting from today.
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Holidaymakers are urged to wear sunscreen
Credit: AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti
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Weather chiefs warned 'severe damages to people and properties may occur' in Spain
Credit: EPA/MORELL
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Tots to Teens: Go Wild in Waterford's Comeraghs this week
Tots to Teens: Go Wild in Waterford's Comeraghs this week

Irish Examiner

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  • Irish Examiner

Tots to Teens: Go Wild in Waterford's Comeraghs this week

The Comeraghs Wild Festival returns to Waterford this weekend with four days of traditional music, dance, storytelling, and fun for all the family. From Thursday, July 10 to Sunday, July 13, its lineup of events will celebrate Irish culture. These include outdoor set dancing and a Rambling House, where all are welcome to gather around and sing a song, play a tune, or tell a tale. On Friday and Saturday, Crough Woods will be the setting for a nature-based summer camp, where children will participate in treasure hunts, mindfulness sessions, and arts and crafts activities. Another option is to sign them up for surfing lessons or for the whole family to ride on the Waterford Suir Valley Railway, where little ones will meet Honey and Barry Bear, have their faces painted, and be tasked with solving a series of clues to find hidden treasure. Visit for more information and to book tickets. How to screen playtime It can be a struggle to keep children off screens, particularly when they are on holidays and complaining of having nothing to do. If you're finding yourself on the losing side of this battle, check out the @brambila_bits Instagram account. Run by Andrea Brambila, an American therapist who specialises in perinatal mental health and developmental psychology, it's full of tips on how to reduce overwhelm and overstimulation by encouraging children away from screens and towards more independent play. She also has lots of relatable advice on how to deal with postpartum anxiety and the importance of setting aside time for parental self-care. Snug as a bug Babaroo's cotton snuggle set Could anything be cuter than this cotton snuggle set from It's designed to provide babies with swaddling comfort, while also allowing them enough room to move without restriction. It's soft, stretchy, lightweight, and breathable. It comes with a matching topknot headband. Babaroo Baby is a family business based in East Cork that sells sustainably sourced and ethically manufactured baby and toddler products. This snuggle set is designed to fit newborns and young babies weighing between 2.5kg and 6kg. It costs €35 and can be purchased directly from Cot grows into a bed The Hera cot bed The Hera Convertible Cot Bed is a one-time purchase that will serve as a safe and comfortable bed for your child for years to come. It starts as a cot. Then, as your child grows, the cot's adjustable mattress height and removable, slatted sides mean it will grow with them, transforming into a toddler bed and into a proper first bed. It's made by Gaia Baby, an award-winning, guaranteed Irish brand that creates crafted nursery furniture designed with longevity, safety, and sustainability in mind. It costs €649, and its gender-neutral look makes it a perfect fit for modern nurseries. Summer reading Bring the children along to the local library the next time they moan about being bored. There, they can enrol in Summer Stars, the national summer reading programme that runs from now until the end of August. This programme aims to encourage children to enjoy reading and writing over the summer holidays. To participate, all they have to do is register at their local library. There, they will be given a Summer Stars reader pack, which includes bookmarks, an activity book, and a reading tracker. The next step is to choose reading material from the library's extensive range of books, which includes audiobooks and e-books. Each time they borrow a book, they will get a stamp in their reading tracker and be invited to review the books they read online. At the end of the summer, they will also receive a certificate of completion. Visit for further information on activities, recommended reads, and Summer Stars reading tips. Read More Tots to Teens: Bath toys are sure to make a big splash

Julie Jay: I'd choose Bundoran over Benidorm, even on days when rain is biblical
Julie Jay: I'd choose Bundoran over Benidorm, even on days when rain is biblical

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Julie Jay: I'd choose Bundoran over Benidorm, even on days when rain is biblical

We are in Bundoran with extended family for the week. As we landed in Donegal, we listened to the radio, which informed us that there had been record temperatures in Spain. At least, I think that's what they were saying; it was so hard to hear over the torrential downpour that made driving conditions fairly dicey. One positive that came from lockdown (and, God knows, there were very few) is that we all fell in love with staycationing, and I can't see myself heading abroad with the children again anytime soon. As long-term readers of this column will know, we did brave 'the continent' for a holiday when I was pregnant with Number Two. I spent the week running around chasing after Number One as if I were in a Benny Hill film, and with gestational diabetes in full swing, the all-inclusive hotel buffet felt like a sick joke. As it happens, we're having a great time in Bundoran, so much so that I might never need a passport for a holiday again. 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Speaking of happy campers, Number One is sleeping on an air mattress, and I managed to convince him that this technically constituted 'camping'. I'm hoping this might satisfy his desire to camp outside, which is the stuff of my nightmares, having once pitched a tent at Electric Picnic and woken up with somebody urinating outside, inches from my head. After a few days on the north-west coast, I can categorically say I would choose Bundoran over Benidorm, if only because my threats to 'sit into the car and drive home if you don't stop' are slightly more believable given that we actually have a car as a visual reminder that Mammy isn't messing around. I'm sure we will one day venture abroad for a holiday again. 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I'm a Disney expert after turning obsession into dream job – best months to book plus little-known way to save hundreds
I'm a Disney expert after turning obsession into dream job – best months to book plus little-known way to save hundreds

The Irish Sun

time8 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

I'm a Disney expert after turning obsession into dream job – best months to book plus little-known way to save hundreds

DISNEYLAND is known as the most magical place on Earth and thanks to an Irish travel agent's financial wizardry, hundreds of euro can be saved on the cost of a visit. Laura Shamel has visited Disney's popular theme parks on 11 different occasions and turned her passion into a full-time gig. Advertisement 3 Travel expert Laura Shamel has revealed her top tips for Disneyland trips 3 Laura with her kids Mia, 11, and Cameron, 7, enjoying a Disney adventure And the mum-of-two, who advises holidaymakers on how best to reduce unnecessary expenses and avoid common mistakes, said there is something for everyone to enjoy on a once-in-a-lifetime Disney trip. Laura said: "There is something about the magic and it's just a wonderful place to be so immersive." Laura, 40, from Co Advertisement Through her travel agency, And thanks to her cost-cutting expertise and savvy tips, a trip to the happiest place on Earth could work out just as cheap as a staycation. She said: "Obviously a lot of people think Disney is for kids, and that's true, they do love it. "But there's something about the magic and it's just a wonderful place to be - so immersive and I think it brings you back to your childhood - it's memories, it's happiness, it's just everything about it. "I have always loved Disney and the parks are just fantastic. I love the rides, I love the shows, I love the character meets, the food - everything about it. Advertisement "There is something for everybody - from the tiny kids to fully grown adults like me - a Disney adult. "You've got Galaxy Edge which is the Star Wars part and my husband is a massive fan. Disney announces brand new theme park "While he's not really bothered about Disney, he's in the Star Wars area and absolutely enjoying it all." Laura is confident that with the right preparation, a trip to one of the parks can be made quite cost effective. For those seeking a quieter atmosphere or looking for the most affordable time to go, Laura recommends taking a trip at the beginning of the year - so looking at January, February or March for jetting off. Advertisement These months tend to have the smallest crowds and most competitive prices, which can help reduce the overall cost of an excursion. CHEAPEST MONTHS Revealing how a trip could cost less than a spin to another county in Ireland, Laura said: "Depending on the time of year you can get really cheap flights. "Out of school holidays usually end up being a lot cheaper, if you don't mind it being cold. "January and February are a really good time to go because they're a lot quieter and a lot cheaper." More of Laura's top tips to save cash on what might seem like an overwhelming trip include travelling during off-peak seasons, booking in advance and choosing basic hotels or nearby accommodation with shuttle access. Advertisement DISCOUNT BUNDLES Laura said Disneyland Paris' Santa Fe Hotel offers a more affordable option and is located within walking distance of the parks. Midweek visits are generally less expensive than weekends and school term times are quieter than the busy holiday periods. Laura added: "For example, Magic Kingdom is busiest on a Saturday and Monday, and the best days to visit are considered to be Sunday or Thursday. "Disney's new Lightning Lane system lets you pay to join a separate, shorter queue for some of the most popular rides and attractions, so you spend less time waiting. "And resort guests can also enjoy early entry every day, giving you a head start before the crowds roll in - with a little planning, you can experience more of your must-dos before the parks really get busy." Advertisement And she says families can also look out for promotional events, such as discounted ticket bundles, which are often released outside of peak travel windows. Plus booking far in advance is one of the most effective ways to reduce costs - with Laura recommending that families begin planning roughly 11 months or more before their adventure. What's more, getting ahead allows holidaymakers to grab the best resort offers along with meal plans and the best flight prices. She said: "I think if you book in advance as well, that's when the prices tend to be better. "Ideally you can book the holiday up to a year in advance - and I think for Walt Disney in Advertisement "About 11 months to a year before, you can generally start looking and booking things." For those looking to get the most out of their trip to Disney World while on a budget, Laura recommends the 14-day Magic Ticket. MAGIC TICKET Working out at only €45 per person per day, this option covers all four theme parks and two water parks, includes the Memory Maker photo pass, and even allows park hopping. The ticket also includes entry to selected mini-golf courses and gives families much better per-day value compared to shorter options. She said: 'A 14-day Magic Ticket works out at approximately €45 per person, per day, but on-the-gate prices for a single day ticket can set you back roughly €217." Advertisement And when it comes to food, there are several ways families can reduce their daily spending without compromising on meals. Laura advises packing snacks from home or stopping at supermarkets like 'LOTS OF WAYS TO SAVE' Families should also bring reusable bottles to make use of free water stations that are available at most restaurants on site. What's more, Laura recommends mixing quick-service dining with occasional sit-down meals to keep the overall costs down. She said: "So if we are talking about Walt Disney World, there are lots of ways to save money. Advertisement "You can take your own food into the parks, so you don't particularly have to pay for stuff at the restaurants. 'January and February are a really good time to go because they're a lot quieter and a lot cheaper." Laura Shamel "What I tend to do is take a Lyft or an Uber to a Walmart or Target and stock up on water, snacks, cereal bars, crisps, pretzels – you name it. "I'll always tell clients to take a reusable water bottle, and you can get a free cup of ice water and just pour it in there. "Otherwise a bottle of water could cost you about $4 - and obviously it's so important to stay hydrated in that Florida heat." There are also reusable mugs for the resorts that give you access to unlimited drinks for only $24.99, saving you hundreds on a two-week trip. Advertisement What's more, the Disney Dining plan is another major way to save money. Part of the plan, meals work out around $20 per person and gives you access to a number of different eateries across the park. 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"While they can be on the pricier side, the time saved (and the memories made) often make it worth every penny." SPECIAL FUND Laura also revealed an easy hack for families in order to save for their dream trip. Advertisement She said: "Have a Disney fund. Disney is such a magical holiday, and I think it's on most people's bucket list. "Maybe don't have a takeaway on that Saturday night, cook at home and then put that money on a card or in a pot and save it for your Disney fund. "Any kind of extra cash, put it in a Disney fund." Travel agent Laura knows how important the planning process can be, especially when it's a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Laura said: "Disney parks are magical but complex, with everything from booking rides to food choices having optimal strategies, which is why partnering with external experts to help lessen the financial burden for families is so important. Advertisement "And that comes at no additional charge – I'm just here as the planner. "I can send them itineraries, restaurant guides, and ride information, and let clients know the best days to visit certain parks." 3 Laura said there are many ways to make a Disney trip cheaper

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