Departure Lounge: Bayou-bound for a look at Louisiana's wetlands
Sri Lanka's dazzling scenery, culture and hospitality is matched by its colourful cuisine.
Join Sunway's Flavours of Sri Lanka trip for an eight-night culinary adventure that explores the Indian Ocean island's exciting culinary heritage.
From Colombo's bustling Negombo Fish market, spice gardens, and cookery class in a local kitchens, the itinerary includes visiting a family-run cinnamon estate, cooking hoppers and roti with local chefs and tea tastings in the misty hills of Nuwara Eliya.
8 night private tour departing October7, €2,229, including return flights, half board, tours, and transfers.
Deal of the week
Old town at night, Prague
Online travel agent loveholidays has launched its summer sale, with discounts of up to €500 on selected holidays until midnight on July 6.
Offers cover packages everywhere from European favourites to Dubai and the USA.
From a seven-night stay at the three-star Hotel Merce from €299, departing in August from Cork and a three-night stay at the five-star Grandium Hotel Prague from €289, departing in August from Dublin to a seven-night stay at the three-star Hilton Garden Inn Orlando International Drive North from €819, departing in September from Dublin, there's lots of choice and value.
Taste of New Orleans
We might think of music and bourbon when we consider New Orleans, but the colourful southern US city is surrounded by water and shaded by ancient oaks, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
From bike tours along the scenic Lafitte Greenway to kayaking along the bayou and swamp tours exploring Louisiana's vast wetland ecosystems and wildlife, there's even more to this destination than the colourful culture, architecture, music and cuisine.
Anniversary special
Dungarvan's Park Hotel
To celebrate The Park Hotel Dungarvan's 35th anniversary, the Waterford four-star is offering a €35 discount off online room bookings made between July 4 and 11 as part of a week-long anniversary promotion.
Extensively renovated in recent times, the Flynn Hotel Group property sits on five landscaped acres overlooking the Colligan River.
Just a short walk from Dungarvan and the start of the Waterford Greenway, guests can enjoy the Riverside Health Club with swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and gym.
Italian jazz
Hotel Calimala, Florence
Jazz in Cork may be fun but how about a jazz festival in Florence, Italy?
Firenze Jazz Festival takes place between 2-14 September, as the Renaissance city transforms into an open-air jazz club.
Visitors can expect musical performances by world class musicians echoing through piazzas, courtyards, contemporary art spaces, and rooftop bars.
For comfort, the chic Hotel Calimala beckons with its contemporary styling in two heritage buildings in the city's historic centre.
With eclectic interiors, art-filled rooms, and a panoramic rooftop (complete with live DJ sets), it's the perfect pad. B&B from €300.
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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Five stunning European holidays that are cheaper than a UK train fare – with £2 prosecco and stunning beaches
WHEN it comes to booking a budget weekend break, you'd think heading somewhere in the UK would be the cheapest and easiest option. However, with the 7 Edinburgh is a great city, but it's not a cheap place to go for the weekend, especially with sky-high train prices Credit: Getty 7 Alice was planning a long weekend in Edinburgh with her friends, but ended up going to Bulgaria for five days for the same price as the train fare Credit: Alice Penwill Fares to Scottish City, Edinburgh, over the summer are an average £200 return from London. Alice Penwill, a writer from Hertfordshire, was planning a girls weekend in Edinburgh when ticket prices stopped her in her tracks. "We really wanted to "Just the train fare alone was almost going to blow the budget. All the trains, even ones at obscure times of day, were over £200 per person. Read more on budget holidays " It's no surprise. Train fares in England and Wales recently shot up by 4.6% and the cost of railcards has also increased. The UK train network has a bad reputation with delays, cancellations and overcrowding, already testing the patience of paying passengers. At the same time, Most read in City breaks So, for less than it costs to go away for the weekend by train, you could be drinking Alice agrees. "In the end, we booked a holiday to Bulgaria. We got a package deal for £260, so with the transport and accommodation, we ended up paying less than we would have in Edinburgh, going away for five days instead of three. "The cost of food and drink in Bulgaria is much cheaper too. A burger and chips on the beach was less than a Big Mac meal at McDonalds in the UK. It was a no-brainer". Explore Tenerife with The Sun's Best of Beaches 7 Rome is a surprisingly budget city, with plenty of people-watching, relaxed streets, cheap pasta and Prosecco for £2 Credit: Getty 7 Amsterdam is a laid-back city with lots to see and plenty of lovely cafes and bars that won't bust the budget Credit: Getty So, grab your passport. If you fancy a few days in the sun, here are five great deals to European cites you can nab now for less than the £200 return fare from London to Edinburgh. Rome Rome is one of the most interesting, romantic and historic cities in the world, so a cheap break here A wander around this city is an attraction in itself, with historic sites such as the Colosseum, Vittoria and Pantheon, all If you do want to go inside the Colosseum, the entry free is £15. Buy your tickets from an official seller in advance and jump the lengthy lines for tickets. For lunch, grab a seat outside Summer is a great time to visit Rome as every year there are free movie screenings in various locations around the city called Pick up a £2 Prosecco from various hole-in-the-wall bars and find a spot in front of the screen. There are a range of films being shown this year, from old classics to new releases. This deal is £30 less than a return to Edinburgh, and includes return flights on Ryanair from Manchester and two nights in a 3-star hotel with a rooftop pool, for £171 per person. Book with Amsterdam A stroll alongside For one of the best free things to do in Amsterdam, head to Rijksmuseum, a museum with stunning gardens, sculptures and lots of pretty places to grab some shade. Mexican tacos might not sound very Dutch, but the street food vendor, This is a hot spot for a cheap bite during your visit - but prepare to queue as there is usually a line. Stay two nights at the four-star Zaan Hotel, which has a delightfully Dutch exterior and is situated in the charming area of The Zaanse Schans. This residential neighbourhood is lined with traditional wooden buildings that have been preserved for historical heritage. With this deal from Barcelona Laid back, foodie Barcelona is one of The main areas are mostly pedestrianised with stunning architecture and historic landmarks easily viewed Avoid La Rambla, which is always overrun with tourists and head to the Gothic Quarter. If you want to venture inside but not pay the big tourist prices to enter landmarks like Sagrada Familia, step into La Catedral for free most mornings and marvel at the magnificent hand, sculpted interior. Plus, Spain's tapas culture means you can snack on cheap small plates all day, with some bars offering Here you will find cute cafes hidden in shady alleyways, locally-owned shops and stunning Medieval buildings, many of which are open and free for the public to pop in and have a peek. A stay at the three-star Ramblas Hotel, right in the centre of the action, with return flights from Leeds Bradford are only £198 per person with 7 You have to pay to enter major landmarks, like Sagrada Família, but Barcelona has beautiful architecture all over the city that you can admire for free Credit: Getty 7 Zante is one of the best budget options for the Greek islands, so look out for last-minute offers from companies like TUI and Credit: Getty Zante, Greek Islands Zante has some As well as white sand and crystal clear water, this beautiful bay has a huge, rusting shipwreck grounded in the middle of the beach. Not your usual Zakynthos Town is made up of winding, cobbled streets and hanging bougainvillea, making it as picture-perfect as the more boujee islands but with a budget price tag. For example, local favourite, Ladolémono, in the town has a BBQ grill and outdoor tables serving huge chicken and salad gyros for £3. This is a great deal! For the same as the fare to Edinburgh, this 7 If you just want to get away, take advantage of Lanzarote's great weather and even better deals Credit: Getty Lanzarote The Canary Islands almost For a day trip to see a more authentic side to the Canary Islands, you can get a 25-minute ferry to There are no cars on the island but it's easy to explore. The golden-sand beaches here are pristine. Make your way to Playa del Salado for lunch. The fresh seafood from tiny cafes that line the beach is probably better than Scotland's deep-fried Mars bar. Just. For £20 less than the train to Edinburgh, you can stay three nights at the THB Flora Hotel in Puerto del Carmen, which has two pools and a family splash park. Plus, it's a few minutes' walk from the beach and the old town harbour, which has a strip of cute tavernas and bars that become very lively from mid-afternoon. Book with
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
The European sunshine spot 3 hours from Ireland with 29C heat, golden beaches, breathtaking views and incredible wines
TAKE a look at this fabulous coastal city in one of the most beautiful European countries with golden sands, crystal-clear waters and excellent activities. The magnificent coastal city of Albufeira in Advertisement 5 Albufeira in Portugal is the perfect destination for a summer getaway Credit: Alamy 5 The region has many natural hidden gems to visit Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 It's a fabulous spot for a night out with your friends Credit: Getty Images - Getty It is located in one of the most popular Portuguese regions for tourists. And to Irish holidaymakers' luck, There are several bargain in the area with sea views, with the average price per night roughly €80 for two adults. During July and August, the temperatures reach highs of 29C and lows of 19C, making it the perfect spot for a summer getaway. Advertisement READ MORE IN TRAVEL The The destination has many attractions, including its stunning cobbled streets with white buildings, golden It also has a rich history where you can see the old town and the city's growth, and museums covering many types of history in the region. The popular golden Advertisement Most read in News Travel Tourists worldwide flock to the popular beach for its incredible views and excellent services, including a changing room, lockers for storage, parasols with sun beds, a snack bar and a car park. Those looking to get a set of two sunbeds with an umbrella and a table at the beach for the day will be looking at paying €13. 'Give this man a raise' say Ryanair passengers as cabin crew play 90s hit while on route to a popular party island And for those who love having fun at the beach, there's water obstacle courses, jet skis, and paddle boarding. Afterwards you can wander through the old town, consisting of small and cosy alleys with white buildings and many beautiful local shops, restaurants, and cafés. Advertisement The venues near the beach often provide local cuisine and products representing the city and the island, meaning a lot of fresh seafood, yummy espetadas, bolo do caco and desserts to try out. Many restaurants and The strip is Albufeira's party street at the heart of the town, providing themed bars, nightclubs, rodeo bull and drinking activities until sunrise. ATTRACTIONS The area's locals urge visitors to try out their famous wine-tasting tours at the local winery, which has delicious appetisers and an option to visit the picturesque villages nearby. Advertisement They will be provided with up to four hours of fabulous wines with delicious tapas, and they can learn how the wines were made at the winery. Another activity that tourists are recommended to try is the cave tours, where you will get a chance to see dolphins swim in the wild. Those feeling adventurous can do the Paderne Adventure Quad Ride, where they can explore the Algarve's hidden gems while experiencing the thrill of riding on a quad. The guided tour takes you to all-terrain areas, such as charming villages, rolling hills, citrus groves and breathtaking natural landscapes. Advertisement Tourists learn some interesting facts about the Algarve's history and culture. 5 Tourists can try out their famous wines at the vineyard Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 The region has many beaches on offer for tourists Credit: Alamy
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Kerry is ideal location for EU presidency meetings – ‘Where else would you bring them?'
Kerry TD Michael Cahill has said that the county with Killarney as the 'centrepiece' is the most suitable to host international Government ministers given the the provision of accommodation, food and conference facilities, that is available in the town and in the county as a whole. 'Visitors from every corner of the earth have been coming to Kerry for centuries now, to experience its beauty and serenity and have returned on many occasions because of the fabulous time they have enjoyed during their stay here. Where else would you want to bring the senior Government Ministers of all of our EU counterpart states, to experience Ireland, its customs and heritage? said Deputy Cahill. The TD said that they could visit the wonderful sights of the county on their 'downtime'. 'During their downtime, they can visit the Blaskets and Slea Head, Sceilg Mhichíl and the Ring of Kerry, Killarney's Lakes, Gap of Dunloe, National Park and Sliabh Luachra, all of our glorious beaches from Ballybunion to Rossbeigh, Kells to Ventry, Whitestrand to Inch, Ballinskelligs to Cromane, Waterville to Derrynane. "Kerry's golf courses are second to none, with so many to choose from. On to Listowel Writers Week and the Rose of Tralee and to top it all off three days at Puck Fair,' said the Rossbeigh TD. He said he has raised his plans with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, the Tanáiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris, and the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for European Affairs Thomas Byrne. "If Killarney's bid is successful in bringing the Heads of State to our county for meetings, conferences and functions, it will be a massive boost to the local economy in Killarney and also throughout the county. 'Kerry and Killarney have the experience and the facilities to provide the ultimate experience for these very important visitors, who will bring tales of their travels home with them, initiating a fabulous marketing campaign on our behalf.' The Kerry TD said he will continue to fight for Killarney to host these meetings. "I will continue to push in the coming months for Killarney and Kerry to be included as bases for the rounds of meetings that are to take place from July 1st to December 31, 2026.
