The little-known sunshine spot 3 hours from Ireland with stunning beaches, old town, cheap pints & €40 Ryanair flights
Palermo is a stunning city located on the Italian island of
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Palermo is an underrated Italian sunshine spot
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It's known for its historical sites and Mediterranean charm
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Palermo boasts some of the clearest waters in Europe
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The hottest month of the year in
Often called "the Kingdom of the Sun," Palermo is one of Italy's most beautiful and underrated coastal cities, renowned for its turquoise waters,
And Ryanair flights from
Situated on the coast of Sicily, this vibrant city is a gateway to what's known as the Coral Riviera – and it attracts thousands of visitors from around the world every year.
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The city is surrounded by the Mediterranean, offering stunning views of the sea and lots of opportunities for swimming, sailing, and sunbathing.
Nearby, you can explore some of the most stunning beaches in Sicily.
This includes breathtaking spots like
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'There are plenty of beaches for you to choose from, so it really is a case of deciding what kind of beach you want - the quiet peaceful beauty of Lascari and the family-friendly (and local's favourite) Mondello, the youthful fun atmosphere at Ficarazzi."
These beaches, along with the city, offer tourists the perfect spot to relax or grab a bite to eat, as they feature plenty of cafes and restaurants.
I explored the tiny European country with underground cities and little-known islands
From the coast, you can even take boat trips to nearby islands such as Ustica or the Aeolian Islands, both known for their unspoiled nature and beauty.
Palermo is rich in
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For an unforgettable experience, visit Palermo Cathedral, an architectural gem that plays a major role in the island's religious heritage.
You can also explore the Palermo Botanical Garden, a lush green space filled with exotic plants and walking paths.
And Mount Etna, an active volcano, is located on the island - making Palermo the perfect spot to begin your trip exploring Sicily.
As a popular city escape, Palermo offers plenty of activities, from
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The city is also renowned for its fresh seafood, locally produced olive oil, and Sicilian wines, which are all featured in the sunshine spot's many restaurants and bars.
If beer is more your thing, expect to pay around €4 for a pint in one of Palermo's bars or pubs.
Ryanair bosses added: 'Book flights to Palermo and get ready to be thoroughly seduced by the City of Delights – and it didn't earn its nickname for nothing.
'It really is full of them, and we don't just mean the pastry-based delights that you'll see in every cafe in the city (though cannoli are an excellent way to start your day with in Palermo).
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'Palermo's delights lie in its beautiful architecture, an intoxicating blend of Arabic, Roman, Greek, Norman, and Byzantine influences.'
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Palermo offers plenty of activities from boat tours to food tours
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The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I visited the tiny European island loved by Beyonce and Cristiano Ronaldo that has 300 days of sunshine a year
'JEFF Bezos was in this restaurant yesterday,' the waitress tells me. I'd spotted the Amazon owner's unmissable $500million yacht just off the coast, here on the Croatian island of Hvar, earlier that day. 5 The harbour town of Hvar, with the Pakleni Islands just a boat ride away Credit: Getty 5 Hvar Square, with the historic Saint Steven's Cathederal Credit: Shutterstock 5 Grand buildings line Hvar's waterfront Credit: Supplied Having just tucked into the fresh catch of the day, straight from the Adriatic Sea, I can see why The family-run Kod Barba Luke, in the quaint harbour town of Stari Grad, has been dishing up traditional Croatian grub since 1970, all of which is cooked in home-produced olive oil and washed down with local wine from UNESCO-listed vineyards. Good choice, Jeff. He's not the only A-lister to have been spotted in these parts, either. This island — well over 500 times smaller than Britain — is actually something of a celebrity hotspot. READ MORE TRAVEL NEWS Beyonce revealed her baby bump here and Tom Cruise is a fan. Many of the island's 10,000-odd residents would prefer their homeland wasn't such a star attraction, though. So much so, the local government recently launched a crackdown on the party tourism that the island has become famous for. They well know that this haven has so much more to offer than late-night discos and affordable booze. Most read in News Travel And I completely agree with them. It's a jaw-droppingly beautiful cultural crossroads; a rich Mediterranean melting pot of Neolithic, Greek, Venetian and Renaissance history. And the sun has its hat on for more than 300 days of the year, making it one of the sunniest places in Europe. Holiday island just a 2.5hour flight from London is 'as good as Ibiza' Local tour guide Ivana takes me away from the glamour of Hvar town's bustling harbour at the foot of a picturesque hilltop medieval fortress, to uncover something more peaceful and utterly beguiling. I meander through labyrinthine stone streets to find charming boutiques, cafes and restaurants behind fairytale-like limestone facades. Ivana reveals that Hvar has no less than six assets assigned Unesco World Heritage status, including the vast Stari Grad Plain. A short drive into its heart, past vineyards flanked by dry-stone walls, takes me to the Lacman Family Winery. I dine on local dishes including rooster, and taste all-natural white, rose, red and even orange wines. Beyonce revealed her baby bump here and Tom Cruise is a fan. Cristiano Ronaldo even had a street shut down so he could visit his favourite jewellery shop, away from fans All are blended with Bogdanusa — the indigenous grape variety which translates as 'God-given' and grows nowhere else in the world. The view from the winery's clifftop pergola reveals exactly why Jeff arrived by yacht. I gaze across rolling hills of pine trees, olive groves and lavender fields towards the midday sun reflecting on the azure horizon. Your budget may not stretch to a superyacht, but a day on the Adriatic — at a minimum — is a must. Just minutes from Hvar town port are the famous Pakleni islands — and day excursions can be booked via Valamar's Experience Concierge (a four-hour sunset tour costs from €80 and a six-hour day tour costs from €100, see I board a small sailing boat to swim in lost lagoons and find concealed coves full of crystal-clear sea. After seeing this, it's no surprise to me that Europe . My hotel is Places Hvar by Valamar, which sits towards the western side of the island, right on the coast. Holiday like Jeff After a two-and-a-half-hour flight from the UK, you will need to pick up a short transfer to a ferry, for a two-hour crossing, or a catamaran for a one-hour crossing, and then a brief taxi ride on Hvar — but the hotel can help organise all of that. It is a modern, vibrant and small, but perfectly formed, beachside resort in Stari Grad. Stroll through the sun-dappled pine grove lining the waterfront and you will find a little spa, outdoor gym area and hot tubs, plus another cocktail bar on the beach I'm staying on a half-board basis in a beach-chic room for two, which is funky and fresh, with a TV, ensuite bathroom and balcony. Although there are luxurious detached villas with private pools for bigger groups or those with children. If you do have kids, you may prefer the adjacent four-star Valamar Amicor Resort, with its outstanding children's facilities and waterpark. Places, on the other hand, has a more grown-up vibe, with a beautifully free-flowing layout, a main restaurant and bar that opens on to two sun-drenched pools and an outdoor cocktail bar, where a DJ drops some gentle beats during the day. Stroll through the sun-dappled pine grove lining the waterfront and you will find a little spa, outdoor gym area and hot tubs, plus another cocktail bar on the beach. A relaxing evening drink delivers a chaser in the sky made up of vivid orange, purple and pink as the sun sinks beyond the sea. You can charge the exquisite range of creative cocktails, made with local herbs, to your room with a waterproof wristband, which is also your door key. 5 Places Hvar by Valamar, which sits towards the western side of the island, right on the coast Credit: Supplied 5 Jeff Bezo and Lauren Sanchez who are big fans of Croatia Credit: Getty Brilliantly, it comes pre-loaded with a complimentary €25 euros for each day of your stay. The evenings are chilled — a band plays acoustic music while couples enjoy board games and cards. And mine and Jeff's new favourite restaurant is just a ten-minute stroll around the harbour. What could be better? With cheap flights and double rooms from just £123, my getaway was proof that you don't need to be an internet billionaire to holiday like one. GO: HVAR GETTING THERE: Wizz Air flies from Luton to Split from £48.28 return. See Transfers from the ferry port to the hotel cost €7.50pp, booked through the hotel. Return ferry/boat transfers cost around £45pp (see STAYING THERE: Double rooms at Places Hvar by Valamar start from £123. Flexi half-board includes a buffet breakfast and €25 daily credit per person for lunch or dinner. Villas at Valamar Amicor Resort start from £285 for half-board. See
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I went to beautiful Italian paradise that has new British Airways flights – and found pretty towns away from the crowds
I AM hanging upside down and soaring through the air at 75mph – but it's the scenery that's really taken my breath away. I'm at Cilento in Volo, a zip-line experience in the picturesque town of Trentinara, in south-western Italy. Advertisement Sitting a little south of the Amalfi Coast, this area is stunning. 5 Cilento in Volo, a zip-line experience in the picturesque town of Trentinara, in south-western Italy Credit: Collect 5 Sun man Dean takes in the sights on the zip-line Credit: collect 5 Just a 20-minute drive away is Paestum, a fascinating archaeological park and a must-see Credit: Collect And I should know. After all, I have just taken it all in from a bird's eye viewpoint reaching thrilling heights of 985ft amid the coastal mountains, rolling hills and forests of Cilento National Park. And it's now easier than ever to reach this region, in the province of Salerno, with British Airways having recently added a new BA Euroflyer (Gatwick short-haul) route to Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport. Luckily, this slice of Italian paradise is not overpopulated with tourists like its widely known neighbours , Positano, Ravello and Sorrento. Advertisement READ MORE ON TRAVEL So when I'm back on solid ground, I'm able to take in the sights of charming Trentinara away from the crowds. Also known as the 'town of love', thanks to an ancient legend about doomed lovers, Trentinara has plenty to offer along its historic stone streets and winding alleyways (that are particularly appealing at sunset). Among them, you'll find the warmly welcoming Paolino 848 — a wine bar and restaurant serving platters of antipasto, cheese with truffle honey (a revelation), filled focaccia and hearty meatballs. I leave contentedly stuffed. Advertisement Most read in News Travel Trentinara's hill-top position means its panoramic piazza offers unbeatable views over the Cilento Coast and the Gulf of Salerno. Just a 20-minute drive away is Paestum, a fascinating archaeological park and a must-see. 7 TOURIST DESTINATIONS - EVERGREEN LISTICLE Here, in what was once a major ancient city founded by Greek colonists before it was captured by the Romans, stand three of the world's best-preserved ancient I position myself alongside the columns of one of them, the magnificent Tempio di Nettuno, for a true sense of scale — and it dwarfs me. Advertisement The columns somewhat remind me of those in the lobby of the Savoy Hotel & Spa Paestum, not far from here, where I am staying. Nestled among pine groves, just steps from the Tyrrhenian Sea, it's the perfect base for exploring. It even has its own Beach Club 93, with plush cabanas, loungers, a pool , bar, restaurant and a private, sandy beach. This 7,500sq ft sanctuary offers three temperature-controlled pools, a salt cave, ice room, Turkish bath and a number of treatment options. Within seconds in this space, I'm totally at ease Sipping a cocktail here at sunset, gazing out across the sea, I've never felt more content. Apart from when I'm in the hotel's Holos Spa. Advertisement You'll hear dolphins This 7,500sq ft sanctuary offers three temperature-controlled pools, a salt cave (if you dip your head under the water you'll hear 5 The picturesque town of Santa Maria di Castellabate, is worth seeing too Credit: Getty For dinner, there's a relaxed eatery, Bistrot Olivella, as well as a stunning Michelin-starred restaurant, Tre Olivi, which focuses on delicious ingredients from the hotel's impressive kitchen garden — my dining experience is unforgettable. If you'd rather head out for food, the nearby La Dispensa di San Salvatore offers farm-to-table dining featuring the freshest fare from the San Salvatore farm. In the kitchen, Italian nonnas, make seasonal, sustainable dishes as their own mothers and grandmothers once did. Advertisement Nonna Lucia walks out to the sunny dining terrace where I'm sat and it's here, at the end of a group table, that she makes and shapes the fresh pasta that I'll soon be savouring (along with bowls of fresh salads, helpings of the finest buffalo mozzarella and wines including San Salvatore's award-winning Vetere rosé). This is Italian food made with passion, freshness and authenticity. No visit to Cilento is complete without a trip to the enchanting hilltop town of Castellabate. Alleyways and cobbled streets weave through its ancient walls and its famed terrace offers panoramic views across the coastline and nearby villages. Advertisement 5 Nonna Lucia at La Dispensa di San Salvatore Credit: Collect It's from the nearby postcard-pretty fishing port, San Marco di Castellabate, that I take a boat trip along that coastline — calm turquoise waters, alluring beaches and haze-kissed mountains. San Marco's picturesque sister town, Santa Maria di Castellabate, is worth seeing too. I can safely say this extraordinary region of southern Italy has wowed me on all fronts from every angle. Even upside down. GO: SALERNO GETTING/STAYING THERE: British Airways Holidays offers seven nights' B&B at the 5* Savoy Hotel & Spa, Paestum, from £979pp including flights from Gatwick on selected dates in September and October, one checked bag pp. GETTING AROUND: British Airways Holidays offers seven nights' car hire from £319 (based on September/ October dates). See
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
New York-style attraction in UK with 150-metre high gardens reveals huge £2.7m revamp that will make it even bigger
A POPULAR UK tourist attraction inspired by a New York City landmark is set to undergo a major revamp. The ambitious project will see the Manchester "sky park" transformed with a £2.7 million renovation. Advertisement 3 Plans to extend the Castlefield Viaduct in Greater Manchester are currently underway Credit: National Trust 3 New work will see an extension to the Victorian structure, as well as increased access points Credit: Twelve Architects Castlefield Viaduct was first constructed as a railway in 1893 and was used for transport in and out of the Great Northern Warehouse until 1954. The steel structure remained derelict until 2022, when plans saw a third of the 330 metre-long track converted into a "sky garden". This revamp bears a resemeblance to New York City's High Line, which has seen an abandoned overground subway track converted into a public space and gardens along the west side of the city. Sky garden Now, plans for the Manchester based attraction could increase the scale of the viaduct experience from 150 metres to the full 330 metre length of the structure. Advertisement Read More On Travel This would even include a walkway over to Pomona Island, offering stunning views of the city. In 2023, plans were revealed for the future of viaduct, which could see an extension to the Victorian structure. Funding And now a significant proportion of the funding needed for the next phase of the project has been secured. The National Trust revealed a long-term future vision for the Castlefield Viaduct "sky park", including several entry and exit points as well as a walkway giving access towards Salford and Trafford. Advertisement Most read in News Travel National Highway's Historical Railways Estate Team is working in partnership with the conservation charity. It has committed £2.4 million to fund a significant part of the structural and foundation work for Phase 2 of the project. 7 TOURIST DESTINATIONS - EVERGREEN LISTICLE And a further £100,000 will be funded by Manchester City Council. Another £100,000 has been pledged by Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and a grant of £150,000 is also being given to the project from the Railway Heritage Trust. Advertisement Masterplan The Castlefield Viaduct masterplan, termed the "Vision", is a direct response to public feedback from viaduct visitors and the local community. Both tourists and locals took part in a series of workshops, events, and an online survey in autumn 2023 to determine ways to improve the viaduct. As well as an extension of the structure, designs also feature more places to sit, relax, and take in the views of the city. Which European countries charge tourist tax? Here's a list of which European countries you need to pay tourist tax in: Amsterdam, The Netherlands Austria Balearic Islands Barcelona, Spain Belgium Bulgaria Budapest, Hungary Croatia Germany Greece Iceland Italy Portugal Paris, France Prague, Czech Republic Slovenia Switzerland Valencia, Spain Venice, Italy There will also be pop-up spaces for community activities and events and winding paths through planted areas. Advertisement Plus, the installation of stair and lift access to Egerton Street. In the Vision, seven "character" areas have been identified as part of the future viaduct, plus the Gold medal-winning WaterAid Garden from this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show. This has previously been compared to Singapore's Gardens by the Bay. And a new welcome area called the Castlefield Platform, a green and playful area called the Global Garden, and the Village Hub which provides an area for community growing will also feature. Advertisement The midway point on the viaduct would become the Strawberry Garden, while designs for the latter half of the viaduct take advantage of the open-air views. The Cottonopolis area takes inspiration from Manchester's industrial past, before the Pomona Walk leads visitors through treetops and on towards Pomona Island. Members of the public and local community have shown strong support for the viaduct, wanting the Grade II listed structure to remain open as an accessible green space for people and nature. With planning approved by Manchester City Council in April 2025, the structural work for Phase 2 of the viaduct is expected to start in the autumn, with the new section expected to open in summer 2026. Advertisement The viaduct remains open to members of the public, with opening hours being Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm. Advance booking for the viaduct has now been completely removed, allowing visitors to explore at their own leisure. Find out more about Castlefield Viaduct and view the future Vision for the green space and its extension 3 The viaduct is similar to the High Line Park located on old subway tracks in New York City Credit: Alamy Advertisement
