The Travel Expert’s Best Travel Deals – 10th January 2023
I’ve searched the web so you don’t have to! My best travel deals from Ireland include last minute holidays, city breaks, summer holidays, long haul offers, cruise deals and staycations for couples and families.
In this week’s best travel deals from Ireland I have holidays to Corfu, Croatia and Marrakesh, family holidays to the Algarve, an amazing cruise deal, Easter weekend in Italy, New Year in Iceland and super staycations.
Best Last Minute Holiday: Marrakesh
Marrakesh is having a moment. If you are looking for an alternative to the Canary Islands this winter, with a little culture and charm thrown in, then don’t miss Marrakesh. As well as great value hotels, you should also enjoy some balmy temperatures – it is 23 degrees and sunny today!
I found return flights for just €132 on the 31st of January for seven nights, and a traditional stay in the top rated Riad Elnoujoum is only €245 per person including breakfast.
Search flights here 31st Jan – 7th February €132pp
View Riad here €245pp
Best Overnight Escape: Valentines night at Mount Juliet
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Give the gift of a hotel stay this Valentines Day! Price for an overnight stay at the 5-star Mount Juliet Hotel is just €92 per person on the 14th of February including breakfast.
Prices are even less on later dates – €85 per person on the 22nd of February, €79 per person on the 29th of March or €85 per person on the 16th of April – many more dates are available throughout the year for similar prices.
Read: My review of Mount Juliet
Best Spring / City Break: Trieste for Easter weekend
Image by Severin Herrmann from PixabayWe have over 23 new destinations from Ireland this year, and thankfully many of the new ‘summer‘ routes are starting at the end of March, just in time for Easter holidays. The Italian city of Trieste is one of them and I found flights for €74 over Easter weekend.
Read: 12 City breaks over Easter weekend, Inc flights & hotels from €259pp
The 4-star Hotel Coppe is €320 for a four-night stay and superbly located to explore this great city. Want to bring the kids along? The Residence Le Terrazze apartments are just €489 for a four night stay for a family of four.
Trieste is a delightful city in its own right, but it also ideally located to explore the pretty towns and villages of Slovenia, as well as Lake Bled (90 minutes away). There is so much to do here, you can catch the train to Venice for the day too.
Flights operate twice weekly and flights are only €89 for seven nights over Easter holidays – you may wish to stay longer!
Search flights 8th – 12th April €74
View hotel here €320pp
View Apartment €489
Best May Deal: A week in Corfu for €285!
Kickstart your summer with a week in the Greek island of Corfu for €285! The friendly Spiros apartments are located in the pretty resort of Sidari and are rated as Excellent on TripAdvisor.
This super deal is perfect for anyone looking to visit Greece without breaking the bank – the price includes flights, apartment, transfers and checked baggage for seven nights, departing the 22nd of May.
Best Summer Sun: 5-Star week in Croatia
We are so lucky to have direct flights to four airports in Croatia this summer. I have a soft spot for Cavtat because I think it ticks all boxes for couples looking for an upmarket resort, with lots of things to do nearby. You can take boat trips to Dubrovnik and many of Croatia’s islands, or pop into nearby Montenegro and explore the stunning bay of Kotor.
Airfares are particularly good value this summer with return flights from €141 in August or €162 in July. The 5-star Hotel Croatia is available from €708 for a seven-night stay including breakfast.
Read: The best places to stay in Croatia
Best Family Holiday Deal: Relax in the Algarve
For families looking for a relaxing sun holiday this summer, the Colina de Lapa apartments and villas in Carvoeiro offer excellent value. I found a great deal including return flights for €1767 for a family of four, departing the 19th of July for seven nights – many more dates are available at similar prices.
Three and four bedroom villas are also available here, making it an ideal choice for an extended family getaway.If you prefer family accommodation with more activities, water slides, kids clubs, I have lots more recommendations in this post:
Read: Family holidays in the Algarve, my top 20 picks
Best Family Staycation: Riverside Park Hotel Family Sale
The Riverside Park Hotel in Wexford is having a sale this week, with 10% off its family summer breaks. Two-night breaks are always superb value and sell out early each year. We visited a few years ago and enjoyed its spacious rooms and family friendly facilities.
Prices are available from €341 for 2 adults and 1 child, €365 for 2 adults and 2 children and €476 for 2 adults and 3 children, and include breakfast, a 4-Course meal for all the family on the evening of your choice, a family activity pass to one of Wexford’s top attractions, and lots more.
Read: Top 10 things to do in Wexford with kids
Best Cruise / Long Haul Deal: Orlando + 7 Night All Inclusive Cruise, €1465!
Enjoy the thrills of Orlando before cruising the Caribbean for seven nights! This amazing cruise deal includes a four-night stay in Orlando plus an All Inclusive cruise to the Bahamas and Mexico for just €1465 on the 10th of May.
Price includes flights with checked baggage, a four-night stay at the Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando, and a seven-night cruise on MSC Seaside with meals, drinks and gratuities included! I was on its sister ship, MSC Seaview a few years ago and loved it.
Read: My review of MSC Seaview
Best Seat Sale: Aer Lingus
There is only six more days left to avail of reduced flights to the USA and Europe in the Aer Lingus January sale. I found return flights to New York from €341, Orlando from €421 and San Francisco from €481 over May bank holiday weekend.
There are some great deals to Europe in June too, with return flights to the Algarve from €134, Malaga from €160 and Dubrovnik from €174.
Search flights here
Read: All the January sales in one place
Best Early Booking Offer: New Year in Iceland
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If you like getting away for New Year, you need to book early to get the best airfares. Play Airlines have flights on sale from Dublin to Reykjavik for €157 return! Price for a four-night stay in the centrally located City Centre Hotel is €307 per person, with free cancellation.
I have also linked a Northern Lights tour, which is available from €47 on New Years Eve – what an amazing way to ring in the New Year. Flights are shown via Skyscanner below, but as always, I suggest you book directly on the airlines website.
Read: Top things to do in Iceland
Read: Weekend in Iceland for New Year
View flights here €157pp
View hotel here €307pp
Northern Lights tour €47pp
Prices are correct at the time of issue but are subject to change. Please note some of my best travel deals from Ireland include affiliate links where I receive a small commission if a booking is made.
