I’ve searched the web so you don’t have to! My best travel deals from Ireland include last minute holidays, short breaks, summer holidays, cruise deals, and super staycations.
This week’s best travel deals include a week in Zakynthos for €205, city breaks to Valencia and Porto, summer holidays to Croatia and Tenerife, a Med cruise on MSC World Europa, a business class offer to the Maldives, and super staycations.
Best last minute: A week in Zakynthos from €205!
Kick start your summer with a week in the fabulous island of Zakynthos. Renowned for having one of the world’s most photographed beaches – Navagio, or Shipwreck Beach as its commonly known, there has never been a cheaper time to go!
I found return flights from Dublin with Ryanair from just €95 on the 6th of May, and a seven-night stay in the popular Zante View Studios and Villas is only €105 per person – yes you read that right!
If you fancy some five-star treatment, the luxurious Bay Suites Hotel is available from €506 per person for a seven-night stay, including breakfast.
Day trips to Shipwreck beach including resort pick up are available from €55 per person.
Search flights here 6th – 13th May €95pp
View Apartment €110pp
View 5* Hotel €506pp
View Day Trip €55pp
Best overnight escape: Clayton Limerick Hotel, Dinner, B&B from €128pp
With delightful views of the Shannon, a leisure centre and a choice of dining options, the Clayton Hotel Limerick is a great choice for an overnight escape. The brand new International Rugby Experience is due to open shortly, so why not combine a visit while you are there?
I spotted a super offer which includes an overnight stay with breakfast and a four-course dinner from €255 per room, based on 2 sharing. This offer is valid on selected dates throughout the year, but it is currently available on Sunday the 28th of May, amongst many others.
I also spotted a good family deal on the 3rd of July for €293. This includes breakfast and dinner too, based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing. Discounts are also available on local attractions.
Read: 20 last minute hotel deals, May stays from €54pp
Best city break: Valencia
Valencia is a city that is firmly on my wish list! I have heard so many great things about Spain’s third largest city, which has 135km of beach and three UNESCO World Heritage sites! It is also considered one of the healthiest cities in the world, due to its enviable climate, low pollution levels, over 5 million square metres of green areas, amongst other things.
I found return flights from €138 on the 17th of June from Dublin and Cork airports, and a four night stay in the 4-star Hotel Valencia Oceanic, is just €249pp.
Located in close to the City of Arts and Sciences, this popular hotel which is affiliated my Melia, has an outdoor swimming pool if you fancy chilling after a day exploring the city.
The non-refundable rate in centrally located 5-star Valencia SH Valencia Palace is similarly priced, and also worth considering.
Read: 30 Top City breaks in Europe for 2023
Search flights here 17th -21st June €138pp
View 4* Hotel €262pp
View 5* Hotel €270pp
Best summer sun: Croatia
With so many flight options to Croatia this year, airfares are still reasonably low. I found flights to Dubrovnik from €206 with Ryanair from Dublin on the 18th of July, and €308 from Cork with Aer Lingus on the 8th of July.
There are many accommodation options to choose from, including lots of privately owned homes and villas.
I chose the pretty resort of Cavtat which is ideally located close Dubrnovnik airport as well as Montenegro. I highly recommend a visit to Kotor while you are there, full day excursions to Montenegro with pick up from Cavtat are available from €65 per person.
Dubrovnik can easily be reached by ferry from Cavtat so you can explore it early morning or late evening when the crowds disperse.
The popular Orange Tree Apartments are priced at €454 per person for a seven night stay, or if you prefer to opt for five star, the Hotel Croatia is hard to beat at €1004 per person including breakfast.
Read: Croatia Travel Guide – Best Places to Stay in Croatia
Search ex Dublin 18th – 25th July €206pp
View ex Cork €308pp
View Apartment €454pp
View 5* Hotel €1004pp
View tour here €65pp
Best family holiday: Tenerife
One of the main reasons families flock to Tenerife each year is to visit one of the world’s best water parks – Siam Park. There is a wide choice of slides here for kids of all ages.
The Villa Mandi apartments offer free access to Siam Park throughout your stay as well as having a kids club and plenty of activities for adults and children on site.
Price for flights, transfers, baggage and a seven-night stay for 2 adults and 2 children is €3074 on the 19th of July or €2717 on the 9th of August. Two bedroom apartments that sleep up to six are also available on the 21st of July. Price is €4877 for a family of 5,
Read: 12 Family holidays in July & August, All Inclusive Resorts, 2ad & 2ch from €2953
Read: 25 Summer holiday destinations for families with 3 or 4 children
Read: Top things to do in Tenerife and where to stay
View 19th July
View 9th August
View 2 bedroom
Best family staycation: Kenmare Bay Hotel, Kerry
The Kenmare Bay Hotel is always highly sought after, not only because of its ideal location and good value price point, but also because of its impressive Leisure Centre.
Located just five minutes walk to the pretty town of Kenmare, and primely positioned to explore Kerry and the Wild Atlantic Way, this is a great value choice for a family staycation this summer.
Price for a three-night stay on the 25th of July is €567, or €507 on the 16th of August, based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing.
Read: 20 Family holiday deals in Ireland, 2 night July & August stays from €294
View 25th July
View 16th August
Best luxury long haul offer: Business Class Deal to the Maldives
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If you are looking for the WOW factor, and can travel before the 15th of June – you won’t want to miss this!
Save 30% off Business Class fares with Etihad Airways, 30% off room rates at Kuramathi Island, plus get a free upgrade from the Basic All Inclusive to the premium ‘Select’ All Inclusive – where you can dine in any of 9 restaurants!
Price of €5375 per person includes return Business Class flights, a seven-night stay in a Deluxe Water Villa (the same one I stayed in), on the Dine Around Select All Inclusive Basis, and Speedboat Transfers. This is a saving of €1970 per person….
Read: My review of Kuramathi Island Resort
Best cruise: MSC World Europa
Cruise the Med on the brand new MSC World Europa! Remember the cruise ship the WAG’s were on during the World Cup in Qatar? Well this is it!
Price for return flights to Barcelona, transfers, checked baggage and a seven night cruise with meals, entertainment and gratuities included is only €1299 on the 23rd of June!
Visit Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Sicily and Malta over seven glorious days!
Read: Cruise Guide – How to Choose the Right Cruise for You
Best early booking offer: 3-night break in Porto, €230pp
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I loved our trip to Porto and would highly recommend Porto for a city break. As well as being home to a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is packed with colourful buildings, delightful streets, and has a great food and wine scene.
I found flights from Dublin for €75 return on the 9th of October, or €78 return from Shannon on the 8th of October. Price for a three-night hotel stay in the 4-star Fontinha Porto, Trademark Collection by Wyndham is only €155 per person.
If you fancy some five-star treatment, check out the Editory Boulevard Aliados Hotel. This modern luxury hotel is located in the heart of the city in a heritage building. It has received and Excellent rating on TripAdvisor and will no doubt increase in price over the summer months.
Read: Why you need to choose Porto for your next city break
Search flights here 9th – 12th October €75pp
View 4* here €155pp
View 5* here €324pp
A heads up for 2024!
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Easter is early next year ( March 31st) and flights for the first week of Easter holidays are already on sale. Remember you can book Ryanair flights with a deposit ( if you use Family Plus fare ) – you can read more about that here:
Read: Families can book Ryanair flights with 50% deposit
Currently flight prices to the Canary Islands for the first week of Easter holidays are €424 per person, while Malaga and Faro are €250pp. I don’t think these are particularly ‘cheap’ but it is worth considering if you want to get the best travel deals during Easter holidays.
The second week of Easter holidays should be loaded over the next week or two, so if are planning a trip to Orlando, New York or long haul travel, now would be the time to start planning.
Read: How to plan a trip to Orlando in 10 easy steps
While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, descriptions and prices are taken from third party websites and 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.
