37 responses
  1. Caroline Noblett Avatar
    Caroline Noblett

    HI Sarah,

    I listen to you on Today fm every week. We are a couple looking to go away for Christmas sun holiday, we can see that Canaries have the better sun, is there a particular location you would recommend, we are not party animals but do enjoy some early drinks and food. We have been to Puerto Del Carmen so looking for something different and love to walk around and chill. ANy advise would be greatly appreciated

    1. Sarah Slattery Avatar

      Apologies Caroline, I have only just seen your message! Puerto Mogan in Gran Canaria is nice, and usually more sheltered, which is ideal during the winter time. Im off to Fuerteventura next week so that could be another option, and Costa Adeje in Tenerife is always very popular too. Cheers, Sarah

    2. Sarah Slattery Avatar

      Apologies Caroline, I have only just seen your message! Puerto Mogan in Gran Canaria is nice, and usually more sheltered, which is ideal during the winter time. Im off to Fuerteventura next week so that could be another option, and Costa Adeje in Tenerife is always very popular too. Cheers, Sarah

  2. Declan Avatar
    Declan

    Hi Sarah,
    Have you done any reviews on christmas abroad? Gang of us looking for xmas 2023 and would consider long haul too.
    Thanks
    Declan

    1. Sarah Slattery Avatar

      Hi Declan, I haven’t featured that yet but its best to book flights now to get the best value, they are usually on sale 11 months in advance. I would speak to a travel agent if you have a group.

      Cheers

      Sarah

  3. Marian Fitzgerald Avatar
    Marian Fitzgerald

    Hi Sarah
    Looking to go to Salou anytime between 30/6-18/7/23 for 7 people, all adults except 13 & 16 yr old. Flying from outside of Dublin if possible and to keep budget low.
    Thank you.

    1. Sarah Slattery Avatar

      Hi Marian
      I dont make bookings but do have a post with recommendations on where to stay in Salou here. https://thetravelexpert.ie/travel-expert-article/salou-holidays-best-family-apartments-hotels-and-campsites-in-salou/

      Best,
      Sarah

  4. Shirley McNulty Avatar
    Shirley McNulty

    Hi .I was wondering could u suggest hotels to stay in Malta .
    I’m traveling mid November for 4 nights
    Many thanks

    1. Sarah Slattery Avatar

      Hi Shirley,

      Many thanks for your message. I haven’t been to Malta so unfortunately can’t recommend a specific hotel. However, I have this post on this to do which you may find useful: https://thetravelexpert.ie/europe/top-10-reasons-to-visit-malta/

      Cheers

      Sarah

  5. Brian Mc Loughlin Avatar
    Brian Mc Loughlin

    Hey Sarah,
    I’m reading all of your suggestions for the TUI properties for a family holiday. We’ve gone with them twice to HV Majorca and loved it. Very tempted to book with them again for summer 2023…..but they had a huge amount of cancellations during summer 2022….. Do you know if they have addressed all of the issues that plagued them last summer….or is there still a bit of a risk booking with them for summer 23?? Thanks a mil
    Brian

    1. Sarah Slattery Avatar

      Hi Brian

      My understanding is that the issues were mainly due to flight delays and cancellations due to staffing issues. This was a knock on effect from Covid which affected so many airlines like Aer Lingus, Easyjet, BA etc. I would assume things would be resolved by next year, or at least I hope so!

      Hope that helps,

      Sarah

  6. Niamh Avatar
    Niamh

    Hi Sarah, my 2 sons are hoping to go to Greece for a week in October/November after working hard all summer, aged 17 &20. They are looking for a beach destination with a nightlife, any suggestions?

    1. Sarah Slattery Avatar

      Hi Niamh,

      Many of the direct flights to Greece finish in October. Malia & Hersonnisos in Crete and Laganas in Zakynthos would be ideal. TUI have brand called Scene which focuses on young and lively holidays – you will see the properties highlighted on their website, or alternatively call a travel agency to book it for you.

      Cheers

      Sarah

  7. Lucy Chadwick Avatar
    Lucy Chadwick

    Hi Sarah, Love all your content! I am going to the USA to do a roadtrip in September and trying to sort car hire. It is absolutely eye watering in terms of cost (tripled in the last 2 years!) Wondering if you have any advice as to how to get the best deals on car hire at the moment? Many thanks!

    1. Sarah Slattery Avatar

      Thanks Lucy. From what I can see car hire has increased everywhere, not just the US. I had a similar problem when I tried to book a car in Orlando at Easter and ended up using UBER instead. I can only suggest travelsupermarket.com, they are a comparison website that check rates with multiple companies. Otherwise try the hotel you are staying in, they may know a local company.

      Best of luck,

      Sarah

  8. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    Hi, just wondering would you know if catching a connecting flight through Canada final destination Florida do you need to following vaccination laws for Canada or your final destination (need to be vac over 12 in Canada and over 18 in USA) I have tried to find this information on google with not much luck. TIA

    1. Sarah Slattery Avatar

      Hi Jennifer,

      Unfortunately I can’t comment on travel restrictions as they change constantly. Your airline or whomever booked the flights for you should be able to confirm this for you.

      Cheers,

      Sarah

  9. Siobhan Mullally Avatar
    Siobhan Mullally

    Hi,
    Thinking of holidaying to USA next summer with 12, 14 and 16 year old girls and was following your recent family trip. I’m thinking 3 nights New York, 5/6 nights Universal, Orlando followed by 5/6 night cruise. Thinking of doing the crude instead of Disney as price is not much more than the Disney tickets and given kids ages Universal might be more suitable. What do you think?

    1. Sarah Slattery Avatar

      Sounds like a fabulous trip but personally I would leave New York for a separate holiday. I love New York but there is so much to see and 3 nights will really only give you two days to explore it. Disney is fabulous and lots for older kids too, I’ll have posts on that next week. Personally I would go with Florida and Cruise, looking back on our trip I think we squashed too much in, I would have liked some rest days in Orlando.

      Hope that helps,

      Sarah

  10. susan Avatar
    susan

    Hi there Sarah

    Going to Ireland this August. Wondering if you have any pointers. Traveling with 21 and 18 year old. One boy and one girl. How many days Dublin Galway and one other. We only have 7 nights and 8 days.

  11. Jack hickey Avatar
    Jack hickey

    Hi Sare
    I,m looking for an air b& b with pool for two grandpartents, parents and two kids , one Austin , aged 8. The area should be cork or Kerry , last week in July first week in August, can you help?
    Jack

    1. Sarah Slattery Avatar

      Hi Jack, Many thanks for your comments but I don’t organise holidays so can’t help on this occasion. Cheers, Sarah

  12. Sandra Kemple Avatar
    Sandra Kemple

    Hi Sarah we are travelling to Italy ,Florence for Easter any idea what the weather is like at this time, i am only bringing hand luggage and not sure what to take
    Thanks
    Sandra K

    1. Sarah Slattery Avatar

      Hi Sandra, Its best to check the weather wesbites – Wunderground have a historical tab on their site. Cheers, Sarah

  13. Solata Avatar
    Solata

    Hi Sarah,
    I have a scenario where my 5 weeks holiday to Africa in Dec has been affected by current situation I am in. And now I am required to travel for only 2 weeks. I have three children aged 8,8 and 5 …
    I am in Europe
    Do you think it will be a tough for the
    children or 2 weeks are in to be with our family back in Africa.
    2 weeks I mean….we leave day 1 and we be back day 14???

    1. Sarah Slattery Avatar

      Hi Solata

      We travelled to Africa for two weeks and had no issues. I think because the time difference is similar there is no jet leg – that certainly helps. I would go again in a heartbeat!

      Cheers

      Sarah

      1. Sarah Slattery Avatar

        Yes its one of my favourite destinations, and love the fact that there is little or no jet lag too!

  14. pauline Avatar
    pauline

    hi sarah I am traveling to Newyork in February.
    Can you suggest the best city pass to buy or is it better to pay for individual attractions, also should I book the popular obes before I go ie ellis island ect.
    Thanks
    Pauline

    1. Sarah Slattery Avatar

      Hi Pauline, I believe the Citypass is great. I haven’t used it personally but heard great feedback about it.

  15. Piper Nicola Avatar
    Piper Nicola

    Hi Sarah,

    Am heading to Rome very soon and looking for something perhaps a bit different to do – have been a few times so have done most of the main tourist attractions.

    Many thanks in advance

  16. Liz Nolan Avatar
    Liz Nolan

    Hi Sarah
    Four of are booked to fly to Lanzarote on 22nd February with Ryanair but at the moment because of the present rules we are unable to even travel to the Dublin airport….is there anything we can due??

    1. Sarah Slattery Avatar

      Hi Liz

      Sorry to hear this but if the flight is still operating the only options are to change your dates, or check with your travel insurance to see if you are covered for cancellation due to government advice. Unfortunately Ryanair will not offer a refund if the flight sill operates. Best of luck, Sarah

  17. Linda Williamson Avatar
    Linda Williamson

    Hi Sarah,

    Do you have any information on how to get a refund from teletext holidays. I cancelled my holiday in March,due to covid. I paid a €450 cancellation fee. They then proceeded to take €800 from my account in April.
    Any advice.
    Thanks

    1. Sarah Slattery Avatar

      Hi Linda

      Sorry to hear you are having difficulties. If the flights / holiday was cancelled by Teletext or the airline then you should be entitled to a refund. You can contact flightrights.ie if you are having trouble. If you decided to cancel but the flights were still operating, then that is a different issue and you would have to take it up with Teletext directly. Hope that helps, Sarah

  18. Jacky Avatar
    Jacky

    Hi Sarah
    Where can I read the post about the Spanish Tourist Info please ?
    I am booked to fly to Spain 28th Dec – not the Canaries !

    1. Sarah Slattery Avatar

      The same rule applies to Spain as mentioned in the post.(There is an additional requirement for ALL visitors staying in accommodation in the Canary Islands to take antigen tests on arrival). The Spanish requirement is that anyone arriving from a hisk risk ( Red / Grey ) region needs to provide proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. However, you wont know until closer to the time whether Ireland remains on the Amber list. If Ireland changes to Red, you will need to provide a test.

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