Sardinia holidays from Ireland are back! Choose a weekend break or a longer stay, and enjoy white sandy beaches, gorgeous old towns and great Italian food.

With a direct three-hour flight from Dublin or Cork Airport and a ten-minute airport transfer, you can be enjoying nice Italian food in the old town of Alghero, with one of Italy’s best beaches beside you. Sardinia holidays may not seem like the typical choice for a short break, but we booked a long weekend in Sardinia a few years ago and loved it.

The old town of Alghero is perfect for a long weekend or indeed a longer stay. With cobbled stone streets, trendy boutiques and a great food scene, Alghero is a pleasure to stroll around. There is also a beautiful white sandy beach here which is not something that many of the other Italian resorts can boast about.
 

 
If you like designer shopping then take a visit the Costa Smeralda, if only to window shop and see how the other half live! You might spot some celebrities while you are there, this is a very popular hang out for the rich and famous. If that doesn’t float your boat, take a trip to the neighbouring island of Corsica and marvel at the stunning scenery – it is well worth a visit.

Ryanair are flying from Dublin Airport to Alghero twice-weekly on Thursdays and Sundays from March 27th to October 27th, and from Cork Airport from 1st June to 28th September. I have chosen two options below, to cater for those looking for a good value weekend break, or a longer summer holiday. The dates I have chosen can be changed, simply edit the dates on the links below to suit your requirements.
 

Weekend breaks in Alghero

Flights & 3-star Hotel La Margherita & Spa: 16th June, €279pp

Ryanair is offering flights Dublin to Alghero from just €126 on the 16th of June. This property is located just five minutes walk from the Old Town and 12 minutes walk from the beach. It also boasts a rooftop terrace and wellness facilities, and is superb value for a short break. Dates and durations can be changed to suit your requirements.

Check flights here 16th – 19th June €126pp

View offer here €153pp 
 

Flights & 5-star Hotel Carlos V Wellness & Spa: From €474pp

I stayed in this hotel many years ago and loved its seafront location and onsite spa. The outdoor terrace offers wonderful sea views and you can dine there during the summer months. However, the old town of Alghero is only a 20 minute walk away which offers a superb selection of dining options. 

The Carlos V is rated as Excellent on  Tripadvisor, making this luxury break in Sardinia great value.

Check flights here 16th  – 19th June €126pp

View offer here €348pp  
 

 
All prices are correct at time of issue but are subject to availability. Note some of the links in this post contain affiliate links, where I receive a commission if a booking is made, but at no additional charge to you.

This weeks best travel deals include summer holidays, winter breaks, cruise holidays, summer holidays in Ireland, and early booking deals for 2022.

 
I have some amazing offers in my best travel deals this week! I have summer holidays in Santorini and Spain, the October bank holiday weekend in Lisbon, adult-only winter breaks in Gran Canaria, New Year in Lanzarote for families, overnight escapes in Dublin and family staycations in Clare – for this summer, and early booking deals for 2022 – including an amazing cruise offer and a weekend Vegas!
 

 
It is important to be aware that each country has their own entry requirements, and these can change at any time. Most countries require non-vaccinated people to produce proof of negative Covid tests on arrival. Some require PCR tests, others will accept Antigen tests, and child ages vary from country to country.
 
It is also vital that if you are vaccinated or have recovered from Covid that you have proof of this. We have been told that the Digital Covid Certificate should be available to us by the 19th of July, but have to wait a little longer to be able to access this information.
 

 
Most countries require passenger locator forms to be filled out in advance of travel – in some cases these have to be done 24 hours in advance. I have some advice and tips in these posts that you may find useful, but please be aware that travel restrictions can change at any time. Always check the latest updates with your airline or travel agent before you travel.

Latest travel updates on international travel – your questions answered

Top 10 tips for booking holidays during Covid-19

Top 10 tips for travelling during Covid-19

Travelling overseas? Make sure you fill out passenger locator forms in advance
 

Best last minute holiday:

TUI is offering last minute package holidays from €313 after the 19th of July, and a further €100 off if you spend over €800 in total – use promo code SUMMER at the check out. They also include free Covid-Cover in all of their holidays departing before 31st October. There is a wide selection of offers to choose from but I found a great deal staying in the highly rated Potamitis apartments in Zakynthos.
 

 
Price including flights, transfers, checked baggage and a seven night stay is just €349 per person, departing July 25th. The Potamitis is rated no 1 onTripAdvisor and the reviews are excellent. 

View offer here
 

Best last minute overnight escape:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sarah Slattery – Travel Expert (@the_travel_expert)

While restrictions remain on indoor dining, perhaps now is a good time to book an overnight escape in a hotel. I had the pleasure of staying at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire recently, and I loved its seaside location and its superb facilities – there is a spa and swimming pool on site.
 

 
Enjoy a boat or kayaking trip with Dublin Under Sail and if you can manage to get a table, Hartleys outdoor dining is superb! I have lots more Dublin hotels in this post, including city centre locations in July and August from €50 per person.

Read: 20 Dublin hotel deals, overnight stays from €49 in July and August

See more here
 

Best September deal:

Enjoy a week on the beautiful island of Menorca for just €313 on the 14th of September. Ryanair have return flights from just €15 each way, so even if thought of travel restrictions or changing flights is putting you off booking – its worth the risk for €30!
 

 
There is a host of accommodation options to choose from, but I found a good deal in the highly rated Grupotel Club Menorca which is located just 200 metres from the beach.

View flights here €29pp 

View hotel here €284pp
 

Best luxury sun holiday:

Santorini is still on my bucket list, and I’m finding this deal to the 5-star Cavo Bianco Boutique Hotel and Spa very tempting! Enjoy a seven-night stay in this stunning hotel from just €819 on the 27th of September. Price includes Aer Lingus flights from Dublin, and breakfast each day.
 

 
Note Aer Lingus allow free changes up to two hours before departure, and I have priced the hotel on a free cancellation basis.

View flights here €194pp

View hotel here €625pp
 

Best family deal:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sarah Slattery – Travel Expert (@the_travel_expert)

Fancy spending the New Year in Lanzarote? TUI is offering €100 off when you spend over €800 by using code HOLIDAY100 and they offer good value to the Canary Islands on their own charter flights, compared to other airlines.
 

 
Price for flights, checked baggage, airport transfers and seven-nights in the popular San Marcial apartments in Lanzarote is only €2830 based on two adults and two children sharing. Price includes saving of €100 when you use promo code on this or any TUI winter holiday over €800 in value.

View offer here
 

Best family staycation:

Clare’s Hotel Woodstock is a family run country house on the grounds of Woodstock Golf and Country Club. Located just 4km from Ennis and a short drive to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, the possibilities for day trips are endless.
 

 
The onsite Leisure Club with pool, sauna and jacuzzi will be a warmly welcomed after spending a day along the Wild Atlantic Way. Price for a two night stay in a superior family room is just €288 on the 8th of August.

Read: 15 Family breaks in August – 2 Night stays from €288

View offer here
 

Best cruise:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sarah Slattery – Travel Expert (@the_travel_expert)

Cruise Italy and the Greek Isles on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas next summer. Fly from Dublin to Rome on the 17th of July and spend six nights on this extraordinary cruise ship, visiting Santorini, Mykonos and the Amalfi Coast – all while staying in a balcony cabin! 
 

 
Price of €1469 includes flights, return airport transfers, cruise on a full-board basis with upgrade to balcony cabin.

View offer here
 

Best city break:

Spend the October bank holiday weekend in Lisbon. I found a great deal staying in the popular Sao Bento Hotel, departing Saturday the 23rd of October for three nights. Price is just €283 per person, including flights and hotel with breakfast.

There are lots more accommodation options in this post:

Read: Were to stay in Lisbon, my top picks of 3, 4 and 5-star hotels

See more here
 

Best winter break:

The Adults-Only Sol Mogan Suites is one of the most sought after properties in Gran Canaria. The modern suites have a kitchenette and a barbecue, and its location is ideal for couples looking for winter sun holidays in a relaxed surrounding. Enjoy a seven-night stay here with flights from just €366 on the 25th of November.  

View flights here €121pp

View hotel here €245pp
 

Best early booking offer:

Live it up in Las Vegas, with this super deal departing in April. Price of €489 includes flights and a four-night stay in the highly rated Luxor Hotel, based on 2 sharing. 

See more here
 

Prices are correct at the time of issue but are subject to change. Please note some of my best travel deals include affiliate links where I receive a small commission if a booking is made.

 
Sarah

My best travel deals are back! I’ve got summer holidays to Greece and Croatia, a family holiday to Lake Garda, a super cruise deal in September, winter sun breaks, Christmas shopping breaks in New York, holidays in Ireland, and lots more.

With overseas travel finally returning on the 19th of July, I thought it was time I brought back my Best Travel Deals posts. I started publishing my weekly round up of the best travel deals over six years ago, and would you believe I never missed a week until last year! I include travel deals that I have sourced myself, as well as travel agent offers, cruise deals and Irish hotel deals.

It is important to be aware that each country has their own entry requirements, and these can change at any time. Most countries require non-vaccinated people to produce proof of negative Covid tests on arrival. Some require PCR tests, others will accept Antigen tests, and child ages vary from country to country too.
 

 
It is also vital that if you are vaccinated or have recovered from Covid that you have proof of this. We have been told that the Digital Covid Certificate will be available to us by the 19th of July, but have to wait a little longer to be able to access this information.
 

 
Most countries require passenger locator forms to be filled out in advance of travel – in some cases these have to be done 24 hours in advance. I have some advice and tips in these posts that you may find useful, but please be aware that travel restrictions can change at any time. Always check the latest updates with your airline or travel agent before you travel.

Latest travel updates on international travel – your questions answered

Top 10 tips for booking holidays during Covid-19

Top 10 tips for travelling during Covid-19

Travelling overseas? Make sure you fill out passenger locator forms in advance
 

Best value summer sun:

Enjoy a week in the sunny Greek island of Rhodes from just €388 this summer! The Stella View Studios are located in the pretty town of Pefkos and boast gorgeous sea views, a restaurant, outdoor pool and a poolside bar. The reviews from previous guests on TripAdvisor are excellent. Price includes flights and accommodation for seven nights, departing August 10th.

Read: Rhodes holidays, the best places to stay for couples, families and groups

Check flights here €141pp

View apartment here €247pp
 

Best luxury summer sun:

The 5-star Hotel Croatia has been a firm favourite for many years. Its location in the pretty resort of Cavtat offers the best of both worlds – a peaceful resort with some super bars and restaurants, with the added advantage of being just a ferry ride away from the bustling city of Dubrovnik. We stayed in Cavtat a few years ago and loved it.
 

 
Fly from Dublin to Dubrovnik on the 22nd of August and enjoy a seven night stay with breakfast included for just €649 per person. This would normally be double that price for travel in August.

View flights here €117pp

View hotel here €532pp
 

Best family deal:

Enjoy a family holiday in Lake Garda over the October mid term break. Visit Gardaland, cycle the newly opened greenway along the lake, or visit the gorgeous cities of Verona and Venice nearby. Price for flights on the 23rd of October to Verona and a seven night stay in the Garda Village apartments is just €854 for a family of four.  

See more here  
 

Best cruise:

Sunway have some super cruise only offers with Norwegian this summer. You can cruise the Med from Barcelona on Norwegian Epic for just €753 on the 19th of September! Visit Pisa, Rome, Amalfi Coast, Sardinia and Palma before returning to Barcelona for your flight home.
 

 
Price includes seven-day cruise with all meals, unlimited drinks, WiFi, gratuities and shore excursion credit. Return flights are available with Aer Lingus from €181, but if you have a voucher you can use that too! Note all guests and crew must be fully vaccinated.

View offer here
 

Best city break:

Enjoy a Christmas shopping break in New York for just €616 per person. Aer Lingus are offering direct flights from Dublin and Shannon from just €338 in December, with unlimited changes right up to two hours before departure! Price for a three-night stay is in the highly rated Moxy Hotel Times Square is just €278 per person, based on three sharing.

This hotel deal offers free cancellation so if your plans change, you can cancel free of charge.  Make sure to check out its cool roof top bar…

Read: My ultimate guide on where to stay in New York

View flights here €338pp

View hotel here €278pp
 

Best winter break:

If you would love a winter sun break to look forward to – now is the time to book it, as it is likely that prices will increase closer to the time. I found a great deal staying in the Aqua Marina apartments in Lanzarote. Price for flights and a seven night stay on the 7th of December is just €279 per person.
 

 
Want to pamper yourself? Price for flights and the five-star Gran Castillo Tagoro on an all inclusive basis is only €663 on the same date!

View flights here €120pp

View Agua Marina €159pp

View Gran Castillo €543pp All Inclusive

Read: 10 Winter holiday destinations with direct flights from Ireland
 

Best family staycation:

Enjoy a three-night break in the highly rated Park Place apartments in Killarney from just €587 on the 15th of August. Located in the centre of Killarney town centre, these modern two-bedroom apartments are just 500 meters from the Killarney National Park. With the Ring of Kerry and the Wild Atlantic Way on  your doorstep, the possibilities for day trips is endless.

View offer here
 

Best Irish spa break:

As you may know I fell in love with the Inishowen Peninsula last week, and I think this deal in the 4-star Ballyliffin Lodge & Spa is superb value – the price for an overnight stay is just €50 per person in September! There is a swimming pool, spa, and the popular Jacks Bar and Restaurant on site, and it is ideally located to explore the Inishowen Peninsula. 

See my highlights from Donegal on my Instagram profile here

View offer here
 

Best early booking offers:

Secure your summer holiday for 2022 now, and enjoy your pick of free child places. Choose waterpark holidays, all-inclusive resorts, self catering apartments, or exclusive villas. TUI have a wide variety of free child places available for July and August now and a deposit of €75 secures a booking. 

Search here
 

Prices are correct at the time of issue but are subject to change. Please note some of my best travel deals include affiliate links where I receive a small commission if a booking is made.

 
Sarah
 

 

Trying to book a family holiday this summer but can’t afford to pay in full? Want to plan a girls getaway in September but can’t get everyone to commit? Book a package holiday with Sunway for just €1 deposit!

Trying to book a summer holiday after an expensive Christmas is not easy. Airlines request payment in full at the time of booking and when you add on checked bags and seat selection, that flight for €99 that looked cheap at the time, is anything but. I’m also seeing more non-refundable hotel rates these days. I don’t like paying in full at the time of booking (who does?) and I never book non-refundable rooms, it is impossible to change your booking if the need arises.

Sunway always like to make things easy when booking holidays and now with a €1 deposit, it is even easier!  You can book a package holiday with Sunway to ANY of these destinations with just €1 – Algarve, Izmir, Bodrum, Salou, Lanzarote, Lisbon, Bulgaria, Costa del sol, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Sicily, Lake Garda, Morocco.

I know it is hard to believe, but it is true! There is no catch – just pay the balance 10 weeks before your departure date! This is valid on all package holidays to the above destinations from the 4th of May – 27th of October. It is valid for family holidays too, everyone on the booking just pays €1 deposit. With flights, transfers and checked baggage included in the cost of their package holidays, you don’t need to search various sites to book flights, hotels and transfers separately – Sunway will do that in minutes.

I know what it is like trying to plan a holiday with friends, it is next to impossible if you don’t book in advance. I had a quick look at Sunway’s website and found this great deal to Puerto Rico in September. Price for flights and a seven-night stay in the Carlota apartments, with transfers and checked baggage included, is only €298, based on three people sharing. The best part – simply book it now with a €1 deposit and pay the balance on the 20th of July! Of course this is available for couples too, price for two sharing is €337.

View Expedia Price

Sunway also tailor make holidays to suit your requirements. So if you want a quick weekend in the sun or a ten-night trip to Italy, Sunway will book these holidays for you with a low deposit of €150. This is valid on holidays with Ryanair or Aer Lingus flights and the balance will be taken 12 weeks before departure. If you are travelling in July or August you will probably find that by booking with Sunway you are securing your flight and accommodation for less than the true flight cost!

Sunway, Ireland’s largest Irish owned tour operator, has been booking holidays for Irish holidaymakers for 53 years. They are renowned for their super service both before and during your holiday. With local representatives in resorts on package holidays, a 24/7 helpline should the need arise, and fully bonded and licensed, it is not surprising that they have recently been voted Ireland’s favourite travel agent in the Irish Independent Reader Travel Awards.

Simply go online at Sunway.ie or call one of their travel experts on (01) 2311800 to book your next package holiday with Sunway for only €1 deposit!

Prices are correct at the time of issue and are subject to change. This post was sponsored by Sunway but all views, as always, are my own.

Sarah