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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.