I have visited Portugal many times so I was delighted to hear it won the World’s Leading Destination award at the prestigious World Travel Awards last week.

It is great to see Portugal being recognised with such an accolade, as well as Lisbon winning the world’s leading city break destination. While the Algarve is one of Ireland’s most popular destinations for holidaymakers, regular direct flights to Lisbon and Porto are making Portugal’s cities, firm favourites too. In fact passenger growth from Ireland has increased dramatically and now Ireland is considered one Portugal’s fastest growing markets. I am just back from a weekend in Porto and I loved it. The city of Porto is UNESCO World Heritage site, full of colourful buildings, delightful streets and has a great food and wine scene. If you haven’t already visited, read my blog on why you need to choose Porto for your next city break.

These awards are a fantastic achievement, particularly as Portugal is the first European country to win the World’s Leading Destination award. Portugal won Europe’s Leading Destination in September which automatically entered them into the final along with 17 other countries. It beat off competition from the USA, Brazil, as well as six time winners, Dubai, to win the coveted prize of at the World Travel Awards, on the 10th of November in Vietnam.

But that’s not all, Portugal also won 6 other awards:

– World’s Leading Tourist Board for Turismo de Portugal
– World’s Leading Tourism Authority Website for Visit Portugal
– World’s Leading Island Destination 2017 for Visitmadeiraofficial
– World’s Leading City Break Destination 2017 for Visit Lisboa
– World’s Leading Conservation Company 2017 for Parques de Sintra
– World’s Leading Luxury Leisure Resort 2017 for Pine Cliffs, a Luxury Collection Resort

Ana Mendes Godinho, Secretary of State for Tourism said, “It is the acknowledgment of the country that we have. An authentic, innovative, reinvented country that combines a wide variety of experiences and landscapes, a country that combines cosmopolitanism, history, tradition, sun, nature and gastronomy. A country that knows and enjoys to welcome everyone. We must now continue this work of showing all the diversity of what Portugal has to offer and which makes us a tourism destination of excellence”.

So if you haven’t already visited Portugal, go see it in 2018!

Sarah

Give the gift of travel this Christmas. I give you 10 holidays for less than €200!  All prices include flights and accommodation  🙂

1. Rome

One of my best sellers this year, this weekend deal to Rome is sure to impress this Christmas! Fly from Dublin on the 3rd of March and spend three nights in a superb 4 star hotel for only €199 per person.

Click here for more details:

2. Porto

I’m just back from a fantastic weekend in Porto, a city I would highly recommend for a weekend break. Read my blog here. Enjoy a three night, four star stay on the 11th of May for only €195 per person.

Click here t0 book flights: €75 pp

Click here to book accommodation: €120pp

3. Algarve

Kickstart your Summer with a four night break to the Algarve. Fly from Dublin on the 16th of May and enjoy a four night stay in the highly rated Oceanus apartments, Albufeira for only  €191 per person.

Click here to book flights: €102pp

Click here to book apartment: €89pp

4. Madrid

A city break to Madrid is a fantastic Christmas gift! Girls will love the shopping on the Gran Via while the lads can take the tour of Real Madrid’s stadium!  Fly from Dublin on the 9th of June and enjoy a two night stay in the centrally located 4*  Claridge Hotel for only €183pp. I have chosen the early flight out on Friday morning and the late flight back on Sunday evening so you really get 3 full days to explore this wonderful city.

Click here to book flights €85pp

Click here to book hotel: €98pp

5. Marrakech

Marrakech is a feast for the senses and should be on everyone’s bucket list.  Fly from Dublin on the 21st of June and spend three nights in a highly rated 4* Riad, in the heart of Marrakech, for only €185 per person.

Click here to book flights: €90

Click here to book hotel: €95

6. Prague:

Treat your loved one to a romantic weekend in Prague. Stay at the 4* Theatrino Hotel, for three nights with breakfast, for only €164 per person, departing the 20th of January.

Click here for more details:

7. Athens

Culture vultures will love Athens. The combination of the ancient Acropolis and the modern new town makes Athens is a great city break destination. This deal is superb! Stay two nights in the four star Art hotel for only €199 departing Friday the 4th of May.

Click here for more details:

8. Lisbon

Spend a weekend in one of Europe’s favourite city break destinations, Lisbon. Enjoy a three night stay in a five star hotel for only €191 including breakfast, departing the 27th of January. #LoveLisbon

Click here for more details:

9. Valentines Day in Paris

Treat your loved one to a two night break in Paris for Valentine’s Day.  Price of €176 includes flights and a two night stay at a highly rated four star hotel.

Click here for more details:

10. Zadar

Go somewhere new in 2018 and travel to Zadar in Croatia. Enjoy a three night stay in the 4* Villa Vanilla  from €188, departing the 11th May.

Click here for more details:

All prices are correct at time of issue but are subject to change.

Sarah

As the summer draws to a close why not grab a last minute getaway. I have city breaks in Madrid, Lisbon and Rome, and Irish breaks in Kilkee, Belfast, Enniscorthy, Enniskerry and Westport. Here are my recommendations for staycations and short breaks as discussed on RTE’s Marian Finucane Show this morning.

August break to Madrid

Late August is always a good time to get a deal and this year is no exception. Kids are ready to go back to school and those looking for a September break tend to overlook late August, when in fact, prices are much lower. ClickandGo.com have matched the low airfares with some good city breaks.

I like this deal to Madrid, it combines sightseeing, sun and shopping all in one! You can take a tour of the Royal Palace and shop till you drop on the Gran Via – one of Europe’s finest shopping streets.

Madrid is also home to Europe’s largest Penneys so there is shopping here for everyone! There is over 3,000 restaurants, so its safe to say it’s a foodie destination and there is enough bars and clubs to satisfy any night-owls. Fly with Aer Lingus and enjoy a three night stay in the four star Via Castellana hotel for only €240 on the 28th of August.  

Lisbon break with river cruise in September

Although the Algarve is one of our most popular holiday choices, the capital, Lisbon is often overlooked. You can choose to go for a holiday (which I did) and stay in one of the beach resorts, or take a city break and stay in Lisbon itself. Temperatures rarely get higher than 25 degrees in Summer and lower than 14 degrees in Winter so it is a great choice for city break.

The old style trams are the best way to get around the city and there are numerous sights to see, including The Belem Tower (defence tower), the Castelo de Sáo Jorge  and the Cristo Rei, which is a large statue of Christ that you can climb and see great views of the city.

There are some great restaurants, cafes and music clubs, all very reasonably priced. I went with my kids and there was lots for them to do too. The Aquarium is Europe’s largest and well worth a visit.

If you have time take the train to the ancient city of Sintra and some of the nice beach resorts along the coast. Theholidayshop.ie are offering a three night break in a central four star hotel from €339 on the 25th of September. They are also including a free river cruise too. 

Cheese & Wine Tasting Weekend in Rome in November

Rome is a great city break destination at any time of year, but personally I think it’s better to go in the winter time, as it’s less crowded. There is so much to see in Rome it doesn’t matter how many times you go, you will always find something new to discover.

I found a great deal on travalue.ie where they offer a FREE cheese and wine tasting evening, when you book a two night stay. The price for flights and a two night stay in the popular three star Galileo hotel in November is only €199 per person. They also have offers in September and October from €326 per person.  

Christmas Market Breaks in December

Christmas markets are very much back in vogue. Ryanair and Aer Lingus have added extra capacity to many cities throughout the winter with lots of low priced airfares available. I like Berlin as it has over 50 markets to choose from and something to appeal to everyone.

Sip some mulled wine while enjoying Christmas carols at the traditional markets of Charlottenburg Castle or enjoy one of the Christmas Rock concerts at the Spandau Old Town market. Europe’s largest mobile toboggan run and ice rink are at the lively Potsdamer Platz market, so there is plenty of choice for everyone.

The price for flights with Aer Lingus and a three night stay in the 4* Park Inn by Radisson Alexanderplatz is only €249 on the 7^th of December.  

For those who wish to stay closer to home, there are plenty of options here in Ireland.

August family break: Feather Down, Loop Head, Co Clare.

Recently I had the pleasure of glamping in Ireland’s first Feather Down tents. They have sites all over Europe and have only come to Ireland this year. They are in the grounds of a popular glamping site, Purecamping in Loophead. It is the perfect escape from a big city, you really switch off and it’s a great family experience. The ‘tents’ if you can call them that have 3 bedrooms, a private toilet, shower, stove and also a BBQ if you are lucky to get the weather.

They still have availability in August, the price for a three night stay is €599 on the 12th or 19th of August. If you want a cheaper option the Purecamping furnished bell tents are pretty cool too and are priced at €75 per night.

You can also choose an unfurnished tent from €35. No matter which option you choose you can avail of the excellent facilities on site, including yoga classes, sauna and a wood fired pizza oven.  

Spa breaks

The difference between Monart and other luxury hotels is that Monart is Ireland’s only destination Spa property. It offers a unique adults-only environment and is situated on 100 acres – you will feel utterly relaxed here. Monart was recently awarded ‘runner up best spa retreat worldwide’, by Conde Nast Traveller.

It was also named as Ireland’s best destination spa for four years in a row. If you are looking for a spa break, there is no doubt – Monart is the best!  They have a three night midweek break from €329 per person, on the 29^th of August, other dates are also available at a slightly higher price.

This special offer includes breakfast each day plus dinner in their renowned restaurant on one evening. You will have unrestricted access to the thermal suite and they are also including a 30 minute spa treatment. Monart is situated on 100 acres – you will feel utterly relaxed here. 

If three nights seems too long, the Rainforest Spa in Enniskerry ( Wicklow) have an excellent offer for a one night stay at the Summerhill House Hotel You will receive a glass of bubbly and petit fours on arrival, an hours use of the spa facilities, a treatment of your choice ( see website for exact choices), breakfast and evening meal – and all for €129 mid week or €149 at the weekend, available in August.  

Operation Transformation at Hotel Westport

If you have over indulged during the summer months and want to get in shape for Christmas, then the Hotel Westport’s Operation Transformation package might be just what you need! You can choose a three day break from €199 or a five day break from €309 from the 9^th of October.

This four star family run hotel have been running this program, twice a year for four years and they have proved very popular. You will receive breakfast and dinner each day ( where light options are available) and you can join in the many aerobics and wellness classes that are provided free of charge.

There is entertainment nightly and no single supplement – so it’s a great way to meet new people. There is no pressure to participate in all the activities, it is very much a laid back approach, in fact if you do not wish to be assessed, that’s fine too. If you fancy a night out in Westport, he hotel is located only five minutes from the centre.

Belfast overnight with Game of Thrones Tour

For any Game of Thrones fans, this is a must! The 4* boutique hotel, Tara Lodge is offering an over night stay with breakfast, and an action packed day visiting filming locations across Northern Ireland. Start your journey along the Causeway Coastal route visiting famous sites from the show. Stop for lunch before visiting the Giants Causeway.

The price is only £72 per person and it is still available in August. Weekends are busy but check out their website for more details. The Tara Lodge is rated number 1 of 45 Belfast hotels on tripadvisor and receives excellent reviews. It is a family run guesthouse / hotel and offers friendly service and excellent value. 

Prices are correct at the time of issue but are subject to change. For my reviews and city break deals click here. To listen back to my chat with Marian, click HERE.

Sarah

A beautiful coastal city renowned for great sightseeing and a great food scene, nothing ticks all boxes like a Lisbon weekend break.

Lisbon is one Europe’s top city break destinations, and after my recent visit I now know why! It has a beautiful old town, with pastel-coloured buildings with terracotta rooftops as far as the eye can see. Lisbon is very easy to navigate too, but if you don’t fancy walking it, there are fantastic old trams that will bring you around all the highlights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

The food scene is superb, and a visit to TimeOut Market is a must! I loved Lx Factory too, an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars and shops all in one great open space. 
 

 
There is plenty to see in Lisbon itself, but if you want to travel, you can take the train to the coastal towns of Cascais or Estoril, or explore the UNESCO World Heritage City of Sintra, and it’s palaces, castles and museums.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 
TAP Air Portugal, Aer Lingus and Ryanair all fly to Lisbon from Dublin airport, so take advantage now and secure flights at a low price.

There are many flight options available so you can choose to fly out with one airline and home with another, depending on your preference of flight times. If you wish to stay longer or shorter, simply edit the dates on the links below.
 

 
I found a great deal staying in the 5-star Iberostar, a new luxury boutique hotel located near the Marques de Pombal in Lisbon. With an outdoor pool, wellness centre, spa and state-of-the-art fitness centre, it is not surprising that this hotel receives such excellent reviews on TripAdvisor.
 

 
Fly direct from Dublin on the 11th of February and enjoy a three-night stay over Valentines Weekend for just €283. The price I have selected is based on departing early morning with TAP and returning on the night flight with Ryanair, this will give you the maximum amount of time in Lisbon. – you will see cheaper airfares returning at 7 am. 
 

View flights here €64pp

View hotel here €229pp

Want a different hotel? 

Read: Where to stay in Lisbon – my top 10 Lisbon hotels

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