From winter sun in the Canary Islands to Christmas market breaks – check out my top winter holiday destinations with direct flights from Ireland.

Want to stay in a glass igloo in Lapland, shop till you drop in New York, or is a sun holiday more your style? We are fortunate to have such a wide range of winter holiday destinations that are easily accesible from Ireland. I understand some of you wish to travel alone or with friends, and many will be travelling with kids – so you should find breaks here to suit all tastes and budgets.

1. The Canary Islands

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The combination of direct daily flights from Ireland, balmy temperatures, and a low cost of living, has made the Canary Islands our most popular winter holiday destination for many years.

There are direct flights to Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura  from Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports, and direct flights to Fuerteventura from Dublin and Shannon airports.
 

 
Fuerteventura is blessed with stunning white sandy beaches, while the sheltered resorts of Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán in Gran Canaria are popular with sun seekers. Tenerife has the largest selection of luxury hotels, but my personal favourite is Lanzarote – find out why, here:

Read: Why Lanzarote is my favourite Canary Island

Read: Family holidays in Lanzarote, my top 10 picks on where to stay

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2. Dubai

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dubai is another great winter holiday destination if you want sunshine, but it is also packed with things to do. Try a desert safari, go to the top of the world’s tallest building, ski in the worlds largest indoor ski slope, or simply relax on one of its stunning beaches.
 

 
We visited Dubai last year and had a blast. Activities and dining are expensive, so you may need to budget accordingly, but it is a great destination for winter sun.

Top ten things to do in Dubai

The best family activities in Dubai
 
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3. Skiing Holidays

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Skiing holidays are growing in popularity all the time, with Austria, France and Italy being the firm favourites from Ireland. Söll in Austria is a great all rounder, with great skiing, restaurants and après ski, but if money is not an option, check out Val d’Isere in France.
 

 
Most of the top ski resorts in France, Italy and Austria are easily accessible from Dublin airport, but there are also options from our regional airports. There are flights from Ireland West Airport ( Knock) to Bergamo and Shannon airport to Turin and Cork airport to Salzburg. Top Tip: If you are looking to ski in Austria, flights to Munich are sometimes cheaper than Salzburg and the transfer times are similar. 

Read: Skiing in Soll, all you need to know and why you should go

Read: My top tips for family ski holidays

Read: My love affair with Club Med Val d’Isere
 
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4. Lapland

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I will never forget the look in my children’s eyes when we went to Lapland to see Santa. It was a magical family experience that we will never forget. It has been seven years since we visited, but the memories never fade. 
 

 
There are many ways to visit Lapland. TUI and Sunway offer packages with flights, transfers, accommodation and all activities included, from various Irish airports.

Ryanair introduced new flights this year to Rovaniemi from Dublin airport until mid March, and Santa Claus Village is open all year round, and see more about the various seasons in Lapland here. You can book flights and hotels separately via the links below.

Read: Our trip to see Santa in Lapland
 

 
Lapland isn’t just for kids! You can scratch one off your bucket list by staying in a glass igloo just 15 minutes drive from Rovaneimi airport. You can enjoy husky safaris, snowmobiling, as well as igloo saunas.

Featuring a heated glass roof, the Aurora cabin allows you to watch the sky directly from the bed. It comes with a private bathroom, electric fireplace and a sofa. Wouldn’t this be the ultimate Christmas present? 🎁

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5. Christmas market breaks

A Christmas market break is a great way to kick-start the festive season without breaking the bank. Many markets open from the end of November and there are super deals available on flights and hotels, especially if you can travel mid-week.
 

 
More and more cities are embracing the trend, but there are still a few show stoppers! Germany is probably the most famous country for Christmas markets, with Cologne and Berlin being most popular. However Budapest, Vienna and Salzburg should not be overlooked.
 

 
Copenhagen is another city you may not have thought of, but if you are looking for a Christmas market break with children, this is a great choice. Tivoli Gardens come alive with over 500,000 Christmas lights and there are plenty of activities to keep all the family happy.

There is a wide choice of Christmas market breaks available from Dublin airport, Budapest, Krakow are served from Shannon airport, and Rome is available from Cork airport.

Read: 12 Christmas market breaks with flights and hotels included

 
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6. Paris

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Paris might be popular in the Spring, but winter time is also a great time to visit. There are no crowds, its great for shopping, and have you ever seen the Eiffel Tower look so pretty?  We went for New Year and loved it.

If you happen to have children, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Disneyland Paris at Christmas time. Not only it is a magical experience, but it is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, so expect lots extra magic from Disney! 

There are many flights to Paris available from Dublin airport, as well as direct flights to Orly airport from Cork and Shannon. 

Read: Our visit to Disneyland Paris at Christmas time

Read: 5 Great reasons to visit Disneyland Paris in 2022

Read:  The best Disneyland Paris hotels, on site and nearby
 
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7. Iceland

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Iceland is one of the best winter holiday destinations if you are looking for a snowy destination with winter wonderland feels and plenty to see and do. Chase the Northern Lights, swim in the Blue Lagoon and drive Iceland’s golden circle. There are direct flights from Dublin to Reykjavik with Icelandair and Play Airlines this winter.

Read: Top things to do in Iceland
 
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8. New York:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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New York is amazing to visit at any time of year, but I think it is a great winter holiday destination. You don’t need to worry about the roasting summer temperatures, and of course you can ice-skate in Central Park. We all know New York is a super city for shopping so it is ideal for a pre or post Christmas break.
 

 
The Christmas lights are turned on in early December, and this is a great time to visit, but if you want to avoid the crowds and the high hotel prices, leave it until January. There are direct flights from Dublin and Shannon airport this winter.

Read: Top 25 things to do in New York

Read: Top things to do with New York with kids 

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9. Cruise holidays:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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There are many options for winter cruises from Ireland. MSC will cruise the Mediterranean throughout the winter season, you can cruise the Canary Islands on Norwegian Sun, or choose to cruise the Caribbean or Emirates on a variety of cruise lines.

Three of this year’s most popular new ships are cruising the Caribbean this winter, Celebrity Beyond, Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas and Norwegian Prima.

Read: How to choose the right cruise for you

Read: 10 cruise deals from Ireland including flights
 

10. Bargain breaks in Italy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ryanair has added three new routes to Italy this winter, so now is the time to bag yourself a cheap city break deal to one of Europe’s top city break destinations.  As well as flying in to Venice Treviso airport, Ryanair is also flying to Marco Polo airport with airfares from €19.99 each way in November and December, or €34.99 each way in January. 

Read: Venice travel guide – top things to do and where to stay in Venice
 

 
Similarly with Rome, they have added Fiumicino airport to their existing service to Ciampino airport, with airfares from €25.99 each way.

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

They have also launched a new route to Genoa – the gateway to Italy’s Cinque Terre. You may not get the hot summer sun, but you will get to visit one of Italy’s  most spectacular coastlines without the crowds.
 
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11. Florida:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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With direct flights to Orlando and Miami all year round, why not choose winter over summer in the sunshine state. Winter is the optimum time to visit Orlando’s theme parks, although Christmas holiday time will be busy. Take the opportunity to explore Florida’s coastline too including the beaches of Miami. Why not fly into Orlando and home from Miami to make the most of your winter holiday?

Read: 10 things you need to know about Universal Studios before you book

Read: 35 Things to do in Universal Orlando – My top tips and tricks

Read: 30 Things to do in Disney World Florida with teens

See more here
 
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12. Malta:

For a small island in the Mediterranean, Malta sure packs a few punches. Temperatures can be as high as 17 degrees and rarely get below 11 degrees, making it ideal for sightseeing.

It is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the City of Valletta is one of them and is a must see. It has 320 historic monuments and a stunning natural harbour and is described as ‘one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world’ by UNESCO.
 

 
Malta was the most bombed country in the world during WWII, with over 14,000 bombs dropped. You can visit air raid shelters and war rooms, as well as an aviation museum.

It is rare to find anywhere in the Med where you drive on the left hand side, and the island is only 17 miles long and 9 miles wide, with a population of just over 500,000, so it is an easy island to explore. There are direct flights from Dublin and Shannon to Malta this winter.

Read: Top 10 reasons to visit Malta
 
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I hope this post on winter holiday destinations will inspire you to plan a trip overseas soon. Please note some of the links in this post contain affiliate links where I receive a small commission if a booking is made but at no additional cost to you. This helps me to run my website and bring you lots of great holiday tips and ideas!

Barbados is one of my favourite islands in the Caribbean. It has stunning beaches, great night life and so much to see and do, it’s not surprising people come from all over the world to live here. Experience it yourself this summer with a choice of two amazing Barbados deals from Tropicalsky.ie

There are so many different nationalities living in Barbados that you feel like you belong as soon as you step off the plane. Everyone speaks English and they even drive on the same side of the road as us! Speaking of which, you can drive around Barbados in a few hours, it’s a lot smaller than you might think. Barbados although perfect for a romantic holiday, offers so much more. The island is full of interesting sights, the night life is excellent and the water-sports are second to none. It is home to some of the best surfing in the Caribbean but if that’s not your thing, you can go swimming with turtles instead! For more info on Barbados read my blog here.

There are two sides to the island that are sold widely from Ireland. The lively South Coast is home to the capital, Bridgetown and is where the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet. The West Coast is quieter and offers a calmer more relaxed vibe. This is where the islands top hotels are located on the crystal clear Caribbean Sea.

I found two amazing deals staying in the exclusive West Coast but without the expensive price tag! The ‘adults only‘, 4* Sugar Cane Club is rated number 1 on tripadvisor and receives excellent reviews. It is a steal at only €1,599 per person in May, June, July or August. You will have a specious one bedroom suite, a choice of swimming pools, a gym and a spa to unwind after all the hard work 😉

If you fancy bottomless cocktails,  a choice of dining options, free water sports and plenty of on site entertainment, then the all-inclusive Almond Beach Resort is the one to choose. Also situated on the West Coast, this beach front property is actually next door to Sandy Lane! You just have to pop by for a look – sure it would be rude not to! I stayed here a few years ago and had a fantastic time. It’s a great place to try lots of new activities that you may not normally try, like paddle boarding, kayaking or reef fishing. They even offer glass bottom boat and speedboat rides, and all of these are complimentary!. They have plenty of land activities too including tennis lessons, yoga classes, golf practice range, gym and even beach cricket (well it is Barbados)! There is nightly entertainment and a weekly beach party – the overall vibe here is fun! There are two restaurants on site, (including the one in the pic below) and the all-inclusive package also allows you to dine in the nearby Sugar Cane Club once during your stay.

The Almond Beach Resort is highly rated on tripadvisor and is priced at €2089 per person, including flights, accommodation on an all-inclusive basis and transfers. This price is based on travelling in September or October but there are plenty of other dates available, just check in with the sales team in TropicalSky.ie or click below.

Click here for more details on the Sugar Cane Club:  €1,599pp

 Click here for the Almond Beach Resort; €2089pp

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

Sarah

Thinking of a winter holiday this year? Check out my top picks for winter breaks as seen on TV3’s Saturday AM.

If you are looking for some winter sun this year, the best advice I can give you is – book early. There is a massive shortage of accommodation in the Canary Islands as a result of people not wanting to travel to Egypt, Tunisia etc. We tend to forget that it’s not just Irish people who want to go to the Canary Islands for winter sun. There are 60 million Britons, 100 million Germans as well as other Europeans, all looking at the same destinations. You will probably find cheap flights with Aer Lingus and Ryanair but finding apartments and hotels to go with them at the last minute will be extremely difficult. So don’t say you haven’t been warned…  With that in mind, I have some good winter sun options that are available now if you can book your holidays in advance.

Canary Islands

Lanzarote is the most popular of the Canary Islands with Irish holiday makers. The combination of low rise buildings, just the right amount of nightlife and some excellent beaches means Lanzarote ticks all boxes. I found a great deal flying out on Valentines Day to a popular ‘adult only’ property in the centre of Puerto del Carmen.  The Panorama apartments receive great reviews  on tripadvisor and are perfect for couples who don’t want any kids jumping in and out of the pool. Fly from Dublin to Lanzarote on the 12th of February and enjoy a seven night stay in the Panorama for only €299 per person. Click here for more details:

Cruises

There is some excellent value in winter cruises this year. Thomson Cruises are offering a free upgrade to all-inclusive on their Canary Islands cruises. You can fly to Tenerife or Gran Canaria and cruise the Canary Islands, Madeira and Morocco from only €859 in January and February. Prices include flights, transfers, baggage a seven day cruise including all meals, drinks and entertainment. Click here for more details:

Another cruise destination that is great value is Dubai and the Emirates. With guaranteed sunshine and now direct flights from Dublin, this is a very appealing alternative to the Canary Islands. Royal Caribbean are offering flights and a seven night cruise around Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman from €899 in January on Vision of the Seas.  Click here for more details.

City Breaks

There are plenty of great options for city breaks.. Flights and hotels are inexpensive during the winter time so if you don’t necessarily want sun, you can pick up a city break in Europe from €149 or even Las Vegas from €465!  I like this deal to Prague on the 21st of November. Price for flights and three nights in the 4* Union hotel is only €164. Click here for more details on this offer and other city break deals, all less than €169 per person.

Ski holidays

Travel trends have changed over the last number of years and people are looking for more authentic holiday experiences. Winter breaks to see the Northern Lights, Lapland and of course ski trips are becoming more and more popular. Within the ski market there has been a huge increase in demand for chalet holidays. Topflight now have over 50 chalets in the French Alps alone. Chalets can accommodate from 6 – 19 people depending on the chalet you choose so if you have a few families travelling together they are ideal. Couples like them too from the social aspect. They can chat about their skiing exploits that day and pick up tips from fellow skiers. The host is very important too as they will be able to offer local information on the resort and provide tips on the best places to go etc. Chalets usually have cosy fires, comfy couches and offer a home away from home type of experience. Skiing holidays in general are more expensive than sun but once you try it once, you will be hooked, and a chalet is a great place to start.

Fly from Dublin to Les Arcs in France and spend seven nights in the Chalet Bouquetin from €849 per person on the 14th of January. Price includes flights, transfers, checked baggage and meals throughout your stay. Click here for more details:

Iceland

If you fancy a short break but still want the winter wonderland feel – try Iceland. WOW air are flying five times per week to Reyjavik from Dublin and prices are quite good if you are flexible on your dates. You can take a swim in the Blue Lagoon, try snow mobiling, hiking on a glacier, go whale watching and hopefully get to see the Northern Lights while you are there 🙂 Fly from Dublin to Reyjavik on the 19th of January and enjoy a three night stay in the centrally located Apartment K for only €377 per person. Click here for more details.

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

Sarah

A five star all-inclusive holiday in the Moon Palace Resort Cancun for €1409 – too good to be true?

When I saw this deal to the Moon Palace Resort Cancun from Tropical Sky, I thought there must be a catch. I was wrong! All-inclusive in the Moon Palace means just that. You can dine in any of their fifteen restaurants, have cocktails in any of their twelve bars or if you want a night a nightcap on your balcony – you can have a drink from your well-stocked minibar. All of these are included in the price of your stay! And thats not all… for a limited time you will $1500 resort credit absolutely free!!

The Moon Palace is beside Jack Nicklaus golf course, has two fitness centres, two swimming pools with swim up bars, multi sports courts and offers a range of water sports. There is day and night entertainment including live music shows and if you want to dance the night away, they have their own nightclub too. All rooms come with a private balcony with a hammock and a double Jacuzzi in the bathroom. Families are well catered for too with family rooms, kids clubs a kids waterpark.  This resort is highly rated in tripadvisor, won a travellers choice award and is considered at Platinum level from Greenleaders. If you fancy a night out, Cancun is only a half hour away and you can also explore the nearby islands of Cozumel and Isla Mujieres. The Moon Palace also happens to be sitting on a stunning white sandy beach facing the Caribbean Sea, so it’s fair to say you might not want to leave it.

Fly from Dublin to Cancun and enjoy a seven night all-inclusive stay from only €1,409 next Summer.  Remember for a limited time you will also receive a staggering $1500 in resort credit. Tropical Sky have amazing offers at the Moon Palace Resort throughout the year so if you are looking for a different time, click on the link below for year round prices.

Click here for more details:

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

Sarah

When the turkey is eaten and presents are opened, it’s great to have a holiday to look forward to! Check out my guide of the top five places to holiday after Christmas. 

Whether it’s colder or warmer climates that you’re after, there are many places to holiday after Christmas. Skiing the slopes or topping up the tan could be a nice change from a dull Irish January – don’t you think? Hopefully one of my top picks will kick off your new year in style.

• Canary Islands
• Dubai
• Copenhagen
• Edinburgh
• Skiing

Canary Islands

If you are looking for some sun, it is hard to beat the Canary Islands. There are plenty of direct flights to Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Tenerife from Ireland. Choose a short five to seven day break for New Year, or stay longer for even better value. With kids back in school in January, you may find that it is cheaper to go away for two weeks rather than one at this time.

Dubai

Dubai is another great place to visit if you want sunshine, but it is also packed with things to do. You can try a desert safari, go to the top of the world’s tallest building, ski in the worlds largest indoor ski slope, or simply relax on one of its stunning beaches. We visited Dubai last year and loved it, check out my top things to do in Dubai here:

Top ten things to do in Dubai

The best family activities in Dubai

Copenhagen

Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens is one of the few Christmas markets that stays open after Christmas. If you want to prolong the festive mood, it is one of the best cities to choose for a holiday after Christmas. The gardens come alive with over 500,000 Christmas lights and there are plenty of activities to keep all the family happy.
 

Copenhagen is also one of Europe’s top ‘foodie’ destinations, so why not indulge in some tasty meals before the New Year resolutions kick in! For more information, check out my blog on Copenhagen.

Edinburgh

If you are looking for a holiday after Christmas with a party atmosphere, then look no further than Hogmanay in Edinburgh. With celebrations that start on the 30^th of December and last for three days, New Year is celebrated more than Christmas in Edinburgh. Top bands provide fantastic entertainment and the fireworks displays are some of the best you are likely to see.

Skiing

With snowy mountains and pretty villages, skiing would be my choice for a holiday after Christmas! Austria, France and Italy are the firm favourites but airfares can be high at that time. Watch out for cheap flights to Munich where the transfer times to Austria are similar to that of Salzburg. There are also direct flights from Ireland to Memmingen which has plenty of ski resorts close by.

Read: Skiing in Soll, all you need to know and why you should go

Read: My top tips for family ski holidays

Sarah