Have you have an Aer Lingus voucher that you want to use? If you want to have something to look forward to, one of these autumn / winter breaks might do the trick.
I know many of you have Aer Lingus vouchers and would love to plan some autumn or winter breaks – well fortunately you can! Aer Lingus offer flexible booking options, so if you wish to book something now, and travel restrictions are still in place later in the year, you can change your booking free of charge. Some fare types are also eligible for refund vouchers – see more here:
Read: Aer Lingus allow free changes for summer 2021
I advise you to book hotels or apartments with free cancellation, and for that reason I have priced all of accommodation below with refundable rates, in fact most hotels allow you to book now and pay later – so you don’t even need to pay a deposit.
All hotels and apartments are highly rated on Tripadvisor with great reviews from previous guests. If the dates I have chosen don’t suit you, please click on the links below and edit the search to suit your requirements.
Note, these winter breaks contain affiliate links, where I receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional cost to you.
*Prices for Autumn / Winter Breaks include flight cost*
1. A week in Lanzarote, 18th November, €298pp
Lanzarote is a great choice for a winter week away. The year round sunshine and long sandy beaches have been attracting Irish visitors for many years. It’s not all about sun and sand though, there is plenty of good sightseeing, as well as some excellent duty free shopping.
The old town of Puerto del Carmen has some fantastic restaurants. Having a drink at one of the waterfront cafes as the sun sets over the harbour is a lovely way to end your day.
Read: Why Lanzarote is my favourite Canary Island
I found a great Lanzarote deal staying in the Tisalaya apartments in Puerto del Carmen. Highly rated on TripAdvisor, they are an ideal choice to explore all that Lanzarote has to offer. Fly from Dublin on the 18th of October and enjoy a seven night stay for only €297 per person.
View flights here €128pp
View hotel here €170pp
2. New Year Skiing in Austria, 27th December, 2 adults & 2 children, €1871
I have always loved skiing and was delighted to bring my kids skiing for the first time last year. It is not a cheap holiday by any means, but if you have been cooped up in the house for the last year, can you think of anything better than spending the New Year in the Alps?
I found the highly rated apartments Hechenberger available on Vrbo – Expedia’s vacation rentals company. The apartment was awarded with 4 Edelweiss, (the highest categorisation that private rentals can achieve in Austria), and is located close to the town centre and 1000 metres from the nearest ski lift.
Read: Top tips for family skiing
Fly from Dublin on the 27th of December and enjoy a seven night stay in the Hechenberger apartments for less than €2000. I recommend booking the more expensive ‘Plus’ fare because it includes 20kg checked baggage, seat selection and priority boarding, as well as being eligible for a voucher if you need to cancel your booking.
View flights here €184pp
View hotel here £978 / €1135
3. A spa break in the Algarve, 12th October from €240pp
With a stunning coastline boasting some of Europe’s best beaches, its not surprising that the Algarve is one of our most popular holiday destinations. There are many resorts to choose from, from the lively resort of Albufeira to the picturesque town of Carvoeiro, and I found great deals in both.
The Sol Aqua is located just ten minutes walk from the old town of Albufeira and boasts an indoor and outdoor pool, and wellness centre. If you are looking for something more luxurious, the 5-star Vale d’Oliveiras Quinta Resort & Spa is an excellent choice. Rated number 1 on Tripadvisor with excellent reviews.
Located just five minutes from Carvoeiro, you can choose to enjoy its fine restaurants, or dine on site in the hotel’s Olive Tree Restaurant, which offers panoramic views over the gardens and pool. Breakfast is also included in this great deal.
View flights here €80 Aer Lingus
View Sol Aqua €160pp
Vale D'Oliveiras here €282pp
4. Christmas Shopping in New York, 4th December, 4 nights, €780!
I love visiting New York, regardless of the time of year, but there is something magical about visiting at Christmas time. Parting with your hard-earned cash on Christmas presents is also a lot easier when you are doing it in New York – and who knows, you might pick up some bargains for yourself too. I have posts on shopping in New York and things to do in New York so if you need any more inspiration be sure to check them out.
The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Centre is usually illuminated at the beginning of December. With this in mind I have chosen flights with Aer Lingus to depart on the 4th of December and a four-night stay in the centrally located Shelburne Hotel & Suites by Affinia.
Priced at just €780 including 23kg checked baggage based on 2 sharing or even less if three or four share, this is superb value. When you click on the link below you will notice the saver airfare is €100 less but I recommend booking the ‘Smart’ fare because it includes 23kg checked baggage, seat selection and complimentary meal, as well as being eligible for a voucher if you need to cancel your booking.
View flights here €421pp Smart fare includes 23kg checked baggage
View hotel here €359pp
Read: 5 More Christmas Shopping breaks to New York
5. Autumn on the Amalfi Coast: 14th October, 1 week, €413pp
The four-star Hotel Zi’ Teresa is centrally located in the resort of Sorrento. With sea views from the terrace, and breakfast included in the cost of your stay, this is superb value for a week in Sorrento. Check out the reviews on TripAdvisor if you still need convincing.
View flights here €99pp
View hotel here €314pp
6. Disneyland Paris with Park Tickets, 27th October, 3 Nights, 2 adults & 2 children, €2099
Halloween is a great time to visit Disneyland Paris. The parks are transformed for their annual Halloween festival. Scary attractions like Phantom Manor and Tower of Terror have some spooky surprises in store, while Main Street U.S.A is full of pumpkins, flickering lights and creepy sounds.
The impressive Illuminations Show at Sleeping Beauty’s Castle takes on a Halloween theme, and will surely leave you feeling bewitched. Read my dedicated blog post on this offer with more information.
7. October bank holiday weekend in Croatia, 5-star hotel, 3 nights, €499
If you are looking for a luxury weekend away in beautiful surroundings, look no further than this. The 5-star Hotel Croatia is located in the pretty resort of Cavtat, just a ferry ride away from the hustle and bustle of Dubrovnik. I stayed here a few years ago and loved it. Cavtat is located close to the airport too, so it is a great option for a weekend break.
Dubrovnik is very busy during the day time, but you can catch the ferry from Cavtat early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the crowds have dissipated.
Cavtat is also located close to the border of Montenegro. We visited the medieval town of Kotor during our stay. Normally I would highly recommend you do the same, but the Hotel Croatia is a beautiful hotel and offers stunning sea views from the terrace, so you may find it difficult to leave….
Read: Visiting Croatia and Montenegro
Fly from Dublin on the 23rd of October and enjoy a three-night stay with breakfast for just €499 per person. A deposit of €30 secures the hotel booking with flexible amendments available until 27th of September.
View flights here €189
View hotel here €310pp
8. Christmas market break in Berlin, 3rd December, 3-nights, €192pp
Believe it or not, Berlin has over 50 different Christmas markets to choose from. The Winter World at Potsdamer Platz offers ice skating and tobogganing, while the traditional Christmas Markets at Alexanderplatz and Charlottenburg house wooden stalls and beer houses. And lets not forget the market in Spandau that has rock concerts every Friday!
Of course with so many other sights to see and some great nightlife, Berlin is a great city to visit at anytime. I found a super deal in the centrally located Titanic Comfort Berlin Mitte hotel. This receives great reviews on TripAdvisor and is a great choice for a festive break.
Read my city guide to Berlin here.
Check flights here €105pp
Check hotel here €87pp
9. Winter week in Gran Canaria, 20th January, Gloria Palace Amadores, €678pp
Perched on a cliff with stunning views of the sea, and only 300 meters from the beach, it is not surprising why the Gloria Palace Amadores Hotel and Thalasso is very popular with Irish holidaymakers.
Situated between Puerto Rico and Mogan, this hotel offers the best of both worlds – a relaxing holiday with the option to travel to nearby resorts if you fancy a livelier scene. Renowned for it’s high quality cuisine, attentive staff and for having one of Europe’s top thalassotherapy centres, can you think of a better way to beat the January blues?
View flights here €176pp
View hotel here €502pp
10. New Year in Washington, 3 Nights, 30th December €634
Washington is one of my favourite American cities. You don’t have to be a lover of politics to be impressed with Washington’s monuments and memorials, and I dare you not to be a little star struck when you see The White House for the first time. Washington has some great shopping options too, as well as vibrant nightlife and a lively atmosphere.
I found a great deal staying in the university neighbourhood of Georgetown. The Hyatt Place receives excellent reviews on TripAdvisor and it is close to Washingtons most popular landmarks. I have priced this with the Aer Lingus ‘Smart’ fare which includes 23kg checked baggage, a complimentary meal on board and is also eligible for a voucher if you need to cancel your trip.
View flights here €438pp Smart fare includes 23kg baggage
View hotel here €196pp
Prices are correct at the time of issue but are subject to change. Please note some of these autumn winter breaks include affiliate links where I receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional cost to you.
Sarah
