The Travel Expert’s Best Travel Deals – 4th July 2023
I’ve searched the web so you don’t have to! My best travel deals from Ireland include last minute holidays, short breaks, summer holidays, cruise deals, and super staycations.
In this bumper Best Travel Deals post I have summer holidays to Spain and Greece, family deals to Portugal and Spain, city breaks in Dubrovnik, Rome and New York, an amazing cruise to Mexico, and staycations in Kilkenny and Laois.
Best last minute: Bilbao, La Rioja & San Sebastian
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The introduction of the new ferry service from Rosslare to Bilbao has seen airfares drop to the Basque Country this summer. I found return flights with Aer Lingus from Dublin to Bilbao from just €186 on the 10th, 17th and 24th of July – edit dates via the links below to suit your requirements.
A three-night stay in the 4-star Zenit Bilbao is just €162 per person, but why not stay a little longer and explore La Rioja and San Sebastian too?
View flights here €186pp
View Hotel €162pp
I loved Rioja when I visited a few years ago, and its just an hour’s drive from Bilbao. Car hire is available from €40 per day, and a two-night stay at the highly-rated Boutique Posada de Sajazarra is just €89 per person. This restored 19th-century Inn is located in the heart of the wine country.
Read: Discovering there is more to La Rioja than wine
View Hotel €89pp
View car hire €40 per day
If you want to explore some more of the Basque Country, San Sebastian is a two-hour drive from La Rioja, and just 80 minutes from Bilbao – this is the perfect loop for a road trip.
Good hotels are more expensive in San Sebastian but I found great value in top-rated Hotel Zinema7 – a two-night stay is €219 per person.
Read: A short break in San Sebastian
View Hotel €219pp
Best overnight escape: Kilkenny
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I have a choice of two overnight escapes to Kilkenny in July. Choose a value break at the highly rated Avalon House Hotel for just €56 per person. This boutique style hotel was once a historic manor, and has the popular Lil’s Restaurant on site.
Located close to Castlecomer Discovery Park this is also an ideal choice for a single parent family break with ziplines, treetop walks and a host of outdoor activities on your doorstep.
If you prefer some 5-star treatment, the luxurious Lyrath Estate is only €95 per person including breakfast in July. Set amidst 170 acres of parkland, with a Spa, indoor infinity pool, and two award-winning restaurants, this is excellent value for a five-star hotel in peak season.
View offer here
Read: The best last minute hotel deals in Ireland – my top 20 picks
Best Summer sun: Zakynthos
Book a great value Summer holiday in the fabulous island of Zakynthos. Renowned for having one of the world’s most photographed beaches – Navagio, or Shipwreck Beach as its commonly known, there is plenty to explore here.
TUI have great value package holiday deals in August including flights, accommodation, transfers and checked baggage. I have linked the popular Alykes Garden Village below, which is only €512 per person for a seven-night holiday on the 23rd of August.
Read: 12 Holiday deals in August from €462 including flights, transfers and baggage.
Best family holidays: Algarve
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There are numerous flights to the Algarve from Irish airports, and as a result airfares have been kept quite low. I found return flights from Dublin to Faro with Aer Lingus for €169 on the 18th of August. Prices are similar from Cork (€158), Shannon (€179) and Knock (€186) with Ryanair.
The top rated Eden Resort is one of the Algarve’s most popular family resorts and I was surprised to find it still available for that time. Price for a seven-night stay based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing is €2404.
Read: Family holidays in the Algarve, my top 20 picks
Best family holidays Salou:
It’s no surprise that Salou is one of Spain’s most popular family holiday destinations. As well as super beaches and family friendly facilities, PortAventura World, Barcelona and Tarragona are all close by, so the possibilities for day trips are endless.
There are flights available from most Irish airports but I found return flights from Dublin to Reus (the closest airport) for just €178 on the 1st of August. Flights are available to Reus from Shannon and Cork too, and to Girona airport from Ireland West Knock airport.
A seven-night stay in the top-rated Blaumar Suites is €1872 based on two adults and two children sharing. You can also choose the half-board option where breakfast and evening meal are included, for €2323.
I have lots more hotel and apartment options in this post:
Read: Salou holidays -Best family apartments, hotels and campsites in Salou
Search flights here 1st – 8th August Dublin Reus €178pp
View Blaumar €1872
And no trip to Salou would be complete without a visit to one of Europe’s best theme parks – PortAventura.
Read: 10 things you must do in PortAventura this summer
Get tickets here
Best family staycation: Glamping Under the Stars
Located just an hour from Dublin, this award-winning glamping site has bell tents, wood lodges, hobbit houses and a shepherd’s hut, all equipped with proper beds, a private decking area and sockets for charging phones.
The Lake View and Starry Night bell tents sleep up to four, while the Blue Sky bell tent, the Shepherds hut and lodges sleep up to six. The hobbit houses are built into the earth with curved ceilings and grass roof. All sleep up to six, and some have ensuite bathrooms too.
Price for a 2-night break in the Meadow Glampsite starting at €249 for a family of 4, or €325 for a family of 6. Families can enjoy a 3rd night at half price on all midweek breaks through July in the hobbit village.
Read: 20 family hotel deals in Ireland this summer
Check prices here
Best short break: Dubrovnik
Finish off the Summer in style with a city break to Dubrovnik. I found flights to Dubrovnik for just €103 on the 15th of October. A three-night stay in a junior suite at the 4-Star City Hotel Dubrovnik is just €181 per person, making the total price just €284.
Fancy some five-star treatment? The fabulous Hotel President is only €266 per person for a three-night stay including breakfast, making the total price just €369 including flights!
Search flights here 15th – 18th October €103pp
View 4-Star Hotel €181pp
View 5-Star Hotel €266pp
Read: 30 city break destinations from Ireland
Best cruise: LA & Mexico Cruise on Norwegian Bliss
Cruise from Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Ensenada in Mexico over seven glorious days in February!
Price of €1977 includes return flights with 23kg checked baggage, a two-night stay in Los Angeles and a seven-night cruise on the luxurious Norwegian Bliss, with meals and entertainment included.
Add on Unlimited Drinks, WiFi, two speciality dining options and shore excursion credit for just €149 per person!
Best USA: New York for Brigid’s Weekend
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Aer Lingus has introduced a USA sale to celebrate the 4th of July, and is offering direct flights to New York over St Brigid’s weekend for just €336 per person for three, four or five nights.
There are many hotel options to choose from but the best value is staying in Downtown Manhattan at the top-rated Hilton Garden Inn – a three-night stay is just €156 per person!
If you prefer to stay in in Midtown, a three-night stay in the popular citizenM at Times Square is €236 per person.
Want to bring the kids along? Book a suite in The Manhattan Club for just €739 based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing – this all-suite hotel has a kitchenette which is perfect for a family trip to New York.
Read: Family trip to New York for Brigid’s Weekend
View flights here €336pp
Hilton Garden Inn €156pp
citizenM €236pp
Manhattan Club €739
I have lots more hotel options here:
Read: My ultimate guide on where to stay in New York
Best early booking offer: Rome city break for €200!
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This is your sign to book a city break to Rome! I found return flights from €98 from Dublin and €113 from Cork, and the charming Trevi Beau Boutique Hotel is just €105 for a two night stay!
Highly rated on TripAdvisor and located right beside The Trevi Fountain and the fabulous Il Chiani Restaurant – I would go just to enjoy a meal here!
There are flights departing early morning from Dublin on the 23rd of January, returning late on the 25th with Ryanair, this will give you three days to explore this great city. There are also Aer Lingus options for similar price including 10kg checked baggage.
Flights and hotel can be extended via the links below, should you wish to stay longer. Wouldn’t this make an amazing Christmas present?
Read: Where to stay in Rome, my top picks of 3, 4 and 5-star hotels
Read: Top 10 things to do in Rome – Rome travel guide
Search Ryanair €98pp
Search Aer Lingus €95pp
View Hotel €105pp
While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, descriptions and prices are taken from third party websites and are subject to change. Please note some of my best travel deals from Ireland include affiliate links where I receive a small commission if a booking is made.
