The Travel Expert’s Best Travel Deals – 26th September 2023
I’ve searched the web so you don’t have to! My best travel deals from Ireland include last minute holidays, short breaks, early booking offers, cruise deals, and super staycations.
In this week’s best travel deals I have a last minute holiday to the Algarve, a short break to La Rochelle and a possibility to combine it with the Rugby World Cup Final 🏉. I also have a luxury winter break in Tenerife, a fabulous river cruise, family holidays to Lake Garda, Florida and Kenmare, and an overnight escape in Connemara.
Best last minute: A week in the Algarve for €399
Vilamoura is one of the Algarve’s most popular resorts and boasts a vibrant marina with a great choice of shopping and dining experiences. This super deal is a great opportunity to stay nearby without breaking the bank.
Rated as Excellent on TripAdvisor, the Vilamoura Golf Hotel e Apartamentos’ home-from-home atmosphere has been applauded by previous guests. Located close to one of Villamoura’s many golf courses, it offers the best of both worlds – it is peacefully situated, but within easy access of Vilamoura’s marina. There is a pool, bar and restaurant on site as well as tennis and squash.
Price of €399 is based on a seven-night holiday from Dublin on the 20th of October, or €526 from Cork. Price includes Aer Lingus flights, apartment, transfers and 10kg checked baggage per person. Many more dates are available.
Read: 10 October offers – last minute holiday deals from €399
View offer here
Best overnight escape: Connemara Coast from €63pp
Offering spectacular over the Atlantic, yet only 10 minutes drive from Galway City, the Connemara Coast Hotel is a great choice for an overnight escape. Priced at just €63 per person including breakfast, this is great value too!
The Leisure club boasts a 19 metre swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room, gym and treatment rooms and with the Wild Atlantic Way is on your doorstep you won’t be left wanting.
Read: 20 last minute hotel deals in Ireland, overnight stays from €52pp
Best city break: October bank holiday in La Rochelle for €234!
Spend the October bank holiday in La Rochelle for only €234! Experience la joie de vivre in this great city, as well as the unique atmosphere of being in France for the Rugby World Cup final!
I visited many years ago and loved its lively Vieux Port (old harbour), car-free historical town centre and its great value restaurants and hotels. It also serves as a gateway to explore many of France’s wine regions, and the stunning island of Ile de Ré is just an hour away by bus or boat.
I found return flights from Dublin for only €62 from the 27th of October for four nights. There are many different hotel options to choose from but the Hotel Saint Nicolas is hard to beat at just €172 per person for four nights. It has one of the best locations in the city and is rated as Excellent on TripAdvisor.
Search flights 27th – 31st Oct €62pp
View hotel €172pp
Rugby Fans: It is possible to combine this with a stay in Paris for the final!
Fly to La Rochelle on Friday the 27th of October and enjoy an overnight stay in the Saint Nicolas hotel. Take an early train to Paris on Saturday ( 3 hours ) and soak up the atmosphere before the big game. Overnight in Paris before flying back direct to Dublin from Paris on the 29th of October.
Price for all of this is €655 per person – now you just need to find match tickets!
Dublin – La Rochelle 0800hrs 27th October: €50pp Search here
Overnight stay in Hotel Saint Nicolas, La Rochelle, €62pp View here
Train to Paris: €67pp Search here
Overnight stay in Hotel Minerve, Paris, €175pp View here
Paris Orly – Dublin 29th October 1740hrs : €301pp Search here
Best winter break: 5-Star week in Tenerife
If you want to get some winter sun in style, then look no further than the 5-Star Roca Nivaria Gran Hotel in Tenerife. This is one of Tenerife’s best hotels and is perfectly placed near the fashionable resort of Costa Adeje. There are extensive sport and wellness activities on site as well as two infinity pools.
This super deal of €989 includes breakfast and evening meals each day and is valid on selected dates in November, December and January. Price also includes flights and return private airport transfers. Check out the reviews on TripAdvisor if you need convincing.
Best family deal: Lake Garda for Mid Term Break from €1018
Lake Garda has scenery, sights, and plenty of style! Relax in its pretty lakeside towns, enjoy thrill rides in GardaLand – one of the best theme parks in Europe, or visit nearby Venice and Verona. Choose a family holiday in Lake Garda for the October mid term break.
Read: Top 10 things to do in Lake Garda – Lake Garda travel guide.
GardalandI found great value flights from Dublin to Verona for just €169 on the 28th of October – this is the closest airport to Lake Garda. However there are also flights from Dublin, Cork and Knock to Bergamo, about 90 minutes away.
A seven-night stay in a two-bedroom bungalow at the popular Camping Bella Italia is only €342. This is an ideal choice for those looking for a family holiday in Lake Garda without breaking the bank.
Note swimming pools may be closed (weather permitting), but I have been advised by Bella Italia that animation activities will be available and restaurants, shops and bars will be opened till the 5th of November.
Read: 10 Family holiday deals abroad for October mid term break
Search flights Verona: 28th Oct – 4th Nov €169pp
View Bella Italia €342
Best family staycation: Kenmare Bay Hotel over Christmas holidays
The Kenmare Bay Hotel is always a popular choice with families, not only because of its ideal location, but its Leisure Centre is a lovely treat after a day exploring The Kingdom. With school holidays over Christmas lasting until the 8th of January next year, I found a great opportunity to beat the January blues.
Price for a two-night stay from the 2nd, 3rd or 4th of January is only €278 for a family of four. Weekend stays are also available from €318 on the 5th of January. If you prefer to change dates or stay longer, simply edit the dates via the link below.
Best cruise: 4-Night River Cruise
Cruise the Rhine and visit its gorgeous medieval towns over four days for only €799. This super cruise deal includes all meals, drinks with meals, excursions, gratuities and port taxes, as well as flights, transfers and 10kg checked baggage!
Enjoy the views from your french balcony cabin and visit Cologne, Amsterdam, Miltenberg and Rudesheim. Availability is limited with only 10 cabins remaining on the 20th of November. Contact Cruise Shop by phone 01 5390808. or see more details here:
Best early booking offer: Disney Orlando for Summer 2024 with Direct Flights
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Did you know you can stay onsite in a Disney Resort Hotel for less than a motel on International Drive? If you are planning a holiday to Orlando at any time next year then you can’t afford to miss this early booking Disney offer.
For a limited time you can get up to $2100 Dining and Merchandise credit when you stay in a Disney Hotel and book park tickets in 2024. You can also receive a Disney Gift Card valued up to $400 – Disney credit and gift cards vary depending on the hotel you choose and the length of stay.
I have written a detailed post all about this great offer which you can read here. I have also priced a family holiday over the June bank holiday including direct flights which will give you an idea of what the total holiday cost would be.
Price for flights , a 12 night stay in Disney’s All Star Resort, unlimited entry to all Disney parks and $632 to spend while you are there, is €7499 for a family of four, departing 29th May 2024.
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.
