Trippy in pink
Cherry Blossom season, in March, is one of the most magnificent times to see Japan. The Travel Department has arranged for Frances MacDonald, the experienced gardener and guide who has lived in Japan, to be your escort on its 13-night holiday. It covers all aspects of Japan, from Kyoto’s gardens and temples, to Hiroshima’s Peace Park, Mount Fuji, the gardens of Kamakura and the Great Buddha, and Tokyo. As a bonus, Japan is a straightforward spot for Irish tourists — no visas or vaccinations required. It starts from €5,699pp, including 13 nights’ B&B , flights and transfers. The trip leaves on March 3, 2018. traveldepartment.ie
For Latin lovers
Youth travel company Contiki has added Bolivia and Chile to its Latin America programme for next year. Given that Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil all share borders with Bolivia, it is a good connector for onward trips for 18 to 35-year-olds on extended journeys. The new 13-day Bella Bolivia trip takes travellers to La Paz, Sucre, the Bolivian salt flat and the Atacama desert, and additional activities such as sand-boarding and winery tours can be added. Prices start from €1,879 per person. contiki.com
Tusk and sun
Asian holidays offering elephant safaris are commonplace, but not all safaris are equal. Elephant Hills Tented Jungle Camp, in Khao Sok National Park, southern Thailand, is close to beach destinations Phuket, Khao Lak, Krabi and Koh Samui, has conservation at its heart and strives to protect the Asian elephant. Sunway’s Amazing Thailand holiday includes six nights’ B&B in Phuket and two days’ (one night) full-board at Elephant Hills, next May. From €1,225 per person, based on two sharing, including flights, accommodation and transfers. sunway.ie
https://www.sunway.ie/ Salmon dinners
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Sheen Falls Lodge, in Kenmare, Co Kerry, is one of the country’s best-positioned five-star hotels. It overlooks the gushing Sheen falls and has views of Kenmare bay — not that you’ll be doing much sitting around. Hunt for salmon on the River Sheen with Brendan, the hotel’s resident ghillie, and when you land your catch, the chefs will prepare it for your dinner. There’s a special package available for July: three nights’ B&B with dinner on two evenings, and the third night reduced by half. It costs from €995, based on two people sharing a classic room. sheenfallslodge.ie
New kids on the dock
The Marker hotel, with its iconic checkerboard facade in the Dublin Docklands, wants guests to discover the area, which has become a hive of activities and eateries away from the centre of the city. Its activity packages can be built onto a stay and include 8am yoga on the rooftop with a healthy fruit, protein or paleo breakfast, a bike-and-backpack picnic outing, and a running concierge who can take you on a 5km route at 7.30am through the city or along the beach, with post-run fruit and bottles of water. For those preferring a lie-in, at 11am there are guided tours of the Design Tower, Lir theatre, Grand Canal Square, diving bell, quayside sculptures and the tall ship Jeanie Johnston. themarkerhoteldublin.com
Road less travelled
Tick the Camino de Santiago off the bucket list for less, as CaminoWays, the Irish tour operator, is offering a discount to celebrate St James’s Day, on July 25. Book between then and July 31, and get €50 when you quote the code STJAMES2017. Travel dates are flexible. Camino packages start from €584 per person for a six-night trip on the Camino Francés, including dinner and luggage transfers. Flights are extra. caminoways.com
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Kilkenny unplugged
A Summer under the Stars package from the Kilkenny Hibernian hotel includes a gig at Ballykeeffe amphitheatre — an outdoor venue with natural acoustics — along with a picnic box from Cakeface Patisserie, containing sourdough sarnies, dessert pots, marshmallow bites and other treats. From €105 per person sharing, on specific dates all summer. kilkennyhibernianhotel.com
http://www.kilkennyhibernianhotel.com/
Scents of purpose
Max Benjamin, the Irish candle and fragrance producer, has added two scented cards to its range — mimosa & sweet amber and blue azure — which are ideal for packing in your suitcase to keep clothing fresh while on the go. They last four weeks, so when you return, place them in a wardrobe, drawer, car or handbag for bonus freshness. €5 each at various stockists. maxbenjamin.ie