Brought to you by Bank of Ireland.
Looking for some holiday inspiration?
It’s hardly surprising but we Irish love a good holiday. Maybe it has something to do with the weather around these parts.
A new survey by Bank of Ireland found that a whopping 86% of people would choose to go on holiday if they were given €7,000 to spend with no strings attached. That seems like an obvious thing to do this summer. It’s not like we have a World Cup to look forward to…
The survey also found that we love our creature comforts. We asked our readers what their dream holiday was and the majority of people opted for a 5-star luxury hotel break. The next most popular option was a backpacking adventure, followed by an active holiday that involved the likes of sailing, skiing, running, climbing or hiking.
With that in mind, we took a look at a few different holiday destinations that offer a little something for everyone. Which one would you go for?
1. A little bit of heaven in Mauritius
Located in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius has snow-white beaches and is surrounded by turquoise waters. It’s breathtakingly beautiful. The island’s palm-lined resort areas offer luxury accommodation, where you can enjoy a spa treatment or just relax by the seaside swimming pools. It’s also famous for its fine dining. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can explore its natural delights and check out the local wildlife like giant tortoises.
2. Go on a walking week in Hungary
Hungary boasts some spectacular scenery and you can get some great deals on food, drink and accommodation. It’s a great place to explore for a week and get in some hiking. If you’re going for a week, you can take in the Danube Bend and Börzsöny, the third highest mountain of Hungary. Divide your time between walking and hiking to take in canyons, castle ruins, volcanic landscape and amazing views. Not to mention enjoying a cheap beer or two afterwards!
3. Climb a mountain in South Africa
Imagine the breathtaking views of Capetown and Camps Bay from the top of South Africa’s Table Mountain. There are routes up the mountain that cater for everyone from casual walkers to experienced climbers or you can take the cable car if you’re feeling lazy! Capetown is a busy spot with lots of amazing tourist attractions. While there, it would seem a shame not to check out a penguin colony, cage dive with sharks, travel out to the Cape Winelands or visit the infamous Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
4. A culture break in Malta
The capital city of Valletta has been named European Capital City of Culture 2018 so there’s a real buzz about it at the moment. The city itself is built on a peninsula that’s 1km by 600m but they’ve crammed a lot of architectural beauty and history into that small space. Did we mention the fact that Malta gets 300 days of sunshine every year and happens to be full of amazing beaches and bays?
5. A beach holiday in Spain
Fancy a bit of sun, sea and sand on your holiday? Well, Galicia in Spain boasts more than 1200km of coastline so it’s a pretty safe bet if you want to hit the beach. The region is full of beaches, cliffs, fishing villages and islands to explore. Inland, you get lush green valleys and vineyards. You’ll also be amazed at the value you can get on four and five star hotels if you want to live it up without breaking the bank.
6. Go whale watching in Canada
This may not be one for the faint-hearted but going kayaking with Orcas off Vancouver Island is something you’ll remember for the rest of your life. The best time to see these magnificent creatures is from June to October and you can really get up close to them in their natural environment. Local operators on Vancouver Island can give you everything you need. Just avoid watching the documentary Blackfish before heading out!
7. Skiing in St Anton
This Austrian resort has some great slopes but it’s also legendary for its apres ski parties in famous nightspots like the Krazy Kanguruh and the Mooserwirt, the “world’s baddest” apres ski bar. Don’t let the lively nightlife distract you from the fact that this is one of the top resorts in the Alps. It’s definitely one that will appeal to more advanced skiers or snowboarders and the perfect option for those who want to ski hard and party hard.
8. Family break in a resort
Kusadasi in Turkey is an ideal family destination that offers everything you want from a sun holiday. It’s also an Irish favourite so expect to bump into someone you know! There are impressive resorts within close distance of the town itself, great beaches for sunbathing or swimming, and a promenade that runs all along Ladies Beach. Plus, you can enjoy sunny weather right up until October. The Old Town area also boasts some great night spots if you can get a babysitter organised.
9. Go on a Star Wars pilgrimage in Kerry
With the new Star Wars movie coming out, now is a good time to head down to Kerry and check out the incredible island of Skellig Michael. Get in before the hordes arrive! As well as checking out this unique location from the upcoming film, it’s a great excuse to take a staycation and try out some of the places on the famous Ring of Kerry. If you get a chance, ditch the tourist trail and explore the Skellig Ring.
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Brought to you by Bank of Ireland.
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