Travel - City Guides - Irish Examiner

Cool and charming, hip and historic — Zürich makes the perfect city break

History meets glamour on this fun weekend break

Mon, 23 Sep, 2024

Why you should make Oslo your next weekend break destination

Oslo has merged natural beauty with immense levels of culture to create a pure European experience

Sat, 17 Aug, 2024

Сarrer de les Barques street with palm trees on a sunny day in Valencia, Spain

Valencia: 10 reasons to book a trip to Europe's Green Capital

With the city recently awarded the Green Capital of Europe title, now is a great time to pay a visit and enjoy a bike ride through the Turin Gardens or a dip in one of Valencia’s spotless blue flag beaches.

Mon, 15 Jul, 2024

An insider's guide to Galway: 60 things to experience — and the best beaches

Plan well to get the most out of the Tribal city and county, writes Yvonne Gordon

Sat, 29 Jun, 2024

How to spend 48 hours in Barcelona for a vibrant weekend break

"In Barcelona, there is always something new to discover, and thanks to Gaudi and his creative contemporaries, the city always feels colourful and vibrant with great photo opportunities around every corner."

Sat, 11 May, 2024

Affordable London: 21 ways to explore the city on a budget

Notoriously expensive, the English capital can be low cost with a little know-how, writes insider and bargain hunter Sarah Rodrigues

Sun, 05 May, 2024

10 reasons to visit Budapest — a vibrant and dazzling city on the Danube

"...the Hungarian capital has over 60 museums to fill your cultural cup, including the newly built House of Music, as well as a buzzing nightlife, theatres and the world-renowned Opera House..."

Sun, 21 Apr, 2024

City of Naples with Mt. Vesuvius at sunset, Campania, Italy

12 things to do in Naples — an Italian city on the rise

"Every part of the city is lived in, which means that whether you’re tucking into a steaming plate of clams in the Quartieri Spagnoli or taking a cooling dip in Pozzuoli, you’ll always be surrounded by locals."

Sat, 13 Apr, 2024

Bergen: 12 reasons to book a trip to Norway’s second city today

"Today, Norway’s second city is a vibrant, eco-friendly and surprisingly affordable destination (just hold the beer) and with direct access from Dublin, makes an increasingly attractive city break."

Sat, 06 Apr, 2024

Typical Dutch Houses in the Center of Amsterdam

48 hours in Amsterdam: A short break in a changing European capital

"Easily navigated thanks to great transport options — including meandering canal-side cycle paths and walkways — the Dutch capital is enduringly seductive for a short break."

Sun, 24 Mar, 2024

48 hours in Miami: into the attraction of a sun-kissed urban playground

"...fabulous fiestas, the world’s edgiest contemporary art, blissful beach time and a dining scene which flits from Cuban to Venezuelan on a single block, it’s all too easy to crush on Miami..."

Sun, 17 Mar, 2024

12 reasons to visit Bruges from stunning architecture to delicious food and more

'There is so much to see, a wealth of history and culture to absorb and plenty of walking and cycling routes to help burn off some calories.'

Sun, 03 Mar, 2024

Aerial view of Alexander Nevski cathedral in Sofia, Bulgaria with setting sun

48 hours in Sofia: Getting around Bulgaria's capital like a local

It’s absolutely worth factoring in a stay in Sofia, which combines traces of a Soviet past with opulent religious architecture and the bold stirrings of youthful creativity

Sun, 11 Feb, 2024

Culture, hospitality and sandy beaches: Here's why I think Sicily is a great holiday destination

Proud of their beautiful island and the life it affords them, Sicilians want the traveller to experience the best of everything they can offer

Sun, 28 Jan, 2024

First time in New York? Here's why you need to treat the city like a pizza

There is no city in the world quite like New York. Cian Byrne gets his first taste of the avenues and alleyways of the city that never sleeps and the flavour is a lot like pizza

Sun, 14 Jan, 2024

S 12 reasons to visit Bodø: Norway's hidden gem in the Arctic Circle

"...as the European Capital of Culture 2024, Bodø is about to shine as bright as the auroras which arc its skies..."

Sat, 06 Jan, 2024

48 hours in Copenhagen: the stylish Danish capital that influences the world

"...whether you’re a first-timer, or a seasoned visitor, you’ll find Copenhagen is a city which continues to reinvent itself, and though it would be shy to admit it, perhaps the world around it too..."

Sun, 17 Dec, 2023

48 hours in Chicago: a 'second city' with civic pride forged in hard work

"It has a chippy, scrappy civic pride - The Bear is the latest (and greatest so far) in a long line of movies and television shows that lovingly portray Chicago in all its gritty, glorious modernity."

Sat, 02 Dec, 2023

Sydney Opera House at Night in Australia

Insider's Guide: Getting the best of Australian capital Sydney

As Sydney's Opera House celebrates its 50th anniversary, Sarah Rodrigues suggests looking beyond the well-known attractions to discover a city replete with local life, ancient history and natural wonders.

Sat, 25 Nov, 2023

Sculpture by Jorge Vieira inspired by the sun and man - Homem-Sol - and set in the Park of the Nations, Lisbon. Portugal. Europe

Lisbon: A different but welcome side to the Portuguese capital

Lisbon is not the first destination to come to mind when considering a short break with small children, but on their recent visit, Deirdre O’Shaughnessy and her family discovered a whole new aspect to the Portuguese capital

Sun, 19 Nov, 2023

Beautiful old town in Gdansk at winter dusk

Off the beaten track: 8 winter trips that won't break the bank

Thom Breathnach has some alternative holiday destinations for you to add to your winter travel bucket list

Sat, 14 Oct, 2023

From Belfast to the Giant's Causeway: How to spend a family break in Northern Ireland

From indoor sky dives to water parks, Titanic to the Giant’s Causeway, a trip to Northern Ireland could be the ideal family break this midterm, writes Vickie Maye

Sun, 08 Oct, 2023

S A weekend in Nantes: The French city has much to offer fans during Rugby World Cup

France’s sixth-largest city is experiencing an Irish invasion today as Ireland takes on Tonga in the first of four Rugby World Cup games at Stade de La Beaujoire

Sat, 16 Sep, 2023

Porto travel review: Where to wine and dine in Portugal's second city

Food and wine, sun and culture – Portugal’s second largest city ticks all the boxes

Sat, 26 Aug, 2023

How to have a girls' weekend in Languedoc - with an Irish twist

Jillian Bolger and her gal pals ditch the hubbies and kids at the campsite to go off for a luxury weekend at an Irish-owned French château

Sun, 09 Jul, 2023

10 of the best cities for food lovers — and the best places to eat in each one

Locals’ guide to Bordeaux: 10 of the best spots for food, wine, arts and more

Long weekend in Berlin: Heavy history, electric energy and the city's sexiest hotel

City of Light: A culture lover's guide to Paris

Edinburgh: Be captivated by a city of hills and history

Experience the flavours of Faro — an autumn getaway in Portugal with direct flights from Cork