Departure Lounge: Five holidays to book, including a wild west adventure
Spring is the perfect time to visit Wyoming
Wyoming, the last bastion of the West, is a wildlife wonderland, and spring is a perfect time of year to visit and spot all of the newborn animals in their natural habitat. Venture into the wild and prepare for grizzly bear cubs emerging from their dens in Jackson Hole, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone, bison calving in Yellowstone, and a mix of moose, elk, black bear, and bighorn sheep. Mountain goats are more elusive but the state boasts the highest number of pronghorns in North America. Check out the WY Responsibly campaign to plan your wild west adventure.
What could be better than a trip to Croatia? How about a food-themed holiday there? The Cook’s Adventures has launched a new eight-day culinary tour led by award-winning chef Dev Biswal. Running from October 21-28, this immersive itinerary visits some of Croatia’s most breathtaking locations along the Adriatic Coast, sampling wonderful wine, cuisine, and culture from Split to Dubrovnik. £2,250 pps, (approx €2,913), excluding flights.
The 80th anniversary of Jersey’s liberation from Nazi occupation will be celebrated in May, with a series of special events planned. As the only place in Britain occupied by German forces during the Second World War, the Channel Islands offer a unique wartime history.
The occupation left lasting marks on the island’s landscape, from German fortifications to war tunnels and a former underground hospital. Follow Liberation Route Europe, a certified cultural route of the Council of Europe that connects people, places, and events across nine countries to mark Europe’s liberation from occupation. Fly direct with Aer Lingus ( aerlingus.com) or Blue Islands (blueislands.com).
Enjoy a two-night Easter break for a family of four in Co Wicklow, staying at the lovely Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa. A handy dash from Dublin — yet miles away from urban stress — you can surrender to nature, relaxation and space. The 1,000-acre Powerscourt Estate is close by, there’s a glorious river walk nature trail, swimming pool, bicycles, and woodland playground. Stay in a deluxe family room, with a special check-in, welcome pack, and mini bathrobes for the kids. Daily Easter egg hunts, face-painting, and themed activities are scheduled across the weekend, too.
The package costs €342 per adult sharing (plus two children under 12).
This week Ryanair pulled a bold move that is decidedly welcome. Launching a new loyalty scheme for frequent flyers, their Prime service is a subscription model that allows members who fly 12 times per year to save up to five times the €79 subscription cost.
Member benefits include free reserved seats, free travel insurance, and access to 12 annual member-exclusive seat sales, one each month. Prime members who fly 12 times per year will save up to €420, with the airline pointing out that even members who only fly three times per year will save €105.
Limited to 250,000 members on a first come/first served basis, we’ll be reading the small print and watching this space with interest.
Sign up at ryanair.com
