1Pick of the week30°
Abu Dhabi
“Dubai’s calmer, richer cousin. Guaranteed winter sun, theme parks and a mosque you won’t forget.”
Honest travel advice only Mammy would give
Sun holidays from Ireland, told straight
Flying from Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Knock or Kerry? Real weather, direct flights and a straight answer on whether it’s worth the bother. No brochure talk. How we score it
Popular:Anywhere warmer than hereUnder 3 hoursWeekend awayWinter sunJust get me out of Ireland
Dublin right now10°C Few clouds
Had enough?
Direct from Dublin, and a good deal better than here.
Tenerife
24°7/714° warmerthan home9/10Worth the bother? Go on so.“Guaranteed sun. You will meet someone you went to school with.”
Cairo
29°5/719° warmerthan home8/10Worth the bother? Sure why not.“The pyramids are every bit as good as you think. The traffic is every bit as bad.”
Marrakech
25°7/715° warmerthan home8/10Worth the bother? Sure why not.“Souks, spice, rooftop sunsets and snake charmers. A full-on assault on the senses, in the best way.”Direct from Dublin, judged on the usual weather for November.
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What are you after?
Better weather isn’t always warmer weather. Tell us which you want.
What kind of trip?
The Grand Elsewhere
Straight talk about sunshine, the way Mammy gives it.
We compare the weather at home with the weather there, and we tell you straight whether it’s worth the bother. Better you hear it from us than from the cousin who “went last year and it was grand”.
- We compare the real weather, not the brochure’s. Photos are always taken on the one good day.
- Direct flights from Irish airports only. Nobody wants a four-hour wait in a connecting airport with a soggy sandwich.
- If it isn’t worth the bother, we’ll say so. Sure you’d want to know.
- Affiliate links never change a verdict or a score. Mammy would have our heads.
- Sometimes staying home is the better option. We’ll say so, and put the kettle on.
Popular destinations from Ireland
Direct from your airport, rated out of seven blue dots and out of ten for the bother.
Marrakech
25°7/715° warmerthan home8/10Worth the bother? Sure why not.“Souks, spice, rooftop sunsets and snake charmers. A full-on assault on the senses, in the best way.”Tenerife
24°7/714° warmerthan home9/10Worth the bother? Go on so.“Guaranteed sun. You will meet someone you went to school with.”
Cancún and the Riviera Maya
23°7/713° warmerthan home5/10Worth the bother? Ah… maybe.“White sand, turquoise sea, Mayan ruins and swimming in cenotes. Long flight, worth it.”
Crete
21°7/711° warmerthan home6/10Worth the bother? Could be tempted.“Big enough for a fortnight, beautiful enough for a lifetime. The food alone is worth the flight.”Straight talk, in writing
Practical guides on airports, timing and what’s worth it. No brochure waffle.
Where’s actually warm in December from Ireland?Short answer: the Canaries and Madeira if you want a short flight, Dubai or Abu Dhabi if you want to be properly…Read moreChristmas destinations: where to go if you’re not doing the dinnerMammy on where to go for Christmas, which ones won’t cost you the house, and what to wear so you’re not destroyed…Read moreThe hand luggage pack: what mammy would put inWhat actually goes in the small bag, what stays at home, and why you will not need the fourth jumper.Read more
Updated every Thursday · from Dublin
This week’s seven
Seven escapes worth your annual leave this week. Warm, direct and honestly rated.
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