Check-in: travel hotspots for spring and looking pretty in Kilkenny

TRAVEL NEWS

Looking pretty, Kilkenny

The Japan National Tourism Organization has released a list of the prettiest towns in Europe and there is one Irish city in the mix. Kilkenny makes the top 30 list and is promoted as a “must-visit” destination for Japanese tourists by 300 Japanese travel agents. The Welsh market town of Conwy was the only UK location to make the list. Do you think Kilkenny is Ireland’s prettiest town?

Book in for Bacon

Dublin's Intercontinental Hotel has launched Inside The Mind of A Genius, which offers a private tour of Francis Bacon's studio (above). The tour also gives exclusive access to the archive, where unseen material has been stored from the relocation of his original London studio. Available to guests staying in one of the hotel's Pembroke Suites, the tour begins with Champagne and a piano recital in the hotel, before embarking on the "after hours" tour hosted by Dr Barbara Dawson, director of the Hugh Lane. See intercontinental.com/insiderexperiences

Ireland flying high

Ireland is one of 18 destinations in a new video series shot using unmanned drones. The View From Above project, sponsored by Emirates and Boeing, is a series of 2½ minute videos of locations such as Dubai, Seattle, Italy, Germany, Ireland and Vietnam. The Irish episode sees white frothing waves crash against steely cliffs . . .

Watch the video at viewfromabove.emirates.com/3d

SPRING HOTSPOTS

As winter drifts away, it’s the perfect time to plan a trip. But where to go? These are our top three spots for spring.

Iran A reopened UK embassy in Tehran, sanctions relief, and new tours are sure to attract travellers this year. Ibis and Novotel hotels have moved in, while Air France recently announced plans for three weekly Paris and Tehran flights from April.

Cuba Last year's thaw in US-Cuban relations is set to be a game-changer for the Caribbean's largest island – direct flights from New York are already operating. Go now before the cruise ships arrive in May.

Jordan Oscar-nominated The Martian (best picture) and Theeb (best foreign language film) were shot in the southern Jordanian desert, notably Wadi Rum, where lunar-like sandstone formations cradle a vast, red-sand desert.

TOP DEALS

CROATIA Seven nights from April 20th in five-star Hotel Valamar President in Dubrovnik, B&B and flights €775pp, croatia.ie; ITALY Hunt for Easter Eggs at Lake Garda at four-star Bella Italia hotel, €449 (based on 4 sharing) from March 27th for one week. Includes flights, transfers, and self-catering accommodation. topflight.ie

TRAVEL APPY

Skypicker Are you on a budget and not too fussed about which airport you fly from or to? Tell Skypicker when you want to go, and for how long, then pick any country in Europe and it’ll give you a list of the cheapest flights. skypicker.com