See the Taj Mahal at sunset – without the scaffolding

Restored to glory 

After two years of extensive conservation work on its facade, the Taj Mahal's scaffolding has finally been removed, so there's never been a better time to visit India's treasured mausoleum. Explore is offering travellers the chance to uncover Old Delhi, the city of Agra and Jaipur and the Taj Mahal at sunset over a seven-day trip, from €642 per person, available from October 2017 through to December 2018. For more see explore.co.uk.

Cert of approval 

Irish travel site Click&Go has launched a new website dedicated solely towards Leaving Cert holidays. The site surveyed 1,000 recently graduated sixth-year students across Dublin, Cork, and Meath, and created leavingcertholidays.ie based on their findings. The new site will enable students to book their getaways from Dublin and regional airports, all of which will include airport transfers as well as representatives at home and abroad to ensure both teens and parents are looked after; leavingcertholidays.ie.

Pause for thought 

With specialised wellness breaks still as popular as ever, the Sha Clinic in Alicante is honing in on menopause and how best to combat symptoms. Their new experience puts emphasis on exercise, strengthening the body through weight training and aerobic exercise along with carefully curated meals aimed at helping ease body and mind. The four-day programme starts from €1,190 per person including meals, health and medical consultations and treatments; shawellnessclinic.com.

Autumn adventures 

Lough Eske
The Donegal 5-star invites guests to view the Northern Lights under the guidance of a professional photographer and a picnic under the stars. The Night Sky Package starts from €799 per person. See solishotels.com.

Want to visit Macchu Pichu next year? You’d better get moving

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A walk for the weekend: Under bare Benbulbin’s spell

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Travel Advice: renting large houses

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Las Cuevas de Los Verdes
Once a hideout for pirates, today the tunnels and caves in Lanzarote are a tourist favourite. The real highlight is an underground lake whose reflection on the roof will leave you feeling like you're gazing into an abyss; falconholidays.ie.

Castlehaven Bay 
Take a Starlight Moonlight tour in West Cork, a kayak adventure where the marine life causes the water to glow; atlanticseakayaking.com.

Get appy

Lakelands Treasure app
This family-friendly app is a game and a guide to Ireland's Lakelands. Available on iTunes and Google Play.

Harvest heyday

Celebrating all things autumnal this October 6th, the Ice House in Ballina will host a Harvest Dinner, featuring the very best of produce from fellow Blue Book member Enniscoe Organic Gardens. The five-course dinner, paired with fine wines, promises to be a seasonal treat. The package includes an overnight stay in a Riverview Room overlooking the River Moy and Belleek Woods, a welcome cocktail and Harvest dinner from €320 for two people sharing. See icehouse.ie for more.

Travel deals

The Chieftains in New York
Take a very special trip to the big Apple for St Patrick's Day and join the Chieftains in concert. The five-night trips includes flights, accommodation, the parade, tours, tickets and fun; steintravel.ie 01-5175990.

Flybe to London
Forget Ryanair – Stobart Air's Flybe will begin services to London Southend on October 29th with fares from €8.07 out and €30.30 back. Direct train service to Liverpool St under one hour. Book on flybe.com.

Sterling bounty
ake a shopping break to Belfast and enjoy a gourmet overnight in the Europa Hotel, 4-course dinner, B&B from €106pps, 048-90271066 or hastingshotels.com.