Foodie walking tours
Brick Lane: A new tour entitled Flavours of India & Beyond has launched in London, guiding foodies through London's culinary mecca. Indulge in the flavours of Banglatown through nine tastings in the neighbourhood. eatinglondontours.co.uk
Dublin: Delve into the history of Irish food with the city's longest-standing walking tour and discover what people ate across the social classes, where our tastes come from and what influenced Irish cuisine along the way. historicaltours.ie
Barcelona: The Barcelona Taste is the city's first gastronomical tapas tour and offers a unique insight into the city's best-kept dishes. thebarcelonataste.com
Taste of the east
Duncannon village in Co Wexford will host Ireland's first ever "Gourmet Beach Market" this summer. Every Sunday, from now until August 27th, the beach will be packed full of artisan producers offering the very best in organic foods, cakes, fish and meat.
Taking place from 11am to 5pm, sheltered by the village's inlet and the fortress walls of the 450-year-old Duncannon Fort, the beach market is an exciting new summer attraction in the sunny southeast. For more on the producers and the market see facebook.com/gourmetbeachmarket.
Zipping through Zurich
The Marktgasse hotel in Zurich is offering guests an action-packed way of experiencing the city. Those who are looking to see the sights while staying active are invited to limber up next to locals for yoga classes, join one of Zurich’s scheduled running tours or partner up with local cycling fanatic, Joko Vogel, for a city tour in the saddle.
Everything from the hotel's healthy breakfast to their guide to the coolest new juice bars makes this a holiday your body will thank you for. See marktgassehotel.ch for rates and packages.
Taking off
Flights from Waterford Airport to three UK cities are set to resume on July 24th. Services to London Luton, Manchester and Birmingham will be operated by a new airline, Aer Southeast, and bookings can be made now at flywaterford.com and aersoutheast.com.
Suite escape
Galway's favourite five-star hotel has a new package this summer with a focus on pampering. The g Hotel's "Life Is Suite" package offers guests in need of some rest and relaxation a one night's stay in the boutique hotel's junior suite overlooking Lough Atalia and the Galway city skyline. Soak in your freestanding bath, use the spa's sauna and steam room, and then dine in the two AA rosette Restaurant gigi's. Stay from €210 pps B&B, see theghotel.ie for more.
Get appy: Parkpnp
Dubbed the Airbnb of parking, this Irish app allows you to find the cheapest parking space near you wherever you are in Ireland. Available on Google Play and iTunes. parkpnp.com/ie
Travel deals with Joan Scales
Islands in the sun: August deals from Thomsonholidays.ie: Cork to Lanzarote, €529pps, Shannon to Majorca, from €569pps and Dublin to Crete from €459pps. falconholidays.ie, 1850-453435.
September sun: holidays to Costa del Sol from €289pps, Lanzarote from €349pps, Algarve from €239pps and Gran Canaria from €369pps. cassidytravel.ie, 0818-322500.
Family fun: In the sunny southeast, Ferrycarrig Hotel has two-day family stays, B&B with free access to Crazy Clubbers kids club, fitness centre and pool from €335, or three nights from €365 midweek. ferrycarrighotel.ie, 053-912099.