Travelbag: latest holiday tips

Hot spot   For a luxury dose of winter sun look to Finca Cortesin on the Andalusian coast. Set on a 532-acre estate and surrounded by nature, the 67-suite hotel offers guests one of the best championship golf courses in the world, full spa, Michelin-star dining, their very own contemporary art gallery and a beach club. And 2019 will see the resort launch a collection of contemporary designed villas, La Reserva (two- or four-bedroom villas) and Green 10 (five-bedroom villas), serviced by the hotel, perfect for family stays. Rates from €584 in a junior ssuite on a B&B basis. fincacortesin.com

Westbury is best  The Westbury has been named Condé Nast Traveler's #1 Hotel in Ireland. Nearly half a million Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted their travel experiences and chose the Grafton Street five-star as Ireland's leading luxury stay. For more, visit cntraveller.com and doylecollection.com.

Into the wild  Foodies will be thrilled to hear Brooklodge & Macreddin Village hosts its annual wild food dinner this November 3rd in The Strawberry Tree Restaurant. Commencing with an afternoon Wild Foods Masterclass, enjoy a pre-dinner reception, a wild foods feast and an overnight stay with late checkout the following morning from €160pps. brooklodge.com

Water worlds Ireland's waterways aren't only for summer. There's a whole host of winter-worthy excursions on offer. Enjoy a tour of Fenagh, Co Leitrim, with two nights' accommodation at the River Cottage, a continental breakfast of locally produced food and activities aplenty. Try a guided historical walking tour of Fenagh's neolithic monuments, monastic site and local landmarks associated with Celtic heritage, or hop on a guided cycle tour ending at the Fenagh Heritage Centre. Practise some local craft or take a lesson in environmental and ecological relevance from local ecologist Eileen Gibbons. Round off the trip with lunch and a cycle along the stunning Acres Lake floating boardwalk on the Shannon Blueway. From €282 per person. headintotheblue.org