Explore two Mediterranean islands at your own pace across twelve nights with one car to get you there. This fly and drive takes two people from the seaside town of Marsascala through the walled capital Valletta and the north of Malta before crossing by ferry to Gozo for four nights at the Kempinski.
Fly from Dublin to Malta and collect your hire car for the drive to Marsascala, a quiet harbour town on the island's southeast coast. Two nights at Ca Sand Dune Hotel gives you time to explore the area before heading north to Valletta. One of Europe's smallest capitals,
Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage city built by the Knights of St John, with baroque palaces, grand churches and fortified walls that drop to the sea on three sides. Three nights at Hotel Osborne puts you right in the heart of it.
From Valletta the route continues north to Mellieha, a hilltop town overlooking one of Malta's best beaches. Two nights at Pergola Hotel and Spa gives you time to relax by the pool or head down to the long sandy stretch of Mellieha Bay, with the Gozo ferry just down the road.
A short crossing on the Gozo Highspeed brings you to Malta's smaller, quieter sister island. Gozo moves at its own pace, with dramatic coastal scenery, ancient temples and stone villages. Four nights at the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz is the highlight of the trip, a five star resort set in the heart of the island with a spa and gardens. The Citadel in Victoria, Xlendi Bay and Dwejra, where the famous Azure Window once stood, are all worth the drive.
Return flights from Dublin with Aer Lingus, 12 days car hire from Malta International Airport with inclusive insurance, ferry crossing from Malta to Gozo and return with Gozo Highspeed, accommodation throughout as follows: 2 nights at Ca Sand Dune Hotel Marsascala (bed and breakfast), 3 nights at Hotel Osborne Valletta (room only), 2 nights at Pergola Hotel and Spa Mellieha (bed and breakfast), 4 nights at Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz Gozo (room only). Flights depart Dublin on 01 September 2026. Price is correct at the time of posting (09 April 2026). Offers are subject to change.
Price from €2,650 per person
An Antarctic expedition cruise is designed to take you beyond simply seeing the continent from a ship. Small inflatable Zodiac boats are used to explore bays, reach remote landing sites and get closer to the ice, wildlife and landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Most journeys are designed to get you somewhere as quickly as possible. The Blue Train does the opposite. Over three days and two nights, it travels roughly 1,600 kilometres between Pretoria and Cape Town, turning the distance between the two cities into an experience in its own right.
Europe is packed with iconic destinations, but some of its most rewarding holidays begin just beyond the well-trodden tourist trail. If you've already ticked off the big-name cities or simply fancy somewhere that feels a little different, there are plenty of places offering beautiful scenery, fascinating history, and memorable food without the queues. From medieval towns on the Adriatic coast to volcanic islands in the Atlantic, these lesser-known corners of Europe prove that sometimes the best trips are the ones you weren't expecting.
Finding your match...