As a beer aficionado, I've been to my fair share of brew festivals throughout the US, several of which were "Oktoberfest" themed.
12.09.2024 - 18:38 / cntraveler.com / Laura Lindsay
The best time to visit Ireland—to see green countrysides and impressive castles, to learn about Celtic history, to rub elbows with friendly and funny Irish folks—is any time of year. Whether you want to visit for the breathtaking beauty of Ireland’s rock formations or medieval architecture, or just to drink a whole lot of Guinness, the key to a good visit to Ireland is to time it just right.
It’s common knowledge these days that shoulder-season travel can offer the savvy traveler a lot of advantage no matter their destination. But to get an expert opinion on the ins and outs of it, I spoke to Siobhan Byrne, the Dublin-based founder and CEO of luxury travel company Adams & Butler, for her insight on the best time to visit Ireland. Read on to learn how to schedule your visit, what to know before you go, and why you might be better off visiting Ireland than Los Angeles for Thanksgiving.
It is best to visit Ireland in the shoulder season months of May, June, and September, when the weather remains pleasant but the crowds have not yet come or already gone.
The best time to visit Ireland are the months of May, June, and September, according to Byrne. These are the months that touch the peak season of summer, so the weather is warm but most of the crowds have yet to arrive or have already gone. That said, even the months of March, April, and October offer pleasant weather.
“I joke—but it's actually true—that, in Ireland, the winter is a cooler version of the summer, and the summer is a warmer version of the winter,” Byrne says. “On any given day in the year, it can be 17°C (62°F). I often do hand-washing on Christmas Day because it can be a wonderful dry sunny day!”
Byrne also notes that the travel time to Ireland from the East Coast of the US is just five and a half hours, so technically it takes less time to get to Dublin than to the West Coast: “So do consider Ireland for a long weekend break during those winter months, that's what people in the know do!
During the shoulder season and winter months, Byrne says travelers can get many transatlantic rates for as little as $300 each way, and that business airfares can be cheaper during these times.
As for the facts and figures: November is statistically the cheapest month to fly to Ireland, according to Laura Lindsay, the destination and travel trends expert at Skyscanner. At this time, in 2023, roundtrip fares cost an average of $404 per person. “It’s one of the quieter months for tourists, with short days and colder weather without the twinkling lights and fairground feel of Christmas markets,” Lindsay says.
Heads up that December is the most expensive time to travel to Ireland, according to Skyscanner data; data says that roundtrip flights in December 2023
As a beer aficionado, I've been to my fair share of brew festivals throughout the US, several of which were "Oktoberfest" themed.
Sep 30, 2024 • 3 min read
Sep 30, 2024 • 6 min read
October is here and so are these great points and miles deals, and the latest in credit card perks—all of which come in handy for leaf-peeping trips, spooky getaways for Halloween, and last-minute journeys to chase some autumn sun. (Need some ideas? Check out this list of the best places to visit in October to get the travel inspiration going.) And for the aviation geeks: Here’s a rundown of the latest loyalty industry news and perks, so you don’t have to scour the internet to find them. Register for these points and miles deals to boost your account balances, and then start planning where you want to go next. We've got all the best points and miles deals for October, below.
I've traveled the world on a shoestring budget.
Sep 27, 2024 • 10 min read
I've slept like a queen all over the world.
There’s never a wrong time of year to visit the Berkshires, the mountainous stretch of western Massachusetts located just 140 miles north of New York City. You can thank the fall’s vibrant display of foliage, summer’s Tanglewood music festival that draws crowds from all over the world, and a steady tide of new hotel openings to take advantage of as cozy winter getaways and for ski season. The region also has strong roots as an artists community, with a robust community of galleries, independent boutiques, and museums. And for city dwellers looking to stretch their legs, the Berkshires is also home to scenic hiking trails and winter slopes for every activity and ability level.
Not all oceanside vacations are created equal, and one trip to Wilmington and our island beaches will show you why we’re the crown jewel of coastal getaways in the Carolinas. With the city’s historic River District and Riverwalk, along with three island beaches just minutes away, there’s plenty to explore. Expect to encounter turquoise waters, exceptional sand, one-of-a-kind nature escapes, and award-winning chefs and breweries — just a few of the many attractions you’ll fall in love with on this slice of the North Carolina coast.
The two largest cities in Portugal, Lisbon and Porto, are both located on the Atlantic coast, 190 miles apart. The drive between the two cities is a scenic one, but it does mean you’ll have to rent a vehicle to make the three-hour trip. If you want to travel between Lisbon and Porto in comfort, for cheap, and without putting in too much effort, take the train instead. The Lisbon to Porto train is very frequent, takes just as long as driving, costs less than what you’d pay for a rental and gas, and the landscape out the window is equally gorgeous.
Fall is the ideal time to visit Montana if you’re looking to get away from the crowds and into nature. The shoulder season welcomes the colorful displays of foliage, crisp, clean air, rivers teeming with fish, and active wildlife. Because Big Sky Country is vast, we’ve put together some top spots to see fall colors in all their glory. From the shimmering golden tapestry of aspen groves and deciduous trees in the southwestern and central regions, to the golden hues of the wheat fields against the backdrop of the setting sun over the northern and easter plains, here are some of the best places to visit in fall and where to stay.
Twelve hours is a long time for anyone to be on a plane.