History tips

The application process for the 2024 Programme is now underway at aerlingus.com and will remain open until 19th March 2024.

The old-fashioned glamour of flight is brought to mind in the pristine uniforms of the cabin crew. These have had countless makeovers since the first flight attendants took to the skies in the 1930s; Artemis Aerospace takes a trip down the aviation catwalk.

Whether it’s through storytelling, technology advances, architecture, or artwork, we can see a reflection of human creativity and imagination, connecting us to our past while shaping our present and future experiences.

While a visit to Memphis is typically defined by its overflowing abundance of music history, the city’s neighborhoods are brimming with restaurants, breweries, nightlife, and activities as diverse as the sounds that have defined its identity for generations. 

Sicily is an island of mythic proportions, highly regarded for its natural beauty and the deep well of history it embodies in its ancient archaeological sites and luxe palazzos. A proud triangle, the island has three coastlines and two island chains and is home to the most active volcano in Europe, the indomitable Mount Etna.

In the autumn of 1897, after gold was discovered in the Klondike, my English great-grandfather rode out from a cattle ranch near Edmonton, Alberta, to make his fortune. It was late in the season. He traveled with three Americans, eight pack ponies, a Winchester rifle, a tin billycan for tea, a Dutch oven for making bread, a goatskin coat, and a few light mining implements. But the snowfall was heavier than expected, which made the ground treacherous for the horses. When his companions decided to sit out the winter with some fur trapping, my great-grandfather sold his share of the ponies for sled dogs and hired an Indigenous tracker instead. His pace picked up, but the weather deteriorated. When supplies got dangerously low, he suggested to his tracker that they eat the dogs. Eventually, he was forced to return to England empty-handed. His diary, however, survived.

As Black History Month draws to a close, the Negro Motorist Green Book Exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum is still going strong and open to the public. Featuring a carefully curated selection of artifacts and narratives relating to the famous ‘Green Book’ guide, the showcase is a treasure trove of mid-century American culture. Having partnered with the Smithsonian to bring the show to life, the museum delves into history in an exciting departure from its usual exhibition schedule.

Laid-back, eccentric Memphis is a city built by music, where the streets can often feel like a throwback to another era.

The story of England stretches back more than 5000 years (and likely many more). Which means its impossible to escape the past here.

While the United States is a particularly young nation compared to some of its European allies, this sprawling country is no slouch when it comes to fascinating historic destinations. All across the eastern seaboard, there’s a wealth of centuries-old cities that offer a diverse blend of museums, landmarks and historic neighborhoods all open for exploration—and for New England in particular, Boston draws visitors in droves. As you plan your next vacation to the Bay State capital, don’t miss out on these fascinating attractions spanning from the historic North End to the southern reaches of Fenway.

The city of Louisville is equipped with a world-class roster of whiskey distilleries—Old Forester, Angel's Envy and Michter's, to name a few—but there’s a world of opportunity awaiting even those who have never acquired a taste for the spirit. The charm of Louisville spans far beyond the scope of just barrel-aged distillate, with no shortage of incredible museums, restaurants and animal parks to explore all throughout the region. Whether you’re a hardcore craft beer fan, a cocktail aficionado or totally spirit-free, Louisville has the perfect place in store for you.

A distinct sense of place is one of the factors that separates a good hotel from a great one.

Before it was developed into a seaport and garrison, the area now known as Chennai comprised a cluster of small villages on India’s Coromandel Coast. The largest of these, Madrasapattinam, inspired the city’s original name of Madras before being renamed Chennai in 1996. This history has resulted in a sprawling metropolitan area with no clearly defined downtown core although the region between the Cooum and Adyar rivers generally defines the tourist zone.

Motors and Motown put Detroit on the map. Michigan’s largest city also has a vibrant cultural scene expressed through street murals and a rotating fleet of 75 seasonal food trucks. Served by the free-to-ride QLine Streetcar, Woodward Avenue links Downtown Detroit with Brush Park, Midtown, and the Amtrak station. The Detroit People Mover (DPM) is free for 2024, meaning that you’ll have more dollars to put toward sightseeing – or a place to hang your hat. Featuring skyline condos and artsy lofts, these Airbnbs in Detroit have as much character as Motor City.

Maryland’s Eastern Shore, stretching from the Chesapeake Bay to the Atlantic Ocean, is a vast landscape of farmland, tidal wetlands, and small towns, many of which retain their character and architecture of the past, thanks to significant preservation efforts. The Eastern Shore is about an hour and 20 minutes from DC, making it an easy day trip from the nation’s capital.

Tenuta Licinia is a small boutique wine producer in Lucignano (Tuscany) that offers tastings and personalized tours of its vineyards and garden.

There’s so much to look forward to come springtime, which offically starts on March 19. The air, at long last, has warmed up. There’s more sunlight to enjoy, and people, for the most part, are in a brighter mood as well.

As the north-west frontier of the Roman empire, Northumberland is scattered with Roman sites, including numerous forts that housed the soldiers who guarded these unruly borderlands. Many are still being excavated, including Vindolanda and Magna forts just south of Hadrian’s Wall. The first modern excavation kicked off at Magna last spring, and the dig season at both runs from April to September – visitors can watch the archaeologists at work Monday to Friday (they take volunteers too, although 2024 is fully booked). One of Vindolanda’s most important treasures is the Vindolanda writing tablets (thin hand-written wooden notes of life there 2,000 years ago), which will be on display as part of the new Legion: Life in the Roman Army exhibition at the British Museum in London (until 23 June).£12.50 adult, £6 child, vindolanda.com

Cobblestone streets, citadels and canons perched atop fortress walls are unexpected sights in North America – but you can find all of that and more in Québec City.

Anyone who’s set foot in America’s Deep South will know ‘Southern charm’ is no myth, and Savannah — Georgia’s oldest city — embodies just this. Situated at the mouth of the Savannah River in the east of the state, the city has retained its ‘olde world’ atmosphere since its founding in 1733 through its well-preserved cobblestone streets, pre-Civil War architecture, horse-drawn carriages and manicured parks. Meanwhile its more modern array of offerings, including quirky ice cream parlours, moody speakeasies, cosy coffee shops and independent bookshops, have all helped earn its more recent nickname of the ‘Hostess City of the South’. Its urban beauty is also undeniable. Though ravaged by naval blockades during the Civil War, Savannah is said to have charmed Union general William Sherman so much that he saved it from the fires being set by his soldiers during the battle, and instead offered the city as a Christmas gift to President Abraham Lincoln. Today, Savannah plays a much larger role than just being easy on the eye; it’s a vibrant cultural and historical hub for the state and the perfect jumping-off point for various coastal adventures.

Compared to other big-name international cities, Beijing remains a very affordable destination for most visitors.