• Monday 05 November 2018

For those of us in the Munster region, Cork Airport offers a fantastic gateway to the rest of the world. First opened in October 1961, Cork Airport now offers a great Duty Free shopping, four bars/ restaurants, a quick & straight-forward security process both outbound and on the return journey, as well as an ever-expanding list of great destinations.

Lets take a look at Cork Airport's newly-announced routes for 2019:

Nice, France

Starting May 1st, Aer Lingus will fly from Cork to Nice twice a week. Departing on Wednesdays and Sundays, this route opens up the French Riviera to passengers flying from Cork. A tourist destination as far back as the 1700s, Nice has long played host to aristocrats, food lovers and sun-worshippers. 

Explore the city's history with visits to Lascaris Palace, known for its assortment of musical instruments, and to Nice Cathedral. Though relatively plain on the outside, the cathedral's interior is lavishly decorated. Take a stroll down the iconic Promenade des Anglais (though it can get a little crowded in the summer!), visit one of Europe's largest greenhouses (Park Phoenix) or people watch in the city's old town, Vielle Ville.

The incredible beauty of the surrounding landscape has drawn many notable painters to Nice, many of which are commemorated in some fantastic museums, including Musée Marc Chagall, Musée Matisse and the Musée des Beaux-Arts. 

Rent a car or take advantage of France's great rail network and head south to Antibes or Cannes- both are less than an hour from Nice by road. Travel north along the coast to visit Monte Carlo or cross the Italian border to Sanremo, Savona (both about an hour away) or Genoa (2 1/2 hours). 

Shandon Travel can book your flights from Cork, accommodation and Nice city tours. We can also help you plan a self-drive holiday along the Mediterranean coast, rent a car or book public transport. Our travel agents would be happy to suggest a fantastic southern French or Mediterranean coastline itinerary which suits your needs. View our European city breaks.

Dubrovnik, Croatia 

Taking off from May 4th, Aer Lingus will fly from Cork to Dubrovnik twice a week- Tuesdays and Saturdays. This beautiful city is well known for its Medieval town walls, which offer fantastic views of the sea and can be walked in a full circuit of just over a mile. Stretch out on the sand at Banje beach- just ten minute's walk east of the Old Town- or take a cable car to the peak of the city. History buffs will love Dubrovnik and the surrounding area with numerous Reniassance, Medieval, Greek and Roman features to be found.

Game Of Thrones fans will appreciate a visit to Dubrovnik and its many filming locations. Visit Pile Harbour, just outside the Old Town Walls, to see the entrance and beaches of King's Landing. Nearby Dubrovnik West Pier is best known as the stone dock in Blackwater Bay.

The stunning Fort Lovrijenac is recognisable as the basis for the Red Keep, while the imposing Minčeta tower featured as Qarth's House Of The Undying. Possibly the most iconic location is The Jesuit Staircase, featured in several important episodes as the steps to the Great Sept of Baelor. Be sure to book your tour with us before you fly- saving both money and valuable holiday time.

Take a day trip to one of the many stunning islands off the Dalmatian coast and take advantage of the clear water to enjoy snorkelling, kayaking or cliff-diving. Alternatively, take a trip to  the Pelješac Peninsula, home to some of the region's best wines. Rent a car and head three hours north along the coast to Split, to see the stunning Roman ruins at Diocletian's Palace. 

Shandon Travel can book your flights from Cork, accommodation, day tours and Dubrovnik city tours. We can also help you plan a self-drive holiday along the Dalmatian coast, rent a car or book public transport. Our travel agents would be happy to suggest a fantastic Croatian or Balkan itinerary which suits your needs. View our European city breaks. Visit our Croatia webpage.

NAPLES, ITALY

Ryanair will add a new twice-weekly service from Cork to Naples in July 2019. Located in southern Italy, Naples sits in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius- the volcano best known for destroying the Roman town of Pompeii in 79 AD. Naples is a lively city, with a combination of history and energy that makes it a compelling place to visit.

See fortresses like Castel Nuovo and Castel dell’Ovo, marvel at the Sansevero Chapel, or view an impressive collection of modern art at the Museo d’Arte Contemporanea. Soak up the culture like a local in the Santa Lucia district and make sure to sample the pizza this region is famous for.

Visit Pompeii to walk through remarkably well-preserved ruins, including the Temple of Apollo, Temple of Jupiter, Amphitheatre and see plaster casts of the unfortunate victims of this natural disaster. The less well-known town of Herculaneum was also preserved, and today one can see the remains of wooden structures and wall paintings in incredible detail.

Though Vesuvius is still active, visitors can take a bus from Naples and make the 30 minute hike to climb to its crater. A two-hour boat trip will bring you from Naples to the quaint, charming island of Capri. During the summer months Capri can be busy, so the nearby Procida island (seen in The Talented Mr Ripley) is a great off-the-radar alternative. 

Shandon Travel can book your flights from Cork, accommodation, Naples city tours, day trips and excursions to Pompeii and Herculaneum. We can also help you plan a self-drive holiday along the Italian coast, or book public transport. Our travel agents would be happy to suggest a fantastic Naples itinerary which suits your needs. View our European city breaks. Visit our Italy webpage.

POZNAŃ, POLAND 

From March 2019, Ryanair will commence its new twice-weekly Cork to Poznań service. Located on the Warta River in western Poland, this city might just surprise you. Though the region was settled from the 9th centrury, Poznań recieved its charter in 1253.

Poznań's Old Town is centred around the Market Square, where brightly-coloured 16th century buildings surround the historic town hall. Each day at noon, after the clock (installed in 1551) has struck and a traditional bugle call has been sounded, two mechanical goats butt heads. Close to the Old Town, the large Freedom Square is home to a striking glass sculpture and fountain.

Poznań was the birthplace of modern Poland, and some great archeological finds have been discovered in recent years. The fantastic Genius Loci Archeological Park tells the history of the area. A walk along the Royal-Imperial Route introduces visitors to the tombs of Poland's early kings in the cathedral crypt, the 13th century Royal Castle, St Francis Seraphic Church and the former Imperial Castle. 

Behind Poznań's historical significance, you'll find hidden courtyards, independent cafés, basement raves and trendy food trucks. In the summer, explore urban beaches and riverside pop-ups along the Warta River. Take a run on the artificial slopes at Malta Ski, or sample the food at one of the city's traditional Milk Bars. The area's flat terrain and green areas make Poznań a great city to get around by bike. 

There are also a number of giant shopping centres around the city- built ahead of the Euro 2012 competition and great for taking advantage of the exchange rate (€1 is worth a little over 4 złoty). This city is half-way between Warsaw and Berlin, so offers a great starting point for a road or rail trip around central Europe.

Shandon Travel can book your flights from Cork, accommodation and Poznań city tours. We can also help you plan a self-drive holiday through central Europe, or book public transport. Our travel agents would be happy to suggest a fantastic itinerary which suits your needs. View our European city breaks.

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Ryanair will also begin flying from Cork to Budapest in April 2019. The twice-weekly service will depart on Tuesdays and Sundays. The capital of Hungary, this city is split into two by the River Danube. Settled both by the Celts and later the Romans, the settlements of Buda and Pest were united in 1873. 

Rising over the city, the iconic baroque Buda Castle was mostly built in the mid 1700s and can be reached by the Castle Hill Funicular. Relax at Széchenyi Thermal Baths- the largest medicinal baths in Europe, water here is supplied by two thermal springs and reaches approximately 75°C. Alternatively, try the beautiful Gellert Baths, whose Art Noveau interiors were extensively renovated in 2008.

There is an incredible variety of sights and activities to do in Budapest. The Museum Of Terror houses exhibits which document the Soviet and Nazi regimes and stands as a memorial to those who fell victim to these horrors. The Basilica of St Stephen is home to the mummified, jewel-covered right hand of St. Stephen- the founder of Hungary.

The impressive Aquincum Museum is based around an excavated Roman bath house and features a display of artefacts from the ancient city of Aquincum. Popular with tourists, the pedestrianised Váci Street is home to a great variety of restaurants and shops. One of Budapest's most random sights is a statue of TV detective Columbo, played by Peter Falk- who was rumoured to have Hungarian roots. 

Shandon Travel can book your flights from Cork, accommodation and Budapest city tours. We can also help you plan a self-drive holiday through eastern Europe, or book public transport. Our travel agents would be happy to suggest a fantastic itinerary which suits your needs. View our European city breaks.

MALTA

From April 2019, Ryanair will fly from Cork to Malta twice weekly. Made up of three islands (Malta, Gozo and Comino), this sunny nation is perfectly located between the Italian island of Sicily and the North African coast. Shandon Travel's Cara recently spent some time in Malta, read her blog about the holiday here.

Known for its historical sights, visitors to Malta can marvel at the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum- an underground complex which dates back to 4000BC. This country's unique culture has been influenced by the various peoples who have visited over the years- from the Phoenicians and Carthaginians to the Romans, Aghlabid Muslims, Normans and the British Empire.

Explore the beautiful and ancient city of Valetta, or see the medieval fortifications in the towns of Cittadella and Mdina. Malta is also a popular filming location, home to movies like Gladiator, The Count Of Monte Cristo, Munich, World War Z and Troy. Game Of Thrones fans will also appreciate Malta- you might recognise Mdina's city walls as King's Landing and there are numerous location tours available.

Visit Bugibba to enjoy sandy beaches, take in the quiet beauty of Gozo or enjoy a hike on the former pirate & smuggler's haunt of Comino Island. Malta is also home to numerous megalithic monuments, Roman villas, Bronze Age dolmens and ancient temples. Adventure lovers will enjoy the great variety of watersports, rock climbing, diving or jeep safaris available in Malta. Click here to visit our Malta webpage.

Shandon Travel can book your flights from Cork, accommodation and Malta tours. We can also help you plan a self-drive holiday around the islands, or book public transport. Our travel agents would be happy to suggest a fantastic Maltese itinerary which suits your needs. View our European city breaks.

In addition, 2019 will see the extension and continuation of a number of the most recently added routes from Cork:

PARIS, FRANCE

Air France launched direct flights from Cork to Paris Charles De Gaulle in May of 2018. From October, capacity on this route has been increased by an additional 336 seats per week. Take a romantic weekend break in Paris, bring the family to Disneyland or take a road trip through northern France. Charles De Gaulle Airport also serves as a fantastic connecting hub for worldwide long-haul flights.

Shandon Travel's Susan, Lorraine and Lisa recently took advantage of the new route and spent a fantastic weekend in Paris. You can read Susan's blog about their getaway here. Visit the Eiffel Tower, explore the city's catacombs or browse exotic foods at the historic Marché des Enfants Rouges. Shop like a local in the North Marais neighbourhood, on Rue du Château d’Eau or in one of the city's beautiful covered malls- Galerie Vivienne is one of the most elegant.

For a great city view that includes the Eiffel Tower, visit the top of the Arc de Triomphe- open from June to September. Remember, we can book tour and attraction tickets before you fly- something we highly recommend for saving both money and valuable holiday time. We can help you book your Paris city break, or international flights through Charles De Gaulle Airport. View our Cork to Paris web page here. View our European city breaks.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

Aer Lingus' new Cork to Lisbon route launched on Friday, October 26th, flying twice weekly into Lisbon Portela Airport. This busy, colourful city is overlooked by São Jorge Castle. Perched on the hilltop, this eleventh-century Moorish castle features palace ruins and an archaeological museum. 

Lisbon Oceanarium is the largest indoor aquarium in Europe, home to sharks, penguins, octopuses, jellyfish, rays, seahorses and sunfish. Set over seven floors, the Museu do Oriente charts Portugal's colonial history in the East with objects from China, Japan and Indonesia. Take a spin in the beautiful Santa Justa Lift- this fin-de-siècle engineering gem is an ideal way to get around in a city built on seven hills.

Take a day trip to Sintra- an hour outside Lisbon, this beautiful town is packed with historic monuments, ancient castles and extravagant palaces. Alternatively make a two-part holiday of it, with a few days in Lisbon followed by some R'n'R on the beautiful Algarve coast. Visit the beach towns of Cascais and Estoril, take in the dramatic scenery of Sagres, or enjoy the resort town of Portimão- a 2 and a half hour drive south from Lisbon. 

Let us book your Lisbon city break, or plan a multi-stop itinerary which allows you to see as much of Portugal as possible. Click to visit our Portugal webpage. View our European city breaks.

Here's the full list of destinations accessible from Cork:

Want help planing your dream holiday or city break? Let us do the work. Get in touch via 021 4277094 or 01 6965135, email info@shandontravel.ie or call into our shops in Clonakilty, Bantry and the Grand Parade.

Please note the information on flights and attractions is correct as of November 2018 and may change at any time. We recommend contacting us for the most up to date information.