Little Italy
No need to jet off for a little taste of Italy – this May Le Dolce Vita comes to Dublin. Ten of Leonardo da Vinci's drawings (on loan from the Royal Collection) go on display in the National Gallery of Ireland from the 4th; and on May 19th, House of Peroni brings the best of contemporary Italian cuisine, cinema and design to 1 Dame Lane. Just say ciao bella! nationalgallery.ie; thehouseofperoni.com
Home or away
The travel bug is back, according to a study by AA Travel Insurance. It seems three-quarters of us will look to get away from Irish weather this summer, with Spain, France, Portugal and Italy topping the poles for sunshine escapes. It makes a change from 2012, when 44 per cent of us were more likely to indulge in a domestic break over a foreign holiday. With all these far-flung destinations on the agenda, do make sure the passport is in date.
On yer bike
This year's Tour de Connemara cycling spectacular takes place on May 28th, beginning and finishing in Clifden,Co Galway. It's set to be the biggest and best race yet. See tourdeconamara.ie for more.
Outdoor cinemas
Film4 at Somerset House: Every August the London museum is transformed into an outdoor picnic party, complete with DJs and a Film4 movie screenings. Cue London cool kids and tourists a-plenty for an unforgettable night in the capital. See somersethouse.org.uk.
Sandbox at the Miami Edition: Hunker down in the dunes at the Edition hotel in Miami (below), where a private cinema screen is saved just for residents. Watch your favourite silver screen sirens within earshot of the ocean from the comfort of your hammock. editionhotels.com.
Kasbah Tamadot's movie nights in Morocco: Deep in the Atlas Mountains, the deluxe Kasbah Tamadot holds twice- weekly screenings under the Moroccan sky. virginlimitededition.com.
Deals
Algarve: family value in three-star self-catering in Portimao, July, two adults, two children from €2,016, and four star in Lagos from €2,559, sunway.ie and (01) 2311800.
Rhine: from Prague to Nuremberg, gently sail through three countries exploring as you go in five-star luxury, Uniworld River cruise, from €1,899pps, 1800-989898 or travel agents.
Orlando: in May and June, a week in the popular Rosen Inn, from €569pps, including flights with americanholidays.ie, (01) 6733838.
Travel appy
Navmii: This free navigation app allows you to download 190 country maps to your phone. Available for free download at the App store, Google Play or Windows Store, navmii.com.
