Eight reasons to choose a guided holiday in 2023

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8 reasons to choose

a guided holiday in 2023

It’s always exciting dreaming of where you’ll travel too next. If you have a bucket list of destinations you have always wanted to experience, why not make your travel dreams a reality and start planning your 2023 holiday with Travel Department? A guided tour is one of the best and most flexible ways to get to grips with a new country. With the helping hand of an expert guide who can show you the way you get to uncover hidden gems.

Travel Department organise tours from Ireland and the UK to 100s of destinations worldwide, with flights, accommodation, transfers, and guided excursions all included. They’ll guide you every step of the way as we know so many of us still want to set off on adventures to chart new territories in places that once seemed out of reach. Check out their reasons below as to why you should consider a fully guided holiday?

1. See incredible destinations

It definitely helps to leave the planning to the experts so you can be sure you have the best holiday itinerary possible and see the main highlights of your chosen destination. Italy continues to be a firm favourite in Europe. Alternatively, you could uncover some of the more unusual places like Slovenia with the wonderful Lake Bled or the ancient sites in Turkey or Greece. You might see yourself sailing down some of the most iconic rivers in Europe and beyond on a river cruise where you’ll stop at some exciting places along the way. So whether you're looking for a city escape or a short break, you will also benefit from our expert local guides. Our holidays are not just limited to short-haul travel; we go to many long-haul destinations including India, Vietnam and South Africa. Our fully guided holidays are ideal for anyone looking for stress-free experience especially in places where you’re dealing with an unfamiliar culture and foreign language.

2. Travel with the experts

Guided tours can also give you a more authentic travel experience. We have spent years perfecting our itineraries with tried and tested research so you can trust us to put together a worthy schedule. We only hire locals or experts with a wealth of local knowledge to give you the best and most authentic insider information. We’ve inspected every

Lake Garda Dubrovnik

Cannes & The Cote d'Azur Barcelona

hotel, bar and restaurant, understand everything about the area and have thought carefully about the diverse needs of travellers to bring together the very best of each destination, ensuring you don’t waste a moment.

3. Professional local guides

All our guides are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. They will accompany you throughout your holiday and be on hand to offer useful tips and insights into your chosen destination. They’ll share hidden gems, wonderful facts that only locals know, recommend the best restaurants, quirky side street cafes and introduce you to the most interesting local characters. That sense of authenticity, which you won’t find in any guide book, allows you to get under the skin of the place and it means that you won’t just come away from your trip with just a few touristy snaps on your phone. Instead, you’ll have a deeper appreciation for the destination.

4. Enjoy the benefits without the stress

With a guided tour, you can get out of your comfort zone and embark on an adventure without the hassle of planning the trip. On our holidays, we take care of everything. All you have to do is board your flight and one of our guides will be there to meet you on arrival at your destination. We’ll also make sure every transfer and hotel check-in goes through without a glitch. And if something goes wrong during your holiday, we’ll know exactly what to do.

5. It can be cost effective

As flights, accommodation, transfers, some meals and excursion prices are all included in the main price of our tours, you can budget more effectively during your holiday.

6. Find some time for yourself

Our tours aren’t all about sticking to a schedule either. For our itineraries, we factor in plenty of free time to yourself, with the flexibility to spend the afternoon sipping coffee at a pavement café, meandering through a city to see what you come across or adding extra time before or after the tour to see some other sights.

7. Meet fellow travellers

It’s often the people you meet on holiday that are the highlight of the entire trip and you’ll have amazing memories of the shared experiences you had together. If you’re a solo traveller, it’s an opportunity to make new friends. Sometimes fellow travellers get along so well that they even arrange to meet up after the trip or go on another Travel Department holiday!

For the next few months we are delighted to team up with Travel Department to bring you a podcast series where you can learn more about those countries you have always wanted to visit, plus hear some fascinating stories from their expert local guides.

Plus, if you are looking to book that dream holiday Travel Department have one of their best offers yet where you can save up to €100*pp on all of their holidays. Visit traveldepartment.com to find out more or call (01) 6371615 to speak to a member of their team.

*Terms and conditions: Offer valid for all new bookings made between 28th of Dec and 3rd of Feb 2023. Offer is €100pp off holidays of 11 nights or more using the code SAVE100, €75pp off holidays of 8-10 nights using the code SAVE75, €50pp off holidays of 7 nights using the code SAVE50 and €25pp off holidays of 6 nights or less using the code SAVE25. Offers are non-transferable, subject to availability, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and has no cash value. All deposits are non-refundable.

GP urges over 65s, those with a weakened immune system and those with an underlying health

condition to KNOW PNEUMO pneumococcal disease, GP, Dr. Gary Stack said: "In the Winter months, it is more important than ever to be up to date on your vaccinations. As we enter into a prime time for those with weakened immune systems to catch infection that can cause serious illness, winter represents a significant risk with the return to normal activities, the need to be protected while engaging with society is more important than ever. “’Pneumo' or pneumococcal disease is a major cause of illness and death in Ireland, particularly among the very young, the elderly and those with a weakened immune system. Pneumo disease is actually a year-round disease, meaning people can be impacted at any time, but it’s usually associated with more wet and damp conditions, but some often mistake it for being ‘just’ a winter disease. Unlike COVID-19 and influenza, which are both viruses, pneumo is a bacterium.”

Dr. Gary Stack

• More than 750,000 people aged 65 and older are at risk of contracting pneumococcal disease in Ireland. • Adults with underlying health conditions and those over 65 are eligible to receive free pneumococcal vaccine as part of the National Immunisation Programme.

Killarney GP, Dr. Gary Stack is encouraging people over the age of 65, and those with a weakened immune system or underlying health condition, to ask their doctor about ‘pneumo’.

Invasive pneumococcal disease, more generally known as 'pneumo', is a major cause of illness and death in Ireland, particularly among the very young, the elderly and those with a weakened immune system.

Of those who develop an invasive infection:

• 1 IN 4 will get Pneumonia • 1 IN 4 will get Meningitis • 1 IN 10 will die

A pneumococcal infection is caused by pneumococcal bacteria which is spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing or close contact. The bacteria can be carried in the nose and throat without doing any harm but sometimes they can invade the lungs and bloodstream. This can cause many types of illness that range from mild to very severe, including pneumonia, meningitis, sinus, ear, bone and blood infections. traditional winter vaccination season, GP Dr Gary Stack is urging people to know the facts about pneumococcal disease and how it can be prevented.

The pneumococcal vaccine is free of charge as part of the National Immunisation Programme for the over 65s and at-risk groups, such as people with:

• Diabetes • Chronic lung, heart, liver, or kidney disease • Chronic neurological disease • Coeliac disease • Down Syndrome • Cochlear implants or are about to get cochlear implants • Immune deficiency because of a disease or treatment, including patients receiving chemotherapy • HIV infection • Absent spleen or a non-functioning spleen • CSF leaks, either congenital or complicating skull fractures or neurosurgery; and • Intracranial shunt.

A patient can get the pneumococcal vaccine at the same time as influenza vaccine.

Pneumococcal infection is responsible for 50% of community acquired pneumonia and bacteraemia where the overall mortality rate can be as high as 25%. It can also cause a wide variety of other infections including sinusitis, osteomyeltitis (bone infection), bronchitis (lung infection) and otitis media (ear infection). Speaking about the importance of contacting a GP for information about Healthcare professionals play an important role in educating patients about disease awareness and vaccination. The sharing of vaccine information by healthcare professionals, such as GPs, nurses and pharmacists, is essential to encourage the prevention of pneumococcal disease.

Dr. Stack continued: “As we’ve come to understand, just like COVID-19 and influenza, pneumo can also be prevented by vaccination. It's therefore important that anyone who is eligible for the vaccine as part of the National Immunisation Programme, gets the information they need regarding pneumococcal disease and considers getting the pneumococcal vaccine along with the flu and COVID vaccines. I would encourage anyone who falls within a vulnerable category to speak to their GP to find out more information about the prevention of pneumococcal disease."

#KnowPneumo

The #KnowPneumo campaign aims to raise awareness about pneumococcal disease and its potential to cause serious illness. A number of patient organisations support the initiative including Age Action, Diabetes Ireland, the Asthma Society of Ireland and Croí.

Faith in the future: new miracle innovations could save thousands of lives from climate disaster

As climate change brings the worst drought in 40 years to the Horn of Africa, Concern Worldwide supporters are helping local farmers use new climate-resilient techniques to save their families and communities from starvation.

In some parts of the Horn of Africa, there hasn’t been a single drop of rain in three years. Dead cows lie decaying by the road, overcome by dehydration. Across Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, the dust-filled plains are so bare of vegetation that they don’t attract any animals. The villages are just as quiet. The hustle and bustle of families cooking or working has fallen silent. Children who haven’t eaten for days do nothing but sit still in their huts, too tired and sick to move. It’s the same dire, drought-ravaged situation across all the countries in the Horn of Africa. Right now, 16 million people are acutely food insecure. It’s estimated one person dies of hunger every 48 seconds. And as climate change causes more extreme weather patterns, experts predict that droughts like these will become even more frequent, and last even longer, with devastating effects for future generations.

Living in hunger

Ahmed, a farmer in Somalia, and his children, live on the frontline of the climate crisis. He inherited his land from his father who was a farmer before him. But with each year that has gone by since he was a boy, he has seen less and less rain falling on the family farm. The soil has become so dry that he can no longer grow the nutritious corn and sorghum that once helped him put food on the table. to supporters who left a gift in their Will to the charity, Concern has the resources to build climate-smart agricultural programmes that can support Ahmed and families like his. They provide the tools and training that, even in the driest conditions, help farmers grow nourishing food. Together, Concern and its supporters were able to provide Ahmed with a wide range of drought-resistant seeds, and training on how to grow them. The results have been nothing short of miraculous – today, his once-barren land is sprouting thousands of fruit-bearing trees. With the income he’s earning from selling the While the threat of mass starvation looms, Concern Worldwide is calling for more people to help them protect vulnerable families like Ahmed’s from the hunger caused by drought and climate change. When people leave a gift in their Will to Concern, they’re giving hope to children, families and communities facing future challenges of the climate crisis, by supporting this life-saving agricultural programme.

Seeing his crops wither before his eyes, Ahmed did everything he could to save them, but without water, it wasn’t enough. He had nothing to eat and nothing to sell at the market. The pain of hunger began to take hold of his children. Even if his family were to survive the current crisis, he could only wonder how his children would ever live through the more formidable droughts of the future.

Communities face the threat of mass starvation as the climate crisis worsens.

Miracle innovation

It was in this desperate situation that Concern Worldwide, Ireland’s largest international aid charity, and their generous community of supporters, were able to provide a lifeline for Ahmed. For 54 years, the charity has been helping people from the world’s poorest communities to build lives free from hunger. In Ahmed’s case, escaping hunger meant achieving something that seemed impossible to him – finding a way to turn his dusty fields green again despite the onslaught of the current drought. But thanks

Life-saving innovation

For decades, Concern Worldwide has been bringing life-saving solutions to people facing the climate crisis. The miraculous results have been nothing short of life-changing for thousands of families.

CROP VARIETY & DIVERSIFICATION Drought-resistant seeds increase the chance of a successful crop, even in dry conditions, to protect families from hunger.

IRRIGATION When an area receives no rainfall, innovative water pumping systems can bring vital, enriching moisture to barren soil.

POST-HARVEST MANAGEMENT When crops are harvested, more secure storage techniques can protect them from being spoiled by insects and fungi later.

BEFORE AFTER

“With the seeds Concern provided, I was able to harvest a lot more and help my family, it changed everything.”

Ahmed, Somalia

Leaving a legacy of hope for future generations

Siobhán O’Connor, from Concern, advises people who want to leave a gift in their Will to the charity. “The gifts that our generous supporters

“I am proud to know that, even when I am gone, my support will continue to save lives.”

Colm, who’s leaving a gift in his Will to Concern Worldwide, Co. Galway

produce, he can afford to feed his children again. And when they’re old enough, they will learn these life-changing skills from Ahmed, which they can pass on to their own children, ensuring future generations live a life free from hunger.

The future threat of climate change

Although the future looks brighter for Ahmed and his children, many families are still not safe from climate change. The World Bank predicts that the coming changes in weather patterns could force more than 100 million people into extreme poverty by 2030. And by 2050, it may internally displace 143 million people from countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, South East Asia and Latin America. leave in their Wills have the power to change so much,” Siobhán told us. She continued, “That single act of kindness goes far beyond helping one family protect themselves from hunger – it lives on through the years, from generation to generation, helping the families and children of the future survive even the deadliest drought.” More and more compassionate people across Ireland are now moving to support Concern’s vision to build a hunger-free world. Siobhán explains, “Our community is united by a simple belief that no one should ever have to suffer the pain of hunger. If you share in this belief, I would encourage you to consider joining us today. No gift is too small or big, every donation will help build a world free from hunger.”

Find out how you can be part of a world without hunger