IRISH FESTIVALS: A festival that forgoes mucky campsites is just one reason we love Marlay Park's Longitude. The line-up includes The National, Jamie XX and Róisín Murphy who will take the stage from July 15-17th. Day tickets from €64.50. longitude.ie
Another Love Story offers an intimate weekend party in the serene estate of Killeen Manor. Expect music, meditation, theatre and more, August 19-21st. Tickets from €95. anotherlovestory.ie
Once a small, indie festival in Mitchelstown, Co Cork, now a European Festival Awards nominee, Indiependence has found its groove. Line-up includes The Kooks, The Editors, Bell X1 and Ash, July 29-31st. Three-day tickets from €119, indiependencefestival.com
NEWS: Thai times – Revered Thai health resort Chiva Som (above) celebrates its 21st birthday this year with the launch of five new retreats. Designed to address specific health issues from cancer, migraines and high blood pressure to stress management and weight, each of the resort's programmes focuses on wellness and longevity. A retreat here promises to be life-changing. Prices start from €1,375, see chivasom.com for details.
Train wrecks – We weren't surprised at all to hear that the most annoying thing about travelling on trains in Ireland, according to complaints made to Irish Rail, is pesky passengers sitting in your pre-booked seat. Seat hoggers, don't say we didn't warn you.
Turkish delight – TripAdvisor has named the top 25 cities you must visit in your lifetime. San Francisco, Dubai and Barcelona all made the cut, but in at number one is Istanbul (below). Pack your bags and head east.
TRAVEL 'APPY: For those of you who love a good road trip, bring the Field Trip app along. The app, by Google, alerts you to great restaurants and points of interest. Free download on Google Play and App Store.
DEALS – SKI: Skiing over Easter is available from Crystalski.ie. A week in Andorra from €569pps, Italy from €659pps, France from €505pps and Austria from €555pps, 01-4331080;
ICELAND: From May 30th Wowair will have five flights a week from Dublin to Reykjavik, from €69 each way, wowair.com;
SPAIN: There is singles golf in the Costa Dorada, Spain from May 11-17th: stay in Hotel Monica with four days golf, five dinners, flights and transfers from €745pps or €895 alone, Shandon Travel, 021-4277094
