Check In: take a trip to Sri Lanka to sip a fine cup of tea

Tea, stout, cruises, bootcamps, Dublin staycations and a very informative airport app

Gate Guru: the app which estimates security wait time and  tells you of any gate changes or delays.
Gate Guru: the app which estimates security wait time and tells you of any gate changes or delays.

Tea Trail

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the first tea bush plantation in Sri Lanka. To mark the occasion, a new excursion, hosted by Resplendent Ceylon Tea, offers tourists a tea-leaf-to-cup experience. Begin with three days in Dunkeld Estate, dinner with a local tea historian and private tea experience with Dilmah's resident tea planter, then travel via seaplane to Tea Trails' luxurious sister coastal resort Cape Weligama, located just south of Galle Fort. The seven-night package with four nights all-inclusive accommodation in the Taylor Owner's Cottage, three nights in Cape Weligama's Ocean View Villa on a half-board basis including a spa treatment, a private tea experience with Dilmah's resident tea planter, a night trail through Tea Trails estate, a private tea tasting with Merrill Fernando and road transfers to Colombo from €6,704. See resplendentceylon.com

Tourist Treasures

The Guinness Storehouse saw a new record for visitor numbers in 2016, with 1,647,408 guests passing through its doors. Tourists from mainland Europe made up a third of visitors to the Storehouse, while the United Kingdom and United States' tourists made up a quarter of visitors.

Cruise Control

Those who favour sea travel will be eager to hear a shoal of new cruise ships set sail this year. Among the most hotly anticipated are the Flying Clipper, the world's largest square rigger with 35 sails and the MSC Meraviglia, set to be one of the world's largest cruise ships with a capacity of 5,714 passengers.

Check-In

Health-boosting bootcamps

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- Lanzarote

Legendary instructor Mel Thomas' Body Works Week, at the world-renowned Club La Santa, is a bootcamp that packs a punch. Box, spin and TRX your way to a new you. clublasanta.com

- Wicklow

Take the lead from personal trainer, life coach and triathlete Adam Kelly, at one of his bootcamps in Coolattin Lodge. Focusing on nutrition and fitness, his midweek and weekend courses are tailor-made to suit your goals and ability.

coolattinlodge.com

- Los Angeles

The Ranch focuses on daily low-impact, moderate activities and detoxifying your body gradually. The week-long intensive is a favourite among celebrities. theranchmalibu.com

Frontline

Sunday Staycation: The Shelbourne's new Sunday package is a January godsend. Dine in the Saddle Room restaurant, then cosy up in a deluxe room in the St Stephen's Green five-star. The next morning, enjoy breakfast and a one-hour Elemis SuperfoodPro Radiance Facial. The new facial, designed to jump-start tired and exhausted skin – paired with full use of the health club facilities including an 18m swimming pool, gym, steam room and sauna – makes this staycation the perfect way to restore and rejuvenate after the festive season. The overnight spa package costs from €399 per room per night until March 31st. shelbournespa.ie

Get Appy

GateGuru: This app estimates security wait time, tells you of any gate changes or delays and is a general airport guide, wherever you are in the world. Available on the App Store, Windows and Google Play. gateguru.com