BY TIM HEDGLEY, GROUP TRAVEL EDITOR

After 16 months of restrictions on non-essential air travel, and as almost 2 million EU Digital Covid Certificates are delivered, Aer Lingus has today  highlighted the 38 European destinations to which it will fly from Dublin and Cork when restrictions ease on Monday.

Since the government announcement on the introduction of EU Digital Covid Certificate and the lifting of the ban on non-essential travel, friends and families have waited in anticipation to reunite and holidaymakers have been enthusiastically planning their return to the beaches and cities of Europe.

Aer Lingus has seen an uplift in recent weeks in on-line searches to sun holiday hotspots of Spain, Greece, Portugal and Croatia in particular, for July, August and September 2021 and is delighted to resume these routes in July.

Island Hopping

Island hoppers will be happy to see the Greek islands of Santorini, Corfu and Rhodes on the Aer Lingus summer schedule, as well as Dubrovnik which is the ideal location to take advantage of the hundreds of surrounding islands on the stunning Dalmatian coast.

The ever-popular Canary Islands of Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, and the Balearic Island of Majorca, also feature on the schedule.

Sun, Sea and Sand

For mainland fun in the sun, the sandy beaches of Malaga, Algarve (Faro) and Alicante are hard to beat. Striking the perfect balance of beach and bustle, the coastal cities of Nice, Lisbon and Naples also have much to offer.

A quick train ride from Nice will have you in Cannes, Antibes or Monaco in little time. Head north from Lisbon to find the Estoril Coast and town of Cascais, a former holiday home for Portuguese royalty, now famous for its mosaic paved streets.

And after a quick bite of world-class pizza in Naples, follow the coast road to Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi, and sail across the gulf to Capri.

City Breaks

City destinations are proving popular as friends and family seek to reunite. For those keen on a city break, Madrid, Lisbon, Barcelona and Rome are among the most booked destinations so far this summer.

For those keen to broaden their post-lockdown horizons, Athens offers an otherworldly experience with ancient architecture set atop historical hilltops. Best known for its full-bodied reds, Bordeaux has vineyards aplenty but is also a haven of diverse neighbourhoods and great gastronomy.

Heading East to Italy, Venice and Verona are excellent bases for a quick trip or exploring the wider Veneto region. Adventurers will love their proximity to famous the Dolomite mountain group.

Reid Moody, Chief Strategy and Planning Officer, Aer Lingus, said:

“All of us at Aer Lingus are really looking forward to welcoming as many customers as possible back on board and reuniting our customers with their loved ones over the coming weeks and months.

“We believe that the increase in on-line searches we have recently seen to European cities are those planning to visit friends and relatives. We have also seen strong interest in travel to some of our leading holiday destinations as customers book a much-needed getaway.

“Aer Lingus’s flexible booking policy is one of the most competitive in the Irish market. All Aer Lingus customers can change their booking up to two hours before they are due to take off without incurring a change fee on any fare type.”

Customers are urged to book soon to get the best value and to reassure customers, Aer Lingus has extended its ‘Book with Confidence’ offer to the end of the year, 31^st December 2021, which allows customers to change their flights up to two hours before they are due to depart with no change fee. 

The Aer Lingus ‘Book with Confidence’ offer is available on all fare types and customers can change their bookings as many times as they like. Book now at aerlingus.com.

Confirmed Aer Lingus routes to Europe from Dublin and Cork this summer:

Aer Lingus Book with Confidence Policy

Aer Lingus’ Book with Confidence policy allows all customers travelling with the airline to change their travel dates free of charge*, and as many times as they wish, up to two hours before they travel. The flexible booking policy is available on all bookings up until 31^st December 2021.

Most fares** also include the option to exchange for a guaranteed voucher up to 14 days before travel. In addition, those who booked Advantage, Flex, Business or Business Flex fares have the option of a cash refund if they decide not to travel.

*Please note a fare difference may apply.

** Fare types includes: Plus, Smart, Advantage, Flex, Business or Business Flex fare