We’ve teamed up with Travel Department to discover the most exciting destinations to visit in 2022.

From the beautiful lakes in the north of Italy to the Moorish architecture of Andalucia, Europe has a bounty of cultural and historical places for you to discover. You might see yourself sailing down some of the most iconic rivers in Europe and beyond, stopping in so many exciting places along the way. Or maybe 2022 is the year that you want to take that trip of a lifetime and discover some faraway or exotic destinations.

We’ve put together a list of our favourite holiday destinations to give you some inspiration for where you might travel to in 2022.


Before we start… 

The world is slowly starting to open again for some well-deserved travel experiences and so Donegal Daily/Woman and Travel Department want to help you fall in love with travel again in 2022.

To that end, Travel Department is delighted readers of Donegal Daily, Donegal Woman and Donegal Sport Hub an exclusive discount of up to €75pp! Browse and Book at: https://www.traveldepartment.com/donegal-daily

This offer is only available from St. Stephen’s Day 2021 until 31st January 2022, so book today and secure your spot! You don’t want to miss out on your chance to enjoy the holiday you very definitely deserve.

More information and our exclusive codes can be found here. If you have any questions, or would simply like to learn more about their wonderful destinations, why not give one of their brilliant team a call on 01 637 1698


The Top 8 must-see destinations in 2022

1. Italy

Italy continues to delight and no matter how many times you have been there’s always something new to uncover; we have various Italy tours to suit everyone’s taste. Visit Lake Garda and its beautiful lakeside towns. Italy’s largest lake is the perfect base if you’re looking to take excursions to the wonderful cities of Venice and Verona. Unwind with a holiday to Lake Como and explore the delights of the Italian Alps as you take a Scenic Train Journey on The Bernina Express. Discover Sorrento and take in sweetly scented lemon groves, dramatic seaside cliffs. From Sorrento we’ll go on excursions to Capri, Pompeii and experience one of Europe’s most scenic routes, the Amalfi Coast.

2. Spain 

We have a great choice of holidays in Spain. Whether it’s the glorious Spanish weather you’re after, or to experience the country’s culture, cuisine, art and history. A holiday in Tenerife is a perfect escape; it combines sun, volcanic landscapes and fantastic beaches. There are also plenty of excursions in Tenerife you can take, such as Mount Teide and the UNESCO World Heritage city of La Laguna. Discover Andalucía, one of Spain’s most vibrant regions, stay in the charming, authentically Andalucían town of Antequera and from there enjoy day trips to Cordoba, Seville and La Alhambra. 

3. Russia 

On our unforgettable trip to Russia, we’ll experience two of Russia’s most captivating cities, where some of the world’s most famous art, literature and history was created. We’ll explore the Kremlin and Red Square in the historic city of Moscow. In St. Petersburg, the ‘Venice of the North’, we’ll see the most impressive collection of art in The Hermitage and visit imperial palaces. 

4. Portugal 

From the stunning city of Porto to the beautiful beaches of the Algarve, there’s something for everyone to be found in Portugal. The Algarve is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe and for good reason; stunning beaches and year round sunshine. However, there is so much more to this stunning Portuguese Coast. It is a region full of fascinating culture and history, charming towns and villages and superb cuisine. We recommend taking some time away from the beach so you can uncover more of Portugal. Experience our Estoril & The Lisbon Coast tour, where we’ll discover Portugal’s capital of Lisbon, the town of Sintra, famed for its fairytale castle and palaces, as well as medieval Óbidos and the traditional fishing village of Nazaré. 

5. Croatia 

George Bernard Shaw famously stated, “Those that seek paradise on earth should seek it in Dubrovnik.” Discover Croatia and visit Dubrovnik, see this spectacularly preserved 16th century city, known for its defensive walls and red-roofed buildings. Experience the allure of Croatia’s Adriatic Coast, an incredibly beautiful region, located between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Kvarner. Rolling green hills overlook the lush valleys and sparkling sea, with little towns perched on the hilltops above. Charming villages and three of Croatia’s most attractive coastal towns, Pula, Rovinj and Poreč, await discovery. 

6. Malta

Malta is packed with so much to see and do, even though it’s one of the smallest countries in Europe. A holiday in Malta with us will offer an enchanting blend of history, culture, golden sandy beaches and wonderful weather. On our excursions, we’ll discover the fascinating capital Valletta, medieval Mdina, the Three Cities and the nearby island of Gozo. Marvel at the beautiful ‘Inland Sea’ at Dwejra, the village of il-Qala Belvedere with its breathtaking views, the Citadel in Victoria and the prehistoric Ggantija Temples.

7. Egypt

Egypt has amazed travellers for centuries with monuments and temples of an ancient civilisation. See the iconic sights of Egypt and enjoy a cruise down the majestic River Nile. Our holidays begin in the magnificent city of Cairo, where we’ll visit the Grand Egyptian Museum and Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Of course, a trip to Egypt would not be complete without seeing the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. We’ll then cruise down the Nile and along the way we’ll discover more historic gems on a range of excursions, such as the Temple of Horus, the Valley of Kings, the High Dam and the Temples of Karnak and Luxor.  

8. Montenegro

For a small country Montenegro has it all; beautiful beaches, interesting history, rich culture and it even has a Fjord! Lord Byron eloquently stated “At the birth of the planet the most beautiful encounter between land and sea must have been on the Montenegrin coast.” Experience this incredible country on our Highlights of the Montenegro Riviera tour

We’ve selected 8 destinations for 2022 but there is so much to discover with over 100 destinations worldwide. The choice is yours and with over 25 years’ experience creating holidays for the curious, you can be sure that with Travel Department, your holiday is in good hands, and you can book and travel with confidence. Find your perfect holiday destination and if you would like some expert advice choosing where you might go in 2022, our team is always there to give you insights and details on where might best suit your quest for discovery in 2022. 

About Travel Department:

Travel Department is one of Europe’s leading escorted tour operators with over 25 years’ experience of crafting beautifully curated, inspirational itineraries to worldwide destinations, all accompanied by expert local guides. They offer a wide range of guided group holidays from City Breaks to Solo Travel to active and adventure holidays (including Walking, Yoga and Photography holidays) with their sister brand, TD active Holidays.

You can fly from Belfast (plus Dublin and Cork.

The mood is upbeat, friendly, and light-hearted with conversations, storytelling, and sometimes even a little singing and dancing extending late into the evening. It makes for a fun, inclusive group where everyone feels welcome. 

Travel Department’s escorted holidays typically include flights, accommodation, transfers and guided tours. They carefully plan your trip, so you experience the best holiday highlights accompanied by a friendly local guide. With Travel Department you see more!

Finally, don’t forget that Donegal Daily readers are getting an exclusive discount code of up to €75 off any Travel Department or TD active Holidays holiday departing in 2022. More information here. This offer is EXCLUSIVE to Donegal Daily readers. If you have any questions, or would simply like to learn more about your options, why not give one of their brilliant team a call on 01 637 1698

Travel with Confidence:

Your holiday is a very special time, and Travel Department craft the itineraries to make sure that you get the most enjoyment. The world is continuously changing, and they have been adapting to make sure that they deliver the best experience for you. Their priority is to bring you a wonderful experience safely. So, when you book with Travel Department, you can do so in the knowledge they’ll look after you every step of the way.  More information can be found here and should you have any questions about a country’s travel requirements, these can be found here.