Our top destinations for luxury short breaks

Eager to relax and get away from it all but short on time? Then a luxury short break is for you. Whether you’re on your own, a couple or with your family, a short break is the perfect way to experience a city you have never been to before, or to go back to somewhere you know and love. At OROKO, our luxury short breaks and city escapes have been designed to feature culturally interesting places that are readily accessible from Ireland. Whether it’s the art cities of Florence or the colourful streets of Lisbon, our meticulously chosen destinations offer excellent value for money and gorgeous accommodation. Keep reading to discover our favourite short break destinations.

Portugal’s Douro Valley is one of the most stunning regions in the country and the birthplace of port wine. Full of charming villages, winding roads and excellent restaurants, it is the perfect destination for a luxury short break. During your luxury holiday, explore the towns of Lamego and Amarante, basking in their rich histories and spectacular architecture. We also highly recommend embarking on a privately guided tour of one of the valley’s renowned wineries, Quinto do Bomfim. Throughout the holiday, enjoy delicious local produce at some of Douro’s most acclaimed restaurants, where we will reserve the best tables.

Stay at one of our favourite hotels, Six Senses Douro Valley, which offers breath-taking views of the valley and is home to an award-winning spa. We always want our clients to have a seamless experience when booking their luxury holidays with us, so to ensure this, we will handle all the little extras including flights, accommodation, private transfers, and airport fast track.

One of the world’s most famous wine capitals, Bordeaux is surrounded by verdant, sun-drenched vineyards and is a must-visit for any serious wine connoisseur. During a luxury short break to the region, enjoy the ultimate vineyard experience when you stay at Les Sources de Caudalie, a luxury hotel situated at the heart of the Château Smith Haut Lafitte Winery. Over the course of three days, hike the estate’s leafy woodlands, explore the vineyards by bike and indulge in vinotherapy at the luxury spa. You will also get the opportunity to attend a workshop, where you will learn about the day-to-day running of the vineyard and partake in seasonal tasks. In the evenings, enjoy Michelin-starred meals accompanied by some of the world’s finest wines.

Experience the wonders of the French countryside on a luxury short break to the Loire Valley. With a landscape dotted by hundreds of chateaux that wouldn’t look out of place in a fairy-tale, the region is also home to an abundance of rolling vineyards, renowned for producing excellent wines. Feel like royalty when you stay at the Les Sources de Cheverny chateau, whiling away afternoons exploring the tracks and trails of its forests and gardens and making the most of its luxury facilities which include a luxury spa and outdoor pool. Enjoy magnificent views of the picturesque valley on a hot air balloon ride, followed by wine tastings at some of the region’s most acclaimed wineries.

As Portugal’s largest region, Alentejo truly captivates visitors with its rugged coastline, rustic whitewashed villages, marble towns and noble, medieval cities. With so much to do, it is the perfect family holiday destination and is best explored on a luxury, self-drive short break. Stay at Hotel Malhadinha Nova, which has a working farm and winery. Embrace your inner artist during a clay pottery class before embarking on a horseback ride through the hotel’s vineyard, where you will enjoy tastings of its signature wines followed by a tasty picnic.

After activity-filled days, relax and rejuvenate with treatments at the luxury spa or simply lay by the infinity pool. In the evenings, enjoy delectable Alentejo fare with a twist, produced by the Michelin-starred chef Joachim Koerper, who heads up the kitchens at the hotel.

Characterised by its colossal Gothic architecture, majestic Mudéjar palaces, ornate churches and labyrinthine medieval lanes, the historic city of Seville is well worth exploring on a luxury short break holiday. Easily explorable on foot, embark on a privately guided walking tour with a local English-speaking guide, who will take you to all of the city’s best sights. Marvel at the stunning Seville Cathedral and Alcázar Palace, both of which have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Then embark on a cruise along the famous Guadalquivir River, keeping an eye out for impressive landmarks including the Torre del Oro, a military watchtower.

During your Seville holiday, we highly recommend experiencing a live flamenco performance, which is an intoxicating feast for the senses with its colourful costumes and rhythmic castanets. The illustrious Hotel Alfonso XIII is our hotel of choice when holidaying in Seville and is situated in the palm-fringed neighbourhood of Santa Cruz.

With its postcard-perfect panorama of narrow cobbled alleyways, historic ruins and white-domed cathedrals, the captivating city of Lisbon is the perfect luxury short break destination. We recommend staying in the centrally located Bairro Alto Hotel. Explore all the city has to offer on a private tuk tuk tour, taking in iconic sites including the Palace of the Marquises and the National Tile Museum. Conclude the tour with a visit to the Oceanarium.

Make sure to carve out time in your schedule to visit the lively neighbourhoods of Bairro Alto and Chiado, where the culinary scene is thriving. A trip to Lisbon would be incomplete without sampling pasteis de nata at the world-famous Pastéis de Belém bakery. We also recommend you pay a visit to Mercado da Ribeira for a street food feast that includes Portugal’s national dish, bacalhau à brás.

Credited as the birthplace of the Renaissance, the romantic and enchanting city of Florence is one of our favourite destinations for a luxury short break. Despite its compact size, it is packed with incredible Renaissance art and architecture. Once home to renowned artists, Da Vinci and Botticelli, our itineraries for luxury short breaks to Florence celebrate Italy’s wonderful culture and artistic expression.

The city is easily explorable on foot. As you stroll along its bustling streets, visit the stunning Duomo Cathedral (Florence’s most iconic landmark) as well as the Piazza Signoria and Palazzo Pitti. To truly immerse yourself in Italian culture, indulge in a night at the opera. Art lovers will be in their element on a privately guided night-time tour of the Uffizi Gallery, where you can marvel at the masterpieces of acclaimed artists such as Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, and Botticelli. During your holiday, it’s worth considering embarking on a privately guided full day tour of Siena and San Gimignano. Our hotels of choice when visiting Florence include Grand Hotel Minerva and the Golden Tower Hotel & Spa.

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the spectacular Amalfi Coast, with its breathtaking natural beauty, rugged coastline, pastel-hued villages, and historical sites, is undoubtedly one of Italy’s most popular holiday destinations. An unmissable experience in Amalfi, set out on a privately guided vintage Vespa tour along the famous Amalfi Drive, one of the most romantic drives in the world, with its dramatic jagged cliffs and brightly coloured villas. Follow up that thrilling excursion with a traditional Italian cookery class, where you will not only learn the techniques but also about the Amalfi Coast’s history. At the end of the class, sample your culinary delights along with a selection of delicious local wines.

A luxury holiday to the Amalfi Coast would be incomplete without a guided day trip to Pompeii, one of Italy’s most well-preserved archaeological sites. For a taste of island glamour, we recommend a day trip or overnight stay on the island of Capri.

If an activity-filled getaway is what you are after, then look no further than Juan les Pins on the Côte d’Azur for your luxury short break adventure holiday. On arrival, transfer privately to Hotel Belle Rives, one of our favourite properties in the South of France. Whilst staying at the hotel, take full advantage of the Belle Rives Beach, home to the Juan Les Pins Water Ski Club. After an adrenaline-inducing lesson, relax in one of the luxury cabanas on the hotel’s private jetty.

Throughout your holiday, savour outstanding coastal cuisine at the Michelin-starred La Passagère restaurant or enjoy al fresco meals in the square of the charming town of Valbonne. We highly recommend paying a visit to the exquisite Chateau de Berne country estate, where you can dine in the local vineyard and then enjoy a private wine tasting, where you will get the opportunity to sample the famous, house-made Côte de Provence rosé. Bringing your short break to a luxurious conclusion, set out on a sailing trip around the Lérins Islands aboard a private boat.

On a luxury short break to Swedish Lapland, venture into the heart of Sweden’s wilderness, where you will witness not one but two natural phenomena – the Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights. Spending the first two nights in Kiruna, embark on exhilarating excursions including dog sledding and snowmobile rides, as well as learning about the local Sami heritage. After adventure-filled days, unwind in the luxury spa at Camp Ripan.

Take a scenic train ride and transfer to Abisko to enjoy a private four-course dinner at the Aurora Sky Station. Sitting atop Mount Nuolja, the station is one of the finest places in the world to witness the spectacular Aurora Borealis. Before returning to Dublin, spend two nights in Stockholm, exploring the historic streets of the capital and visiting the famous Vasa Museum.

An exhilarating mix of powerful ruins, breath-taking art, and high-spirited street life, Italy’s buzzy capital city is a wonderful luxury short break destination for couples and families alike. What better way to explore the city than on a Vespa? During a guided scooter tour, marvel at iconic sites including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, the Pantheon, St Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel. Conclude the tour at the iconic Trevi Fountain.

As the sun begins to set, head to a rooftop terrace, and admire the romantic cityscape over a glass of bubbly, before heading onto the acclaimed Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, for a rousing operatic performance. Home to countless gelateria, we highly recommend partaking in a private gelato making masterclass, which is perfect for all ages. Our hotel of choice when visiting Rome is the luxurious Hotel de Russie, located in the heart of the city, between the Spanish Steps and the Piazza del Popolo. To discover our essential guide, check out our OROKO City Guide to Rome.