cassidy travel 2024 holidays

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Last Minute Holidays

Departure airport, destination, departures between, number of adults, number of children, number of infants, number of nights, hotel rating, board basis.

Costa del Sol

Gran Canaria

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Concerts & Events

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Moto GP 2024

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Cruise Holidays

Royal caribbean.

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Christmas Holidays 2024

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Christmas Time in New York 2024

Lapland Holiday 2024

Six Nations 2025

Sales now on - booking now.

Take Off Across the Atlantic

With virgin atlantic.

Plan a Trip to New York City

Nyc tourism & cassidy travel.

Stay, Park, Fly!

More than an hour from dublin aiport.

Virtual Shop Window

Check out our current shop window posters.

Find Outstanding Offers

Cheap city breaks.

Start to plan your next holiday

Greatest Deals

Cassidy Golf

Murcia – 3 nights & 2 green fees (buggies & transfers), the thrills are here again.

Price Range

Why choose Cassidy Travel

Reasons to trust.

Summer Family Holidays

Enjoy your family time.

Holidays to Algarve

Stunning Beaches & Coastal Getaways: relax on the golden sands of the Algarve

The Algarve is a popular holiday destination located in southern Portugal .

Known for its stunning beaches, picturesque cliffs, warm weather, and rich history, it attracts millions of tourists every year.

Remember to check the latest travel guidelines and restrictions before planning your trip, as they can vary. Enjoy your holiday in the Algarve and create unforgettable memories in this captivating region of Portugal !

Scroll down to book now your next holidays to Algarve  in P ortugal with Cassidy Travel  or click here to get a quote.

American Holidays to New York

Unforgettable Holidays to New York: Experience the Big Apple's Magic!

Welcome to the city that never sleeps, where dreams come true and opportunities await around every corner – New York City! A holiday to New York is a captivating journey filled with iconic landmarks, world-class entertainment, diverse cultures, and an electrifying energy that's hard to match. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, the Big Apple will dazzle you with its charm and leave you with lasting memories.

A holiday to New York is a remarkable experience that will captivate your heart and soul. From iconic landmarks to cultural wonders, there's something for everyone in the city that never sleeps. Embrace the magic of the Big Apple and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Scroll down, check all holidays offers to New York and book now your next American Holidays or click here and get a quote.

Holidays to Lanzarote

Escape to the Enchanting Island of Lanzarote - Unveiling the Beauty of the Volcanic Paradise!

Are you ready to embark on a holiday to a land of otherworldly landscapes, pristine beaches, and year-round sunshine? Look no further than Lanzarote , the captivating jewel of the Canary Islands . Cassidy Travel agency is excited to design your perfect vacation to this volcanic paradise, where unique natural wonders, cultural delights, and relaxation await.

Allow Cassidy Travel to curates your dream holiday to Lanzarote , where volcanic wonders, pristine beaches, and artistic allure combine to create an unforgettable escape. Scroll down and check all amazing offers to Lanzarote in Canary Island or click here to get a quote, and let the magic of Lanzarote whisk you away on an extraordinary journey of discovery and relaxation!

Customer Reviews

Great customer service.

American Holidays: The Streets of Philadelphia

3 Ways to Discover NYC

5 Must-Do Activities in New York City!

5 Top Things to Do in Calgary

5 Top Things to Do in Quebec

Abu Dhabi Experience: Our Expert Advisor Shares her Story

Beyond the Beach: Top Things to do in Phuket

Canada Experience: Montreal & The Laurentians

Cassidy Travel Stories: Orlando

City Guide: Madrid

City Guide: Paris

City Guide: Things to do in Seville

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• Cheap Holidays To Dubai

Suggested companies

Travel department, click&go holidays, loveholidays.

Cassidy Travel   Reviews

In the Travel Agency category

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 4.8.

9,367 total

Most relevant

Lisa who arranged our booking was very…

Lisa who arranged our booking was very informative helpful professional when presenting different options for our group. She made the whole process of booking for a large group so easy. She was fantastic and very helpful. She was a pleasure to deal with and went over and above our expectations. We have booked with her before and will continue to do so as she is so knowledgeable and passionate about her job and delivering what we needed.

Date of experience : May 14, 2024

Best service every time

We had some specific requirements but flexible on location, and without Rosie's support we would not have as easily chosen a place that suited our needs. Can't book a holiday without Cassidy's.

Date of experience : May 12, 2024

I decided that after booking dozens of cruises on line that this time I would choose a local travel agent. I had of course checked everything out myself beforehand and was delighted that all the figures matched up. My Agent was helpful with a medical request I had so no bother there. She was so nice and helpful that the next day I visited Cassidy Travel again and turned my cruise in to a back to back cruise! One of the reasons I booked through them was I wanted an Agent from Ireland to get any benefits from my booking. When booking myself on line there was no benefit to any Agent and as Cassidys have been around for years with a good name they became my choice.

Date of experience : May 07, 2024

Shoutout to Natasha for a great experience

We booked our holiday in Cassidy Travel Tallaght. Natasha took the time to get us the best flights and hotel for the best price. She was so knowledgeable and made us so excited for our dream holiday. I would recommend Natasha and will definitely return to her for future trips

Date of experience : April 06, 2024

Fanatic deals advertised on Facebook

Fanatic deals advertised on Facebook. All the staff are so helpful and follow up on any questions you might have. They are always very quick to get back to you and are very happy to offer alternatives if something is not exactly what you are looking for

While I excitedly sketched out what I…

While I excitedly sketched out what I wanted, I felt secure in the fact that Cassidy Travel and Lisa Walsh, as my preferred agents, would colour in the schedules, giving me peace of mind in also covering the what-ifs.

Date of experience : May 15, 2024

Great experience offered by Natasha!

Natasha in Cassidy Travel Tallaght was so helpful and spent a lot of time patiently going through various options for our holiday. She had great personal knowledge of our chosen destination so had good insight into how we should spend our time, what to see etc. I would definitely recommend Natasha for booking a holiday and will absolutely be returning to her again to book future trips.

Advice was spot on I always feel…

Advice was spot on I always feel confident booking with Eva. She is very experienced and great to give a full picture of area and accommodation .very efficient and a lovely person to deal with Mary

Date of experience : May 03, 2024

Lovely staf and very helpful because…

Lovely staf and very helpful because we could not decide where we wanted to holiday this year but they gave us great choices

Attention to Detail and Professional …

Attention to Detail and Professional service is hard to find .Lisa in Cassidy Travel (Swords) provides this in Spades . Second Time using Cassidy's and it will not be the last.

Date of experience : May 13, 2024

Susanne was so helpful and knew exactly…

Susanne was so helpful and knew exactly what we were looking for to enable us get a really nice holiday...pleasant and professional.

This time I booked holidays with April…

This time I booked holidays with April Baxter,Swords Pavilions. Very happy with a service, informative, efficient and very polite. Thank you .Happy costumer , Rima Stanisauskiene

Excellent customer service

Booked with a lovely friendly girl on the phone last week , she was in no rush and was happy to go through all my options with me, she evening asked a work colleague about different hotels etc.

Date of experience : May 10, 2024

Reply from Cassidy Travel

Dear Customer, Thank you for the feedback. We are pleased you had a great booking experience booking your holiday. We hope you have a great time on holiday! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

Quick, easy, and (most importantly) fantastic service

Cassidy is always my first port of call when I book a trip. The staff were friendly and helpful as usual. Gave me options on flights, accommodation and the cost breakdown for each option, while also throwing in their expert opinion too. I dealt with Alison on this occasion and she was brilliant. I received the same 5 star service I have come to expect when I deal with Cassidy. I was in and out with my desired trip booked and paid for within 20mins.

Dear Steo, Thank you for the feedback. We are glad you had an amazing experience while booking your holiday. We hope you have a great time! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

Very helpful and patient

Very helpful and patient No matter how many questions or changes by me, Ciara always came back with more helpful suggestions. I’m glad to say I’ve booked the holiday now and really looking forward to it!

Date of experience : May 11, 2024

Dear Stephanie, Thank you for the feedback. We are glad you had an amazing experience while booking your holiday. We hope you have a great time! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

Great service…

I was dealing with Michelle and she answered all my questions etc. efficiently in a very helpful, friendly and professional manner.

Shout out to Lee! Liffey Valley Branch! Excellent Customer Care

The staff member Lee that helped us arranged our trip in Liffey Valley was extremely helpful and professional. We will certainly use this service again and have already recommended to family and friends.

Lisa the sales rep was very helpful…

Lisa the sales rep was very helpful with us looking up different dates and flight times to suit us. It was brilliant to have someone that was so understanding to our needs. Also with medical needs with our hotel.

Date of experience : May 04, 2024

Sophie was great to deal with

Sophie was great to deal with - she gave me the quote for my holiday. Unfortunately she was out the day I booked my holiday and I booked with Chloe instead who was equally as nice and professional. The fact that you take one4all and me2you vouchers is also a major plus in my books as thats how our bonus is paid through work.

Dear Mairead, Thank you for the feedback. We are pleased you had a great experience with Sophie and Chloe. Have a great time on holiday! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

5 Stars Experience

I've been using Cassidy Travel for years and their customer service is above and beyond. The team are so knowledgeable about their destinations and always have great suggestions to try new and exciting places.

Dear Nuala, Thank you for the feedback. We are glad you had an amazing experience while booking your holiday. We hope you have a great time! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

Suggested companies

Travel department, click&go holidays, loveholidays.

Cassidy Travel   Reviews

In the Travel agent category

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 4.8.

9,367 total

Most relevant

Lisa who arranged our booking was very…

Lisa who arranged our booking was very informative helpful professional when presenting different options for our group. She made the whole process of booking for a large group so easy. She was fantastic and very helpful. She was a pleasure to deal with and went over and above our expectations. We have booked with her before and will continue to do so as she is so knowledgeable and passionate about her job and delivering what we needed.

Date of experience : 14 May 2024

Best service every time

We had some specific requirements but flexible on location, and without Rosie's support we would not have as easily chosen a place that suited our needs. Can't book a holiday without Cassidy's.

Date of experience : 12 May 2024

I decided that after booking dozens of cruises on line that this time I would choose a local travel agent. I had of course checked everything out myself beforehand and was delighted that all the figures matched up. My Agent was helpful with a medical request I had so no bother there. She was so nice and helpful that the next day I visited Cassidy Travel again and turned my cruise in to a back to back cruise! One of the reasons I booked through them was I wanted an Agent from Ireland to get any benefits from my booking. When booking myself on line there was no benefit to any Agent and as Cassidys have been around for years with a good name they became my choice.

Date of experience : 07 May 2024

Shoutout to Natasha for a great experience

We booked our holiday in Cassidy Travel Tallaght. Natasha took the time to get us the best flights and hotel for the best price. She was so knowledgeable and made us so excited for our dream holiday. I would recommend Natasha and will definitely return to her for future trips

Date of experience : 06 April 2024

Fanatic deals advertised on Facebook

Fanatic deals advertised on Facebook. All the staff are so helpful and follow up on any questions you might have. They are always very quick to get back to you and are very happy to offer alternatives if something is not exactly what you are looking for

While I excitedly sketched out what I…

While I excitedly sketched out what I wanted, I felt secure in the fact that Cassidy Travel and Lisa Walsh, as my preferred agents, would colour in the schedules, giving me peace of mind in also covering the what-ifs.

Date of experience : 15 May 2024

Great experience offered by Natasha!

Natasha in Cassidy Travel Tallaght was so helpful and spent a lot of time patiently going through various options for our holiday. She had great personal knowledge of our chosen destination so had good insight into how we should spend our time, what to see etc. I would definitely recommend Natasha for booking a holiday and will absolutely be returning to her again to book future trips.

Advice was spot on I always feel…

Advice was spot on I always feel confident booking with Eva. She is very experienced and great to give a full picture of area and accommodation .very efficient and a lovely person to deal with Mary

Date of experience : 03 May 2024

Lovely staf and very helpful because…

Lovely staf and very helpful because we could not decide where we wanted to holiday this year but they gave us great choices

Attention to Detail and Professional …

Attention to Detail and Professional service is hard to find .Lisa in Cassidy Travel (Swords) provides this in Spades . Second Time using Cassidy's and it will not be the last.

Date of experience : 13 May 2024

Susanne was so helpful and knew exactly…

Susanne was so helpful and knew exactly what we were looking for to enable us get a really nice holiday...pleasant and professional.

This time I booked holidays with April…

This time I booked holidays with April Baxter,Swords Pavilions. Very happy with a service, informative, efficient and very polite. Thank you .Happy costumer , Rima Stanisauskiene

Excellent customer service

Booked with a lovely friendly girl on the phone last week , she was in no rush and was happy to go through all my options with me, she evening asked a work colleague about different hotels etc.

Date of experience : 10 May 2024

Reply from Cassidy Travel

Dear Customer, Thank you for the feedback. We are pleased you had a great booking experience booking your holiday. We hope you have a great time on holiday! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

Quick, easy, and (most importantly) fantastic service

Cassidy is always my first port of call when I book a trip. The staff were friendly and helpful as usual. Gave me options on flights, accommodation and the cost breakdown for each option, while also throwing in their expert opinion too. I dealt with Alison on this occasion and she was brilliant. I received the same 5 star service I have come to expect when I deal with Cassidy. I was in and out with my desired trip booked and paid for within 20mins.

Dear Steo, Thank you for the feedback. We are glad you had an amazing experience while booking your holiday. We hope you have a great time! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

Very helpful and patient

Very helpful and patient No matter how many questions or changes by me, Ciara always came back with more helpful suggestions. I’m glad to say I’ve booked the holiday now and really looking forward to it!

Date of experience : 11 May 2024

Dear Stephanie, Thank you for the feedback. We are glad you had an amazing experience while booking your holiday. We hope you have a great time! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

Great service…

I was dealing with Michelle and she answered all my questions etc. efficiently in a very helpful, friendly and professional manner.

Shout out to Lee! Liffey Valley Branch! Excellent Customer Care

The staff member Lee that helped us arranged our trip in Liffey Valley was extremely helpful and professional. We will certainly use this service again and have already recommended to family and friends.

Lisa the sales rep was very helpful…

Lisa the sales rep was very helpful with us looking up different dates and flight times to suit us. It was brilliant to have someone that was so understanding to our needs. Also with medical needs with our hotel.

Date of experience : 04 May 2024

Sophie was great to deal with

Sophie was great to deal with - she gave me the quote for my holiday. Unfortunately she was out the day I booked my holiday and I booked with Chloe instead who was equally as nice and professional. The fact that you take one4all and me2you vouchers is also a major plus in my books as thats how our bonus is paid through work.

Dear Mairead, Thank you for the feedback. We are pleased you had a great experience with Sophie and Chloe. Have a great time on holiday! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

5 Stars Experience

I've been using Cassidy Travel for years and their customer service is above and beyond. The team are so knowledgeable about their destinations and always have great suggestions to try new and exciting places.

Dear Nuala, Thank you for the feedback. We are glad you had an amazing experience while booking your holiday. We hope you have a great time! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

Suggested companies

Travel department, click&go holidays, loveholidays.

Cassidy Travel   Reviews

In the Travel Agency category

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 4.8.

9,367 total

Most relevant

Lisa who arranged our booking was very…

Lisa who arranged our booking was very informative helpful professional when presenting different options for our group. She made the whole process of booking for a large group so easy. She was fantastic and very helpful. She was a pleasure to deal with and went over and above our expectations. We have booked with her before and will continue to do so as she is so knowledgeable and passionate about her job and delivering what we needed.

Date of experience : 14 May 2024

Best service every time

We had some specific requirements but flexible on location, and without Rosie's support we would not have as easily chosen a place that suited our needs. Can't book a holiday without Cassidy's.

Date of experience : 12 May 2024

I decided that after booking dozens of cruises on line that this time I would choose a local travel agent. I had of course checked everything out myself beforehand and was delighted that all the figures matched up. My Agent was helpful with a medical request I had so no bother there. She was so nice and helpful that the next day I visited Cassidy Travel again and turned my cruise in to a back to back cruise! One of the reasons I booked through them was I wanted an Agent from Ireland to get any benefits from my booking. When booking myself on line there was no benefit to any Agent and as Cassidys have been around for years with a good name they became my choice.

Date of experience : 07 May 2024

Shoutout to Natasha for a great experience

We booked our holiday in Cassidy Travel Tallaght. Natasha took the time to get us the best flights and hotel for the best price. She was so knowledgeable and made us so excited for our dream holiday. I would recommend Natasha and will definitely return to her for future trips

Date of experience : 06 April 2024

Fanatic deals advertised on Facebook

Fanatic deals advertised on Facebook. All the staff are so helpful and follow up on any questions you might have. They are always very quick to get back to you and are very happy to offer alternatives if something is not exactly what you are looking for

While I excitedly sketched out what I…

While I excitedly sketched out what I wanted, I felt secure in the fact that Cassidy Travel and Lisa Walsh, as my preferred agents, would colour in the schedules, giving me peace of mind in also covering the what-ifs.

Date of experience : 15 May 2024

Great experience offered by Natasha!

Natasha in Cassidy Travel Tallaght was so helpful and spent a lot of time patiently going through various options for our holiday. She had great personal knowledge of our chosen destination so had good insight into how we should spend our time, what to see etc. I would definitely recommend Natasha for booking a holiday and will absolutely be returning to her again to book future trips.

Advice was spot on I always feel…

Advice was spot on I always feel confident booking with Eva. She is very experienced and great to give a full picture of area and accommodation .very efficient and a lovely person to deal with Mary

Date of experience : 03 May 2024

Lovely staf and very helpful because…

Lovely staf and very helpful because we could not decide where we wanted to holiday this year but they gave us great choices

Attention to Detail and Professional …

Attention to Detail and Professional service is hard to find .Lisa in Cassidy Travel (Swords) provides this in Spades . Second Time using Cassidy's and it will not be the last.

Date of experience : 13 May 2024

Susanne was so helpful and knew exactly…

Susanne was so helpful and knew exactly what we were looking for to enable us get a really nice holiday...pleasant and professional.

This time I booked holidays with April…

This time I booked holidays with April Baxter,Swords Pavilions. Very happy with a service, informative, efficient and very polite. Thank you .Happy costumer , Rima Stanisauskiene

Excellent customer service

Booked with a lovely friendly girl on the phone last week , she was in no rush and was happy to go through all my options with me, she evening asked a work colleague about different hotels etc.

Date of experience : 10 May 2024

Reply from Cassidy Travel

Dear Customer, Thank you for the feedback. We are pleased you had a great booking experience booking your holiday. We hope you have a great time on holiday! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

Quick, easy, and (most importantly) fantastic service

Cassidy is always my first port of call when I book a trip. The staff were friendly and helpful as usual. Gave me options on flights, accommodation and the cost breakdown for each option, while also throwing in their expert opinion too. I dealt with Alison on this occasion and she was brilliant. I received the same 5 star service I have come to expect when I deal with Cassidy. I was in and out with my desired trip booked and paid for within 20mins.

Dear Steo, Thank you for the feedback. We are glad you had an amazing experience while booking your holiday. We hope you have a great time! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

Very helpful and patient

Very helpful and patient No matter how many questions or changes by me, Ciara always came back with more helpful suggestions. I’m glad to say I’ve booked the holiday now and really looking forward to it!

Date of experience : 11 May 2024

Dear Stephanie, Thank you for the feedback. We are glad you had an amazing experience while booking your holiday. We hope you have a great time! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

Great service…

I was dealing with Michelle and she answered all my questions etc. efficiently in a very helpful, friendly and professional manner.

Shout out to Lee! Liffey Valley Branch! Excellent Customer Care

The staff member Lee that helped us arranged our trip in Liffey Valley was extremely helpful and professional. We will certainly use this service again and have already recommended to family and friends.

Lisa the sales rep was very helpful…

Lisa the sales rep was very helpful with us looking up different dates and flight times to suit us. It was brilliant to have someone that was so understanding to our needs. Also with medical needs with our hotel.

Date of experience : 04 May 2024

Sophie was great to deal with

Sophie was great to deal with - she gave me the quote for my holiday. Unfortunately she was out the day I booked my holiday and I booked with Chloe instead who was equally as nice and professional. The fact that you take one4all and me2you vouchers is also a major plus in my books as thats how our bonus is paid through work.

Dear Mairead, Thank you for the feedback. We are pleased you had a great experience with Sophie and Chloe. Have a great time on holiday! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

5 Stars Experience

I've been using Cassidy Travel for years and their customer service is above and beyond. The team are so knowledgeable about their destinations and always have great suggestions to try new and exciting places.

Dear Nuala, Thank you for the feedback. We are glad you had an amazing experience while booking your holiday. We hope you have a great time! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

• Live In The D
• Newsletters

Seat belt enforcement to ramp up across Michigan this month: What to know

Local, county, state agencies to increase enforcement.

Cassidy Johncox , Senior News Editor

Police agencies across the state of Michigan are preparing to ramp up seatbelt enforcement through the end of May.

Law enforcement agencies -- ranging from local to state police -- will focus on enforcing seatbelts starting Monday, May 20. Their “Click It or Ticket” campaign will run through Sunday, June 2, taking particular aim at Memorial Day weekend, when a lot of drivers are expected to be on the road.

Michigan State Police say the increased enforcement is “designed to save lives” by reminding drivers, and certain passengers, to wear their seatbelt. The holiday weekend is of particular concern, since there were nearly two dozen fatal crashes during the 2022 Memorial Day weekend, MSP reports .

About 50% of the 25,420 people killed in passenger vehicles in the U.S. in 2022 were not wearing seat belts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration . The organization also says seat belts are estimated to have saved more than 374,000 lives between 1975 and 2017.

Michigan State Police did not clarify where law enforcement would specifically target their seat belt enforcement through Memorial Day weekend. Members of the state police department, local police departments, and county sheriffs’ offices are expected to carry out “high-visibility enforcement” throughout the state, officials said.

Seatbelts are required for drivers, front-seat passengers, and all passengers aged 15 or younger under Michigan law. Those found violating the law may be fined $65.

Michigan law also requires children who are 8 years old or younger, or shorter than 4 feet and 9 inches tall, to ride in a car seat or booster seat.

Learn more about seat belt requirements in Michigan here.

Copyright 2024 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

About the Author

Cassidy johncox.

Cassidy Johncox is a senior digital news editor covering stories across the spectrum, with a special focus on politics and community issues.

Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines.

Recommended Videos

Make this Christmas Magical

Visit lapland from €660pp.

Experience the Arctic Wilderness on this incredible three night holiday to Lapland! On this trip, you'll get the chance to spend an afternoon at the magical snow village, with buildings made of ice and spectacular ice sculptures! You'll experience all the amazing highlights a trip to Lapland has to offer, including reindeer & husky rides, a chance to visit a toy factory and enrol in Elf School, and a private meeting with Santa himself!

You'll catch an early flight from Dublin to Kittila airport in Lapland, where you'll be served a light breakfast and can take part in fun and games on board! When you arrive, Santa's helpful guides will have thermal suits, socks, gloves, hats and boots waiting for you to keep you warm throughout your trip! From there, you'll start the journey to your chosen accommodation and will have time to relax, explore your surroundings, and have fun in the snow! Enjoy a hot buffet dinner at your hotel in the evening, and tuck up in bed early to prepare for a busy day tomorrow!

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll be met by Santa's helpers to begin your search for the man himself! They'll take you into the arctic wilderness where you can enjoy a range of activities including a reindeer ride, husky ride, a snowmobile safari and tobogganing. In the middle of the day, you can take a rest from all the excitement and recharge your batteries by enjoying a simple lunch.

Next, you'll get the chance to visit Santa's enchanting workshops hidden deep in the forest, and learn how to be an elf at Elf School! You can help the elves decorate gingerbread ready for Christmas in the Elf Bakery, and take a guided tour of an elf's house. You'll also get a chance to send a letter from Santa's official Post Office and have a private meeting with Santa himself! 

After all the excitement, you'll return back to your hotel to enjoy a buffet dinner and relax after a busy day!

You'll have a chance to relax this morning and explore your surrounding area, before enjoying a lunch in your hotel. After lunch, you'll be taking a trip to the Snow Village, which features a Snow Hotel, Ice Restaurant, Ice Bar, Ice Chapel, a slide and hundreds of spectacular ice artwork to explore! In the evening, you'll enjoy a festive dinner!

Check out of your hotel after breakfast ready for a trip back to Kittila airport for your flight home! A light lunch will be served on your flight home. 

From: €1,479 per person (based on 2 adults sharing accommodation)

What's included: .

  Return Flights   Three Nights Accommodation   Snow activities   Thermal suit & boots for outdoor activities   A visit to Santa's Hideaway!   A visit to the Elf Bakery   Attendance in Elf School   Visit to the Toy Factory and Santa's Post Office   Private meeting with Santa   Present from Santa (for all kids aged 7 - 11)   Snowmobile   Reindeer & Husky Sleigh Rides   A visit to the Snow Village   Meals as per itinerary

Wow! Lapland was the trip of a lifetime and a family memory to last forever. The magic begins from the moment you reach the airport but meeting Santa and his elves was like something out of a fairy tale. My two boys still talk about it to this day.

Gillian Murphy, Cassidy Travel Expert Advisor

Fun packed from start to finish. It was hard to sit still, I was that excited and every hour brought more magic!

Erin Murphy, 11 yrs, Rush

My one-night trip to Lapland was the magical holiday of a lifetime. At nearly 40 years of age, it was a dream come true for me, not to mention my 3 children. I just wish I went for longer with the 2 or 3 night trips!

Julie Hanna, Cassidy Travel's Cruise Expert

Our family trip to Lapland was magical. I will never forget that when it started to snow, our 7 year old asked 'Is that Santa's magic dust falling?' because the snow in Lapland was so fine!

Paula, Dublin

Lapland is the trip where kids’ dreams come true! Meeting the Santa and the elves to feeding the reindeer, the children's excitement never dropped. It’s a trip me and my family will remember for the rest of our lives.

Brian, Cassidy Travel Golf Holiday Expert

It was a magical experience for my 5 year old Robyn from start to finish! The reindeer, huskies and all the stops with the elves were brilliant. Our guides (Tasha and Lauran) were brilliant and made the trip so much fun for all the kids (and adults!)

Justin Hughes

Our Experts

You'll fly into Kittila airport on our three night trip to Lapland. Located in Northern Lapland, this destination has more snow, and is darker and colder than Southern Lapland. There are two resorts near Kittila airport - the first is Ylläs, where the Northern Lights are regular visitors, and street lights are turned off for better visibility on Aurora Borealis nights! Close by are two genuine Lappish villages, and a fantastic network of cross-country trails for snow sports. The second resort is a new addition for 2018 - Levi Resort offers stunning landscapes of frozen lakes, snow-capped trees and breathtaking mountains. Known as Finland's biggest ski resort, Levi is very family friendly, featuring a magical array of restaurants, shops and bars. 

Things to do:

Sample the range of restaurants available, or shop in the beautiful markets for a souvenir! Enjoy snow sports outside the city, and see if you can spot a reindeer! 

Quick Facts:

Transfer time:  0.00

Local Time:  GMT +2

Average flight time: 3.5 hours

Local currency: EUR

Language:  All reps will speak English, and many locals speak English and Finnish

Average Weather:

Avg. Rain 54mm

Avg. Rain 53mm

Avg. Rain 47mm

Snow conditions vary year on year, and have been known to fall as low as - 15°C. However, you will receive all-in-one thermal suits and boots on loan for the duration of your trip!

Low deposits are available on advance bookings for our Lapland holidays, so if you book early and you can pay in instalments, spreading the costs over the months before your trip! 

HOW MUCH IS THE DEPOSIT?

The required deposit varies for each trip, and ranges between €100 - €150 per person. There are special family deposits for all overnight trips, as stated below: 

2 adults and 1 child: €250 family deposit 2 adults and 2 children: €300 family deposit 2 adults and 3 children: €350 family deposit

Your deposit will be non-refundable and full payment will be required a minimum of 13 weeks before departure. Upon booking you will be notified of the exact date the balance is due.

Trip Information:

See above for information on deposits.

WHAT DOES THE COST INCLUDE?

The cost is inclusive of the following: 

- Direct flights from the Republic of Ireland - Services and activities as specified on your tour - Transfers and overnight stays at your chosen accommodation - Meals as per your itinerary - Thermal Suits and Boots (not available for infants under 2 years)

ARE TOURS SUITABLE FOR ADULTS, OLDER CHILDREN & TEENS?

Yes! Older children, teens and adults really enjoy the outdoor activities such as snowmobiles, reindeer & husky safaris and many of the Lapland experiences!

WHAT IS THE FOOD LIKE?

Generally breakfast, lunch and dinner are buffet style and will cater to both adults and children's tastes. Where possible, we do try to ensure meals are similar to home, however you are travelling to a foreign county so do not expect the same food. It is your responsibility to inform us of dietary requirements before travelling. 

WILL MY GUIDES SPEAK ENGLISH?

All our Elf helpers speak English, and locals often speak both Finnish and English. 

IS IT SAFE?

Lapland is perfectly safe provided you follow the instructions from your arctic guides. Arctic conditions prevail, so it is important to be sensible and accept guidance when given. Parents and guardians are responsible for supervising their own party for the duration of the tour, and it's important to note that your guide may alter the scheduled tour content in the interests if safety. 

WILL YOU HELP US WITH ACTIVITES?

We have special safety regulations regarding every aspect of safaris. Technical instruction is provided before all safaris, so all participants have knowledge on how to manoeuver the vehicles. Guidance will be in English. 

About your surroundings:

WILL IT BE DARK DURING THE DAY?

An average Lapland day will provide 4.5 hours of what is termed 'grey' light (generally between 10:00hrs and 14:30hrs daily Finnish time, although this will vary depending on location). Outside of these hours it will be like night time at home in Ireland but with the advantage of snow. Venues for our day visits to Lapland are accordingly lit naturally using roaring fires and Lappish outdoor candles providing an attractive setting for the events taking place. 

IS LAPLAND SUITABLE FOR INFANTS?

Finland can reach severely cold temperatures, and it is essential that you bring adequate thermal clothing for any children less than two years of age. We would recommend that you purchase a thermal snow suit for children under 2 years of age and bring it with you. It is recommended that you consult your doctor before booking and seek advice on the suitability of such harsh conditions for your child. It is also worth noting that buggies will not be suitable for use in the deep snow found in most areas.

WHAT SHOULD I PACK?

All guests receive Thermal Suits on arrival, which are similar to Ski Suits and boots. You will need to pack a selection of warm clothing to layer underneath including thermal underwear and warm tights. It is advisable that you wear something comfortable underneath the suits as you are in these for the majority of the time spent in Lapland. Don’t forget to bring hats, waterproof gloves and scarves for extra warmth. Snow boots are provided for your own safety, it is essential that these are worn at all times. Wellington boots and denim jeans are unsuitable for Lapland weather conditions.

We have a range of suit and boot sizes available, so those looking for extra large sizes will find a suit to fit them. However, we do not provide thermal suits for Infants under 2 years of age. 

WILL IT BE COLD?

Temperatures can vary year on year, but can regularly fall to -15 and have been known to go even lower, however you will be provided with Thermal Suits and Snow Boots, so you will be suitably dressed for the cold. If you are concerned about the cold, consider travelling in early December as it is often not as cold as late December.

Travel Information:

DO I NEED A PASSPORT & VISA TO TRAVEL TO LAPLAND?

Irish citizens must bring a valid Irish Passport, which must be valid for 6 months after your return date. Visas are not required for Irish Citizens. 

Not an Irish Citizen? Contact the Finnish Embassy in Dublin on 01-4781344 to find out what travel documents you require. 

For the most up to date advice, check the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . 

DO I NEED INSURANCE?

It is a condition of booking with us that you and your travelling companions take out suitable Winter Sports Insurance. Your insurance policy should provide full Winter Sports coverage, and list the activities you will be participating in (e.g. Husky Tours, Snowmobiles, etc.) Travel Insurance can be purchased from Cassidy Travel, please enquire with your travel advisor.

WHAT IS THE LOCAL CURRENCY?

Euro is the local currency, but there are very few ATMs, so you may wish to bring cash with you. Most major credit cards are accepted.

FLIGHT DETAILS:

Your flight will be approximately 3.5 hours, and each person is entitles to 20 kilos of checked luggage plus 5 kilos of hand luggage.

Activities Information:

WILL WE FIND SANTA?

Santa is looking forward to meeting all the children! He has a small, token gift for each child.

CAN I BRING A GIFT FOR SANTA TO GIVE MY CHILD?

Our policy is that all children receive the same gift from Santa. 

CAN I DRIVE A SNOWMOBILE?

You must be over 18 and in possession of a clean driving license to drive a snowmobile. Please ensure you bring your license with you as you may be asked to present this. Children aged 12 and over may travel as a passenger, at the guide's discretion.

Snowmobiles are insured as required by Finnish law. This insurance covers medical care for injuries for the driver and the passenger arising from accidents. The amount of personal liability is max €980 per snowmobile/instance of accident. We can not accept any liability for personal injuries or material damage arising from accidents during "Winter Funtastic Games" husky dog sledding, reindeer safaris, or other excursions .Personal travel insurance is recommended. People with certain medical conditions may not be able to participate in some actives due to the nature of the activity.

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Amazing Activities!

Find out more about what you can do in Lapland!

A visit to Santa's Grotto forms an essential part of each and every one of our Lapland Holidays. Concealed in a secret location, it can often only be reached with the help of huskies, reindeers, snowmobiles and even Santa's Elves.

In the midst of the frosty forest, you will arrive at Santa's warm and welcoming refuge glinting in the starlight. Cross the threshold into a world of delight, where children and parents alike will be awestruck by what hides within.

Home to Santa's head office, where he spends his days checking his lists of who's been naughty and nice, a trip to the Grotto is a once in a lifetime experience. He's eagerly awaiting the arrival of this year's boys and girls, and planning on spending some time with each family individually. He may even have a gift for the guests who have come so far to see him.

Find Out More >

Santa's Grotto

One of the highlights of your trip to Lapland is the chance to meet Santa's Reindeer and his brave team of huskies. Every visitor will get a chance to be guided through the gleaming snow on a sleigh pulled by reindeer or huskies.

Often these trusty creatures are the only ones who know the precise location of Santa's hidden Grotto! Whether you're just taking a little trip through the forest, or on a mission to find Santa's Grotto or the Elf Workshop, the Reindeer or Husky Safari is a truly magical way to explore lapland, and meet Santa's furry friends! 

Reindeer & Husky Safaris

Tobogganing is just one of the fun snowy pursuits you can enjoy on our Trips to Lapland. Swoop through the slopes and hills on the toboggans and sleds available for both adults and children.

The resort of Pyha has an excellent range of snow-covered slopes and runs, and toboggans can be rented by all guests. You will also find a number of sleds around Santa's Grotto and the Elf Workshop, where you can bound through flurries of powdery white while you wait to meet Father Christmas.

Or, for a slower paced alternative, bundle the family into a blanket-covered sleigh and get pulled across the glistening countryside by a team of huskies and reindeer.

Tobogganing

Powerful snowmobiles play a part in all of our Lapland Holidays. Taking you through snowy crossings on the search for Santa, they're a breathtaking way to travel.

Some of our tours include the chance to try your hand at driving a snowmobile yourself - you might be asked to produce your driving licence so don't forget to bring it along. Children's snowmobiles can also be driven on select trips, and are suitable for anyone aged four and upwards subject to height restrictions.

Lapland is the definitive destination for experiencing snowmobiling check that you're properly insured so you don't miss out!

Snowmobiling

Very few lucky children are invited to Lapland's secret Elf Workshop. The elves are snowed under with tasks, and will welcome the extra help as they spend some time with visitors to their workshop.

You'll find out top secret tips on just how the elves manage to make all the gifts, and see a little of the elves preparations for Christmas Day! Guests will get a glimpse of the elves hard at work, and will teach children tricks of the trade and how to decorate their own Gingerbread cookies. If you're lucky, the elves might even drop a hint or two about how to find Santa's Grotto!  

Most two and three day visits to Lapland include a magical visit to the Elf Workshop which kids and adults will love. 

Elf Workshop

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2024 Memorial Day Weekend Travel Expected to Approach Record

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Memorial Day weekend may be the busiest in almost 20 years.

This year, AAA projects that 43.8 million people in the U.S. will travel at least 50 miles from home Thursday, May 23, to Monday, May 27. That’s a 4% increase over the same 5-day period around Memorial Day last year, and just shy of the record 44 million record set in 2005.

Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel said in a statement, “We’re projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we’re exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead.”

Here’s what to expect if you are traveling by air or car on the first holiday weekend of the summer, and how to avoid the crowds.

Air travel will be busy …

The number of travelers traveling by air Memorial Day weekend is expected to be the highest since 2005. AAA predicts 3.51 million people will fly over the 5-day period, a nearly 5% increase from last year and 9% more than in 2019.

Most flyers should have been able to snag slightly less expensive Memorial Day flights compared to 2023 travelers. Flight prices in 2024 have been down at least 5% year-over-year each month from January to April, according to Consumer Price Index data.

If you haven’t booked your flights yet (or your plans are flexible), consider extending your trip to avoid the crowds. The least busy days to fly around Memorial Day are the Tuesday or Saturday before the holiday or the Wednesday after, according to a NerdWallet analysis of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) throughput data.

Holding a TSA PreCheck , Global Entry or Clear membership is one way to avoid the crowds and skip long lines at airport security checkpoints during Memorial Day weekend, but even those lines might be slightly slower than usual. TSA PreCheck membership has ballooned to 19 million people, up from 15 million people this time last year.

But the car traffic will be worse

The spike in air travel is nothing compared to the congestion road trippers can expect Memorial Day weekend. AAA estimates nearly 38 million people will travel by car over the holiday weekend, more than 10 times the number of air travelers.

Gas prices are expected to remain around last year’s national average of $3.57 per gallon for Memorial Day weekend, but could increase over the summer. Since the start of 2024, gas prices have been inching up.

To avoid the worst congestion, INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, recommends avoiding afternoon and evening traffic, especially on the Thursday and Friday before Memorial Day to avoid mixing with commuter traffic. The best time to return home on Memorial Day is after 7 p.m.

How to maximize your rewards

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75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

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75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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What are the top 5 trending global destinations for summer 2024?

When you think fun in the summer sun, surely you think of … Germany? According to the   Mastercard Economics Institute ’s annual report on travel trends , released today, the nation best known for Bavarian castles and beer fests snagged two spots on the list of the top 10 trending travel destinations globally for this upcoming summer.

The report, which also revealed all-time highs in passenger traffic and longer vacation stays , ranked the ten cities that gained the most share of flight bookings for June through August 2024. Beyond Germany’s strong showing, beach vacations and tropical destinations populated the list, with ninth-ranked Frankfurt joined by Oranjestad, Aruba (10), Corfu, Greece (8), Bangkok, Thailand (7), and Bali, Indonesia (6).

As for the top five, some of the demand is driven by sporting events, but the desire for good value also remains strong. Here’s a countdown of the top trending destinations based on aggregated and anonymized Mastercard flight-booking data provided by third-party partners.

05 Cancun, Mexico

The perennially popular Caribbean resort landed in the top five based mostly on the strength of its appeal to American travelers, clocking nearly a 2-percentage-point gain in flight bookings. Four other Caribbean destinations — Aruba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic’s Punta Cana and Santiago — claimed spots in the top 10 for American tourists.

04 Nice, France

Paris may be hosting a certain storied global sports competition this summer, but its effects will be felt as far south as the Côte d’Azur. Nice, host of several football matches, is also a destination of choice for Parisians fleeing hordes of sports fans. One survey found that hotel bookings for Parisians traveling to other French regions is up 49% for July.

03 Tirana, Albania

If Croatia was for years the “dupe,” or duplicate, destination for Italy — the same Mediterranean sun, picturesque ruins, bustling nightlife — Albania is the dupe of increasingly pricey Croatia. The capital, Tirana, is about an hour from budget-friendly resorts on the Adriatic coast and two hours south of the hiker-friendly Albanian Alps. It’s particularly popular with travelers from northern Europe.  

02 Tokyo, Japan

Japan kept its borders closed to tourists for nearly two and half years during the pandemic and only lifted all of its COVID-19 border measures a year ago. Tourism has surged since then, with 3 million visitors in March , the highest since record-keeping began, in 1964. A historically weak yen doesn’t hurt either. In fact, Japan was the top destination when the MEI looked at travel over the past 12 months.

01 Munich, Germany

Not to downplay the year-round appeal of beer and bratwurst, but the Bavarian hub’s anticipated boom in tourism could be attributed to its hosting of the opening match of the European Football Championships in June. Indeed, the growth is mostly coming from within Europe.

Travel trends 2024: Breaking boundaries

Through March 2024, consumer spending on travel remains strong, and passenger traffic has soared. In its annual report, the Mastercard Economics Institute anticipates this momentum will continue as consumers prioritize meaningful experiences and allocate more of their budgets to travel. 

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After infertility, hearing 'Happy Mother's Day' is a welcome – and bittersweet – joy

Amy Riley remembers the time someone wished her a happy Mother's Day and she broke down in tears, right in the middle of a Wegman's supermarket.

"I found Mother's Day to be impossible," the Collingswood, New Jersey, woman said. She had been pregnant six times, but none of those pregnancies lasted. Motherhood, she worried, might never happen for her, and the realization and the reminders were painful.

A former board member of the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association , Riley finally became a mom to Betty Sue 4½ years ago and, after another nonviable pregnancy in 2020, she gave birth to twins Pearl and Lucy via in vitro fertilization nearly two years ago.

Riley is among many women nationwide who know firsthand the hope and heartbreak of fertility struggles − but who will be grateful on Sunday to celebrate with families they thought they might never have.

Riley, who says Mother's Day will probably be as joyfully chaotic as any other day, credits "IVF doctors who were willing to take a chance on science" to help make her family complete.

The day still brings up some complicated feelings. "I still feel very emotional about it, because I didn't think I could ever be a mom. I still find it a little hard."

Riley, a researcher with Population Media Center , understood the good intentions behind people telling her not to lose faith through her reproductive journey, but it didn't always bring comfort.

"People would say 'Be hopeful,' and I would think, this is such BS, but it's true," she said. "If you really want to be a parent, there are so many kids out there who need you. There are ways to do it. There is hope − it just may not be along the path you thought it would be."

He closed 'the gap of the dark years in between'

Stacy Schwab had her daughter, Kelsey, when she was young, and she desperately wanted to give her a sibling. She would tell Kelsey she'd be a big sister, then go into a spiral of depression and despair each time she lost a pregnancy − and, when she gave birth to a full-term stillborn boy she named Levon James, that pain seemed almost unbearable.

The losses "were heart-wrenching," she said. "I would see other moms with strollers and cry. People would say, 'But you have Kelsey,' and I wanted to say, 'Which of your children would you give back?' There was no offer of emotional support back then. I felt unseen and unvalued." Mother's Day brought memories of loss, and guilt over her grieving.

When Schwab, who lives in Buffalo, New York, got pregnant in 1999, she didn't tell anyone at first, worried she might again suffer a loss.

Soon, though, her son Cassidy was born, named for a song by her favorite band, The Grateful Dead:

What you are, and what you're meant to beSpeaks his name, though you were born to meBorn to meCassidy...

Blow the horn, and tap the tambourineClose the gap of the dark years in betweenYou and meCassidy ...

There were dark years in between for Schwab and both her children; she struggled with depression and substance abuse and escaped an abusive marriage. She tried to hide her pain from her daughter especially, until Kelsey, searching for mementos to create a Mother's Day gift, found old sonograms, clothing and a blanket.

"She came to me and said, 'I had another brother, didn't I?'" Schwab recalled. "It was a beautiful moment." Kelsey made ornaments for Schwab to honor Levon, and mother and daughter bonded anew.

Schwab is years into her recovery and tries to help others through her own harm-reduction and outreach; she calls her children "my best friends and my adult roommates" and said Mother's Day is "a glorious day."

An older mom, grateful to another mother

Tracy Bach Gillespie knew the man who had become her husband in high school, but the New Jersey couple didn't really connect until several years later.

After marrying in 2017, they wanted to start a family, but Gillespie soon realized, "Mentally, you think you're young, but your body says otherwise."

Fertility treatments, and bitter disappointment, would follow. "I peed on so many sticks," she remembered, but as she would approach her second trimester, she'd be told the pregnancy wasn't viable. Her husband thought they could adopt but also waited until she was at peace with the decision, too.

She threw herself into research, chose an adoption agency − and waited.

On Nov. 2, 2019, the Gillespies flew to Utah and had dinner with a pregnant young woman and her mother; the following day, the agency called them to the hospital because the woman had gone into labor. "We connected with her from the first Skype call, and when we met her, it was just such an easy, natural conversation," she said.

"I have a 4-year-old and I'm about to turn 50," Gillespie said. "I'm well aware of being the oldest mom in the group."

With that age comes experience, and Gillespie believes that has helped her be a better mother. She has maintained a relationship with her daughter's birth mother as well.

"I hate when people say someone 'gave a child up' for adoption," she said. "The love she had, the emotions she showed, the magnitude of it all, I'll never forget it. It makes her every bit a mother, too." The Gillespies send her a card and flowers each year for Mother's Day, and a short video with their daughter.

"I never want my daughter to think of her birth mother as someone who just gave her up," she said. "I want her to know that she was and is loved by her birth mother; I don't want her to ever question that. Her birth mother has a very special place in my heart. After all, she gave me the gift of motherhood."

'My son saved my life'

When Christine Burnette was a teenager, a medical diagnosis led her to believe she would never have children. Being young, she didn't really think much about it.

But two semesters into her college career, a family member who was struggling to raise his children asked her for help. She agreed to take custody of her 1-year-old cousin, a baby girl with colitis, asthma and other medical struggles.

"I didn't know what it would take to raise a child independently," she said. At just 19 years old, suddenly she had to consider day care, rent (moving out of her dorm and into her own place), reliable transportation. "All those things had to just happen, but I did it and I stayed in school."

She earned two degrees, got married and continued raising her cousin, but as her friends started having babies, she realized she, too, wanted a baby. Her sister who was in their native Camden, New Jersey, saw a pregnant woman she knew was living on the streets and addicted to drugs, so she approached the woman, asking whether she considered adoption. Burnette's sister got her food, made sure she was getting medical care and did her best to make sure she had a safe place to stay. Eventually, Burnette and her husband adopted the child to whom she gave birth.

Burnette, 37, who works for the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, fostered and later adopted another child, then had a baby through IVF in 2017 − and that pregnancy revealed Stage 3 ovarian cancer. She underwent treatment while caring for her newborn, who has Down syndrome.

"My son saved my life," she said, because doctors told her they probably would not have otherwise found her cancer until it was too late. She and her husband adopted a fourth child as well, bringing their family to seven people. Three of their five children have special needs.

Burnette celebrates Mother's Day differently from most: She buys her children presents. "I celebrate them, because if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be a mom."

Joking that she has "been momming so long, I don't know how to do anything else," Burnette said her life "is nothing like I thought it would be, but it's better than what I could have ever imagined."

'A beautiful, healing experience'

Megan Hanson is a co-founder of the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association, so even though she now has two children (one through surrogacy and one via her own pregnancy), she's fully aware of how painful Mother's Day can be for some women.

"I got there in the end, but it was not easy going for a long, long time," the Seattle resident said. After several pregnancy losses, including two via IVF, Hanson and her husband opted to have a child with the help of a surrogate. In 2021, they became the parents of a baby girl.

A year later, Hanson had a successful pregnancy and gave birth to a son.

"Having my daughter was a beautiful, healing experience," she said. She hadn't given up hope for her own pregnancy but still understands how difficult that can be for many women.

"We always hope. It's part of human nature, especially with people who've had recurrent loss," she said. "Everyone is different, but people want to hope – even if that hope is so fragile and feels so scary."

Mother's Day for many women she has worked with is "a big, personal sorrow," a reminder of what they don't have even as others celebrate. It's a feeling of "I'm happy for them but sad for myself," Hanson said. She advises women to put their own feelings first, feel free to withdraw for the day and to lean on their support systems for help.

For those who might have a loved one going through infertility, she said: "Acknowledge and let them know you’re there. There's nothing you can do to fix, it but let them know, 'I know this day might be hard for you and I’m here if you ever want to talk about it.' It doesn’t need to be more complicated than that."

Her own Mother's Day will be spent with her family, she said, but with her thoughts on women who have struggled as she did. "My whole behavior has shifted," she said. "I don't post pictures of my kids, because I remember how seeing those photos was so difficult for me."'

She's grateful, too, to her daughter's gestational carrier, the woman who helped her become a mother. "I have a beautiful, wonderful relationship with her," an unexpected surprise.

"I thought it would be transactional, but it's ended up being this wonderful friendship. I send her a Mother's Day card; I say thank you because she helped me get to this place. She's got her own child and she's a mother in her own right."

Contact Phaedra Trethan by email at [email protected], on X (formerly Twitter) @wordsbyphaedra, or on Threads @by_phaedra .

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Lisa who arranged our booking was very…

Lisa who arranged our booking was very informative helpful professional when presenting different options for our group. She made the whole process of booking for a large group so easy. She was fantastic and very helpful. She was a pleasure to deal with and went over and above our expectations. We have booked with her before and will continue to do so as she is so knowledgeable and passionate about her job and delivering what we needed.

Date of experience : May 14, 2024

Best service every time

We had some specific requirements but flexible on location, and without Rosie's support we would not have as easily chosen a place that suited our needs. Can't book a holiday without Cassidy's.

Date of experience : May 12, 2024

I decided that after booking dozens of cruises on line that this time I would choose a local travel agent. I had of course checked everything out myself beforehand and was delighted that all the figures matched up. My Agent was helpful with a medical request I had so no bother there. She was so nice and helpful that the next day I visited Cassidy Travel again and turned my cruise in to a back to back cruise! One of the reasons I booked through them was I wanted an Agent from Ireland to get any benefits from my booking. When booking myself on line there was no benefit to any Agent and as Cassidys have been around for years with a good name they became my choice.

Date of experience : May 07, 2024

Shoutout to Natasha for a great experience

We booked our holiday in Cassidy Travel Tallaght. Natasha took the time to get us the best flights and hotel for the best price. She was so knowledgeable and made us so excited for our dream holiday. I would recommend Natasha and will definitely return to her for future trips

Date of experience : April 06, 2024

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Fanatic deals advertised on Facebook. All the staff are so helpful and follow up on any questions you might have. They are always very quick to get back to you and are very happy to offer alternatives if something is not exactly what you are looking for

While I excitedly sketched out what I…

While I excitedly sketched out what I wanted, I felt secure in the fact that Cassidy Travel and Lisa Walsh, as my preferred agents, would colour in the schedules, giving me peace of mind in also covering the what-ifs.

Date of experience : May 15, 2024

Great experience offered by Natasha!

Natasha in Cassidy Travel Tallaght was so helpful and spent a lot of time patiently going through various options for our holiday. She had great personal knowledge of our chosen destination so had good insight into how we should spend our time, what to see etc. I would definitely recommend Natasha for booking a holiday and will absolutely be returning to her again to book future trips.

Advice was spot on I always feel…

Advice was spot on I always feel confident booking with Eva. She is very experienced and great to give a full picture of area and accommodation .very efficient and a lovely person to deal with Mary

Date of experience : May 03, 2024

Lovely staf and very helpful because…

Lovely staf and very helpful because we could not decide where we wanted to holiday this year but they gave us great choices

Attention to Detail and Professional …

Attention to Detail and Professional service is hard to find .Lisa in Cassidy Travel (Swords) provides this in Spades . Second Time using Cassidy's and it will not be the last.

Date of experience : May 13, 2024

Susanne was so helpful and knew exactly…

Susanne was so helpful and knew exactly what we were looking for to enable us get a really nice holiday...pleasant and professional.

This time I booked holidays with April…

This time I booked holidays with April Baxter,Swords Pavilions. Very happy with a service, informative, efficient and very polite. Thank you .Happy costumer , Rima Stanisauskiene

Excellent customer service

Booked with a lovely friendly girl on the phone last week , she was in no rush and was happy to go through all my options with me, she evening asked a work colleague about different hotels etc.

Date of experience : May 10, 2024

Reply from Cassidy Travel

Dear Customer, Thank you for the feedback. We are pleased you had a great booking experience booking your holiday. We hope you have a great time on holiday! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

Quick, easy, and (most importantly) fantastic service

Cassidy is always my first port of call when I book a trip. The staff were friendly and helpful as usual. Gave me options on flights, accommodation and the cost breakdown for each option, while also throwing in their expert opinion too. I dealt with Alison on this occasion and she was brilliant. I received the same 5 star service I have come to expect when I deal with Cassidy. I was in and out with my desired trip booked and paid for within 20mins.

Dear Steo, Thank you for the feedback. We are glad you had an amazing experience while booking your holiday. We hope you have a great time! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

Very helpful and patient

Very helpful and patient No matter how many questions or changes by me, Ciara always came back with more helpful suggestions. I’m glad to say I’ve booked the holiday now and really looking forward to it!

Date of experience : May 11, 2024

Dear Stephanie, Thank you for the feedback. We are glad you had an amazing experience while booking your holiday. We hope you have a great time! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

Great service…

I was dealing with Michelle and she answered all my questions etc. efficiently in a very helpful, friendly and professional manner.

Shout out to Lee! Liffey Valley Branch! Excellent Customer Care

The staff member Lee that helped us arranged our trip in Liffey Valley was extremely helpful and professional. We will certainly use this service again and have already recommended to family and friends.

Lisa the sales rep was very helpful…

Lisa the sales rep was very helpful with us looking up different dates and flight times to suit us. It was brilliant to have someone that was so understanding to our needs. Also with medical needs with our hotel.

Date of experience : May 04, 2024

Sophie was great to deal with

Sophie was great to deal with - she gave me the quote for my holiday. Unfortunately she was out the day I booked my holiday and I booked with Chloe instead who was equally as nice and professional. The fact that you take one4all and me2you vouchers is also a major plus in my books as thats how our bonus is paid through work.

Dear Mairead, Thank you for the feedback. We are pleased you had a great experience with Sophie and Chloe. Have a great time on holiday! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

5 Stars Experience

I've been using Cassidy Travel for years and their customer service is above and beyond. The team are so knowledgeable about their destinations and always have great suggestions to try new and exciting places.

Dear Nuala, Thank you for the feedback. We are glad you had an amazing experience while booking your holiday. We hope you have a great time! Regards, Cassidy Travel Customer Service Team.

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Full list of US 2024 federal holiday dates

The list of us federal holidays is made up of 11 days of significance that americans recognise and celebrate, article bookmarked.

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On Monday 27 May, the US will honour Memorial Day.

Every year, on the last Monday in May, millions of Americans celebrate the men and women who have died while serving in the US Military. Originally, Memorial Day was labelled as “Decoration Day,” coming to fruition a few years after the Civil War. In 1971, Memorial Day became a federal holiday.

When the war ended in 1865, people began hosting springtime memorials for the fallen soldiers. Three years later, General John A Logan declared a national rememberance day on 30 May. When World War I began, the holiday expanded to pay tribute to the military soldiers who fought and died in all wars, not just the Civil War. By 1968, Memorial Day was set for the last Monday in May under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed by Congress.

Though the law recognises specific federal holidays , this does not mean that individuals working for private businesses are required to have work off.

From Veterans Day to Christmas , here are the dates of the 2024 federal holidays.

New Year’s Day: Monday, January 1

Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.: Monday, January 15

Presidents’ Day : Monday, February 19

Memorial Day: Monday, May 27

Juneteenth National Independence Day: Wednesday, June 19

Independence Day: Thursday, July 4

Labor Day: Monday, September 2

Indigenous Peoples’ Day (also observed as Columbus Day) : Monday, October 14

Veterans Day: Monday, November 11

Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28

Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25

Other important days to note:

Valentine’s Day : Wednesday, February 14

St Patrick’s Day : Sunday, March 17

Good Friday : Friday, March 29

Easter : Sunday, March 31

Passover : Monday, April 22

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Watch CBS News

Memorial Day weekend 2024 could be busiest for travel in nearly 20 years

By Kris Van Cleave

Updated on: May 14, 2024 / 4:04 PM EDT / CBS News

This year is expected to be one of the busiest travel years in nearly two decades, with about 43.8 million people expected to travel at least 50 miles, according to AAA.

Joy Noelle Balanag booked her vacation months ago, hoping to beat the potentially record-breaking summer rush.

"I definitely am excited for this travel season. 2024 feels just like almost a breath of fresh air," she told CBS News. "I do plan on traveling on airplanes. I do plan on taking my car. Just, like, seeing where this summer season takes me."

Balanag won't be alone. This Memorial Day weekend, AAA is expecting a nearly 5% bump in airline travel over last year and United Airlines alone is planning to fly more than half a million people a day from May 23 through May 28, which would be the airline's busiest Memorial Day weekend ever. Delta is expecting 3 million passengers total over that same stretch, a 5% increase for the airline from 2023. American Airlines said it's preparing for 3.9 million customers over the long Memorial Day weekend.

Most travelers will drive that weekend, however, with AAA predicting a record 38.4 million people will hit the road. That's a 4% increase from last year. Gas prices are similar to where they were last year, up about 8 cents a gallon nationally compared to last Memorial Day weekend.

"It goes back to that bucket list, YOLO, you only live once mentality, Aixa Diaz of AAA told CBS News. "A lot of people are now going, 'You know what? Let's not take those trips we always take with our families. Let's get a little bit more adventurous.'"

One of the fastest-growing travel options since the COVID-19 pandemic is cruising.

The industry is expecting a new record high of nearly 35 million passengers this year, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. For the thousands on board the Carnival Firezne cruise ship's inaugural sold-out sailing, which began in late April, vacation season started early.

Passenger Jeanine Stage of Arizona told CBS News what she likes best about cruising is, "That you get to go to multiple destinations and you unpack your suitcase once."

"You got food, entertainment, even the casino, if you're into that, there's shows," she said.

All told, AAA is predicting 2024 will finish just narrowly behind 2005 as the busiest Memorial Day travel weekend since it began keeping track in 2000.

AAA expects the busiest time on the roads will be from noon to 7 p.m. on the Thursday and Friday before Memorial Day. United Airlines said that Thursday will be its busiest of the holiday weekend.

Among the top destinations this year: Florida, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Denver.

• Memorial Day

Emmy Award-winning journalist Kris Van Cleave is the senior transportation correspondent for CBS News based in Phoenix, Arizona, where he also serves as a national correspondent reporting for all CBS News broadcasts and platforms.

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