From incredible hiking trails and cross-country ski slopes to fantastic casinos and big brand outlets, it’s easy to see why Connecticut has become an increasingly popular tourist destination in recent years. Connecticut is a great place for a US holiday as it is easily accessible from Ireland with direct flights from Aer Lingus from Dublin to Bradley International Airport in Hartford. Michael Doorley from Shandon Travel Cork travelled to Connecticut via Bradley Airport and thoroughly enjoyed his time here. Read on to find for his trip review…

Michael’s getaway began in Dublin Airport, Terminal 2, where he and his group went through U.S. Pre-Clearance. From here, Michael and his fellow travellers boarded the aircraft and took the seven-and-a-half-hour flight to Bradley International Airport. Michael was very impressed with Bradley Airport and found its quaint size very convenient “Bradley Airport is small, compact, easy to manoeuvre and get around. You’re collecting your baggage within 10 minutes of getting off the aircraft, it’s good”.

During their stay, Michael and his group visited Yale University, which Michael thoroughly enjoyed “Yale and New Haven, worth a visit. You’re meeting nice people all over the place, it just it fits and we had a crazy group and they were very accepted by everybody. Yale University stood out heavily for me as well, I enjoyed that very much”. Yale offer regular guided tours which provide a glimpse into the University’s 300-year history, architecture and aspects of student life. Michael and his group also visited the village of Mystic, one of Connecticut’s premier destinations, “Mystic was a surprise, I wasn’t aware of it before. Mystic was terrific, you could spend a night or two nights comfortably there”.

Connecticut is located half-way between Boston and New York City, making it a great destination for tourist to begin their US travels and Michael agrees, “You could use Connecticut as a base and have three good days around here and go to most interesting places. We didn’t see half probably of what the area has to offer. But absolutely for tourism coming out of Ireland with a direct flight and a short flight back, it should be a success”.

Michael explains how he Overall, Michael had a great experience in Connecticut, he especially loved the food and found the people very friendly, “Highlights, I suppose, across the board were the people, which kind of surprised me, we’re used to American, arriving in New York and it’s all go, go, go, go, go. It’s totally laid back here, the nicest people you could meet. Again, we’re not necessarily used to great food in the bigger cities, outstanding food along here”.

Visit Connecticut and discover New England for yourself through Bradley International Airport.

The Aer Lingus service from Dublin to Bradley International Airport operates daily from April to September and four times per week from October through March.

Dublin Departure time: 1420hrs • Flight time: 7 hours • Aircraft: A321neo LR  • Arrival time: 1635hrs

BDL Departure time: 1800hrs • Flight time: 6.5 hours • Aircraft: A321neo LR  • Arrival time: 0505hrs

For more information, please visit www.bradleyairport.com.

Watch Michael’s full Connecticut review on YouTube.

Located in Hartford, Connecticut, Bradley International Airport is the perfect point of entry for visitors looking to explore the legendary landscapes and experience the fascinating culture of the region of Western Massachusetts. In September 2019, Amy McFadden of American Holidays Belfast, travelled to Western Mass on a FAM trip with Bradley International Airport. Continue reading to find out all she got up to on her trip…

Amy’s holiday began in Dublin Airport, Terminal 2, where her and her fellow travellers went through US Pre Clearance. Amy and her group were kindly upgraded to Business Class by Aer Lingus so, before departure, they relaxed in the Aer Lingus lounge, 51^st & Green, where they enjoyed some pre-flight food and drinks. Amy thoroughly enjoyed her business class experience on the new Aer Lingus A321, “The entertainment onboard was really great, I watched a couple of movies, had some nice food, couple of drinks and then settled down. I had a few hours’ sleep and it was great feeling refreshed when we landed in Hartford, Connecticut in Bradley Airport”. After a seven-and-a-half-hour flight, Amy touched down in Bradley International Airport. The quaint and convenient size of the airport makes it very attractive to travelers, including Amy, “It is a really easy airport to navigate round. We were from the gate to our transfer in about 20 minutes max”.

For the first part of their trip, Amy and her group stayed in the D. Hotel, Holyoke, “we had two nights in the D hotel, and it was nice out in the countryside.”. Here, the gang enjoyed some activities, like white water rafting with Zoar Outdoor, before visiting the Yankee Candle Village, the largest Yankee Candle store in the world!

After this, Amy and her group travelled to Springfield, where they stayed in the newly built, MGM Hotel “the MGM had a completely different atmosphere, so really something for everybody. We had the outdoors, plus you had the city vibe and the casino”. In Springfield, Amy and her fellow travellers visited some of the quirky museums that Western Mass is famous for, such as the Amazing World of Dr. Suess and the Basketball Hall of Fame. The gang also attended the Big E, the annual New England State Fair, which Amy says was the highlight of her trip, “My highlight would have been the Big E. There’s a real carnival kind of atmosphere and loads of food, drink. It’s a really, really good day out.”

Overall, Amy had a great experience in Western Mass and really recommends the region as a holiday destination “There’s definitely something for everybody. I think there’s really something for families with older teenagers with the outdoor activities and really for couples as well. I think it’s a good place for starting for your New England fly drive. It would be an easier airport to pick your car from as opposed to the busier Boston”.

Visit New England and explore Western Mass for yourself with great offers from American Holidays.

The Aer Lingus service from Dublin to Bradley International Airport operates daily from April to September and four times per week from October through March.

Dublin Departure time: 1420hrs • Flight time: 7 hours • Aircraft: A321neo LR  • Arrival time: 1635hrs

BDL Departure time: 1800hrs • Flight time: 6.5 hours • Aircraft: A321neo LR  • Arrival time: 0505hrs

For more information, please visit www.bradleyairport.com.

Check out Amy’s full review of her time in Western Mass on YouTube now.

From picture-perfect landscapes to quirky museums, and everything in between, Western Mass has something to offer every type of traveller. The region is also easily accessible from Dublin via Bradley International Airport in Hartford, making it the ideal destination for Irish holidaymakers! Catherine O’Keeffe of Marble City Travel visited Western Mass for herself in September 2019 and tells us all about her experience in this blog. Read on to find out…

Catherine’s adventure began in Dublin Airport Terminal 2, where she and her fellow travellers went through US Pre-Clearance. Catherine and her group were delighted to be upgraded by Aer Lingus to Business Class before flying direct to Bradley International Airport on the new Aer Lingus A321, “We were on their new aircraft, which was a really smooth and pleasant journey. And we also had the privilege of getting upgraded to business class, which was a lovely experience”.

After a seven-and-a-half-hour flight, Catherine and the gang landed in Bradley International Airport and arrived in the baggage hall within 10 minutes due to the quaint and convenient size of the airport. From here, Catherine and her fellow travellers were driven the D. Hotel, “The hotel was really enjoyable. There’s a great Irish connection, the owner is from Kerry. We met a lot of the locals, as well and overall, everyone that we met was really welcoming and the hospitality was fantastic.”

On their first day, Catherine and her group went to the Yankee Candle Village, the largest Yankee Candle store in the world. Catherine had a great time here “it’s a really big store with every candle imaginable and every scent. They also, had a really good themed Christmas department in the store, which is famous over there and really big with the locals. Especially, at Christmas time with kids and families”. After a leisurely morning, Catherine and her group got their adrenaline pumping at Zoar Outdoor where they went white water rafting which Catherine thoroughly enjoyed “the scenery was spectacular as we went in down the river. It was a bit scary at times, but overall, a really good experience. In the same area you can also do ziplining and canoeing. So, there’s great facilities for any outdoor enthusiasts.”

After two nights at the D Hotel, Catherine and her group left Holyoke and travelled to Springfield where they stayed for two nights in the MGM Hotel, a newly built, modern hotel boasting spacious rooms and a central location “The style is very contemporary, but they brought loads of different elements of Springfield into the hotel. Had lots of odd memorabilia and artefacts of the hotel. There were multiple restaurants, a casino of course, a pool and a spa”. In Springfield, Catherine and her fellow travellers went to some of the famous museums in the area, “The Basketball Hall of Fame was really, really interesting. We got to tour the hall and there were so many interactive, different things that you could do there, especially if you were kids. We also went to the Dr Seuss Museum which I really love because we always read Dr Seuss as kids so, it was really lovely to tour the museum and hear a bit about the man himself. Again, that was a really good activity for families and kids”. The group also went to the Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the US, overlooking the Connecticut River, which Catherine really liked “You could easily spend a day there. Lakes, lovely walks, parks for the kids, picnic areas and be really super in winter or summer for a day out”.

The highlight of the whole trip for Catherine was attending the Big E, the annual New England State Fair, Catherine explains “It’s basically like the Irish Ploughing Championships, except maybe 10 times bigger. It was really a brilliant day and there was something for everyone. There were rides and different attractions and then they had loads of stalls. If you want to experience real American cuisine, the choice was phenomenal. They had giant turkey legs, cream puffs, which are famous over there. It was a really lovely atmosphere and then they finish off with live music and have a parade there every evening. We were lucky enough to be asked onto one of the floats, which was a really great experience”.

Catherine really enjoyed every part of her trip to Western Mass and would recommend the destination it to Irish holidaymakers, especially families with kids. The Aer Lingus service from Dublin to Bradley International Airport operates daily from April to September and four times per week from October through March.

Dublin Departure time: 1420hrs • Flight time: 7 hours • Aircraft: A321neo LR  • Arrival time: 1635hrs

BDL Departure time: 1800hrs • Flight time: 6.5 hours • Aircraft: A321neo LR  • Arrival time: 0505hrs

For more information, please visit www.bradleyairport.com

Watch Catherine’s full review of her trip to Western Mass on YouTube.

In recent years, Western Massachusetts is increasing in popularity for Irish holidaymakers, and it’s no surprise why! Boasting quirky museums, top-class dining experiences, incredible landscapes and of course, great casinos, the region of Western Mass has something to offer every kind of traveller. Karen Quirke of Click and Go travelled to Western Mass to see what all the fuss was about as part of a familiarisation tour of the region. Karen and her group spent four days here, arriving via Bradley International Airport. Aer Lingus offers regular direct flights to BDL from Dublin making the region more accessible than ever. Read on to find out everything Karen got up to on her trip…

Departing from Dublin Airport, Terminal 2, Karen and her group went through US preclearance and were delighted to be upgraded by Aer Lingus to business class. As part of their upgrade, the gang enjoyed time to relax before their flight in the Aer Lingus 51^st and Green Lounge, where they were provided with complimentary food and drink before boarding the new Aer Lingus A321. Karen loved the business class experience with Aer Lingus “They look after you very well. We had different options, we had a starter, main course and dessert. You can get free snacks, and a great choice of films. Overall, it was a brilliant experience”.

After a seven-and-a-half-hour flight, Karen landed in Bradley International Airport, Hartford. The quaint size of BDL makes it very appealing to travellers and Karen found this very convenient, “once we landed at Bradley International Airport it was very quick, we were out got our bags and everything in less than 10 minutes”.

From the airport, Karen and her group drove to Holyoke, where they stayed in the D. Hotel. Karen really enjoyed her stay “It was a lovely little hotel and they looked after us well. Holyoke is a perfect location”. The next day, Karen and her group enjoyed an afternoon of adventure at Zoar Outdoor, where they went white water rafting! This was the highlight of Karen’s trip to Western Mass, “I loved every minute of, I thought it was a brilliant experience. It was the first time I ever did it and I would definitely recommend it for everyone to try, definitely once in a lifetime experience, I’d love to do again”. After this, the gang went to the Yankee Candle Village, the largest Yankee Candle Store in the world! According to Karen “They have a great selection, they have their Christmas village which I thought was amazing, it’d blow your mind even if you are a Grinch like me and you’re not into Christmas until December. It was still great see and to experience”.

The next stop for Karen and her group was the MGM Springfield. This hotel is just one years old and offers modern and spacious rooms. Karen thoroughly enjoyed her stay here “it was absolutely amazing. The hotel rooms are unreal, the interior’s unreal and the location is very good as well”. The MGM is located a stone’s throw from The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss, a guaranteed fun day out for all kid – both big and small!

To top it all off, Karen and the gang attended the famous New England state fair, The Big E. The fair is held every year across 17 days and offers culture, food and fun for all attendees! Karen had a great time at the Big E “You can try loads of different types of foods, you get to experience the culture, it was a great day and great event for all of us to be a part of”. We can’t think of a better way to finish off a trip to Western Mass!

The Aer Lingus service to Bradley International Airport operates daily from April to September and four times per week from October through March.

Dublin Departure time: 1420hrs • Flight time: 7 hours • Aircraft: A321neo LR  • Arrival time: 1635hrs

BDL Departure time: 1800hrs • Flight time: 6.5 hours • Aircraft: A321neo LR  • Arrival time: 0505hrs

Watch Karen’s full review of her trip to Western Mass on YouTube.

Home to lush landscapes, vibrant culture, and some of the quirkiest museums in the U.S, Western Massachusetts has something to offer every type of holidaymaker, in this blog, we talk to Pauline Jordan of Platinum Travel about her experience spending four days in Western Mass, flying direct from Dublin to Bradley International Airport, Hartford Connecticut with Aer Lingus.

Pauline began her holiday in Dublin Airport, Terminal 2, where she went through US pre-clearance and was treated to an upgrade to business class from Aer Lingus, giving Pauline and her fellow travellers complimentary access to 51^st & Green, the US preclearance lounge. Pauline was flying to BDL on the brand-new Aer Lingus A320 Neo and really enjoyed her experience onboard “I loved Aer Lingus. Firstly, brand new aircraft. The business class is absolutely fabulous, it’s one of the nicest ones I’ve ever travelled on. I have been in business class on other flights. The food, the drink, it was A class.”

After a six-and-a-half-hour flight, Pauline and her group touched down in Bradley Airport and within ten minutes of departing the aircraft, were in the baggage hall. Pauline was very impressed with the convenient size as well as the location of Bradley International Airport, “It’s very small, very convenient. It’s an hour and a half to Boston, and it’s 30 minutes to Springfield, Massachusetts”. From here, the gang drove to The D. Hotel, which is just a half-an-hour drive from the airport. The hotel boasts beautiful spacious rooms and an incredible steak-house restaurant on-site, “it’s a beautiful hotel, nice and quiet. It would suit families, because of how big the rooms are, or couples alike. There is private parking and it’s out in the country”.

The next day, Pauline and her group were in for a treat as they went to Zoar Outdoor to experience white water rafting, which she thoroughly enjoyed! After this, the gang took a trip to Massachusetts’ famous Yankee Candle Village, the largest Yankee Candle store in the world “There was everything and anything. Candles, gifts, sweets, Christmas shop, you name it. It was just, something I will never experience again”.

After two nights in the D. Hotel, Pauline and her group moved into the vibrant city of Springfield, staying in the new MGM Hotel. Pauline loved the atmosphere and experience in the hotel, “It’s super new, there’s gambling, there’s food, two very good restaurants”. The MGM Springfield opened just last year and is in a perfect location, just a 20-minute drive from Hartford airport and Holyoke Mall, one of the largest shopping centres in New England!

The highlight of Pauline’s trip was attending the Big E, New England’s great state fair and the world’s only multi-state fair. This annual outdoor festival takes place across 17 days and centres around the food, music and culture of the six New England States. At the Big E, Pauline and her group were given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride on one of the floats in the parade which was undoubtably the peak of her trip, “that was definitely the best part of our stay, it definitely was the high”.

Overall, Pauline had a wonderful time in Western Mass and she believes it’s the perfect holiday spot for a wide range of travellers “I’ve never been to Massachusetts, it’s always somewhere I wanted to go. I would highly recommend it for families, fly drive, independent holidays. It is stunning”.

The Aer Lingus service to Bradley International Airport operates daily from April to September and four times per week from October through March.

Dublin Departure time: 1420hrs • Flight time: 7 hours • Aircraft: A321neo LR  • Arrival time: 1635hrs

BDL Departure time: 1800hrs • Flight time: 6.5 hours • Aircraft: A321neo LR  • Arrival time: 0505hrs

For more information on services see: Bradley International Airport.

Check out Pauline’s full review of her trip to Western Mass on Youtube.

Located a stone’s throw from Bradley International Airport, the region of Western Mass is renowned not only for its unspoiled natural beauty but also its rich and diverse culture. Boasting a unique collection of museums, galleries, and gardens as well as a delicious selection of restaurants and dining options, Western Mass has something to suit every type of holidaymaker. In this blog, we talk to Louise Daly of Cassidy Travel who spent four days in Western Mass, flying direct from Dublin to Bradley International Airport with Aer Lingus.

Starting off her journey in Dublin Airport, Terminal 2, Louise and her fellow travellers were treated to an upgrade to business class with Aer Lingus, giving them access to complimentary food and drink in the 51^st and Green area after security, an ideal way to relax before the flight. Louise was flying to BDL on the new Aer Lingus A320 Neo and really enjoyed her experience onboard “We were wined and dined for the whole flight, which was really good, and it was spotless! What I loved was it is way more relaxing, and you had loads of space and you feel refreshed getting off the flight”.

After a six-and-a-half-hour flight, Louise arrived into Bradley International and within just ten minutes was back down in the baggage hall. From here, the group travelled to the D. Hotel, located just 30 minutes from the airport.  Louise explains “the D. Hotel was perfect for families because the rooms were so big. The restaurant beside it was so nice, we had steak and chips there the first night and it was delicious. It’s also in a good location if you want to do adventuring”.

On their second day, Louise and her fellow travellers went to Zoar Outdoor to experience white water rafting and to the Yankee Candle Village which she thoroughly enjoyed “The Yankee Candle Village was real Christmassy and festive for the Halloween season as well, and you could see how many flavours they had, and if we wanted to make our own, we could if we wished or we could make wax moulds to bring home”.

After spending two nights in the D Hotel, Louise and her group travelled straight into the lively city of Springfield staying in the lovely, modern, one-year old MGM Springfield. Louise loved the location of the hotel “the MGM is in walking distance to the Doctor Seuss Museum, which is really good for families and also adults if they want to discover the history of Doctor Seuss.”. The MGM Springfield is ideally located just 20 minutes from the Hartford airport and Holyoke Mall, one of the largest shopping centres in all of New England!

The highlight of Louise’s trip to Western Mass was attending the Big E, New England’s great state fair, “this is like a huge fair-ground atmosphere, we were there four around eight hours or so, so what the highlight of that was, the CEO of the fair let us go on one of the floats, so we just threw our beads to the festival-goers. The food is really nice, they served lots of traditional New England foods, but even though if you are picky, they do something to suit you, which they did for me.”. Taking place annually across 17 days, the Big E is one of the biggest events in the Western Mass calendar, combining the music, food, culture, and fun of all six New England states.

Overall, Louise had a great time in Western Mass and her trip really demonstrated the diversity of activities available here, from water sports to festival fun and everything in between. Louise explains “The Western Mass is definitely a great destination for Irish visitors, the airport’s in a really good location, and it’s really good for fly drive, if you wanted to travel around Boston and the New England area”. We couldn’t agree more Louise!

The Aer Lingus service to Bradley International Airport operates daily from April to September and four times per week from October through March.

• Dublin Departure time: 1420hrs • Flight time: 7 hours • Aircraft: A321neo LR  • Arrival time: 1635hrs
• BDL Departure time: 1800hrs • Flight time: 6.5 hours • Aircraft: A321neo LR  • Arrival time: 0505hrs

Check out Louise’s full review of her trip to Western Mass on Youtube.