For set-jetters and bibliophiles, a bumper crop of new films provides inspiration for weekend breaks …

Aer Lingus research found that 73 per cent of Irish adults say that booking a holiday early helps lift the January blues. But where to go?

Wuthering Heights: Yorkshire Dales

Following her success with Saltburn, the expectation is mounting for Emerald Fennell’s provocative adaptation of Emily Bronte’s classic love story. Released on Valentine’s Day, it stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as Cathy and Heathcliff, yet arguably its central character is the setting – the wildly beautiful Yorkshire Dales. For an outdoorsy weekend, the Dales provide endless scope for walking, cycling, picnicking and rambling. Must visit attractions include Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janet’s Foss: a stunning cliff, gorge and waterfall, all linked by a relatively easy walk. Aysgarth Falls is probably the area’s best known waterfall; it’s not the highest, but is really dramatic especially after heavy rain. Also worth visiting is the Medieval gem Bolton Castle in Wensleydale which has a host of activities from falconry displays to archery and wild boar feeding. Owned by the National Trust, Fountains Abbey is also an inspiring World Heritage Site with an abbey and gardens.

I’d recommend staying in one of the beautifully decorated cottages on the Bolton Estate, part of the Devonshire Group, owned by the Devonshire family (of Lismore Castle and The Cavendish). My pick is Wesleylan Cottage that sleeps eight. It’s a converted chapel with vaulted ceilings in the Gothic Revival style, a log burner and an interesting upside-down layout. There’s also a private terrace and hot tub overlooking the River Wharfe – perfect for soothing legs after a day rambling. @boltonabbey.escapes

The Odyssey: Monument Hotel Athens

After his seven-Oscar haul for Oppenheimer, I have high hopes for director Christopher Nolan and his adaptation of the Greek epic, The Odyssey. It launches this summer with Matt Damon as Odysseus, Tom Holland as Telemachus and Anne Hathaway as Penelope. Much of the movie was filmed in Athens, where the Monument Hotel is one of the capital’s newest haunts. It’s housed in a posh neoclassical mansion in the Psyrri neighbourhood. With only nine bedrooms, it feels like a minimalist private home. There’s also a wellness centre on the lower ground floor offering massages and facials using locally sourced almond oil infused with essential oils. @monumentathens

I’d further recommend the stylish bolthole of The Dolli, also a restored neoclassical hôtel-maison, if you want a more central location. Its standout feature is the rooftop with 360-degree views of the Acropolis, the Parthenon and city below. Pop in for a drink or dinner, or a nightcap in its Bar Secret. The hotel features a great library and notable art collection, featuring pieces from Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau. @thedolliacropolis

The Bride: The Thompson, Chicago

Award-winning actors Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Jake Gyllenhaal and Penélope Cruz star in director Maggie Gyllenhaal’s bold adaptation of The Bride! Her inspiration was Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Make the most of Aer Lingus’ January sale, which includes flights to North America and Chicago from €179 each way. These fares apply to travel between February 1 and May 27, 2026. I’d stay at The Thompson – trendy yet cosy – with a superb restaurant and located in the historic Gold Coast district. Another sophisticated haunt that gives Mad Men vibes is The James hotel. Mid-century furniture and murals are some of the key design features. Not that visitors spend much time in their rooms; Chicago’s foodie scene beckons and with 77 neighbourhoods, the city’s restaurants serve up everything from deep-dish pizza in the Loop to authentic Mexican street food in Pilsen, soul food in Bronzeville and Korean barbecue in Albany Park. @thompsonchicago

Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials Mystery: Only YOU, Malaga

The antidote to January blues is this witty new three-part series based on one of Christie’s earliest novels set in Edwardian England at Badminton House, the ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort. It opens with a flashback at a sun-kissed Spanish bullring; the scene was filmed in the town of Ronda outside Malaga which makes an ideal escape. One of the most central hotel’s is Only YOU, housed in the iconic La Equitativa tower capped by a pointed spire. It’s just across the road (literally) from the historic old town, bustling port and beaches. A highlight is its rooftop pool and lounge where breakfast is served with views over the city and mountains. I recommend booking the Picasso Museum where new exhibition “Picasso Memory and Desire” runs until April. @onlyyouhotels

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