Bookends Beach Party | What’s your usual holiday routine?

Each week this summer, we’re asking some of our favourite to share their summer essentials. This week, Ruth Hogan, Rosanna Ley and Sheila O’Flanagan share their holiday routine with us and we discovered whether they are city explorers or beach loungers.

Ruth Hogan, author of Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel

I’m not very good at relaxing or sitting still so I need to be reasonably active. We have three rescue dogs we like to take with us, so it’s usually a mutt-friendly beach holiday in this country with lots of long walks, swimming or paddling in the sea (weather permitting!) and, of course, catching up on my TBR pile. I also like poking around in antique, junk and bookshops and exploring cemeteries and graveyards. I’m not particularly bothered about the time of year we go. I’m just as happy reading outside in the sunshine or snuggled up in front of a log burner. Oh – and it’s always nice if there’s a decent pub and a chip shop nearby!

Rosanna Ley, author of The Lemon Tree Hotel

I very much like to do both – but not necessarily on the same trip! I love a city break and the opportunity to soak up some culture but for real relaxation, take me to Italy and let me spend my daytime lounging by the sea with a good book and taking the odd dip in the glorious Med.

Sheila O’Flanagan, author of Her Husband’s Mistake

I do a lounging beach holiday every two years and the rest of the time I prefer city breaks. My favourite beach is in Antigua, in the Carribbean and my favourite city (after Dublin of course) is Madrid.

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