Josh van der Flier’s travel playbook

From the Alps to Santorini, and from Connemara to Japan, Ireland rugby star Josh Van Der Flier has gathered a world of memories—both on and off the pitch. In this laid-back chat, he shares favourite travel moments, romantic holiday stories and dream destinations, and recalls the Aer Lingus spoons that made their way back to his family home in Wicklow.

Josh van Der Flier may be famous for his incredible career in Leinster and Ireland rugby, but off the field, he’s a dedicated traveller with a fondness for remote villages and getting off the grid. Here he remembers some of the places that have shaped him and the important role Aer Lingus has played in his travel adventures.

Early travel memories

Like most of us, Josh’s early holiday memories are a mix of mishaps and moments of awe. “My first holiday memory? I’m not exactly sure what my first holiday was. I remember my parents told me I went to Canada when I was about six months old,” Josh laughs. “I guess I had some kind of infection and pretty much screamed the whole way. I don’t remember it, but I’m sure it wasn’t a great experience for them!”

Today, it’s a summer holiday in Switzerland that stands out as an early travel memory. “We went to Grindelwald in the Alps for a kind of walking holiday. We went tobogganing—not quite tobogganing, but you go down this slide on a toboggan-type thing. There was lovely food and incredible views of the mountains. We did a few walks that felt like massive hikes, but in truth we were probably only walking for about 10 minutes.”

Book a flight to Switzerland to experience the epic majesty of the Swiss Alps in person.

Landwasser Viaduct World Heritage with train express in Swiss Alps.

Romance in the south of France

Choosing a favourite sun destination isn’t easy, but Josh has a soft spot for the South of France. “I’ve been to Spain; I’ve flown to Malaga and then gone on to Marbella. Southern Italy is fabulous too. But I think the South of France has to be my favourite. I’ve been trying to learn a bit of French and my wife speaks it—she has family members in the South of France. We’ve been there a few times with her family and I’ve also gone a couple of times on my own. It’s very special. We actually got engaged in a little town called Èze, near Nice, a few years ago. It’s a small village on top of a hill overlooking the sea, so it’s a really special place.”

The South of France has everything he loves, from epic scenery to picturesque charm. “The culture in the South of France is incredible… all the little villages and small towns. You come across amazing castles that aren’t even well-known. I usually rent a car and just drive around, going into villages I know nothing about. They’re not famous landmarks or anything, but they have lovely churches, old buildings and really nice old town centres. For food, I’d probably choose Italy. If I could take the food from Italy and mix it with the villages in France, somewhere in between the two would be perfect.”

Your own adventure in the South of France couldn’t be easier; our regular flights to Nice take less than three hours.

Éze Beach, South of France

City magic: from Munich to Rome

Josh has been to some stunning cities, but Rome and Munich stand out. “I’ve been to Munich for the Christmas markets, and that was really nice, I liked it there. But the place that really stands out now is Rome. I’ve never been on holiday there, but I’ve been for international games when we play Italy in the Six Nations. Aer Lingus kindly flies us over for those games, and we normally stay close enough to the centre of the city. If you’re a bit nervous before a game or trying to buy some time or go for a recovery walk, you can walk out to see the Trevi Fountain. You can turn a corner, and there are these incredible columns, with the Pantheon nearby. It’s a pretty amazing place.” For some inspiration for your next visit to Rome, read Rome in a day: your guide to the Eternal City.

When time allows, Josh loves to wander and savour the culture—and food—of Rome. “Once you’re in Rome, it’s hard to go wrong.The last time I was there, I finished the game and met up with my parents and brother at a restaurant nearby. We just sat with a nice glass of wine, and it was lovely. This spot wasn’t fancy, just a real local place with no tourists. That’s the trick with Rome—to find where the locals eat.”

Book your adventure in Rome today with our daily flights from Dublin.

At home in Ireland: Wicklow and Connemara

Ireland has its charms too; for Josh, Wicklow and Connemara top the list. “I grew up in Wicklow town. Since I’m in Dublin all the time for training, going back to Wicklow is my favourite thing.

“Beyond Wicklow, I’d say Connemara. Pretty much all our summer holidays from when I was about 11 or 12 onwards were out in Connemara. I love getting out there, around Clifden and Galway. It’s incredible—fresh air and a chance to escape the busyness of training. There’s not much Wi-Fi or phone reception where we stay, which is so liberating. You just ignore your phone, and if you need to get stuff done, there’s Wi-Fi, but generally, you’re off your phone. I try to switch off when I’m down there, which is really nice.”

To whet your appetite for an action-packed adventure in Ireland, read our behind-the-scenes tour of the Wild Atlantic Way.

Josh playing golf at the Druid’s Glen Hotel & Golf Resort, Wicklow

Memories that last: from New Zealand to Chicago

“I got engaged in Èze in the south of France, which was obviously my most memorable travel experience. We went on our honeymoon in Santorini, which was lovely, so relaxing after the chaos of a wedding. Memories of the rugby trips are pretty special to me as well. Going to New Zealand and winning the series there was absolutely incredible—an amazing trip.”

Josh has travelled to Japan to play there on two occasions—once in the World Cup and once in a summer series in 2017. “Japan is probably the most impressive place I’ve been because it’s so different from anything I’ve ever experienced before—culture-wise and food-wise. Another special experience was our game in Chicago against New Zealand in 2016, where we beat them for the first time. That’s a memory that will always stand out; it’s also one that Aer Lingus was a huge part of, flying us across the world.”

Book a flight to Chicago to experience the enchantment of this historic city for yourself.

Aer Lingus Brand Ambassadors, Josh, Tadhg, Robbie and Caelan with our Cabin Crew.

Travel routines and bucket list dreams

Although Josh enjoys sitting back with a movie and relaxing in the air, he also appreciates an on-board productivity hack. “On the plane, I sometimes put my phone on airplane mode and catch up on my messages and emails. I reply to everything so that when we land, my phone sends all the messages and I’m completely up-to-date. That way, no one can reply while I’m still catching up, and I don’t have to go through a new round of messages.”

The 31-year old’s travel wish list includes some far-off destinations. “There are so many places I’d love to go. I’ve never been to South America, so that’s high on the list. I’ve been to South Africa a few times for rugby, but I haven’t been anywhere else in Africa, and I’m fascinated by it. I’ve never been to China, and I’ve missed a few chances to go to Australia through different rugby tours because of injury, but hopefully, I’ll get there soon.”

The perfect travel companion

Of course, who you travel with can make all the difference. “My ideal travel companion is my wife. I love travelling with her. She absolutely loves travel, and if there were a job that involved just travelling and seeing places, it’d be right up her street. She speaks three or four languages—Spanish, French, English, and some Irish. She picks up new languages easily, which is actually so useful. I also love playing golf, so a little golf holiday with my dad and brother wouldn’t go amiss either!”

Confession time: spoons and toy planes

For Josh, reminders of his childhood journeys with Aer Lingus, Ireland’s national airline, still exist in his family home. “We actually have a couple of Aer Lingus spoons back home in Wicklow from when I was a child—I’m not sure if we just put them in our pockets or asked for them, but I’ll say we asked! I also had an Aer Lingus metal toy plane when I was young that I used to play with (I think it’s still somewhere in the attic). It’s pretty sturdy too; it survived my brother and I throwing it around the garden, so Aer Lingus planes—even the toy ones—are well-built!”

It’s clear that Josh van der Flier’s passion for travel extends far beyond his rugby schedule. Whether it’s the untouched coastlines of Connemara or the romantic charm of Èze in France, his travel adventures have only just begun. What better way to start collecting memories of your own than with Aer Lingus? We’re ready and waiting to take you where your heart desires. Book your flight to your dream destination today.

Josh van der Flier (affectionately known as “The Dutch Disciple) is an Irish professional rugby union player who excels as a flanker for both Leinster and the Ireland national team. His journey in professional rugby began with the Leinster academy, where his dedication quickly caught the attention of the Leinster senior team. Known for his exceptional work rate and ability to read the game, Josh has established himself as a valuable asset for Leinster and Ireland.