English gardens in the early spring

gardens at Cliveden (c) 2016 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Today was a day for English gardens. We first visited the gardens at Highgrove, the Cotswold home of Prince Charles, where we enjoyed a private tour, followed by Afternoon Tea. Highgrove should be at the top of the bucket list of any garden lover. It's an absolutely amazing set of informal gardens — the fruition of many decades of Prince Charles' vision and devotion gardening. Even if you don't fancy yourself a garden lover, Highgrove is still a most wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed at Highgrove.

When we got back to Cliveden, our home for the evening, I was inspired to explore its more formal gardens, but my eye was most drawn to fields of daffodils before the silhouettes of bare trees against a cloudy sky. The picture above was my favorite shot of the afternoon.

Cliveden is a new member of Virtuoso, a stately manor house that reminds me of Ballyfin. Located just 25 minutes from Heathrow, it would be a real treat for your first day or final night in England.

copyright  (c)  2016 by David Ourisman LLC.  All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Ballyfin | Ireland's Downton Abbey

Ever wonder what it would be like to live at Downton Abbey? Now you have a chance by spending a few nights at Ballyfin, one of the most remarkable hotels I've ever had a chance to stay in. An 18th century manor house that has been lovingly and meticulously restored by a new owner willing to spend "whatever it takes" to create perfection, Ballyfin is over the top.

Set on 610 acres of woods, lawns, and a 28 acre lake, everything is absolutely gorgeous. Rooms and suites are spacious, lavishly furnished with antiques, four poster beds, padded silk on the walls, and lush draperies around the windows. Public spaces are beyond belief with ornate detailing and period art on the walls.

Ballyfin is all-inclusive. Your room rate includes three meals a day for two guests (even the multi-course tasting meal, if you wish), complimentary minibar in your room, a cocktail reception before dinner each evening, and even five pieces of laundry per day. Virtuoso amenities include one complimentary bottle of wine from Ballyfin excellent wine cellar, paired to your meal selection.

The theme song for Downton Abbey kept going through my head as I spent a full day here and experienced the beauty and non-stop service of their attentive staff. Upscale travelers to Ireland should definitely include Ballyfin in their itinerary.

copyright (c) 2014 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

next stop, Ireland!

Wasn't I just in France, you ask? Well, yes… and I've been back all of three weeks.

And wasn't I just in Ireland last year? You have such a good memory! I was indeed in Ireland a year ago and posted this trip report on eleven luxury hotels and this brief article about Guinness (to which I took a liking).

So why am I going back?

1. Partly because it's Brownell's annual educational trip, and it's a great opportunity to spend time with my friends and colleagues.

2. Partly because I want to compare Irish Guiness with what they pour in the States. I had a half pint at The Irish Bank on Saturday night in San Francisco, along with some excellent Shepherd's Pie. The US version had a slightly bitter taste, so that's what I'll be tasting for in Ireland.

3. But mostly because Ireland is an incredible destination. Beautiful scenery with forty shades of green, friendly people, great food, pubs, and ancient Celtic ruins (such as the amazing structure pictured above that predates Stonehenge). How did they get that 3,000 pound stone raised to the top of the structure, and what has kept it from falling for more than a millenium?

Ireland deserves a consideration as your next European destination. Everyone wants to go to Italy in the summer, but Italy is so hot and humid during the summer months … and crowded all the time. When I get back, I'll have even more to share … as well as my impressions of some hotels I missed the first time around including Ashford Castle, Gregans Castle, K Club, Westin Dublin, and Ballyfin.

copyright (c) 2014 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

what's on your travel bucket list for 2014?

view from the museum at Hellbrunn Palace, Salzburg

I enjoyed some wonderful travels in 2013 which I've shared with you on Travel Horizons. With the new year upon us, it's time to turn my attention to 2014 and a new set of travel adventures. Here are some of my travel plans. What's on your travel bucket list for 2014?

COSTA RICA — 31JAN-7FEB. While I've had a number of opportunities to visit over the past few years, this is my chance finally to experience Costa Rica. One of the world's eco-tourism destinations, Costa Rica has mountains, rain forests, volcanoes, lakes, and beaches. I'll be seeing all of these as well as making hotel site inspections. Two nights at El Silencio, two nights at the Springs Resort, and the final three nights at Four Seasons Costa Rica. My itinerary and transfers have been arranged with the expert guidance of Rico Tours.

FRANCE — 1APR-9APR. My trip to France begins in Paris with two days of site inspections. I'm planning to see the Shangri-La, Prince de Galles, and Fouquet's Barriere — and hope to be able to also see some hotels currently under renovation or construction including the Ritz and the Peninsula. My six-day FAM trip then takes me to La Ferme Saint Simeon, Chateau La Cheneviere, l'Agapa Hotel, Le Domaine des Hauts de Loire, Chateau de Bagnols, and Hotel L'Alpaga. We'll be visiting Honfleur, the Beaches of Normandy, the Bayeux Tapistry, Mont St Michel, Perros-Guirec, the Loire Valley, Beaujolais, and the Alps. The trip ends in Geneva; here's a google map.

IRELAND — 3MAY-10MAY. Brownell's annual FAM trip will take me back to Ireland in May with stays at Ashford Castle, Dromoland Castle, Kildare Hotel (K Club), and possibly Ballyfin. It's also a chance to reconnect with all of my Brownell colleagues … and to enjoy some half pints of Guinness.

LAS VEGAS — 9AUG-15AUG. While Vegas is not an ideal summer destination (I dislike heat), Virtuoso Travel Week draws me back year after year. Four days of appointments with hotel sales reps, education opportunities, and connecting with fellow Virtuosos.

September-October? Still thinking about the destination for Ourisman Travel's second annual FAM Trip. Where would you suggest?

copyright (c) 2013 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Ballyfin | new Virtuoso hotel in Ireland

Ballyfin is one of the hotels I did not get a chance to visit while in Ireland, although they had reached out to me with an invitation to visit. Located in the Irish Midlands 75 minutes west of Dublin, this hotel has just 15 guest rooms set within 600 acres of private parkland, a 28 acre lake, ancient woods, a full-service spa, gym, and indoor swimming pool. Meals are bespoke, and guests can discuss their preferences with the chef.

Just welcomed into Virtuoso, Ballyfin has announced a special Euro to Dollar Parity Rate during the month of August. Instead of paying the 975€ rack rate for a Deluxe room (normally $1225), your rate during August will be $975, a 20% discount with a minimum 3-night booking.

This is an all-inclusive rate that includes daily breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, drinks from the mini bar, pre-dinner cocktail reception, use of most on-site recreational facilities, as well as VAT and gratuities. The Ballyfin Virtuoso amenity (still to be announced) will be in addition to all of the above, and my Ballyfin rep will also provide one complimentary bottle of wine at lunch or dinner. Just contact a Virtuoso travel consultant to book.

Ballyfin Virtuoso (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2012 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website. .