Burren National Park | County Clare, Ireland

Burren National Park has a most fascinating landscape. Derived from the Irish word Boíreann (meaning "rocky place"), the Burren is on the west coast of Ireland with an amazing variety of plants from many different habitats somehow ending up here. This is one place you'll definitely want a guide, as you'll never realize what you're looking at if you're on your own.

Free guided walking tours are provided by the National Park, and you can see the schedule of upcoming actives on their website.

Or get a complimentary private half-day walking tour with a two-night stay at Gregans Castle (with one of the most engaging tour guides I've ever heard). Gregans Castle is an absolutely enchanting small hotel in County Clare, and this is an exclusive Celebrated Perk that I can provide.

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.

Gregans Castle | hidden gem in County Clare

Cliffs of Moher — (c) 2014 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

County Clare is one of my favorite places in Ireland, home to the Cliffs of Moher (pictured above) as well as the less well-known Burren National Park. The two most popular five star hotels in County Clare are Dromoland Castle and the Lodge at Doonbeg. You'll enjoy very comfortable stays at either of these, as well as the Virtuoso amenities that you can receive by booking through any Virtuoso travel consultant.

But if you'd prefer to be a bit off the beaten path, I loved Gregans Castle. After a morning tour of the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, we had lunch and a site inspection at this property. Don't be fooled by the four star rating, as Ireland rates its hotels by an arbitrary check list. To be rated five stars, a hotel must have a doorman — which would have been totally out of character for Gregans Castle, a small gem of a boutique hotel. We received a warm personal welcome at the front door by the hotel's Director.

A wonderful 18th century country manor house (not a castle), Gregan's Castle has a restful atmosphere, beautiful views, and a simply wonderful restaurant (our lunch consisted of a pea & parmesan Risotto, followed by an exquisite Dark Chocolate Truffle Cake for dessert). If you can overlook the lack of separate step-in showers (showers are in the tub), everything about the accommodations is great. Each room is unique and designed by the Director's wife, a talented artist. Her sense of color and styling is spot on.

Breakfast is included in the reasonable rates, upgrades are possible, and with a two-night stay my clients receive the Celebrated Perk of a complimentary half-day walking tour of the Burren led by one of the most engaging and colorful tour guides you'll ever meet.

Gregans Castle has warmth, personality, and beauty that is beyond my ability to express in words. If my description engages you, trust me. This is where you want to stay in County Clare!

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.