travel souvenirs — part 11

Celtic cross souvenir from Ireland (c) 2020 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Ireland is one of the friendliest and most visually stunning destinations we've ever visited. Claire and I were both struck by its Celtic spirituality. Predating Christianity by centuries, Celtic independence was lost when the land was conquered by Julius Caesar, and Celtic religion was eclipsed by the coming of Christianity.

But signs of Celtic spirituality are still everywhere in Ireland. Our guide took us to see fairy forts in County Clare, and Celtic crosses (such as the one pictured below) can be found throughout the country, a sign that Ireland's native culture still persists.

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copyright (c) 2020 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Celtic cross from County Kerry (c) 2020 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Ireland ... so much more than Dublin

ancient structure in County Clare (c) 2020 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Yes, Dublin is a fantastic city — small and walkable. Make it a point to stay in the center of things to take full advantage. Its three most famous attractions are:

Trinity College and the Book of Kells. Definitely rent the audio tour of the Book of Kells. 

Kilmainham Gaol, the jail where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were imprisoned and executed. I highly recommend pre-booking your tickets for this tour.

Guinness Storehouse, the home of the famous black beer that bears the name of the Guinness family.

Guinness Draught (c) 2020 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

But Ireland is even more fabulous when you venture into the countryside and witness the forty shades of green with your own eyes.

Newgrange, a megalithic tomb built 5000 years ago. Once a year, the rising sun on the winter solstice shines down a long shaft carved into the rock and floods the inner tomb with light.

The Ring of Kerry or the Ring of Dingle — you'll see stone cottages in the shape of beehives, stone fences that were created as a make-work project during the Great Famine in the early 19th century, and gorgeous views of the ocean all the way. 

County Clare has so much to experience from the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren National Park to Celtic artifacts and fairy forts.

stone ruins on the Ring of Dingle (c) 2020 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Whether you want to explore picturesque villages, walk through majestic gardens, play golf, visit historic places, eat in Gastropubs, taste whisky and stout, witness folk dancing, or listen to Irish music, Ireland is a wonderful place to visit ... with perhaps the friendliest, most outgoing people in the world.

copyright (c) 2020 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

lavender fields forever

photo credit: Original Travel UK, used by permission

The lavender fields are one reason so many travelers visit Provence, but did you know you can also see blossoming lavender in the Cotswolds? The fields normally start to flower from mid-June, with mid-July being the best time to see them. Less crowded than Provence, you can plan a driving or biking tour in the Cotswolds.

Scenic drives abound throughout the United Kingdom, and Original Travel UK (who provided the photo — thank you!) can assist with car rentals, maps, and recommendations on where to stop along the day... as well as theatre tickets, restaurant reservations, and transfers. They have planned thousands of itineraries, no trips alike, throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. Update: if you'd like to see the lavender fields, Annie from Original Travel UK recommends a day trip to Mayfield Lavender, followed by Afternoon Tea.

The United Kingdom is a favored summer destination as you'll be spared the heat, humidity, and crowds of southern Europe. Want to see the lavender fields blooming in the Cotswolds this summer? Get in touch, and we'll set up the rest!

copyright (c) 2017 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

need Dublin hotel space for the U2 concert?

see how Jameson Irish Whiskey is made when touring Dublin

U2 - The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 in Dublin... A client emailed this morning, having just scored two tickets to see the U2 concert in Dublin, Ireland on July 22nd. She immediately checked her (and my) favorite hotel in Dublin, The Merrion, and saw no availability.

Where to stay? I discovered that most hotels have "special event" pricing for the concert — prepaid reservations that cannot be cancelled, but I found good availability and flexible rates at one of our Virtuoso collection hotels in Dublin, The Westbury. Located on Grafton Street in the heart of Dublin, The Westbury is ideally situated between Trinity College (and its Book of Kells) and St. Stephen's Green

Virtuoso guests receive value added amenities by booking through a Virtuoso travel advisor

• Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
• Complimentary Continental Breakfast for two daily for duration of the stay, served in restaurant
• A complimentary lunch or dinner for up to two people per room, excluding alcohol, taxes and gratuities once during stay (must be 3 course minimum with a minimum value of $100 USD equivalent)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Ireland is one of our favorite destinations, with the warmest, friendliest people you'll ever find and beautiful scenery with "forty shades of green." Ireland is also the birthplace of Guinness and Jameson's. See my google map of Ourisman Travel's preferred luxury hotels in Ireland, and call us to plan a vacation to Ireland.

copyright (c) 2017 by Ourisman Travel 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.

This beautiful You Tube video depicts the decoration of the Christmas tree at The Merrion in Dublin. The short film is set to the song "I Wanna Go Home," sung by Michael Buble. If you'd like a three minute break, just click on the video above.

The Merrion is located in central Dublin, close to Trinity College and the Book of Kells. If you next trip to Ireland takes you to Dublin, I highly recommend this Virtuoso partner hotel — especially the rooms and suites in the Georgian Main House. Just by booking through a Virtuoso travel consultant, you receive a complimentary daily full breakfast for two guests ... and if you book a Main House room, you'll also receive a complimentary lunch or dinner for two.

Ireland bound? Feel free to get in touch for other great places to stay (all with amenities) in Dublin and around this beautiful country.

copyright (c) 2015 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.

your chance to win £50 for food and beverage

this is just a facsimile — the original is printed on both sides (and is valid through 12/31/15)

Traveling to London or Ireland? Here's your chance chance to win a £50 certificate towards food and beverage at Red Carnation Hotels. I have one of these certificates, courtesy of Terry Holmes (whom we at Brownell affectionately know as Uncle Terry), and you can win it right now! Just be the first client to book a three night stay through me at one of the following Red Carnation hotels in the U.K. Each is a member of Virtuoso, and the great Virtuoso amenities are listed.

The Milestone Hotel
Located right across the street from Hyde Park, this is one of London's top-rated hotels for guest service. I had a great lunch at its restaurant (as I recall, it serves English "comfort food). Although the rooms themselves are small, I can definitely recommend the Suites at the Milestone. See this previous post from Travel Horizons.

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Full English breakfast daily for up to two in-room guests 
•    Choice of two entrance tickets (per room booked) to Kensington Palace plus a $60.00 credit toward Afternoon Tea at the Milestone on one day.
•                  OR
•    A three course dinner in the hotel restaurant for two people per room booked, once during the stay.
• Suite Bookings 3 or more nights or any apartment bookings of 7 or more nights a one way airport transfer from London Heathrow to Milestone will be included as additional amenity
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

Egerton House Hotel
For a true sense of place, you cannot do any better than the Egerton House. Consisting of two side-by-side London townhouses in a neighborhood with a distinct residential feel, you're still close to great shopping. While lead-in rooms are small, the larger rooms are absolutely wonderful. And the Virtuoso extra amenity is a martini making lesson from the King of Martinis!

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Full English breakfast daily for up to two in-room guests 
• Exclusive pair of member tickets to all current Exhibitions at The Victoria & Albert Museum with full access to the members lounge
• Free Wifi throughout the Hotel
• Afternoon Tea for 2 on one day during your stay
• Martini making lesson with the King of Martinis,  Antonio, plus 2 dry martinis and a Certificate of Excellence signed by Antonio Pizzuto, Head Bar Man of the Egerton House
• One Way airport transfer for Suite bookings of 3 or more nights stay (cannotbe used in conjuction with any other promotions)
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

Ashford Castle

This Irish castle on the west coast of Ireland used to belong to the Guinness family. It has been lovingly restored and is one of the grandest estates experiences you could ever hope to enjoy. From Ashford Castle, you can go fishing, try your hand at falconry, or walk into the small town for a taste of local cooking or a pint at the pub.

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Full Irish breakfast included in rates daily served in restaurant
• 85 Euro Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay  (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

copyright (c) 2015 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.

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.

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.

do less, discover more!

scene from the Ring of Dingle, County Kerry

A traveler planning a trip to Ireland next May asked for suggestions for her itinerary on fodors.com. Her plan is to drive all the way around Ireland in three weeks, beginning in Dublin, going to Belfast, and continuing counter-clockwise all the way around the island.

It was exhausting just to read her twenty-one day itinerary! She had something planned virtually every day. Lots of one-night stays. Lots of long driving days. Lots of attractions to see. Lots of things to do. Lots of places to visit. Lots of questions about even more places she might add to her trip.

The one thing missing from her itinerary was time … time to relax, time to soak in the culture, time to feast her eyes on Ireland's forty shades of green, time to unwind and spend a day in a small Irish village just doing nothing but relaxing, time to meet the locals, time to hang out in the pubs, time to listen to Irish music, time to discover Ireland.

Do less, discover more! Fodors definitely has a bias against using travel consultants. Too bad, because travel can be the realization of a dream … if we can get away from the mentality of checking off items on a bucket list. Focus instead on the travel experiences we want to have. Here is where a trusted travel advisor can be so valuable. She will ask you the right kinds of questions:

• Tell me about the trip you want to take. What's important to you about it?
• What would make this a wow trip for you?
• When you come home from your trip, what will you want to say about it? How would you describe what you've just experienced in Ireland?

Discover More is Brownell's tagline, and our entire purpose is to listen to your dreams, then collaborate with you to design a life-enriching travel experience … and not a twenty-one day endurance test of a road trip.

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.

walking in Wales

In today's column, I want to write about a destination, the United Kingdom (specifically Wales), and about my favorite way to explore any destination ... walking. The UK is an ideal destination for Americans for several reasons.

We speak the language. There's none of the insecurity that many experience when realizing they speak very little French, Italian, or Spanish (not to mention Chinese or Thai). While there's no need to brush up on a Berlitz list of travel phrases, visitors to the British Isles can look forward to hearing their own mother tongue spoken with a delightfully different accent. You definitely get the experience of being in a different culture.

The weather is moderate year-round. Italy is a hot destination in more ways than one. As crowded and warm as Rome was this past September when I visited, it will be even hotter, more humid, and more crowded come July and August. Many people don't mind heat, but I do, so when I think of a summer destination, my mind thinks of places like England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.

There are fascinating things to see and do in the British Isles. Golfers can enjoy links golf in Scotland, the very place the game began. History buffs can spend endless hours exploring the British Museum or visiting Roman ruins. The anthropologically minded can marvel at Stonehenge and Avebury.

Me? I am attracted to beautiful landscapes -- shady woods and colorful fields, country paths and stone fences, craggy mountains and glassy smooth lakes, rocky shorelines and dramatic cloud formations. I love being alone with nature, taking in its beauty one step at a time. Nature nourishes me. Walking is a way of slowing down, contemplating the gift of life, and being filled with the wonder of this planet that nurtures life.

There are many ways of doing a walking trip, from a luxurious, meticulously planned trip with Backroads or Butterfield & Robinson ... to an economical do-it-yourself walking holiday based in strategically located bed-and-breakfasts (which I will be doing next month in Wales). This is my favorite kind of travel to plan, so feel free to call on me.