I didn't really fully understand the significance of this cruise until we got to the embarkation port and saw the fanfare and felt the excitement as our cruise was THE FIRST CRUISE TO SAIL SINCE 2019 - PRE-COVID. WOW-let that sink in! A Greek TV station even interviewed us because it was a national event there. The crew and staff were smiling ear to ear and so grateful to be back to work. Every island we visited, they greeted us [...]
(photos and info courtesy of Belmond) HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE " BELMOND ROYAL SCOTSMAN"? All aboard a living legend. Sit back, relax, and uncover the wonders of Scotland in peerless style From the moment you step onto Royal Scotsman, you are swept up in a world of myth, legend and timeless luxury. Delve into a land of soaring peaks and deep valleys, mirror lochs and looming castles. Enjoy a tasting in a world-famous distillery, then enter the forest for [...]
Jaap Buitendijk/Courtesy Focus Features So the buzz on the street is the newish Downton Abbey movie !! Are you a fan ?? I'm definitely a fan. I really miss the TV series and I'm sure I know lots of people who feel the same. There's something wonderful about going back in time to those days of Royalty and pomp & ceremony. Even back in those days, you can see the feisty women characters like Lady Mary and of [...]
Among the amazing experiences in Ireland was my visit to the Armagh area in N.Ireland. Visit Armagh which consists of the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Councils are really putting this area on the map. Ghilian Campbell was my brilliant host & tour guide and I can't thank her enough. In addition, I also participated in a walking tour of Armagh itself and learned so much. Visit their site (link here) to see the array of great tours, food treats, bespoke [...]
A Dublin highlight during my recent trip was my visit to EPIC Ireland museum in Dublin City. A big Thank You to David Cleary for hosting me. Video link here: Here's a couple of images below. Did you know that 35 Million Americans claim Irish Ancestry ??? "EPIC tells the moving and unforgettable stories of those who left the island of Ireland, and how they influenced and shaped the world. EPIC embraces the past and [...]
Above: View from Culloden, Belfast City Skyline & Belfast City Hall This week I've been traveling in the beautiful Northern Ireland. Some of the stops along the way have been Culloden Estate just outside Belfast, also visiting Belfast City, Armagh, Banbridge, Carlingford Lough just to name a few. Some of the top takeaways for me have been: Hospitality, Gourmet Food, bespoke and VIP experiences. The interactions I have had with the local people have been second [...]
It's never too early to start thinking about your International trip - it's also good to know what the upcoming trends are. Here are some of the trends for 2019: Eco Tourism or Green Tourism is really popular now. Sustainable and Eco travel to destinations like Wild Life refuges, and parks and natural areas outside of big cities. People are more aware of their Carbon Footprint and especially in Europe, a lot of the properties are [...]
Did you know that there are over 3,000 castles dotted throughout Ireland ? Not all of them are accessible or open to the Public and some may be just ruins but here are just a few of the top ones that are open and well worth the visit. (full article here) Dunluce Castle : Perched on the ridge of a cliff up in Co.Antrim, this castle is full of history. Legend says the castle kitchen fell off [...]
SCOTLAND - is such a very popular destination now with over 10% growth in tourism each year. We have had several clients visit and there is a vast array of different experiences there. Another great advantage of visiting Scotland is that it is a very safe destination away from the hustle and bustle of other European countries. Scotland has mountain wildernesses such as the Cairngorms and Northwest Highlands, interspersed with glacial glens (valleys) and lochs (lakes). Historic sites like Culloden [...]
These days there are so many resources to trace back your family tree and nail down exactly where your roots are. Some of the best stories have been of people who thought they were from one place only to find out that they came from another place completely. Someone commented that they always had an affinity for Scotland even though their family history came from Italy, only to research and find links to Scotland !!! Tracing you family's roots can [...]