The Grove Park Inn, in one of my favorite cities that isn’t terribly overrated at all, Asheville, NC, is a not only a world-class resort and spa but it’s also a local landmark. Opened in 1913 and thus coming up on its 100-year anniversary, this property was the brainchild of Mr. E.W. Grove, also formerly of …
One of the parts of the itinerary I was most excited for on my recent trip to Dublin, Ireland, was the visit to Malahide Castle. When my husband and I were over in 2011, our friend drove us through the castle grounds and we had a chance to view it from the outside but …
Insanity. A bouncing, weaving flood of floppy green top hats, shamrock shades, and body paint covering parts that I would have preferred to have covered on such a chilly and damp day. I awoke early on Sunday, March 17, in my comfortable room at the Burlington Hotel. I looked at the weather …
Honestly, all the food I had in Ireland was outstanding. The rump of Wicklow lamb at The Church, the traditional lamb stew at The Saddle Room, and the Connemara fish pie from Central Hotel – it was all of excellent quality and meals I would order again and again. Good Food Ireland is an initiative …
If you would have asked me a month ago whether I thought I’d ever meet a President or royalty from any nation, I would have laughed. I mean, why even answer such a silly question? I don’t think I’ve ever even met a mayor and I’ve lived in quite a few towns and cities in …
I arrived at the Burlington Hotel around 9am on a Friday morning. The doorman came out to the cab to take my bags in and I walked across the large lobby to the front desk. In front of me was an adorable little girl with a head full of curls and her equally adorable mother. …
Ireland is green, all shades of it. In the sun they are bright, vivid greens. Under clouds and seen through raindrops they are muted and soft. Despite the official national color being blue, this charming land is sometimes called the Emerald Isle, an appropriate moniker. The people are warm, friendly and always happy to help. …
I have many fond memories of traveling with my parents as I was growing up. I remember how fun brunch with the characters at Disney World was. I remember being amazed by the water at Clearwater Beach, FL, because it was the first time I ever saw fish and my own feet in the ocean …
TBEX (or Travel Blog Exchange) is a kind of holy grail in my eyes. As I continue trying to carve my own little piece of the travel writer world (with a very distinct emphasis on food, drink, and the localvore aspect of travel), I know I’ll feel like I’ve made it somewhere when I make …
I always knew I’d fall in love with Ireland. Even as a young girl, when I would see photographs or videos shot in Ireland it would evoke a strong emotion in me and sometimes even move me to a tear or two (and I’m not even an overly emotional individual). There has always been something …