Porto

Porto with Travel Department

Porto is the perfect city for a short break. We travelled with Travel Department in mid-May and it proved to be the perfect time to visit. I was delighted to accept Travel Department’s offer of a press trip. And, of course, GG (Gorgeous Graham) had to come too. Travel Department Regular readers know that I
Tagged under: , , , ,
The Taj Mahal

A New Grandchild and Planning Holidays Make Me Happy

Hello, my friends. I am feeling positive as we enjoy the holiday weekend. And I hope you are too. I have lots of happy news to share with you. We need to celebrate when we can, don’t we? And count our blessings. GRANDDAUGHTER As many of you know, we have three wonderful grandsons – Logan
Tagged under: , , , ,

3 Must Visit Attractions in Seville Spain

Visiting Seville, while we were staying in The Algarve in Portugal, was surprisingly easy…just a two and a half hour drive from Faro and we didn’t even use the motorway. We arrived in time to check into our hotel and grab a quick lunch before we met our guide for the afternoon. As you can
Tagged under: , , , , , , , ,
The Grand Canal

Exploring Dublin and Meeting some of its Literary Giants

While staying at Dublin’s Merrion Hotel (by the way that special offer I mentioned in my post is now finished….sorry) Graham and I pretended we were tourists and enjoyed exploring Dublin. So here is a little snapshot of where we went and who we met. JAMES JOYCE It was Bloomsday when we were there and
Tagged under: , , , , ,
The Merrion Hotel Courtyard

The Merrion Hotel Dublin A Review

GG and I spent a night in The Merrion a few weeks ago and it was heaven. We were actually supposed to go after Christmas, but then we had another lockdown! We have been starved of pampering because of Covid and at this stage of our lives we do enjoy a bit of luxury now
Tagged under: , , , ,
Malahide Castle

Malahide Castle and Gardens is one of North County Dublin’s Top Attractions

I feel blessed to live in Malahide with its abundance of natural amenities, one of the most outstanding being Malahide Castle and Gardens. I tend to walk along the coast most days or around Paddy’s Hill if I want a climb. But I always head to the ‘Castle’ when the coast is too raw and
Tagged under: , , , , ,

Test-driving the New Renault Zoe

ZOE AND ME Last week, I had the opportunity to test-drive the all-electric New Renault Zoe. I know I am no Rosemary Smith (one of the brand ambassadors) so I was pretty chuffed when Renault asked me if I would like to put it through its paces. Those who know me know that I prefer
Tagged under: , , , , ,

Castleknock Hotel Highly Recommended for Covid Times and Any Time

GG and I spent a night recently (gifted) at Castleknock Hotel in Porterstown, near Castleknock, Dublin. WELCOME A few days before our visit we received an email in which the procedures/guidelines in place for safety were explained and laid out. From the moment we entered the large and airy foyer at Castleknock Hotel, we felt
Tagged under: , , , , , , ,

Golf break at Tulfarris Hotel, Wicklow Ireland

Golf with my friends has kept me sane during these turbulent times. I play regularly in my club at Malahide in Dublin. Though I took up the game in my late 50s, I can play to a level where I enjoy it without getting too frustrated now. I wrote about my initial struggles in a
Tagged under: , , , , , , , ,
Doonagore Castle Co Clare

Exploring County Clare and The Wild Atlantic Way

County Clare was practically unknown to me. Though I had passed through it, I had never been to The Cliffs of Moher, for instance, or driven along The Wild Atlantic Way, so Graham and I decided to take a break there in mid-January and call into Gort to see some friends on the way home.
Tagged under: , , , , , , , ,

A Fascinating Tour Of 14 Henrietta Street Dublin

14 Henrietta Street tells the story of 300 years of life within the walls of one Georgian house in Dublin city. Built over five floors, with a basement, it is located on one of the most beautiful, still intact, Georgian streets I have seen. On the day I visited with some friends we had a
Tagged under: , , , ,

Kilkea Castle the perfect luxury hotel

Kilkea Castle is only a stone’s throw from Dublin (about an hour’s drive). GG and I arrived as Storm Dennis was in full swing. The 12th century castle stands proudly over 180 acres of woodland, golf course and gardens. I had spent an afternoon there last year at the opening of the Spa, but it
Tagged under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Top Tips for Travelling to Morocco

My post last month gave a summary of where we went on our guided trip to Morocco with TDActive. If you are planning a trip there, make sure to spend a night in the desert, go to Casablanca and Fez and visit The Atlas Mountains. And stay in a riad, a traditional house (or former
Tagged under: , , , , , ,

Happy Christmas and Review of 2019

Happy Christmas my friends.  Is it really nearly the end of 2019?  And what’s more, another decade over and two since the millennium. I always move into each year with more than a little trepidation as to what it might bring. But my motto is to live each day, week, month and year to the
Tagged under: , , , , , , , , ,

Morocco on Speed with TDactive Holidays

We travelled to Morocco with four friends and were very happy that it was all planned for us and that we had a guide for the entire trip – Ibrahim – and local guides in each place we visited. GUIDED TRAVEL TDactive was our tour operator of choice and regular readers know that Graham and
Tagged under: , , , , , , , , ,
Procession in Khajuraho

Tips on what to bring when travelling to India and other Asian countries

A year ago, GG and I and four good friends had the most incredible holiday (well it wasn’t really a holiday; it was more of an adventure) in India with TDActive (the adventure wing of Travel Department). You can read about our amazing  trip in my previous posts – part 1 and part 2. And
Tagged under: , , , , , , , ,

Where to stay and what to do in Portaferry, Co. Down

It seems as if we have been in Northern Ireland quite a lot over the past year. First was a wonderful stay at the Galgorm Resort & Spa near Ballymena and a tour of the north Antrim coast. Then last April, I wrote about our stay in The Cairn Bay Lodge in Bangor and a
Tagged under: , , , , , , , , , ,