Why IRELAND?

We always try to plan a year ahead because there are so many amazing places to go! We decide where we want to travel next, and then we make it happen. On our "bucket list" for 2018 is Ireland. I thought you might want to know why....

Ireland is truly a fascinating place to visit. Although I can't promise you great weather, the scenery and people make up for a wee bit of wet weather. Visitors rave about incredibly beautiful lush green fields, stunning cliffs and gorgeous historic castles. You'll adore stops in intriguing villages with legendary pubs where the locals will break into impromptu traditional music or bend your ear with their love for stories that go back over many generations.

As you may have read, flights to Dublin are competitively priced now with direct flights from places like New York and Washington, DC. Even better, there are several carriers that now offer direct flights from Charlotte, NC to Dublin, Ireland. This means you spend less time traveling and more time exploring magical Ireland. Call me for flight options.

Dublin itself is an interesting blend of both modern and historic - a city that is constantly absorbing new ideas, while still embracing old traditions.  If you like to eat (and who doesn't?), you will LOVE the wide variety of excellent food from gastro pubs and cool cafes to high-end Michelin-starred restaurants. Dublin is known for serving world-class seafood that is caught fresh every day. There is much to see and do in Dublin with something for everyone. Dublin hosts many music and literary festivals. Entrance to the famous National Gallery is now FREE!

So then, are you ready to explore Ireland? It is easy to travel by road, rail, air, bike or even on foot! There are many different tours available - for various lengths of time to fit any budget. Some prefer the adventure of a self-drive vacation so they can stop along the way. Hotel accommodation includes a night in a castle, well-known hotel chain, or one of the many quaint bed and breakfast establishments. A trip to Ireland can be customized for individuals, couples or groups. Our golfing trips receive rave reviews!!

If you are interested in exploring Ireland, contact me so I can help you plan your trip. I customize each trip to fit your interests, needs and budget. We can't wait for our own trip next year!!

Vancouver is STUNNING!

Well, I guess I might be a bit biased because I was born in Canada and lived in Vancouver for 16 years prior to moving to North Carolina, BUT believe me that a trip to Vancouver, British Columbia should be on your bucket list!

Situated on the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by mountains, this vibrant city truly is gorgeous. It is a gateway for cruises to Alaska, so I would definitely recommend spending several days before or after a cruise. I will tell you about some of my favorite places to go.

We generally stay in the Coal Harbour area in Vancouver, which is right on the water where the cruise ships dock. I love walking around the waterfront at any of time of day. There are lots of great places to stop for a cup of coffee, lunch or a glass of wine to enjoy the ever-changing views! You can even walk or bike from here to Stanley Park, which is huge and offers a path around the park's parameter to enjoy spectacular views of the water, mountains and majestic trees. It is also home to Canada's largest aquarium that is loved by visitors of all ages!

Later in the day, I would recommend that you wander just up the road to see the old steam clock in Gastown.
Some popular tours include whale watching, the Capilano Suspension Bridge and a gondola ride to the top of Grouse Mountain where you an enjoy stunning views of the city. There are many ways to get around. You can drive a rental car on the scenic route to Whistler Ski Village. Take a seaplane or a ferry to visit beautiful Victoria on Vancouver Island to visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens.

A trip to Vancouver is NOT complete without a visit to "Granville Island". This large public market is located under the Granville St. bridge and boasts a myriad of fun shops to explore as well as great restaurants and pubs. From here, you can drive or take a ferry ride across False Creek. Vancouver is a very cosmopolitan city offering many different types of ethnic food.

Are you ready to visit Vancouver? This city is great to visit at any time of the year. These are just a few of the many things you can see and do in Vancouver.

Contact Us for more information, and I would be happy to help you plan a trip to this stunning city!

Oh, the places you can visit in NYC!

Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Dr.Seuss said it best when he wrote "Congratulations! Today is your day - you're off and away". So, the question is where you want to go? 

Doesn't a trip to the Big Apple sound fun? I'm just back from a trip to New York City (NYC) and want to tell you about some fabulous spots.

Every time we visit our son in New York, he suggests new parts of the city for us to explore. Here are some hot spots that Sam showed us.

This time around he booked us into The Edition, which is located at Madison & 24 Street in the Flatiron neighborhood. Situated in the Clock Tower Building, this hotel is just steps away from Madison Square Park. It's also close to the Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal and the The Morgan Library & Museum. As you can see from the photo, it offers great views of the city.

When you get hungry, stop by Eataly NYC Flatiron on the other side of the park. I love food, and this was the first stop on our list.

For those who have not experienced Eataly, it is a wonderful, vibrant Italian market place that is overflowing with high-quality products from Italy. It is home to an array of cafes and restaurants. 

We enjoyed an amazing lunch at Sabbia. This pop-up restaurant appears each summer on the rooftop at Eataly. Designed to look like an Italian seaside village, this eatery transports you to another place. You don't want to miss delicious food and great views of the Flatiron building.

Day two, Sam suggested we walk the High Line, which is an elevated park that extends from 34th Street down to the Meatpacking District. Old elevated train tracks have been converted into a park, and the line is 1.45 miles in length. Start walking, and you'll pass the heliport, go through the Chelsea neighborhood and end up in the Meatpacking District. This is just a short walk from Greenwich and the West Village.  We ended up having lunch in the West Village, which is one of my favorite parts of NYC.


A visit to New York is NOT complete without some time spent in Central Park. This popular park is 843 acres in size. Enjoy a walk along the paths and visit the the Boathouse area. Stop by the zoo to see the seal lions and polar bears.

This time around we had lunch at the iconic Tavern on the Green, which has recently re-opened. We enjoyed the ambiance and outdoor seating. Excellent food and great service was only enhanced with the company of good friends!

On our last night in the city, we wanted to see the latest developments near the Freedom Tower. We marveled at the state-of-the-art Oculus, which is the centerpiece of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub. The photo doesn't do justice to this gigantic structure. This hub has 290,000 square feet of exciting multi-level retail and dining space!





There is so much to see and do in this area. We enjoyed a walk along the waterfront and stopped for a drink on a sailing ship before dinner. This was the perfect ending for our visit to this vibrant and exciting city. As you can see, I couldn't stop taking photos of the breathtaking views!

So are you ready to pack your suitcase and go away? I can plan a trip to meet any budget and length of time. Contact Us to help you plan your own getaway to magical New York City!!

A beautiful beach for each day of the year!

Antigua is best known for having 365 white sandy beaches - one for every day of the year!

Antigua is the largest of the British Leeward Islands in the West Indies. It boasts beautiful and safe shallow waters. Vacationers love this part of the world for its boating, excellent food, family-friendly activities and legendary cocktails! 

It has an ideal climate with temperatures ranging from the mid 70's in the winter to the mid 80's in the summer. Antigua is one of the sunniest islands in the Caribbean with an annual rainfall of ONLY 45 inches. But the best part is the LOW HUMIDITY year round!

Here are three reasons you should book a trip to Antigua!

EASY ACCESS
Several of the major airlines fly into Antigua. This island has a beautiful all-inclusive Sandals resort. Prefer a cruise? There are Southern Caribbean cruises that include a stop in amazing Antigua.

WATER SPORTS

Visitors rave about the famous "Nelson's Dockyard", which is the only Georgian Naval Dockyard in the world. This site was the home of the British fleet during the Napoleonic wars, and it was the headquarters of the legendary Admiral Lord Nelson from 1784-1787.

This island destination offers sport fishing, windsurfing and kite boarding. There are also some beautiful golf courses for those who prefer recreation on land!

NATURAL WONDERS

If you enjoy hiking, you won’t want to miss “Shirley Heights" that is known for its panoramic views. Enjoy views of the summit while dining at the "Lookout Bar and Restaurant" and listening to local bands perform live Caribbean music.

Located in eastern Antigua, Devil's Bridge is the spot where the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea meet. This natural wonder is a distinctive limestone arch.

Want to know more? Give me a call (336-790-8911) and I would be happy to give you more information!