Latest Travel Blog Entries

Friday, July 02, 2010

Western Region

Galway, Mayo & Roscommon

Abbeyglen Castle Hotel

Clifden, Galway. Located on the Sky Road and set in pleasant gardens. Built in 1832, the hotel is renowned for quality cuisine. Abbeyglen has 18 superior rooms, many with four poster beds and open fires.

Ballynahinch Castle

Ballynahinch, Galway. This manor, set in a 455-acre estate, dates from the 18^th century. Tastefully-furnished guest rooms have special features and excellent views. Relax in the superb restaurant or old-world bar.

Ashford Castle Hotel

Cong, Mayo. This famous castle, on the shores of Lough Corrib, is one of Ireland’s most luxurious retreats. Guests relax in spacious rooms, dine in the elegant restaurant and enjoy golfing, horse riding and more.

Kilronan Castle

Ballyfarnan, Roscommon. This luxurious property is set in 40 acres with lovely scenery all around. Enjoy a wonderful mix of old-world elegance and state-of-the-art facilities and standards to make your stay memorable.

South Western Region

Cork, Kerry, Limerick & Clare

Cahernane House Hotel

Killarney, Kerry. Set in its own parklands on the edge of Killarney’s National Park and dating from 1877, the hotel features elegant bedrooms, comfortable reception areas and the award-winning Herbert Restaurant.

Dunloe Castler Hotel

Killarney. Overlooks the Gap of the Dunloe, a few miles outside the town. Deluxe bedrooms, restaurants and bars create a relaxing haven. Enjoy the gardens and health club plus golf is available nearby.

Ballyseede Castle Hotel

Tralee, Kerry. Step back in time while enjoying modern comforts. Elegant bedrooms are decorated with taste and imagination. The gracious dining room serves Continental and Irish cuisine with a fine wine cellar.

Bunrathy Castle Hotel

Bunratty, Clare. Close to Durty Nelly’s Pub, Bunrathy Castle and Folk Park. All traditional-style rooms offer air conditioning and every modern comfort. Relax in Kathleen’s Irish Pub with great food.

Dromoland Castle

Newmarket-on-Fergus, Clare. One of Europe’s top luxury hotels with stately halls, elegant facilities and luxurious guest rooms designed for relaxation. Sample award-winning cuisine, enjoy golf or leisure center.

North Western Region

Donegal, Leitrim, Monagham, Cavan & Northern Ireland

Solis Lough Eske Castle

Donegal. The current castle was built in the 1860s and is newly renovated. Beautifully appointed rooms feature bespoke furnishings in calm neutral tones. The new Cedaes Grill combines easygoing elegance with a very contemporary sense of style.

Lough Rynn Castle

Mohill, Leitrim. This is the original 19^th century home of the Clements family. The gracious manor house offers 42 luxurious bedrooms, intimate public rooms, elegant dinning, a world-class spa and a championship golf course on a 300-acre estate.

Castle Leslie

Glaslough, Monaghan. Nestled on 1,000 acres of undulating country-side, the Leslie family has lived here since the 1660s. The Castle offers authentic interiors and warm hospitality. Located only 80 minutes from Dublin and 60 minutes from Belfast.

Ballygally Castle

Ballygally, Antrim. The Castle dates to 1625 and is located on the scenic Antrim coast. 44 bedrooms offer old beamed ceilings and modern décor. All the top facilities add to the welcoming atmosphere and the Garden Restaurant offers excellent food.

Cabra Castle Hotel

Kingscourt, Cavan. Dating from 1760, the hotel is set in 88 acres of parkland with a 9-hole golf course. Well-appointed guest rooms, gourmet dining and gracious public rooms combine for a great stay.

Eastern Region

Meath, Westmeath, Wicklow, Laois, Kilkenny, Tipperary & Waterford

Dunboyne Castle

Dunboyne, Meath. This hotel offers comfortable guest rooms, magnificent gardens, a fully-equipped spa and great facilities for dining and relaxing. Close to Dublin Airport and tomb of Newgrange and Knowth.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Each year thousands of people take on the adventure of traveling to Dublin, Ireland and are presented with an abundance of things to do throughout. This is one place that will keep you going from beginning to end with its buzzing city life as well as beautiful country life.

There is an abundance of places that you can visit while traveling to Dublin. Whether you want to take a stroll through the many parks, gardens or museums or touch up your knowledge on Dublin through the colleges, libraries, churches or heritage sites there is an extensive amount of things that you can do here.

Dublin is jam packed full of historical buildings, galleries and castles that are open to the public to see and experience. You will have the ability to see exactly what Dublin is all about just by taking a stroll through the city and lands.

Some popular places to visit in Dublin include:

The Christ Church Cathedral
The Trinity College Library which is the home of the Book of Kells
The Ardgillan Castle
The Dublin Zoo
The National Gallery of Ireland

The list goes on. Dublin has many different things that you can do and it really does cater to every interest that a person may have. When planning a trip to Ireland ensure that you plan for a few days in Dublin so that you can experience everything it has to offer and you don’t miss out on anything that you really wanted to see, but may not have had time for.

Sunday, May 09, 2010

Traveling to Ireland can be one of the most adventurous trips you'd ever experience. The shores lines are covered with many castles and battlement ruins preparing Ireland to protect their 5,600 kilometeres of coastline. Whether you want to experience the history and heritage or relax for a day at a local golf course or the many beaches, there is something everyone will enjoy.  

Some of the top five castles and attractions that you can experience while visiting Ireland include some of the following...

The Dunguarie Castle in County Galway  
The Dunguarie Castle has survived 12 centuries in battle and siege, up until 1924. Since 1924 it has become the perfect retreat for poets and writers. After seven centuries of standing on the site of Guaire, King of Connaught, the Dunguarie Castle is one castle you'll want to experience in Ireland.  

The Dunluce Castle in County Antrim
Many years ago a violent storm caused an abundance of lose when a portion of the Dunluce Castle fell into the sea killing many cooks and kitchen hands. After many years the Dunluce has become the spot that was the inspiration of Cair Paravel from Chronicles of Narnia, done by C.S. Lewis.  

The Leap Castle in County Offaly
If you'd like a little excitement and scare in your travels, travel to the Leap Castle. This castle is said to be haunted by ghosts. The Leap Castle was once the fortress for the O'Carrolls many years ago and now has become the picturesque ivy-clad ruin.  

The Hillsborough Castle in County Down
The Hillsborough Castle has become the residence for Elizabeth II when traveling through Ireland. The best time of year to visit this castle is in July, when the Garden Festival is held within the beautiful walled gardens each year.  

The Belleek Museum in County Fermanagh
Over the past 150 years the Beleek Museum has been the creators of many fine pottery collections. The Belleek museum gets over 250,000 tourists each and every year, including John and Jackie Kennedy back in 1961. The shop and tea room are the most popular tourist attractions within the Belleek Museum.

All throughout Ireland there are many things for travelers to experience. You don't want to miss out on any of them, so make sure to plan out your vacation to Ireland beforehand. Ireland is the home of endless amounts of adventures and experiences... take the time to experience them all before you leave.  

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Trafalgar's "last minute deals" give you the opportunity to experience incredible savings on a select few European and North American award-winning vacations.

These selected departures are only available until April 30, 2010. All are Definite Departures. Space is limited, so come and experience Europe and North America with Trafalgar’s unbeatable services, tremendous value and great savings.
 
Please note: To get these special rates, please reference the tour’s ‘PROMO CODE’ at the time of booking. If booking online enter the 'PROMO CODE' in the "Apply Promotions" section during the booking process

 

Europe & Britain Tours

TOUR NAME	DEPARTING	WAS*	NOW*	SAVINGS*	PROMO CODE
Highlights of Italy & Switzerland	02-May 10	$2,865	$2,578	$287	LMD182
Britain & Ireland Explorer	06-May 10	$2,950	$2,655	$295	LMD183
Wonders of Britain & Ireland	08-May 10	$2,699	$2,429	$270	LMD184
Prague, Vienna & Budapest	13-May 10	$2,075	$1,865	$210	LMD185
Italian Glory	16-May 10	$3,475	$3,125	$350	LMD186
Italy & Greece Highlights	18-May 10	$2,899	$2,609	$290	LMD187
European Interlude	20-May 10	$3,835	$3,449	$386	LMD188
Cossack Explorer	28-May 10	$3,150	$2,835	$315	LMD189
European Adventures	28-May 10	$2,350	$2,115	$235	LMD190
Best of Spain	29-May 10	$2,899	$2,609	$290	LMD191
Highlights of Eastern Europe	10-Jun 10	$3,425	$3,082	$343	LMD192

 

 

USA & Canada Tours

 

TOUR NAME	DEPARTING	WAS*	NOW*	SAVINGS*	PROMO CODE
Best of Canada's West	04-May 10	$2,325	$2,090	$235	LMDUSA182
Route 66	22-May 10	$2,399	$2,159	$240	LMDUSA183
Canada's Rockies	31-May 10	$1,399	$1,259	$140	LMDUSA184
Best of Eastern Canada	28-May 10	$1,899	$1,709	$190	LMDUSA185
Rockies Panorama with RedLeaf Train	28-Apr 10	$2,799	$2,519	$280	LMDUSA186R
Rockies Panorama with GoldLeaf Train	28-Apr 10	$3,424	$3,089	$335	LMDUSA186G
California Dreamin'	25-Jun 10	$1,775	$1,595	$180	LMDUSA187
Hawaii Four Island Adventure - Moderate	25-Jun 10	$3,325	$2,990	$335	LMDUSA188M
Hawaii Four Island Adventure - First Class	25-Jun 10	$3,525	$3,170	$355	LMDUSA188F
Hawaii Four Island Adventure - Premier	25-Jun 10	$3,875	$3,485	$390	LMDUSA188P
Hawaiian Explorer - Moderate	27-Jun 10	$2,085	$1,875	$210	LMDUSA189M
Hawaiian Explorer - First Class	27-Jun 10	$2,235	$2,010	$225	LMDUSA189F
Hawaiian Explorer - Premier	27-Jun 10	$2,499	$2,249	$250	LMDUSA189P

Thursday, April 01, 2010

Trafalgar's "last minute deals" give you the opportunity to experience incredible savings on a select few European and North American award-winning vacations.

These selected departures are only available until April 15, 2010. All are Definite Departures. Space is limited, so come and experience Europe and North America with Trafalgar’s unbeatable services, tremendous value and great savings.
 
Please note: To get these special rates, please reference the tour’s ‘PROMO CODE’ at the time of booking. If booking online enter the 'PROMO CODE' in the "Apply Promotions" section during the booking process

Europe & Britain Tours

TOUR NAME	DEPARTING	WAS*	NOW*	SAVINGS*	PROMO CODE
The Treasures of France	23-Apr 10	$1,899	$1,709	$190	LMD172
Highlights of Spain & Portugal	24-Apr 10	$2,375	$2,137	$238	LMD173
Best of Ireland & Scotland	30-Apr 10	$2,865	$2,575	$290	LMD174
Taste of Britain	29-Apr 10	$1,150	$1,035	$115	LMD175
Italian Scene	01-May 10	$1,899	$1,709	$190	LMD176
Britain & Ireland Explorer	06-May 10	$2,950	$2,655	$295	LMD177
Contrasts of Switzerland	08-May 10	$2,350	$2,115	$235	LMD178
Italy Belissimo	12-May 10	$2,875	$2,585	$290	LMD169
Spain, Morocco & Portugal	14-May 10	$2,825	$2,540	$285	LMD180
Scenic Scandinavia & its Fjords	22-May 10	$3,499	$3,149	$350	LMD181

 

 

USA & Canad Tours

 

TOUR NAME	DEPARTING	WAS*	NOW*	SAVINGS*	PROMO CODE
Best of Canada's West	27-Apr 10	$2,250	$2,025	$225	LMDUSA172
Rockies Panorama (GoldLeaf)	28-Apr 10	$3,424	$3,089	$335	LMDUSA173
Rockies Panorama (RedLeaf)	28-Apr 10	$2,799	$2,159	$280	LMDUSA173
Best of Canada's West	04-May 10	$2,325	$2,090	$235	LMDUSA174
Hawaii Four Island Adventure- Moderate	21-May 10	$3,325	$2,990	$335	LMDUSA175M
Hawaii Four Island Adventure- Moderate	25-Jun 10	$3,325	$2,990	$335	LMDUSA175M
Hawaii Four Island Adventure- First Class	21-May 10	$3,525	$3,170	$355	LMDUSA175F
Hawaii Four Island Adventure- First Class	25-Jun 10	$3,525	$3,170	$355	LMDUSA175F
Hawaii Four Island Adventure- Premier	21-May 10	$3,875	$3,485	$390	LMDUSA175P
Hawaii Four Island Adventure- Premier	23-May 10	$3,875	$3,485	$390	LMDUSA175P
Route 66	22-May 10	$2,399	$2,159	$240	LMDUSA176
Hawaiian Explorer- Moderate	23-May 10	$2,085	$1,875	$210	LMDUSA177M
Hawaiian Explorer- Moderate	27-Jun 10	$2,085	$1,875	$210	LMDUSA177M
Hawaiian Explorer- First Class	23-May 10	$2,235	$2,010	$225	LMDUSA177F
Hawaiian Explorer- First Class	27-Jun 10	$2,235	$2,010	$225	LMDUSA177F
Hawaiian Explorer- Premier	23-May 10	$2,499	$2,249	$250	LMDUSA177P
Hawaiian Explorer- Premier	27-Jun 10	$2,499	$2,249	$250	LMDUSA177P
Best of Eastern Canada	28-May 10	$1,899	$1,709	$190	LMDUSA178