Some Amazing Castles in Ireland

So, recently I've been working on a fantastic project for a guy who is hoping to surprise his wife and daughter with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Ireland. His daughter is "in the height of her princess phase" and staying in a castle is going to be a dream-come-true for her! They're also going to celebrate his wife's birthday, hence the big surprise. It's been so fun to plan with this client. His enthusiasm and love for his family are so energizing. I've loved getting to scheme with him! So far, we've settled on two different castles in the west of Ireland. Check these out...

Adare Manor, Adare, County Limerick: http://www.adaremanor.com/

"Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort is a self-contained vacation destination steeped in the mythical history of an ancient Irish Manor. Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort in Limerick, Ireland is a modern playground in ancient surroundings. Housed in an impressive 18th-century Gothic style Manor House rich in history and beauty, the hotel is an architectural masterpiece of towers, turrets, and stonework amidst carefully sculptured gardens and ancient ruins. Perched along the River Maigue, this once private and opulent manor has been lovingly transformed into a premier luxury resort that maintains the mystery and intrigue of times gone by. Stroll through hallways of original stone and wood; gaze upwards into soaring ceilings, and live like a king (or queen) in this castle-like setting. Whether dining in the romantic and sophisticated Oakroom Restaurant after enjoying a pre-dinner drink on the garden patio, being pampered in the Manor's spa treatment rooms, or teeing off at the Robert Trent Jones Sr. championship golf course, the Adare Manor caters to all tastes and desires, from casual to extravagant."

Ashford Castle, Cong, County Mayo: http://www.ashford.ie/

"Ancient history meets a modern luxury hotel. Located on the shores of Lough Corrib, the Ashford Castle is a haven of comfort and elegance for travellers.The Ashford Castle is a visual feast. A luxury hotel with the charm and dignity of its original architecture, it astonishes visitors at every turn. Waterford chandeliers and rococo gilt mirrors around one bend. A carved Dante looking benignly down from a side wall. All surrounded by water, gardens, and forests - a setting that hasn't changed for hundreds of years. Guests are provided with exquisite rooms and suites, each individually designed with antiques, marble fittings, and sumptuous fabrics and furnishings. Follow the centuries-old tradition and enjoy a candlelit dinner in the privacy and comfort of your room. Or dine on a seven-course meal in the George "V" dining room. (A family favorite is traditional Sunday lunch, where the Sunday joint is carved from the trolley at your table.) For an equally traditional Irish experience, quaff a beer in the Dungeon Bar, or step back in time and learn the art of falconry in the beauty of the countryside."

The other thing that's amazing about these properties is that they cater to kids. The Ashford Castle offers kid-size bathrobes, slippers and a teddy bear to make them feel more at home. Adare Manor offers kid-friendly activities like picnics in the garden and even hot air balloon rides!

This is certainly going to be an amazing trip. I feel so blessed that I get to be a part of the planning process!

Dreaming of Romance in Bali

What a great week it's been for Golden Key. I've had the privilege of planning a honeymoon in Bali! My clients are adventurous and looking for an unforgettably romantic experience. In addition to booking the couple's accommodation at the ultra-luxury Viceroy Bali Hotel, I found some incredible romantic dining experiences offered at another hotel. They can choose from a champagne breakfast on the terrace overlooking the rice patties, a sultry jungle picnic or my favorite, the 'Secret Romantic Dinner': 

"Enjoy a romantic dinner at a secret location deep in the jungle. Illuminated by the gentle glow of oil lamps, your private waiter will host the perfect evening. After dessert, enjoy a leisurely walk through the rain-forest to the holy water temple, where a priest will perform a purification ritual. End this magical night with a foot massage at our riverside bamboo deck."

Sounds divine, right?! After a day of exploring the artisan market of Ubud and taking a bike ride through the countryside, this couple will share an intimate private dinner in one of the most romantic places on Earth.

The Viceroy Bali.

Romantic candlelit dinner in paradise.

Photo Friday: Malololailai, Fiji

I've seen a lot of sunsets on my travels around the world, but hands down, the best ones I've ever seen were in Fiji. They were absolutely otherworldly and my husband and I made each one an event. We were staying on a sleepy island called Malololailai. Every day was the same: sleep in, late, quick breakfast, swimming in pool, lazy lunch on the terrace overlooking the ocean, snorkeling in the afternoon, a shower, and then we'd set up our beach chairs to take in nature's greatest show...

The scene was set on our island paradise.

Spectacular!

It was like stepping into a painting. 

I will never forget these sunsets. Fiji is one of the most romantic places I have ever been. It would make an amazing honeymoon destination!

Photo Friday: Costa Rica

If you're interested in wild jungle adventures and fantastic wildlife watching, then Costa Rica is the place for you. Rugged, almost impassable roads lead to a slew of rare bird and animal sightings. My husband and I took a week-long road trip across the country last year and here were the best parts...

Hiking waterfalls near Lake Arenal.

The surf scene near Jaco.

One of my favorite things about Costa Rica was the amazing breakfasts: fresh pineapple, fried plantains, gallo pinto and whole wheat toast with guava jelly. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it...

The roads were pretty rough, but the treasures at the end made the jostling all worth it!

Waking up to a burp from Volcan Arenal. 

CR is a bird watchers paradise. 

So many miles of empty coastline...a perfect place to get lost with your lover.

Taking in a sunset at Calle Caletas. 

 Uh oh!

 This photo was not taken with a zoom - they really were this close!

There were monkeys all over the jungle at the 

Manuel Antonio National Park.

Costa Rica is a great introduction to Central America. If you're ready for an adventure filled with jungles, beaches and wildlife, let Golden Key plan you an unforgettable trip!

As if you needed more motivation to go to France...

The most visited country in the world wants you to come on over! 

They received 78.6 million tourists last year, but this summer the government of France launched a new tourism campaign called "Rendez-Vous en France" to rebrand itself as a welcoming nation. Unfortunately, the French have gotten a reputation in the past for being arrogant and inaccessible, but now they're really reaching out to visitors. They have a lot to be proud of in their country and they hope to share it with you! 

Check out their new website and be inspired: http://int.rendezvousenfrance.com/en.

Golden Key would love to help you discover why France is the most visited country in the world. Contact us today and get started planning your dream vacation!

Wide Open Spaces

To me, there is something utterly enchanting about wide open spaces. The fresh air, the expansiveness in all directions, the peace of being the only one for miles...it's all achingly romantic to me. Maybe it's that old Dixie Chick song that started it...

In fact, I write this post from one of the most remote places in the continental United States: Olympic National Park in Northwestern Washington. I'm here for a few days, checking out the sights and laying low. And I must say, I am relishing being this engulfed in nature and solitude. (More on my solo trip to come in future posts...)

So, while browsing my favorite travel blogs today, I came across an interesting list of The World's 10 Most Uninhabited Countries. They are:

1. Greenland (a territory of Denmark) with a jaw-dropping 0.069 people per square mile! For reference, the United States has approximately 76 people per square mile.
2. Falkland Islands (a territory of the United Kingdom)
3. Mongolia
4. Western Sahara
5. French Guiana
6. Namibia
7. Australia
8. Iceland
9. Suriname
10. Mauritania

It should be no surprise to me that I have been to or am planning on visiting 4 of top 10 most empty countries on Earth!  Top on my list to visit are Iceland, Greenland and Namibia. I mean, who wouldn't want to see this:

Iceland.

Namibia.

If you're like me and you love wide open spaces, think about letting Golden Key plan your next adventure. Let the wandering commence!

A little wanderlust inspiration for your hump-day viewing pleasure...

This incredible video (1 of 3) was recently created by 3 guys, in 44 days, in 11 countries, after 18 flights and 38 thousand miles, with 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage...if this doesn't make you want to travel, nothing will!

Bucket List Inspiration

In case, shark diving isn't your thing, I found this page with the list of Unesco's 25 latest additions to their canon of World Heritage Sites. This brings the grand total to 936. We've got a lot of traveling to do!

Some of my favorites for your wanderlust inspiration...

Marrakesh, Morocco.

Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Angkor, Cambodia.

San Gimignano, Italy.

Jungfrau, Switzerland.

Shark Bay, Western Australia.

The Greatest Adventure of My Life

August has always been one of my favorite times of the year. Long, sunny days, cookouts with friends, warm ocean temperatures...and best of all, Shark Week on the Discovery Channel! For as long as I can remember, I have been utterly fascinated by sharks. Sure, they are the world's most perfect honed killers, but I find them to be incredibly mysterious and beautiful. Given this passion for sharks, my ultimate bucket list adventure would be to swim in a shark cage in South Africa. I'm talking about the prime location to see "Air Jaws:" seal island! I think being able to be in the water and see these majestic animals breach as they hunt seals would be such a rush. I can't wait until the day when I can make this dream a reality! Until then, I can dream...

 My ultimate adventure.

"Air Jaws" in action.

I get it...Perhaps this isn't your idea of fun. I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be a bit terrorized in the presence of a 15-foot great white shark! So, maybe your dream is to skydive in New Zealand or go white water rafting down the Zambezi river. Or maybe you prefer more tame bucket list activities like going to the top of the Eiffel Tower or dancing the tango in Argentina. Whatever your dream is, I hope someday to help you plan your ultimate adventure!