19 May 2023

Nashville had been on my wish list for forever so when I was invited to go I was over the moon! We flew out to Nashville with British Airway, one stop via London Heathrow. Terminal 5 was a dream, easy transfer between flights. Onboard our seats were in World Traveller Plus which is their Premium Economy product. I was really impressed with the wider seats; legroom and it was great to have a separate cabin. Of course, you also get little extra’s like an amenity kit, pillow, blanket, meals and complimentary bar service which were all excellent. Really friendly staff and the on-demand entertainment onboard made the 9-hour flight fly by. On arrival at Nashville airport, we cleared immigration within 30 mins and heading out to see the sun set over the city skyline. We stayed at the Hutton Hotel, located steps away from Nashville’s Music Row. Such a lovely vibe to this hotel with live music in the lobby and friendly staff. Room was good size, comfortable and Fab Bathroom (I like my bathrooms). You are talking about a 25 Min walk to Broadway which is nice as you can relax after a day/night out at Broadway! Within walking Distance from the Hutton Hotel, we took a Tour @ RCA Studio B where Elvis recorded over 200 of his songs and the Steinway Piano, he played which still sits in the studio. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this, but it was really special listening to our guide tell us about the magic that was created in this studio. Next was a Tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame located in downtown Nashville, for country music fans it’s a must do with an unrivalled collection of historically important artifacts. You could spend hours walking around this huge museum. I was super excited about our Tour @Ryman Auditorium as I was a big fan of the Nashville Tv Show so I thought it was cool to see and to discover some of the current and past legends that have played here with the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Mumford and Sons, and Tom Petty in recent years. Another venue which was on my wish list and I was so thrilled to find out we were going, was the Grand Ole Opry. The Grand Ole Opry is the live performance showcase that features today’s country music stars, superstars, and rising stars all on one stage, every week in Music City. It is the longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history on WSM Radio. It was a great show and we had a bit of VIP Experience which gave us access to the Circle room which is limited to 100 guests with complimentary drinks and nibbles, and we also got a visit from an Opry Performer which was a real personal experience. My favourite Museum on our itinerary was the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. This is the one and only museum in the world that honours the talented musicians who played on the some of the greatest recordings of all time. So many stories you may never have heard before, it was fascinating. There is also an interactive area where you can sing, play drums, guitar and bring out the Rock star in you. We also visited Bell Meade Historic Site & Winery which was home to English Derby winner Iroquois and was renowned as a thoroughbred stud farms one of the premier thoroughbred racing and breeding farms in the South, Belle Meade was always the centre of hospitality—today that tradition continues. In November 2009 Belle Meade opened the only winery in Nashville and they offer complimentary wine tastings after each tour. The Blueberry dessert wine was Fab! Nightlife is not only at Night, Music spills out onto the streets of Broadway from 11am in the morning with roof top bars with live music on 3 levels, Its not all country, but music for all tastes. So many talented Musicians, singers and songwriters live in Music City, so you can experience some amazing intimate events in venues such as the Listening Room Café and The Local bar, a must add to your itinerary in Nashville! We really packed in a lot in our 3-night trip and still didn’t get to experience it all, so I will be back Nashville, such a special place… GO!

17 June 2022

A formula one trip with the kids is not your usual sporting event to enjoy with the family, but when the kids are invested into the sport as much as the adults, it’s a perfect holiday. We surprised our kids, by driving to the airport without them knowing they were going on a plane, and off we flew into Barcelona. We stayed 40 minutes north of Barcelona in a beautiful campsite called Camping Enmar in the small resort of Pineda de Mar. Pineda de Mar sits in between the larger and busier resorts of Calella and Santa Susanna in the Costa Brava region of Spain. We landed in Barcelona on Tuesday so we had a few days before the race weekend kicked off. To our surprise, we discovered that the circuit de Barcelona were having a free pit walk for anyone with weekend tickets on the Thursday evening. Our base in Pineda de Mar was only 35 mins drive to the circuit, so we packed the car with the kids and off we went. We enjoyed a little bit of shopping in the busy town of Mataro on route and arrived at the circuit for the Thursday afternoon and joined the excited fans in the queue to enter the pit lane walk. It was the first experience of a circuit for the kids and to add in walking down the pit lane watching the mechanics at action with some of the drivers making an appearance, it was amazing for all. Soon we were back in the car and before long having a swim in the pool back at Camping Enmar. We had the weekend general admission tickets, so made the most of them and travelled up to the circuit all 3 days. Practice on Friday, same again Saturday for qualifying and then the race itself on Sunday. The Friday and Saturday is a good time to experience the Fan Zone and even the Grandstand without the larger crowds. The Fan Zone allows you to experience racing simulators, pit stop challenges, driver interviews and team merchandise and lots more. General admission ticket holders can use any grandstand on the Friday only. We were also able to check out the different viewing points that we could use to view the race on Sunday. We had an early start on Sunday morning with gates opening at 7am. Traffic was notable heaver, but a large police present meant it flowed very well. We parked up and arrived at entrance gate for 9 but we were amazed at the numbers already at their viewing points. We found a good spot and settled down for the day ahead. Race day was a hot one but there were super facilities at the Kids Zone to entertain the children, bouncy castle, outdoor games, and crafts and this got us out of the sun for a bit too. We were well prepared with our freezer bag stocked with ice cold drinks and snacks. The race itself was very exciting and a great experience for the kids to see the drivers and cars up close. To top off this amazing holiday, we even managed a day trip into Barcelona before our later evening flight back to Dublin. So, if you are a family who love the formula one and would like to experience it, I couldn’t recommend Barcelona enough. It’s a short flight from Dublin with loads of amazing resorts to stay and enjoy before or after the grand prix. It’s also one of the cheaper F1 tickets on the calendar. The circuit management has some work to do, improving the waiting times and queues but I’m sure that will be done. And yes, Formula one and kids do mix! Next up for us is Monza…….

21 March 2022

When someone asks you for a North American City break, the request normally centres around the obvious and more popular cities like New York, Boston, or Chicago. Throw in Washington and I can assure you; it won’t disappoint. My husband and I set off on a 3-night short stay on the direct Aer Lingus flight into Washington Dulles. We stayed in the wonderful “The Dupont Circle”, which is part of the Doyle Collection of hotels. The transfer from the Airport was only 40 minutes, but it was at this stage where you get a real sense of the history associated to the city as you past through many famous landmarks and monuments. We had an action-packed weekend planned and started off with a pre-booked tour of the Pentagon which was amazing and surreal. Tours need to be booked at least 14 days in advance and you need to apply, and the best thing is, it’s FREE! Speaking of free, NO city provides as many world-class activities for free as Washington DC and has adopted a tagline of “The Capital of free things to do”. As with all city breaks, I can’t recommend enough the Hop on, Hop off bus tours to give you the bearings of the city, In Washington, you have two routes with the black bus route visiting all the major landmarks such as Arlington Cemetery, the pentagon, Lincoln Memorial, and the list goes on. The red route is centred around downtown and visits some of the interesting suburbs such as Georgetown & Columbia Heights. We also had a pre-booked tour of Capitol Hill which did not disappoint and unfortunately when we were visiting the White house tours were not running. Also, touring the National Mall was amazing which is just full of monuments, memorials, and museums, including the famous Lincoln and Jefferson memorials and the popular National Museum of African American History and Culture. Speaking of museums, Washington DC, has over 70 to explore including the world-famous Smithsonian collection. And yes, you guessed it, Free! Washington has so much to offer for a short 3–4-night break with an action-packed itinerary including numerous museums, tours, attractions, and all for free. I really could not recommend Washington enough. It’s an amazing city full of history, with so much to do and you don’t need a large budget because most of it is free, but you need to plan in advance. Reach out for some recommendations and tips and I promise, it won’t disappoint. T 045 392110 M 089 6001742 E celine.rooney@travelcounsellors.com

15 March 2022

I was very lucky to be able to experience a beauty at sea onboard MSC’s ship Bellissima. She is one of the latest in the Meragavilia class ships for MSC and boy does she give meaning to her name, Beautiful. This ship has something for everyone but is especially for families. Kids club’s range from babies to teens and MSC have partnered up with Lego which is a huge hit with all ages. There are so many activities to choose from including bowling, a multi-sports court, four pools and my personal favourite, the Arizona Aquapark. There is also a high wire for those brave enough to take on the heights. Also, for the Formula One fans, MSC Bellissima has two virtual simulators for you to enjoy. The Bellissima offers so much entertainment with so much to do throughout your cruise duration. After all the entertainment, you are sure to build up a hunger and the Bellissima does not disappoint. With a choice of 12 dining venues and 20 bars to choose from. You can experience Michelin Star food by the renowned Spanish chef Ramon Freixa, or experience the wonderful Kaito Teppanyaki restaurant and sushi bar, where you can enjoy the food freshly prepared right in front of you. Chocolate lovers are in for a massive treat with Jean Phillipe Maury chocolate café where you can customize your own chocolate bar…. Yummy! And if that isn’t enough, Chef Maury is also the creator of gourmet ice cream parlour and creperie on the promenade. The Central Promenade is the heart of the ship, where you will find, boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. I recommend grabbing a coffee or tea and look up, where you will see the entire ceiling covered by a giant LED screen. Transmitting digital skies, from sunrises, sunsets, and starry nights. The Promenade also comes to life at night, with music, parties, and entertainment. Speaking of entertainment, I thought that Cirque du soleil at Sea was fantastic and all the evening entertainment was top class. I didn’t get a lot of time to visit the Aurea Spa, but they have plenty of relaxing treatments to revitalise your body and soul. The Beauty Salon and nail bar I did visit, and it was such a lovely experience, you feel pampered and ready to party. MSC Bellissima is an amazing ship, and I can highly recommend it. If you are interested in finding out more or have other holiday plans in mind, please get in touch as I can help create an unforgettable experience for you and your family. Sound wonderful? Give me call and let me help you arrange an amazing trip.

10 March 2022

After the hustle and bustle, the mayhem and mischief, the stress and laughter’s, we all need a break just after Christmas. My husband and I together with our two young kids decided to head off to the beautiful sunny Canary Island of Fuerteventura on the 27th of December. Before you even packed the car for the airport you sense how excited everyone is to get a holiday this time of the year. It was particularly exciting because the pandemic had prevented us from getting away for over 16 months. Regardless of where you are going, it really is a wonderful time to get away. The airport security was exceptionally busy but not unexpected. However, once we got through security, I was surprised about how quiet the airport felt. We had a lunchtime departure from Dublin for our 4hour 20mins flight to Fuerteventura, which meant we arrived early evening into about 15-16 degrees of heat. We stayed at the 4-star Elba Carlota Beach Resort in a Junior Suite on an all-inclusive basis. Having only 15 minute transfer from the Airport is such a luxury. It’s difficult to explore the full amenities of any hotel when you arrive in the evening, but first impressions was very good. We received a very warm welcome, checked in very quickly and shown to our room. Our room was one of only 4 junior suites with sea views and a large balcony. Décor was a little old fashioned and you could see it needed some refurbishments, but the space, view and balcony made up for it. The next morning, we got to explore the hotel some more, with its spacious pool area with 2 large pools (one cold and one heated), jacuzzi and kid’s pool. Lots of sports facilities including kids’ clubs, playground, tennis courts and daytime activities around the pool. The food on the all-inclusive board was as you would expect, buffet style, the desserts being everyone’s favourite. The highlight of the week was on New Year’s Eve, the hotel put on a show. We took the short 15 mins walk along the promenade towards the town for the yearly Fireworks beach display and welcomed the New Year. The Elba Carlota is around 15/20 mins walk into the town (Tip.. when walking into the Harbour, walk along the beach instead of the promenade. Much nicer and quicker!). It’s very small resort with a number of restaurants (I recommend the Restaurante la Bodeguita which is located in the Centro Commercial El Castillo area), shops, cafes and duty-free perfume shops. The Elba Carlota along with the 5-star Sheridan is located beside the Atlanticó shopping centre which has a larger number of designer stores, supermarket, bowling alley and more restaurants. We had a wonderful time on this trip, but on reflection, a lot was down to the time of the year. We do plan to revisit Fuerteventura sometime soon, but we will certainly be travelling again, this time of year! It’s just the tonic we all needed after Christmas.

03 May 2022

New York city never disappoints me, and it became a special destination for me and my family when I got married in Central Park in 2018. There is so much to see and do all year round in New York, but a really great time to come with kids is around thanksgiving which is the fourth Thursday in November. You have the amazing Macy’s thanksgiving parade which is a real spectacle and not to be missed. However, do plan your viewing point and get to it early to avoid disappointment. The floats are amazing, and the kids will just love it. On top of the parade, you and the family can enjoy the brilliant Winter Village at Bryant Park, which has a great holiday spirit to it, and you can all get your skates on and enjoy the rink. If you really enjoy the ice-skating, then don’t forgot the large rink in Central Park also. The Rockefeller centre also has a rink at this time of year, but we always felt this one was very busy and would be the smallest of them all. However, you should visit the Rockefeller centre with the kids for the Tree lighting ceremony which takes place the Wednesday after thanksgiving. Other things to do during thanksgiving weekend include the Macy’s holiday windows and the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights, home to the most over-the-top Christmas light decorations located in Brooklyn. Of course, you can’t always visit New York during thanksgiving, but don’t be disappointed because there is so much to see and do all year round. As with all city breaks, I highly recommend a hop-on hop-off bus tour to get your bearings, but with New York you get to experience the sheer size, but a point to note, depending on route and time of the day, you can be stuck in traffic a lot! New York bus companies normally offer two tours, with one exploring downtown and the other doing uptown and they normally meet in and around Times Square. I would recommend getting a 3-day ticket which gives you that flexibility to hop off at the attractions you want. With so much to see and do, it’s impossible to get it all in within 1 or 2 days. With that in mind, I decided to list my top ten attractions to visit with kids. 1. 9/11 Memorial Museum. If your kids are like mine and externally inquisitive, then the 9/11 Memorial Museum is a must visit. Top tip- Give yourself plenty of time and make sure your kids are well fed before you enter. 2. One World Observatory – New York has loads of observatory decks to enjoy, but with Kids, I believe the One World Observatory as the best to cater for kids. Top tip – Have the camera ready at all times. 3. The Pancakes – You can’t go to New York and not enjoy the pancakes in one of the many New York’s famous diners. Top tip – Check out Juniors Restaurant and Bakey in Broadway. 4. The Ice Rink – Depending on the time of year, but for the kids, I would highly recommend Byrant Park for ice skating, but also remember the rink at Rockefeller Centre stays open right up to April. Top tip –Make sure all the family participate! 5. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum – An excellent couple of hours entertainment for the little ones. Top tip –Combine this visit with a sightseeing cruise trip as departs from same location! 6. Sightseeing Cruise – We took a sightseeing cruise from Pier 83 beside the Intrepid Museum, which allows you to see the most famous NYC Landmarks on both the Hudson and East Rivers, plus a breath-taking view of the Manhattan skyline. Top tip –Take you cruise in the afternoon, so you can experience the amazing skyline under lights. 7. Central Park – You can’t visit New York with kids and not visit Central Park. You of course have the zoo and depending on season, you can have boat rides on the lake, ice skating, swimming at Lasker pool, fishing at the Meer or just have fun on the Central Park Carousel. Top tip – Avoid, the horse and carriagerides as they are expensive, and you don’t get to experience much of the park. 8. American Museum of Natural History – If its Dinosaurs, whales, and elephants your kids are interested in, then the American Museum of Natural History is a must visit. On the west side of central park, the museum is home to the largest collection of dinosaur fossils in the world. Top tip – Give yourself plenty of time, its huge! 9. Food – You must enjoy and experience the famous foods of New York. I have already talked about the pancakes, but there is more. New York classic Pizza’s, amazing ice-cream shops, cheesecake, New York-style bagel’s, pretzels, fried chicken and of course let’s not forget the famous Magnolia bakery. Top tip – Start the diet when you return home. 10. Sightseeing Pass – Check out the many different types of sightseeing passes available before you travel. Depending on your planned itinerary and the attractions you are visiting, these passes can save you up to 50%. Top tip – Drop me a line before you travel, and I will recommend the best pass for your itinerary.