Travel Girls

Ireland, Here We Come!

/ Pam Goode / 8 Comments

I fly to Ireland on Monday.

Wait … Let me readjust that note … I FLY TO IRELAND ON MONDAY!!!

It’s not my first trip there, and in fact I’m on my TENTH visit now … because I just can’t get enough. And guess what? I’m 100% as excited as I was on the first trip.

As you can tell, Ireland will always have my heart.

And — oh yeah — we’re staying in a castle. A real-life, bells and whistles Castle. Seriously. And meals are included.

And it’s not just a Castle — aside from the monumental reality there — but a castle and quite a few other perks, and yes, I’m all atwitter and with good reason. Add in 200 acres of woodlands, and ohhh how that makes me swoon. Oh, and they feed us — and not just “food”, but a range of locally sourced delicacies like Spanish tapas, traditional Irish meals, Italian fire-cooked pizza, and vegetarian options. I won’t go hungry.

So back to those perks — We’ll have a class on Falconry (which would NEVER have occurred to me on my own), a Micro Mosaic Workshop with the fabulous and renowned Irish artist Olive Stack, a Group Collaboration on a Land-Art piece, traditional Irish music and story-telling, PLUS off-site excursions focusing on day-trips with Irish historian Ger Greaney to explore ancient Celtic sites, a stone circle, holy well, faery ring, and historic ruins; a full day in Listowel for exploring, shopping and exploring; and a day in beautiful Dingle to see artisan studios, galleries, ancient buildings, the Blasket Center, which preserves and honors the memories of the unique community that lived on the very remote Blasket Islands until their evacuation in 1953, and (of course) a bit of shopping.

FYI, we have TWO Spaces Available for Ireland (women only). We have a room with two twin beds that can be made into a King with a bathroom en suite, and two queen rooms with a hall bathroom. Our flights leave Monday, May 9 and return Sunday, May 16. Flights are not included. Let us know if you’d like details, and SEE YOU SOON!!!

IRELAND! The MOST Beautiful Country on the Planet

/ Pam Goode / 12 Comments 
I'm headed to Fabulous Ireland in a few months, and you know what? It's like I've come home. I'm not even there yet, but I already feel Ireland everywhere around me, and it feels So Good. Getting back to Ireland soothes me, excites me, influences me and changes me in every way, and I'm not the only one -- I pretty much hear the same words from everyone I pass. Honestly, I don't think I've ever known anyone who doesn't love Ireland. Are there any? I don't think so. 

And the best news is that Laura and I have two spaces open for May, and a plethora of opportunities to fall in love with Ireland's Magic. We'd love to have you join us the week of May 9 - May 16. Trust me -- you won't want to leave. And hey, that's okay too.

If that sounds good to you but you need a few lessons in getting your engine started, Laura and I are here to help.

We'll be staying in the gorgeous Springfield Castle shown below, and we have two spaces available. Better grab 'em!


NOTE: EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED IN THIS PRICE (All Meals, Excursions, Entertainment) EXCEPT your flight to and from Ireland, alcoholic beverages, 2 lunches, and any private outings you arrange.

AGAIN, WE HAVE ONLY TWO SPACES AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO SPEND A GLORIOUS WEEK IN A GLORIOUS CASTLE AND EXPLORE THE BEAUTY AND WONDER OF IRELAND!

And just in case you’re wondering why I keep going back to Ireland at every opportunity, well, maybe you can guess…. Because I love it? Yes. Because it feeds me? Yes. Because it changes me? Yes.

Getting back to Ireland soothes me, excites me, influences me and changes me in every way, and I’m not the only one — I pretty much hear the same words from everyone I pass. Honestly, I’ve never known anyone who doesn’t love Ireland. Are there any? I don’t think so.

If that sounds good to you but you need a few lessons in getting your engine started, Laura and I are here to help.

A Fabulous Morning at Barcelona Cooking

/ Pam Goode / 4 Comments

A FABULOUS time at Barcelona Cooking: Walking to class on La Rambla; Prepping veggies and making stock; teaching a handful of kids who were VERY eager and VERY good how to make creme brulee, including the torch; super duper burners!; setting up the first course — soup with flowers and tomato bread; working on the Spanish Omelet; Paella; and a group of very happy girls.

All in all we learned to make paella, Spanish omelette, tomato bread, crema catalana, and sangria. Perfect for those interested in cooking with organic and local produce.