..to get away.
This weekend I’m going on a mini-holiday. A quick weekend getaway out of the city. Where am I going you ask? Up to the far northwestern corner of the country to Donegal? Not this time. Down to the dramatic cliffs of the Ring of Kerry? I might wait until spring to plan that one.
Friday evening after work I’m heading only 30-minutes south of Dublin to Powerscourt in Wicklow – the Garden of Ireland. On assignment for Luxury Travel Magazine, my country escape will bring me to the Ritz Carlton, Powerscourt. All week I’ve been dreaming of river walks, an afternoon spin on a bicycle, and of course – the spa. I’m hoping the weather will cooperate – but if it doesn’t – spending more time in the spa isn’t a bad consolation prize.
To top my weekend off, this hotel is home to the only Gordon Ramsay restaurant in all of Ireland. I’ll work up my appetite with Saturday afternoon activities and then sit down to a meal where local ingredients are showcased in (hopefully!) new and interesting ways. And all this with the beautiful Sugar Loaf mountain as a backdrop.
Sometimes my travel dreams are big dreams (the Maldives, the trans-Siberian railroad..) and sometimes, it’s nice to get out of the city and arrive at your destination in less time than it took to pack.
What are your favorite escapes close to home? Share your thoughts with fellow travelers below – and be sure to check back for my full report of what promises to be a fantastic five-star weekend.
