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.

If you have a special destination or hotel in mind, they often reserve their best deals for special customers. Even if you’ve never stayed at the hotel, you can become a ‘special customer’ by signing up to receive their e-newsletter. An e-mail including exclusive offers is only sent to a limited clientele, and can contain significant savings.

To date, one of the best assignments I’ve been sent on was to Sheen Falls Lodge in Co Kerry, Ireland. After a weekend spent lingering over a gourmet brunch, sitting by one of the crackling fires, or taking a hike on the extensive grounds – I immediately signed up to receive their e-newsletter. Whenever I feel like I need to get out of the city – this country escape is the first thing that comes to mind.

I just received one of these e-newsletters from Sheen Falls, and it has a spectacular deal for December. This winter package is for 2 nights accommodation, a decadent brunch each morning, dinner for two one evening in the gourmet restaurant La Cascade, and a deluxe room for 2 – all for 495 euro. This is incredible value for the 5-star Relais & Chateaux retreat.

The hospitality, warmth, and country-retreat feel of Sheen Falls has been calling me back since I first visited last February. Maybe I’ll see you there this December…