Gadling

St. Brendan: Did An Irish Monk Come To America Before Columbus?

Sean McLachlan — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: History, Learning, Europe, North America, Iceland, Ireland, Canada, United States

Today is St. Brendan's feast day. To the Irish, St. Brendan needs no introduction. For those less fortunate in their birth, let me tell you that he may have been Ireland's first adventure traveler.

Saint Brendan was an Irish holy man who lived from 484 to 577 AD. Little is known about his life, and even his entry in the Catholic Encyclopedia is rather short. What we do know about him mostly comes from a strange tale called "the Voyage of St Brendan the Navigator," written down in the ninth century and rewritten with various changes in several later manuscripts.

It's an account of a seven-year journey he and his followers took across the Atlantic, where they met Judas sitting on a rock, landed on what they thought was an island only to discover it was a sea monster, were tempted by a mermaid, and saw many other strange and wondrous sights. They got into lots of danger, not the least from some pesky devils, but the good Saint Brendan used his holy might to see them through.

They eventually landed on the fabled Isle of the Blessed far to the west of Ireland. This is what has attracted the attention of some historians. Could the fantastic tale hide the truth that the Irish came to America a thousand years before Columbus?

Sadly, there's no real evidence for that. While several eager researchers with more imagination than methodology have claimed they've found ancient Irish script or that places like Mystery Hill are Irish settlements, their claims fall down under scrutiny.

But, as believers like to say, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, and there are some tantalizing clues that hint the Irish really did journey across the sea in the early Middle Ages. It's firmly established that Irish monks settled in the Faroe Islands in the sixth century. The Faroes are about halfway between Scotland and Iceland. Viking sagas record that when they first went to settle Iceland in the late ninth century, they found Irish monks there. There are also vague references in the Viking sagas and in medieval archives in Hanover hinting that Irish monks made it to Greenland too.

Gallery: The Voyage of St. Brendan

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St. Brendan: Did An Irish Monk Come To America Before Columbus? originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 16 May 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Once Upon a Time in the Wee Small Hours of Ireland

Jill Paris — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Ireland

Agusti Curto Calbet, the Night Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt, in County Wicklow, Ireland, arrived to work for his midnight shift on a cold February evening. Ordinarily, during his scheduled time at the five-star luxury hotel, a guest might phone in for a wake-up reminder, the arrangement of an early morning taxi, or perhaps a bottle of champagne for a romantic interlude. But, as the young Spaniard was about to discover, this fated night was about to become anything but ordinary.

A woman staying in one of the Mountain View Suites with her husband rang the Reception desk after 2:00 a.m. in a most agitated state.

"I hate to bother you at this late hour, but a very valuable item of mine has disappeared from my room!"

"I'm so sorry to hear that Madame," he replied. "What does it look like?"

Whatever it is, he thought, it surely must be priceless.

"It's a small, white Teddy Bear," she explained in between sobs. "One of its button-eyes is slightly broken and...and...it's irreplaceable! I've carried it with me for over 35 years!"

As her voice faded into low sniffles, the 30-year-old Night Manager kept the lady calm and assured her all would be well.

"Where did you see it last?" he asked.

"It was on the bed. Maybe it went astray when the room was cleaned today?"

Agusti told her that the stuffed animal couldn't have gone far and that every effort would be made to retrieve it.

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Once Upon a Time in the Wee Small Hours of Ireland originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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7 Great Hotels Where You Can Cook Like a Local

McLean Robbins — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Food and Drink, Asia, Europe, North America, Austria, Ireland, Mexico, Hotels and Accommodations, Luxury Travel

One of the best parts about a vacation? The food. We love trying local delicacies and adding to our recipe books with tips and techniques learned from our travels. Immerse yourself in native cuisine with these seven great cooking experiences that combine luxury travel with fun, hands-on cooking classes.

Time to Thai in Bangkok
Learn traditional Thai cooking in Bangkok at Lebua. You'll cook a five-course meal with a Thai chef in this three-hour class taught in both English and Thai for the exceptionally affordable rate of $160 per person. Combine it with an overnight at this all-suite luxury property for a true one-of-a-kind experience.

Game & Guinness in Ireland
Fish for wild trout and learn to make homemade chowder at the Guinness family's 18th C estate-turned-hotel in Cong, Ireland.

Green Gardening in Jordan
Garden alongside locals at the bio-garden at Radisson Blu Tala Bay Resort in Aqaba Jordan, then learn to cook traditional Jordan dishes like Mansaff (roast lamb in a saffron yogurt sauce) using the fruits of your labor.

Shopping and Tapas in Barcelona
Shop Barcelona's legendary Boqueria with Spanish Chef Roberto Holz, then prepare a Mediterranean lunch at Hotel Arts Barcelona.

Surf n' Seafood in Nevis
"Dive and dine" for your own spiny lobster at Four Seasons Nevis, then prepare it at a traditional Caribbean barbecue.

Food Safari in Australia
Discovery the bounty of Australia's Kangaroo Island at Southern Ocean Lodge. The hotel hosts an annual KI Food Safari. Activities during the six-day journey will include hands-on classes with the island's purveyors, who operate on a mostly small scale, sustainable and personal basis while tasting the unique products straight from the source.

Say Olé in Mexico
Learn the secrets behind perfect salsa, ceviche and more at one or three-day cooking classes (shown in the photo, above) at the luxurious Capella Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We'd suggest the three-day class - it includes a trip to a local farmers market.

7 Great Hotels Where You Can Cook Like a Local originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vagabond Tales: Everyone wants to stay in a castle, even presidents

Kyle Ellison — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Stories, Europe, Ireland, Hotels and Accommodations, Luxury Travel

I doubt there is anyone in the world that, if given the chance, wouldn't want to stay in a castle.

It's a shame that modern architecture has strayed away from castles, because there are few structures that possess the innate ability to be stoic yet romantic, welcoming and yet terrifying all at the same time. Castles conjure images of a bygone time of messengers on horseback, swords in stones, and fantastical mystery and lore.

They are the realm of princesses, knights, and royalty who swap principalities, fiefdoms, and duchies all with a flick of the wrist, a gnaw on an oversized drumstick, and a quaff from a jewel encrusted goblet, most likely made of solid gold. These are the people who spend nights in castles.

And now, apparently, so can you.

While planning a road trip across the northwestern reaches of Ireland, I stumbled upon a site like no other I had ever seen before: Celtic Castles -- an entire site devoted to helping you live like a medieval badass while making your journey across England, Wales, Scotland, France, or Ireland.

Plus, they were offering steep discounts, which brought the price just low enough to make a one night stay a feasible splurge.

For those who have never visited the Emerald Isle, there are few places more stunning than the forested and perpetually soggy reaches of Connemara, the region located in the island's northwestern corner. Connemara is the type of place where you throw on a flannel shirt and enjoy a hot cup of seafood chowder in a pub made of gloriously dark wood. Maybe have a Guinness, sit by a window, and watch the mist roll over the golden slopes of the Twelve Bens.

The only thing that would make it more perfect would be if you were wearing that flannel, drinking that Guinness, and eating that chowder from the cozy confines of a restored 18th century castle. Oh, and maybe if you were staying in a room that once housed a former U.S. president.

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Vagabond Tales: Everyone wants to stay in a castle, even presidents originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10 free things to do in Dublin, Ireland

Jessica Festa — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Hiking, History, Learning, Photos, Europe, Ireland, Budget Travel

With the big St. Patrick's Day festival in Dublin, Ireland, coming up it's likely that people traveling to Dublin in the near future should expect to bring lots of extra cash. Although you may need to splurge on food and festivities, there are ways to help you save money on other aspects of your trip. To help Dublin travelers make their trips as budget-friendly as possible, here are ten free things to do in the city.

Stroll through the National Botanic Gardens

The National Botanic Gardens is home to various plants as well as serene woodland settings, lush trees, romantic bridges, and peaceful ponds that make for enjoyable scenery on a midday stroll. To help expand your knowledge of flora even further, programming that includes discussions, workshops, and films is available to the public. Furthermore, every Sunday visitors can take a free guided walking tour at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

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10 free things to do in Dublin, Ireland originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10 Etsy shops from around the world

Elizabeth Seward — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Kenya, India, Japan, Singapore, Ireland, Switzerland, United States, New Zealand, Argentina, Internet Tools, Caribbean

With all of the Etsy shops out there, how are you supposed to know which shops to peruse and potentially support? While it's a good thing to be supporting independent, local, self-made, all-natural, and/or struggling artists, it's a difficult thing to know where to start. So here's some advice, fellow travelers of the world: start with the Etsy shops that bring different regions of the world to your shopping window. Start with the Etsy shops that can transport you into another culture with a single browsing. Start with the Etsy shops that allow you to bring home goods with a flare from your favorite places if you can't always be getting on a plane to travel to those places and bring home the goods yourself. Need some inspiration? Here's a list of 10 Etsy shops from around the world, 10 personal favorites. This should help get you started.

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10 Etsy shops from around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Collect virtual passport stamps with VisaStamper

Meg Nesterov — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Antarctica, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Internet Tools, Middle East, Central America, Caribbean

It's a favorite ritual for many travelers to leaf through their passport (often while waiting in an immigration line), reminiscing on each stamp and the destination it represents. When a passport is lost or expired, losing all those hard-earned stamps can be tragic. VisaStamper is a new website that creates a virtual passport, with photo-realistic stamps for each place you visit. The site currently has passport stamps for every country, with city-specific stamps for the US, UK, Australia, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Ireland & Germany, and more every day. You can share your passport stamps on Facebook and Twitter, and collect "points" for each stamp in your VisaStamper passport.

VisaStamper works via your computer's IP address location, automatically generating a stamp for the country you're currently in. You can "backdate" your virtual passport by submitting your destination list and dates via email, though an easier form is in production. Apps for iPhone, iPad and Android are on the way in the new year to work via GPS and make sharing even easier.

Sign up and start collecting at VisaStamper.com (you can check out my stamps here) and visit them on Facebook. Happy (virtual) travels!

Collect virtual passport stamps with VisaStamper originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10 best eco-friendly hostels in the world

Jessica Festa — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Arts and Culture, Hiking, Learning, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Ethiopia, Philippines, Iceland, Ireland, Spain, Canada, Costa Rica, United States, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay, Hotels and Accommodations, Camping, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Consumer Activism, Central America, Women's Travel

While you can usually expect an inexpensive stay at a hostel, not all of these accommodations are alike when it comes to being sustainable and green. For your next trip, why not stay somewhere that will not only give you a social experience on a budget, but will also be good for the planet? Check out this list of the 10 best eco-friendly hostels around the world.

Portland Hawthorne Hostel
Portland, Oregon

The Portland Hawthorne Hostel offers a clean, safe accommodation in the Hawthorne District of Portland, Oregon. The hostel has free breakfast, cheap bike rentals, and is a short walk from Mount Tabor and Luarelhurst parks. Not only that, but this hostel does its part in being eco-friendly. One of their biggest draws is their ecoroof, a "green living roof of vegetation and soil". The project is low-maintenance and self-sustaining and is being encouraged by the city due to its ability to soak up stormwater and return it to a natural water cycle (water that is not soaked up usually becomes full of sewage and dirt and negatively affects aquatic habitats). Along with the ecoroof, the hostel makes use of green cleaning products, recycling and composting, and gives guests arriving by bicycle a discount of $5 per night.

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10 best eco-friendly hostels in the world originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Westport Sea2Summit adventure race allows athletes to experience the beauty of Ireland

Jessica Festa — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Climbing, Hiking, Festivals and Events, Europe, Ireland, Women's Travel

Held in Westport, Ireland, the Westport Sea2Summit adventure race will take place on Saturday, November 12, 2011. The race incorporates some of the biggest thrills in Westport, including Croagh Patrick, Clew Bay, the Sheaffry Mountains, and the new greenway.

Two separate races, each with three categories, will include road running, cycling, mountain hiking, obstacle courses, and a sea run across a shore line (the maximum height of the water will be 2 feet deep). The first race is the Sea2Summit Spirit, which caters to participants who have never done an adventure race before, while the Sea2Summit Supreme gives athletes an extra challenge. The three categories for each race include Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.

For more information or to sign up for the race yourself, click here.

Westport Sea2Summit adventure race allows athletes to experience the beauty of Ireland originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Chaos breaks out in Dublin, Ireland, as severe flooding brings the city to a standstill

Jessica Festa — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Stories, Europe, Ireland, Video, Transportation, News

On October 24, 2011, major flooding to Dublin, Ireland, caused the Dublin City Council to put into action its major emergency plan. Homes, cars, major roads, and even shopping centers were submerged underwater as rainfall failed to cease. In some areas of the city, inflatable boats had to be used to rescue stranded motorists, while roads leading out of the city experienced 3-hour delays. A number of rivers broke their banks and overflowed, and an off-duty police officer who lives close to one of these rivers is currently missing.

See the natural disaster for yourself in this video compilation of live footage:

Video: Chaos breaks out in Dublin, Ireland, as severe flooding brings the city to a standstill originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why do we take pictures of our food?

Kyle Ellison — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Food and Drink, Asia, Europe, South America, Thailand, Ireland, Spain, Ecuador, Peru, Central America, Caribbean

In a sweaty, back alley restaurant in Trujillo, Peru, the shy Peruvian waiter approached my table with a vibrant plate of ceviche. Placing it upon the handwoven tablecloth, there lapsed a good three seconds where all I could do was stare. Then, before reaching for my fork, I instead reached for my camera.

I'll admit it. I'm one of those people who take pictures of their food. I know a lot of you are as well. It's only an occasional occurrence, as I'm not known to photograph cereal I'm gulping down when late to work. I only immortalize my food in megapixels when the plate in front of me goes beyond my culinary expectations. If you present me with a plate of food and I take a photo of it, consider it a compliment. While I recognize this is a curious trait, the following is an attempt to justify what exactly drives me, and many others, to feel the need to photograph their food.

First off, this exact plate of food is never going to be here again. If I don't capture it now, the moment will be lost to the acids of digestion and gone forever. This plate of food before me--particularly if it's traditional, regional cuisine-- is as much of a cultural attraction as any monument listed in a guidebook or brochure. While in Trujillo, I must have taken 35 pictures of the Huaca de la Luna, an ancient Moche temple that's stood for 1700 years. With that sort of history, there's a good chance I could come back ten years from now and snap the exact same photo. This plate of ceviche, on the other hand, is never going to be here again. It's a fleeting moment that needs documenting before it disappears forever.

Gallery: Taking photos of food around the world

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Why do we take pictures of our food? originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10 landmarks for lovers of Western literature

Jessica Festa — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Hiking, History, Learning, Food and Drink, Stories, Europe, North America, France, Ireland, United Kingdom, Hotels and Accommodations, Books, Budget Travel, Nightlife

Are you an enthusiast of everything Voltaire? Can you not get enough of Shakespeare and James Joyce? If you are a lover of Western literature, add these 10 landmarks to your upcoming travel itineraries.

The Shakespeare and Company Bookstore
Paris, France

It is only right that the first landmark on the list be in Paris, France, as this is where many French writers, such as Voltaire, Proust, Balzac, and Baudelaire spent most of their time. The Shakespeare and Company Bookstore has had some of the most well-known writers of the 20th century as clientele, including James Joyce, who published his famous Ulysses under the stamp of this bookshop. In fact, the founder of Shakespeare and Co., Sylvia Beach, was close friends with many of these writers, including Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, and F. Scott Fitzgerald, to name a few. What's also special about this shop is not only do they host literary walking tours around Paris, but you can also sleep there as long as you help out with the chores.

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10 landmarks for lovers of Western literature originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 08 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Historic structures in Ireland may lose protection

Sean McLachlan — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Europe, Ireland

Archaeologists are speaking out against a plan by the government of the Republic of Ireland to "delist" historic and archaeological sites that date to after 1700.

This would mean there will be no government protection for many of Ireland's historic homes, holy wells, and other bits of architecture, such as this funky milestone at Howth, photographed by William Murphy.

The Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland said in a public statement at the end of last year that deep cuts in heritage management threatened to undermine the government's plan to promote tourism as part of Ireland's economic recovery. While funding to protect historic structures has gone down, funding to promote cultural tourism is up. Not funding some of the very things that tourists come to Ireland for, the Institute says, "is akin to spending money on a new car but finding that you can't afford to pay for the petrol."

The economic crisis has led to belt tightening in many countries. Some Dutch museums are planning to sell part of their collections to survive, while the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum may close in Baltimore.

Historic structures in Ireland may lose protection originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Visa-free travel by the numbers

Alex Robertson Textor — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Antarctica, Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Lebanon, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, Central America, Caribbean

Visa-free travel is easy travel. Procuring visas takes time, energy, and money, and is beyond debate a pain for frequent travelers. The erection of visa barriers responds to a number of factors, though it can be said without too many qualifications that the citizens of rich countries tend to have a much easier time accessing the world visa-free than do the citizens of poor countries.

The Henley Visa Restrictions Index Global Ranking 2011, excerpted in the Economist last week, was just published by Henley & Partners, an international law firm specializing in "international residence and citizenship planning." Henley & Partners divide the world into 223 countries and territories.

And who gets to travel with few visa restrictions? The best citizenships for visa-free travel belong to nationals of Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, at 173 apiece. On their Nordic heels is Germany at 172 and a mess of countries (Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, United Kingdom) at 171. The United States isn't too far down the list, tied in fifth place with Ireland at 169. The US comes in ahead of Switzerland (167), Canada (164), New Zealand (166), and Australia (166).

Some of the least lucky countries, according to the Henley Visa Restrictions Index survey: India (53), China (40), Iran (36), Lebanon (33), and Afghanistan (24).

[Image: Flickr | megoizzy]

Visa-free travel by the numbers originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The world's top ten most desolate countries

Justin Delaney — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Stories, Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, South America, Mauritania, Namibia, Mongolia, Ireland, Australia, Suriname, Ecotourism, Airports, Nightlife, Central America

According to a Harvard study, the earth's population will hit seven billion humans in a few months. Earlier this summer, Gadling labs profiled the effects of increasing populations on finite land resources by showcasing the world's most crowded islands. The earth is, in its own way, an island, and 21st century humanity will be presented with the challenge of adapting to rising population levels and static resources.

While countries like India have wrestled with the conundrum of feeding and housing booming population levels in Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, the countries on this list bear no similarities to the billion strong Indian subcontinent. These countries are the ones with open space - lots of it. Countries like Greenland and Mongolia may someday be utilized for their vast expanses of open terrain, but today they are simply great places to go when you have tired of other human beings.

So while this extraordinarily hot summer may have included elbowing your way through thronged midtown Manhattan in 100 degree heat or hesitantly inhaling the stink rising off the sweaty crowd at Bonnaroo, this list is intended to take you way away from the crowds. From riding a horse through the empty steppes of Mongolia to exploring the glacial highlands of Iceland, each of these countries offers exercises in sweet sweet solitude. None of these countries have more than ten people per square mile.

Gallery: The world's ten most uninhabited countries

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The world's top ten most desolate countries originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Israel, Chile, Slovak Republic among countries with highest adventure travel potential

Kraig Becker — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Arts and Culture, Learning, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Israel, Jordan, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, New Zealand, Chile, News

A new study conducted by George Washington University, Vital Wave Consulting, and the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) shows that Israel, Chile, and the Slovak Republic led the way in adventure tourism in 2010. The study, which resulted in the third annual Adventure Tourism Development Index, uses a mix of quantitative data and expert surveys to rank nations from around the globe on their approach and commitment to sustainable adventure travel.

The study examines what researchers call the "ten pillars" of adventure tourism. Those pillars include such things as infrastructure, cultural resources, adventure activities, entrepreneurship, and more. When those factors were all examined and ranked accordingly, for each country, a score was calculated that resulted in rankings for both developed and developing nations.

So exactly which countries earned high marks in the latest Adventure Tourism Development Index? The top ten developing countries included the following: Israel, Slovak Republic, Chile, Estonia, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Jordan, Romania and Latvia.Conversely, the top ten developed nations included: Switzerland, Iceland, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Ireland, Norway, Finland and Austria.

The ATTA is quick to point out that these lists are not an indication of how well visited these countries currently are as adventure travel destinations, although some are already popular amongst travelers. Instead, it is a general rating on the climate that exists in these places that make it possible to support sustainable tourism now and into the future.

Judging from the list, it appears that Europe is well ahead of the game in terms of promoting sustainable travel. Both lists are dominated by countries from that continent, which could come as a surprise to many travelers.

To read the entire report click here.

Israel, Chile, Slovak Republic among countries with highest adventure travel potential originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 31 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Travel Dreams survey ranks cruise vacations tops

Chris Owen — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Europe, North America, Antarctica, South Africa, China, France, Greece, Ireland, United States, Australia, Cruises, Caribbean, Luxury Travel

Virtuoso Life magazine readers, some of the world's most sophisticated travelers, voted for travel options on their "wish list" for the 2011 Travel Dreams survey and the results are in. Spending time on the high seas emerged as a common theme. Taking a world cruise and sailing the Mediterranean by private yacht were the top two "Trips of a Lifetime," while cruising was selected as the "Most Desired Travel Experience."

"Virtuoso clients are some of the most sought-after travelers because of their strong desire for authentic experiences and their propensity to vacation longer and more frequently, and spend more," says Elaine Srnka, editorial director for Virtuoso Life.

During the fifth annual survey, in addition to cruise vacations, the Virtuoso Life reader votes revealed other desirable trips and destinations ranging from blasting off into space to renting a private island and chose destinations from French Polynesia to Greece.

Top 10 trips of a lifetime

1. Setting sail for a world cruise
2. Sailing the Mediterranean on a private yacht
3. Calling on all seven continents
4. Renting a European villa
5. Visiting all seven New Wonders of the World
6. Photographing the "big five" on an African safari
7. Renting a private island
8. Blasting off into suborbital space
9. Chartering a private jet
10. Dining my way through Paris' best restaurants

Top 10 dream destinations

1. Australia
2. Italy
3. South Africa
4. New Zealand
5. Greece
6. Antarctica
7. France
8. French Polynesia
9. China
10. Ireland

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Travel Dreams survey ranks cruise vacations tops originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Discoveries at a Templar abbey in Ireland

Sean McLachlan — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Europe, Ireland

Mourne Abbey in County Cork, Ireland, has been the focus of an archaeological excavation to discover more about the history of this medieval religious center.

The abbey was built around 1199 by the Knights Templar. After the rulers of Europe turned on the Templars and destroyed the order in 1307, resulting in 700 years of conspiracy theories, the abbey was handed over to the Knights Hospitaller. This knightly order got its name because its original purpose was to care for sick pilgrims in Jerusalem after the First Crusade, but soon they acquired more land and more power to become one of the leading forces in the Holy Land and Europe. They owned some of the toughest castles in the world.

Their power waned after the Muslims reconquered the Holy Land but the order still exists today. The abbey was abandoned when Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries as part of his break from Rome in 1541. It has since fallen into picturesque ruin.

Now a team of archaeologists has excavated the site and discovered remains from the Hospitaller's stay in the abbey. The team uncovered the foundations of a 13th century preceptory, the local headquarters for the knights. Very few remains of the Knights Hospitaller have ever been found in Ireland. The archaeologists discovered decorated floor tiles, the tomb of a 16th century knight, and several artifacts.

The abbey is open to the public and there's a medieval castle and town an easy walk away. For more images of this historic abbey, click here.

[Photo courtesy John Armagh]

Discoveries at a Templar abbey in Ireland originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 03 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photo of the day - Lonesome cow in Ireland

Alex Robertson Textor — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Ireland, Photo of the Day

Oh to be a lonesome cow in Ireland. Upon second though, not really. The solitary bovine life probably isn't much fun. Let's rephrase: Oh to be a lonesome Irish cow with views like these, with a blue sea stretching out to the horizon and a brisk wind aloft.

Flickr user t3mujin snapped this photograph in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland. Its composition and bold colors are compelling.

Got a dramatic snap or two that you'd like to share with the world? Submit it to the Gadling group pool on Flickr and we might pick it to be a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the day - Lonesome cow in Ireland originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 May 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Belfast airport now charging for smoking

Sean McLachlan — Sat, 07 May 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Ireland, United Kingdom, Transportation, Airports, News, Travel Health

Belfast International Airport has introduced a new charge. After deciding to charge people £1 ($1.64) to drop off passengers and £1 for a clear plastic bag to put liquids in, now passengers are going to be charged £1 to use the smoking areas.

Airport officials defend the charges saying it costs them extra to maintain separate smoking areas, which are used only by a minority of the passengers.

Smokers will have to insert a pound coin into a coin slot to open the doors to the smoking area. Do you think this is fair? Take the poll below or sound off in the comments section!

[Photo courtesy Piotrus via Wikimedia Commons]

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Belfast airport now charging for smoking originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 07 May 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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