Web Roves of the Week: Link Stew

Enniskerry, Ireland
July 2010

Traveling for business this week threw the blog schedule off a bit so I'm combining Finds and Web Roves for today's post. Hope you're all enjoying the weekend! 

• Win a 4-Night Stay in Ireland: Green Earth Travel is hosting a contest for the next 4 weeks through Facebook where you can win a trip to Dublin. Week 1 is now underway. Friend them on Facebook for this week's contest questions and details on how to enter. More info here.
• Thailand Find: If you're headed to Phuket, Travelzoo.com has big savings for the 5-star JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa through December 15th. Get an upgraded room, spa treatments and more for only $100/night with a 3-night minimum stay. Learn more here.
• Foodie Fun: Rue La La has savings on one and four-day classes at The Culinary Institute of America in New York, California and Texas starting as low as $200. Sale ends Monday, August 22nd. 
• Moving to France or just want to? Check out Chez Loulou's post about the cost of living in France. Good info for potential expats and dreamers alike.

Roving I Find: Ireland at its Best

It doesn't get better than summer in Ireland. Warmer, sunnier weather, extremely long days (it's not dark until after 10:00 pm in most of the country), festivals with fresh, seasonal foods and the simple joy of discovering something wonderful at every turn, make every summer day in Ireland nothing short of enchanting. Ireland definitely had us under its magic spell last July. I think it still does.

The Find:

Green Earth Travel does an amazing job putting together affordable, Irish vacations for every kind of traveler. (We booked their Ireland B&B package last year.) But since I'm the kind of traveler who enjoys really nice things at phenomenal prices, this package caught my eye:

The Ireland Ultimate Luxury Package: 

6 Nights in Summer w/ Air + Car from $1499 

• RT air from JFK (slightly more from other airports)
• Rental car with unlimited miles
• 6 nights in five-star accommodations in Dublin, Galway and Killarney and one-night at the grand Ritz Carlton Powerscourt* in Enniskerry (near Dublin)

When you add in the stunning sites and the unforgettable Irish charm - from the people, to the villages, to the ancient sites, you get an incredible week-long vacation for two for around $3,000 USD. That's a true travel bargain gem. 

Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt
Photo: Scott Clark
July 2010

Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt, Indoor Pool
Photo: Scott Clark
July 2010

*We were lucky enough to stay one night at the Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt last year and were absolutely enamoured with the scenery, service and features of this hotel. It was a wonderfully elegant way to end our stay in this charming country.