Roving Pic: Cliffs of Moher

 Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
June 2010

We stood on green-coated cliffs high above crashing waves, precariously balancing on the very point where the beauty of Ireland meets the endless sea. 

Roving I Finds: Europe's Best Fall Deals

Photo: National Geographic

Even though we just left Italy, I'm ready to go back to Europe. This week I've been drooling over Provence thanks to a jaw-droppingly beautiful No Reservations episode on my DVR and a dwindling travel section at my local Borders store (RIP). The south of France is definitely in our consideration set for next summer's "big" trip, but it's probably about six months too early to start planning. I did, however, secretly check out a few Provence villa rental sites. Nothing wrong with a little head start!


If you have the luxury of taking a trip to Europe this fall, you're in luck. Low(er) season offers less crowded cities and beaches and cooler temps. It's a perfect time to hop the pond and the deals are in full swing. Here are just a few I came across this week:

• FRANCE: Air France dropped rates to cities in France and other places in Europe for the months of August and September. Chicago to Paris checks in at $451 one way. Book by August 8th for travel through September 30th. 
• CROATIA & SLOVENIA: Travelzoo.com is featuring a 9-night Croatia and Slovenia Tour for dates this fall and winter starting at $1499 pp. Includes air, some meals and four-star hotels each night.
• IRELAND: Sceptre Tours has a phenomenal deal on a 6-night Estate Package including RT air, car rental and accommodations on the magnificent Adare Villa property for as low as $599 from JFK if you book by August 12th. Multiple dates and departures are available for slightly more.
• SPAIN: Gate 1 Travel has a great, 8-day independent package for three stellar Spanish destinations - Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona. Includes air, hotel and rail for as low as $1149 for November to March dates. 
• PRAGUE, VIENNA & BUDAPEST: European Destinations is offering a 6-night Air and High-Speed Rail package including two nights in each of these cities starting at $1309 for dates through November. 

On y va! More tomorrow! 

Web Roves of the Week: Six Links to Linger Over

In honor of the first Friday in June, here's a list of travel web finds that are sure to make your passport itch. Enjoy!
1. Jetsetter.com: Featured in yesterday's post, this membership-required travel site (it's free to join), is a feast for travel lovers' eyes. The photos are as phenomenal as the deals.
2. Snapshots of Provence: A beautifully-designed interactive experience dedicated to the Provence, Marseille and Camargue regions in France. Explore by sight or sound. On y va! 
3. Vintage Postcard Passport Holders: Add a unique look to your passport with these covers available in vintage, travel-inspired designs. And they're a bargain at only $5 each.
4. Discover Ireland Trip Planner: Ireland tourism site with a handy interactive planner tool to help you customize your trip before you go. Make sure to plan in plenty of time for Guinness.
5. Around the World in 80 Days:  Explore 80 Hotel Offers in 80 Days with Luxury Link's limited-time offers. We're halfway through at Day 40. Today's deal: Terme Manzi Hotel & Spa on the island of Ischia in Italy. It looks spectacular.  
6. World's 20 Coolest Hotel Pools: It's 95 degrees here today. That inspired me to check out Forbes' list of awesome hotel pools from around the world. If only they were within diving distance. (Sorry - couldn't help myself on that one.)

Photo: Forbes
Amangiri, Canyon Point, Utah

Hope you're roving somewhere great this weekend! More on Monday.

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. 

Slea Head Drive, Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

Today, I’m driving down the Slea Head Drive. In my head. It was a trek we took last summer while spending time on the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland. And it was beyond stunning. 

As the rain pelted our tiny windshield, we watched in wonder at the unfolding landscape around us. Precarious curve after precarious curve revealed gray seas, tucked-away beaches, rocky, wind-blown cliffs and sloping, green-coated coasts. It may not sound like an expected paradise. But on one drizzly day in July 2010, there was no place we would have rather been.

Where to Rove along Slea Head Drive:

• Ancient Clochan Beehive Huts: More Info Here
• Beautiful Handmade Irish Pottery: Louis Mulcahy Pottery, Clogher Beach Irish Pottery
• Blasket Islands and Cultural Center (in Dunquin): Blasket Islands
• The amazing rock formations at Dunquin Harbour

Dunquin Harbour, Dingle Peninsula, Ireland 

July 2010

Photo: Scott Clark

(The current Roving I blog background photo depicts Slea Head Drive from another angle.)