La Defense Christmas market at night

Paris Christmas Markets at Champs-Elysees and La Defense

Christmas Markets have become quite popular in the past few years – it seems that every town, city, etc. has one (or ten) available for your pleasure – whether that is in the form of mulled wine, food, dessert, music, entertainment, shopping or a combination of all of the above. […]

The Jameson Irish Whiskey Experience in Dublin

Watching the movie  “The Angels’  Share” (posted here) provided a bit of insight into Scottish whisky. Prior to that my only knowledge of whiskey was drinking whiskey sours.  With my visit to Dublin, I was curious to learn more about whiskey with a visit to the Jameson Irish Whiskey Distillery in […]

Cemetary at Glendalough

The Wild Wicklow Tour in Dublin – Visit Glendalough and experience Ireland

It takes a fantastic guide with personality, a good mix of tourists and a sense of humor to turn a really lousy weather day into a good experience.  Choosing the Wild Wicklow Tour in Dublin as one of my conference options (provided free to attendees, normally 28 Euro), I was […]

Dublin at Night - Convention Center colors reflected on the Liffey River

Dublin at Night – the photography tour

A photo tour may not be something you ever thought of adding to your “must do” vacation list but you should definitely add it.  While some photo tours are instructional and require special cameras and tripods as you learn technique, other tours are educational and fun.  Dublin at Night with […]

Fall colors in Dublin's park

See Dublin by Bike – the Taste of Dublin tour

Attending the TBEX Conference in Dublin, attendees were offered complimentary tours/experiences during our stay.  Keeping with my new “see the city by bike tour” credo, I signed up for a bike tour (The Taste of Dublin) with See Dublin by Bike.  It had rained for most of the week in […]

FriFotos: Souvenirs from Africa, London and New York City

The FriFotos theme this week is “Souvenirs”.  When I first started traveling, I bought a souvenir for everyone in my life – friends, family and co-workers.  I had friends who collected shot glasses, magnets and postcards. Over the years as my packing got better and bag got smaller, the amount […]

The Morrison Hotel lobby/lounge

The Morrison Hotel in Dublin – Glam Style and Free Cookies!

There is a reason I’ve never stayed at a Doubletree Hotel – I’m a cookie addict!  The signature amenity of the Doubletree chain is the free cookie at check-in (or as I learned, a free cookie every time you ask at The Morrison Hotel) and according to the twitter gods […]

Dublin Castle on a blue sky day

Review: Aer Lingus Business Class from Boston to Dublin

When i redeemed my British Airways’ Avios points for an Aer Lingus business class ticket to Dublin from Boston, I was excited for my first flight with the Irish airline.  I did need to reposition myself from Philly for the flight and luckily found a cheaper USAirways ticket (now AA) […]