Fitzpatrick Hotel, Grand Central, NYC
Fitzpatrick hotel, NYC
Ask anyone, anywhere and they will tell you the Irish give the best welcome.
When you arrive to one of the busiest cities in the world, with temperatures way below zero, it helps to step into a warm hotel and hear “Welcome to Fitzpatrick’s. How was your flight? You must be tired, we’ll get you sorted straight away.” Read more 
New York – The City That Won’t Let You Sleep
New York City
“I want to wake up in a city that doesn’t sleep” sang the lovely Frank Sinatra, and boy was he right. For those living in New York, it is still the city where anything is possible, where you can become ‘King of the hill, top of the heap’ no matter who you are or where you come from. Read more
Orlando: Things to See and Do
One thing I can guarantee you, you won’t get everything done in one trip to Orlando. So, with this in mind, my advice to you is to prioritise. Pick the top 5 things you want to see and do and then plan your days around them. After that, if you have spare time, you can hit your reserve list. Orlando means something different to everyone, depending on your tastes and age, but here is what I managed to take in on my visit and what I most enjoyed. Read more
Theme Parks, Everglades and Family Fun in Orlando
Orlando. This is the city of fun, a playground for young and old, a place to relive your youth, make your head spin on crazy roller coasters, experience 3-D rides like you’ve never imagined and meet Mickey Mouse. What’s not to love? Even if you don’t think you’re into theme parks, believe me, spend a week in Orlando and you’ll be converted. Read more
Winter Sun Destinations
The thought of leaving behind dreary winter skies and escaping to sunnier shores is very appealing. Long weekends in sunny cities, lazy family beach holidays or you may even be setting your sights further afield to exotic locations where sunshine and adventure is guaranteed. There are plenty of places to visit which offer sun during our winter season – India, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The world is your oyster.
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Travelling With Lesley Carter
Photo Credit: Bucket List Publications
US travel writer and founder of Bucketlist Publications, Lesley Carter, believes in living life to the full. Jumping out of planes and off waterfalls is everyday life to her.I shudder when I think of jumping out of a plane. My memory of my parachute jump was flying in a tin can, jumping from a floating step, 5 seconds of exhilaration, screams from a loud speaker begging me to steer my parachute, an electric fence, being pulled through a field, a hospital and then 2 months on crutches. Read more
Countryside Breaks
I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older or the fact that I live in the city, but I’d take a holiday in the countryside over a city break anytime. Walks around hidden, tranquil lakes and grassy mountain trails, drinks by the fireside in small, local bars and drives along narrow, country roads with random pitstops in tiny villages and towns. Read more
Coastal Drives – West Coast of USA, Amalfi and Antrim Coast
There is something exhilarating about driving along a cliffside, sheer drops to one side, towering mountains to the other, nothing stopping you from plummeting into the crashing waves below, but a skimpy piece of rail, if that. It is along such drives that you get panoramic views of the ocean, views that will take your breath away. Read more
Ski, Shopping & Sunshine in the US
This morning I had to get up super early, although my deranged kitten and a wailing fox ensured I was awake several hours before my 5am alarm bell. Out to Dublin Airport, Terminal 2 where TV3 were filming live all morning. I got to talk about sunshine and theme parks in Orlando, ski in Vancouver, dog-sledding in Toronto and shopping in Chicago. A busy morning, I’m sure you’ll agree. Read more
House Swapping
You turn the key and cross the threshold into the house when suddenly it hits you, someone is turning your key in your door and walking into your house and it’s too late to turn back.
House swapping started back in the 1950’s, mostly practiced by teachers and university lecturers, but today more and more people are choosing to hand the keys to their home over to strangers and accept their keys in return. It sounds absurd and immediately you think, but what if they thrash the house? What if? Well there are a million ‘what if’s’.
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Julianne Mooney 