Page 14 - Boca Club News - April '21

Page 14, Boca Club News
Travel: Postcards from Jessica

seasoned pastry chef, will have you fantasizing the days of Wheels Down: Regardless of whether you are the glass-
Downton Abbey. slipper type or not, everyone likes to live like a Queen or
Unforgettable Moments: If you’re an animal lover like King, even for a few days. Here at the Ashford, you too can
me, you won’t want to miss the Falconry experience at the feel like Cinderella. The one thing I will remember is that
Ashford. There are only a handful of locations around the the Ashford castle is much more than old walls, antique rugs
world where you can personally have the opportunity to do and steel knighted statues. It’s the attention to detail, the
the labeled Hawk Walk. pride of the staff, the charm and hospitality of these Irish
For an hour, guests staying at the hotel can stroll around norms that make you feel like days long forgotten. A time
the estate with an instructor and a few of the school’s when formality, courtesy and decency rule over modern
resident Harris hawks. Imagine, a magnificent hawk perched commercial desires. Don’t miss out on your chance to travel
upon your extended gloved-arm waiting for you to signal back in time and experience something truly unique. I know
it to take flight. A push of your arm, a rush of adrenaline, a I feel lucky that I did.
feeling of freedom as your Hawk ascends into the trees–only Wishing You Safe Travels,
To: Anyone Wanting to Live Like Royalty to return in a minute for its reward of obedience. It doesn’t Jessica
From: My Desk at the Ashford Castle, Ireland get any better than this!

By Jessica Flores. Jessica has worked
in the travel and tourism industry for
well over a decade. She holds both a Vino With Sting!
Bachelors and a Master’s degree in
Hospitality & Tourism Management.
As owner of AWAY Travel in Boca
Raton, Jessica and staff bring 25 By Laura Berrio, Freelance for returning Il Palagio to its previous glory. Now, every
years of personal travel experience Writer/Blogger August, Sting holds a party for everyone to celebrate and
to an exclusive clientele looking for Who wants to go to Italy thank them for their support. They eat, drink wine and of
luxury travel planning. and stay at Sting’s Tuscany course he sings a few songs!
Pack Your Bags: When I first thought of traveling to Estate and Vineyard? (I want to be on this invitation list!)
Ireland, I envisioned bumping into leprechauns, kissing You can rent out the entire Sting has named the wine produced from the vineyard
the Blarney Stone, drinking my share of Guinness, and estate, main house, guesthouses after some of his hit songs … (Message in a Bottle, Roxanne,
singing along with a trio of fiddle-playing musicians. With and grounds for up to 500 Sister Moon) just to name a few.
the exception of the leprechauns, I didn’t miss a beat. people! When I checked on the Sting said, “A wine is like a song – it has a story to tell.”
There is something intriguing about Ireland that’s hard price, it appears to be a case of, Sister Moon has been listed as one of the top picks by
to describe, but better experienced. Most would gravitate if you have to ask, you can’t Wine Spectator Magazine.
towards the rolling green hills or the jagged-stoned sea afford it! You can travel to Italy to check it out, or run to your
coastal cliffs. For me it was the people. It all began when Sting and his wife Trudie were looking favorite wine store!
The down-to-earth, folksy, high-on-life disposition of for a summer home in Italy. They found a run-down estate Try a few and message me on your favorites!!
these people is almost contagious. Everywhere you go in that formerly produced honey, olive oil and wine. They ~ Cheers
Ireland you find a “welcome mat” waiting for you, either in bought the property, Il Palagio, because of the view! Then ~ Keep the conversation going and
hotels, restaurants, bars, street stores, or even their homes. they began a decade-long project of bringing the estate, the wine flowing!
Sure, there are plenty of castles, churches, and natural vineyard and olive groves back to life. Follow the Vine on Instagram
wonders that await you in Ireland. But the friends you’ll Sting invited all of the neighbors and town locals to @VineVibeUncorked.
easily meet here will have you wanting to pack your bags the farm shop on the estate for a party to share their plans
and move. If this location isn’t on your bucket list…put it Paid Advertisement
there. And stay more than a few days!
Destination Cong Ireland: When you finally decide you
want to go to Ireland, you can’t make the mistake of not
staying in one of their amazing castles. There are several
great ones, but my favorite has always been the Ashford
Castle. The Ashford has a long history, and I will give you
the Cliff Notes version now.
Built in 1288 by the Anglo-Norman de Burogo family,
then passed on to the famed Guinness family as a retreat,
it was converted into a luxury hotel in 1939. Now, eighty
years after the first guest was welcomed and $75 million
invested into renovations, the Red Carnation Hotel group
has created one of the most celebrated country escapes.
Your Road Map: I recommend getting here at the end
of your itinerary. That’s unless you are on a small luxury
pre-arranged tour. From Dublin you will most likely head
Southwest on your route to visiting most of the memorable
towns, golf courses and historical sites.
Once you pass through Galway, you’ll be moments away
from entering this castle situated on 350 wooded acres,
hugging the water’s edge of Lough Corrib. This castle
is much more than pristine landscaping, turreted towers,
sweeping staircases, and even a moat–it’s the perfect place
for a legendary Instagram shot!
Hidden beyond the castle walls you’ll find a medieval
resort. As a guest you’ll be able to frolic through the gardens,
go horseback riding, motor around the lake, try your hand
at archery or clay-shooting, and even hit the links.
As for your accommodations, all 83 rooms and suites are
individually decorated to make you feel you are living the
life of a prince or princess. For those looking for something
extraordinary and opulent, I would suggest the Hideaway
Cottage for a private experience on the grounds. Just as
spectacular is the Reagan Presidential Suite with the original
fireplace, an antique four-poster bed, and panoramic view
of the Lough Corrib.
A castle experience is not complete unless you dine
like a Queen (or King). You can’t miss a dinner in the
elegant Ashford Castle’s very royal and formal restaurant,
the George V Dining Room. Live piano, tuxedoed servers,
Victorian table-setting and, of course, food presented from
a silver-plated dome cover.
If that doesn’t make you feel like royalty, I wouldn’t
miss the afternoon tea in the Connaught Room. The savory
tea, along with sweetened treats delicately crafted from a