Curio Travel Designs

07/02/2022

Hello, everyone!

I've got some exciting/sad news about the future of Curio Travel Designs.

I have officially decided that it's time to close the doors on this chapter and start on my next adventure.

For those of you traveling with me in the coming months, never fear - I will still be taking excellent care of you and will ensure your trip is everything you've ever dreamed of.

For those of you looking for a travel advisor for future trips, I wholeheartedly recommend my friend and fellow advisor, Kristin Matthews, of KM Travel Design . Please reach out to her; she will take excellent care of you!

Thank you so much for your support over the past 4 years. It has been a delight!

Safe travels!

20/12/2021

Thinking of a trip to Iceland?? (Highly recommended!!) Starting in May, you can fly direct out of RDU on IcelandAir on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through October! 🥳

Check out our Special Offers and Flight Deals, and start packing!

16/11/2021

Our home in Dublin was the beautiful and classic Merrion Hotel, which is located in the heart of Georgian Dublin, just a short walk away from Grafton Street and St. Stephen's Green.

Because we were so busy, we didn't get to spend much time at the hotel, but service and comfort were definitely top-notch, and the hotel couldn't be better located! It's an ideal home base for your Dublin explorations!
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15/11/2021

After leaving behind love-of-my-life Ashford Castle, it was time to head back to Dublin. Fortunately for my broken heart, I had a chance to drown my sorrows at the Jameson Bow Street Distillery. 🥃

At Bow St., guests can enjoy a tour or tasting, learn how to blend their own wh***ey, master the craft of cocktail making or draw wh***ey straight from a cask in Dublin’s only Maturation Warehouse.

My group was a part of the Jameson Black Barrel Blending Class, and we were able to taste the various component parts of wh***ey and actually make our own blend to take home. It was a lot of fun, but, boy, tasting straight from the cask is not for the faint-hearted! 🤪

It was definitely interesting to learn about the process, but for those who aren't wh***ey connoisseurs, I'd recommend the cocktail making class, where you're able to mix up some popular and unique concoctions and get general tips on mixing and serving! 🍹
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***ey

14/11/2021

OK, OK, just ONE more post about Ashford before I head out to Dublin and then on to Belfast!

This one is a bit different! As we were preparing to leave, we had the opportunity to visit The Lodge at Ashford Castle for just a quick glimpse at this 4-star property on the grounds at the castle.

Originally built in 1865 for the Ashford Castle estate manager, the elegant white-washed Lodge offers inspiring views out over placid Lough Corrib, one of Ireland’s largest lakes, backed by the rolling, emerald hills of Connemara.

The Lodge offers country house charm, fine dining in Wilde’s Restaurant and an exceptional collection of estate activities.

It's the perfect option for visitors who want a bit more of a modern, casual feel to their accommodations but with access to many of the same activities -- falconry, golf, fishing, boat cruises, tennis, dining, and more -- available to castle guests.
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13/11/2021

A few more scenes from around Ashford Castle because I might be a little bit besotted! 😍🥰

Anyone up for a cozy fireside chat or a game of chess?

So much more to come from my trip to Ireland, and they're not ALL about Ashford Castle! 😂

P.S. I made it home last night, so no quarantine in Ireland for me! 🎉.................................

13/11/2021

After dinner at George V at Ashford Castle in Ireland , we got the chance to take a tour of the incredible w**e cellar, where they can arrange for private dining experiences and w**e tastings. Can you believe how delightfully spooky this place is? It's everything you could ask for in a w**e cellar in an 800-year-old castle! 👻😮😁
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**ecellar

12/11/2021

I got a bit behind on posting, as now I'm sitting at JFK Airport waiting on my flight home to Raleigh. But I have so much more to share, so let's hop in the Wayback Machine a minute and catch up with our last night at lovely Ashford Castle!

That night, we had an amazing dinner at the castle's George V Dining Room, which is named, as you might guess, after George V of England. In honour of his visit to the castle in 1905, the Guinness family built this special dining room which still bears his name proudly to this day.

We definitely dined like royalty and had a grand time celebrating our trip before we had to return to Dublin for the final leg of our trip!
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10/11/2021

A short clip of our "horses and hounds" departure from Ashford Castle this morning! 🥰
Reposted from A special departure today morning.🐎🐶
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10/11/2021

Farewell, ! I can honestly say I'll miss you! ❤ I can't wait to return!
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