Travel, Wine, and Dine

A Million Thanks

September 29, 2021 in Uncategorized by poster | 1 comment

It was just about three years ago, when I was in Ireland for the first time with our son, an exciting milestone in his young life and a meaningful (and nerve-wracking, hello first flight with a baby) one for us, as he was introduced to a place so near and dear to us, that I realized that my blog, which had been put aside due to said son’s arrival, was gone.

In my sleeplessness (which is ongoing three years later) I had forgotten to check my old blog email inbox, which is where the renewal for my domain traveleatlove.com was sent. I had forgotten to check it for months and months, and my domain was put up for auction and was quickly taken by someone else. That person proceeded to pass my original content as her own, including posts like the one about my husband’s first Father’s Day. The new owner tried to sell it back to me, and her “friend” tried to play innocent that she thought she could keep the content (100% my original content, my words, my photos, my life events) as her own for SEO purposes.

While I hadn’t written a blog post in many months, I still didn’t want to lose everything I had created, so my patient husband worked tirelessly to move my entire blog to this new space.

I fully intended to get back to blogging on a semi-regular basis to document our travels with a small child, but fast forward three years, through a global pandemic and some absolutely crazy busy years at my day job, and I have posted once in the past year. Oops. I am in awe of those who manage to do it all, to keep blogging, to work 50+ hours a week, and to be a parent, but I am definitely not at that place right now.

As I was updating my LinkedIn profile this week, I added an end date to my blogging on this site, and I felt like, after all this blog and I have been through together, I owed it a last post.

It’s not likely I have many readers left at this point, but I wanted to share my genuine thanks for those who supported this space for so many years, the readers, the brands I have worked with, and most importantly the friends I made. This blog meant so much to my life for so long. As I recently posted on LinkedIn, I never ever considered myself an influencer, just someone who loved to travel, eat, and drink and loved to write about those things. In doing so, I found lifelong friends, had some amazing experiences and opportunities, and carved out a career for myself.

I also just had SO MUCH FUN.

I am leaving the blog up for anyone who would like to read or to look back at old posts for travel advice but also for myself, for the amazing memories and for my own travel planning reference. There are so many times I check the blog when I want to remember the name of a restaurant or other spot we visited and loved!

These days, I am most active on Instagram for food, wine, family, and travel and on LinkedIn for all of my professional work. I am always open to new projects and collaborations, so please feel free to connect with me!

The journey isn’t over, it just looks a little different these days. . . To new adventures and safe travels ahead!

Tags: Travel

National Plan for Vacation Day

January 26, 2021 in Uncategorized by traveleatlove | No comments

The last Tuesday in January is Plan for Vacation Day, a holiday created by the U.S. Travel Association to encourage Americans to take and plan their well-deserved time off. More than ever, we could all use a vacation, and for those of us who live (and work) for travel or who have been missing family near or far during these pandemic times, today is the perfect day to close your eyes and dream or maybe even to optimistically plan for a herd-immunity world where we can travel safely again.

While I can’t wait to resume my frequent trips to New Jersey to see my family, when it comes to planning bigger, there’s only one place I am dreaming of this Plan for Vacation Day.

“I want to be in Ireland for the summer. It’ll be comin’ soon I’m on my way. I just can’t wait to hear the music and to see the craic goin’ down on Galway Bay.” – Padraig Stevens

There’s no place I miss quite like Ireland, and even missing out on one annual trip (that we know we are extremely fortunate to be able to take) has made me feel like a big piece of me is missing. We spent the bulk of quarantine Sunday evenings listing to Declan Houghton of the band Devri singing favorite songs live from his “Donegal Basement Pub”, allowing us to be transported, even if briefly, across the ocean to the place we’ve missed the most.

We’ve spent a lot of time looking at photos and talking to our almost-three-year-old about a place he’s visited twice but doesn’t quite remember. And now I am more than ready to start making memories for him in a place I love so deeply and that is such a huge part of who he is.

There is nothing like the excitement of boarding a plane from Boston to Shannon, a couple of Jameson and gingers on board, and if you’re lucky, a couple of hours of sleep. . . though who am I kidding? I don’t sleep well anywhere, especially on a plane, when I am excited for what’s next, and while trying to keep a little one entertained and quiet!

There’s no feeling like the one we feel when that plane starts to inch out of the dark of night toward a sliver of morning light off of the West Coast of Ireland, scattered beacons from villages below lighting up what’s left of the darkness. And when the wheels hit the runway, and (most of the time) the rain starts streaming down the windows, we may not wait until the fasten seatbelt sign is turned off to start getting ready to move.

There’s nothing like hearing words of welcome, Slán agus Beannacht libh go léir, as the plane eases into its gate and eager passengers await what’s next – family awaiting them in the arrivals hall or a maybe tour bus waiting to take them on their dream trip.

When the automatic doors of Shannon Airport open to the smell of turf and jet fuel and the softness of rain on skin that’s been parched by a trans-Atlantic journey, we stop and take in the deepest possible breaths. When we drive ever closer to Galway, there is even more light, and farm animals on our journey begin to wake. We pull into the driveway on an always chilly morning and are greeted with smells of bacon and sausage and cups of tea and a fire and the sweetest words, “You’re welcome home.”

And then granny and papa take the “baby” while we sleep. Smile

I’m looking forward to those beautiful, simple moments the most. I’m looking forward to waking up after our nap and re-acclimating ourselves to a space that’s become so familiar to me over time that’s it’s just as much home as my own.

I’m looking forward to heading into Galway town to soak up the vibrant sounds and colors and smells, to that first pint at Taafe’s or Tigh Neachtain, to the Galway Saturday market, to my favorite Indian restaurant in the world, Kashmir, or to try one of the other many amazing restaurants town has to offer.

I can’t wait for live music on every corner and in every pub we pass and to see my son’s love for music and dancing come to life in front of me.

In the days that follow, we’ll make the beautiful drive to Connemara, maybe stay a few days or longer. We’ll spend time doing nothing but taking in the mountain and sea views. There will be fresh seafood and beach walks and nights with feet by the fire, stories told and songs sung. We’ll introduce our littlest mountain climber to the paths his papa, and then his daddy, grew up climbing. I can’t wait.

Where are you dreaming of this Plan for Vacation Day?

Ireland is currently under lockdown, but you can read on some of my past visits below.

Achill Island Hotel

Afternoon Tea at the Meyrick Hotel

Ashford Castle

Ballyconneely

Ballynahinch Castle

Dining in Galway – Ard Bia at Nimmo’s

Eala Bhan Sligo

Galway Photos

Giant’s Causeway and North Antrim

The G Hotel, Galway

Galway Christmas Market

Galway Christmas Market 2014

Galway Love

Galway Saturday Market

Galway – Spirit One Spa and Sheridan’s Wine Bar

Hiking in Connemara

Hiking Errisbeg in Roundstone

Kinsale, Ireland’s Gourmet Capital

Tearoom at the Clarence, Dublin

The Twelve, Barna

Top 5 Ireland Must-Do’s

Zip Lining in Ireland

Hyde Bar and Gin Parlour Galway

February 4, 2020 in Cocktails, Travel by traveleatlove | No comments

It’s 2020, and Galway, Ireland is celebrating being the European Capital of Culture. The festivities are kicking off this week throughout the county, and as a long time lover of Galway, I sure wish I was there! Chances are, we will visit sometime in 2020, and I look forward to seeing all that’s happening during this momentous year!

If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time or follow me on social media, you’ll know that Galway is one of my favorite places on the planet. I am thrilled that we have already taken our 22 month old to Galway twice and can’t wait until he is old enough to understand how beautiful and special the town and county are.

Read some recent Galway posts:

Outside in Ireland

Our Most Recent Trip to Galway – Food

One thing I love about Galway and Ireland in general in recent years is the celebration of gin, via many local distillers, craft cocktails, and bars devoted to gin. My tastes have changed over the years, and my palate, once a fan of smoky scotches and whiskeys now loves the botanical notes and clean, crisp flavors of a good Irish gin.

On the last day of our last trip to Galway, we made a stop at Hyde Bar and Gin Parlour. I had walked by the space earlier in the week and peeked inside; it is absolutely gorgeous, and I knew I had to squeeze a stop in.

Adorned with colorful murals, quirky furnishings, funky light fixtures, and fun art, Hyde is a feast for the eyes in addition to being a great spot for cocktails and snacks. I was also surprised how kid-friendly it felt late afternoon on a Saturday. I wouldn’t bring my son during the evening, but he well enjoyed fries and ice cream with his cousin as an afternoon treat. There was plenty of noise and bustle that I didn’t feel he was bothering anyone, which is a concern of mine when we choose restaurants.

Hyde, as one would guess, has a spectacular selection of gins in their Gin Bible. A variety of tonics and garnishes help to make for endless pairing opportunities. Other spirits and cocktails are also available, in addition to low and no alcohol drinks. There’s something for everyone!

Everywhere you look there’s beautiful or unexpected detail.

And the simple bites we had were delicious! We were a little peckish after wandering around town, even after our big lunch at Il Vicolo (which is amazing).