Good Taste is the Worst Vice

L’Oiseau Blanc, Paris

Our first meal in Paris was completely unplanned, and it turned out to be one of the most delightful. Since I wasn't sure when we'd make it into the city and be ready for lunch, I didn't make a reservation; I had a vague idea that maybe we could go to the Peninsula's rooftop bar for a ... continue reading...


Adventures at Ballyfin

There are so many ways to fill your days at Ballyfin.  I read several books and drank about a gallon of tea.  And then there's the whole estate to explore. Grab one of the golf carts (in Ireland, call them "buggies"), and drive out to see the tower folly, built in 1860 to look like a medieval ... continue reading...


Dining at Ballyfin

I have to wonder, do beautiful settings make good food taste even better? We ate very well at Ballyfin! * Breakfast The beautiful breakfast setting of blue and white Spode china and sterling silver got us off to an elegant start each day. D and I never made much of a dent in the menu ... continue reading...


Ballyfin, Ireland

    Our stay at Ballyfin was a bit like stepping into Downton Abbey, but with drama and scheming replaced by charming Irish hospitality. Our days were a blur of relaxation and indulgence - leisurely breakfast, perhaps a golf cart jaunt around the grounds, an hour or two with a ... continue reading...


Slea Head Drive, Ireland

We set off from Dingle for our exploration of the Slea Head Drive, which loops around part of the Dingle peninsula.  It's a combination of striking sea coast, emerald green fields dotted with sheep, and ancient drystone structures - including beehive huts. First, a view over the coast.  Even on a ... continue reading...


Dingle, Ireland

We chose Dingle as our base to explore southwestern Ireland - it's a friendly little town that still feels a bit "off the beaten path". Our wonderful B&B, Pax Guesthouse, is up on a hill just at the edge of town, which means we had this view of the mouth of Dingle Harbor from our ... continue reading...


The Ring of Kerry, Ireland

Ireland's Ring of Kerry, on the far southwest coast, is known for being one of the most picturesque areas of the country.  And ever since Star Wars: The Last Jedi came out, it's also become famous as the setting for Luke's hideaway.  Nope, we didn't see any porgs. But there's a chocolate factory, ... continue reading...


Murphy’s ice cream, Ireland

Ireland is known for its dairy: butter, cheese... and ice cream! While we were in Dingle, I was excited to discover Murphy's.  It's so popular that there are two shops within 150 meters of each other on the same street, and their ice cream is so delicious (cream from Kerry cows is really, really ... continue reading...


Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus may have surpassed Austrian as my favorite airline.  Austrian does still have an edge on the food, but Aer Lingus pulls ahead thanks to their completely charming crews. A common native language helps, but beyond that, I was struck by the way everyone we met was so friendly and ... continue reading...