Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

10 Money-Saving Tips for your next trip to London, England.

Part 2 of my four-part series on "Budget Travel" (the full feature "Thrifty Trips" appears in our July issue) focuses on London, which, because of the Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee is a popular destination this summer for Canadian travellers.

Last week the savvy folks at Visit Britain shared their round-up of budget-travel tips. I've cherry-picked my way through their list and here are five of their tips - followed by another five of my very own.

1. BritRail Transit
Benefit: the pass allows for unlimited and flexible rail travel with discounts for families, groups, seniors and youth. Visit britrail.com.

2. Oyster Cards and Visitor Transit Passes
Benefit: the Visitor Oyster Card is described as a “pay as you go” pass that promises to "cap your daily costs at the cheapest price available." It's a bonus for families with children under 11 years old who ride for free when accompanied by an adult. The Visitor Oyster Card is valid on the Underground (translation: subway), buses, trams and the Dockland Light Railway. Purchase your passes beforehand at visitbritainshop.ca.

Hop a bus, get on the tube - save big bucks (Courtesy: Visit Britain)

3. Bike Sharing
Benefit: Bike shares offer bicycles for short term rental, a wonderful way to get from point A to B, seeing the city close-up and not incurring cab fare. Some bike share outfitters offer the first half hour for free. Rent a bike from Barclays Cycle Hire (nicknamed the Boris Bikes after the London mayor who supported this mode of eco-friendly travel) in London’s zone 1 for £1 (which works out to about CDN $1.60) for the full day.

4. Discount Theater Tickets
TKTS London is your best bet for half-price, same-day theatre tickets in London's West End.

Cheap tickets to Wizard of Oz and other shows (Courtesy: Visit Britain)

5. Museums and Galleries are free
I'm mildly surprised when visiting London and I have to fork out cash to get into some of the bigger churches and cathedrals (houses of worship) but world-class galleries and museums - such as the Tate - are free.

Now, my own personal best budget tips for London:

6. Best budget-savvy (healthy) spot for mid-day lunch or snack: For the record, I've not ever received a free meal from the popular chain Pret a Manger. But they're my personal favourite in big cities such as London and Manhattan when I want a healthy meal on the go. For freshly-made sandwiches and salads made with excellent fresh ingredients, you can't go wrong. If you're in the centre of London, grab your meal to go and find a spot in Hyde Park. If you want to plan ahead, check out the chain's handy little Pret a Manger shop locator.

Of course, this should be your go-to stand-by. Rule of thumb: Eat like a local and don't bypass the street-food. See item # 9 below.

7. Afternoon Tea: And speaking of eating like a local, afternoon tea is a British tradition you should try at least once. And, yes, it's going to cost a few pound but the reality is: it's much cheaper than a fancy meal out in the evening and you're paying for the experience as much as the food. Compare 30 pounds for an afternoon tea in a swank hotel to a meal out in Knightsbridge. Visit London has compiled a list of excellent options (and booking ahead is a good idea).

8. Take the tube from Heathrow Airport. Avoid the taxi stand. You'll save gobs of money -- and the Underground (which we call subway and Londers refer to as the Tube) is very efficient. And you pay by zone. There's a transit kiosk right at Heathrow.

9. Street food. The Guardian newspaper recently compiled the top 10 street food stalls. Like Afternoon Tea, it's tradition -- and will save you a few quid. It's not all greasy hot dogs slathered in ketchup that clutter the streets of so many North American cities (though we are improving). Think: Pulled pork sandwiches, scotch eggs, Korean fusion food (kimchi on your burger, anyone?), spicy churros and more.

Suggestion: If you splurge on Afternoon Tea (see item # 3) then balance your budget by grabbing dinner on the street. Your taste buds and bank book will thank you.

Splurge on Afternoon Tea, then save on dinner (Courtesy: Visit Britain)

10. Buy your souvenirs and gew gaws at the Portobello Road Market. No, you don't need to shell out 20 pounds for cutesy Tower of London salt and pepper shakers. Pick up some retro bijoux or tchotchkes at this or any other London flea market.

If you want to get really serious about exploring London on the cheap, check out Visit London's budget section. For cheap(er) digs, scroll through Visit Britain's special budget accommodation area on their web site.

If you have any money-saving travel tips of your own, by all means, post them below.

5 easy ways to eat for less on your vacation

"Sir, how many tea bags are you bringing with you on the plane?"

The customs agent's question was accompanied by a smirk. There I was in the security line-up at airport, attracting glares from the line-up of impatient people behind me -- and a devilish grin from the customs guy. There, splayed out for all the world to see, were the contents of my suit-case, which included a generous stash of tea bags, packets of cup of soup, dried fruit and discount energy bars.

"So," asked the wicked customs agent, enjoying my reddening face, "Would you be starting an import business or perhaps you're serving tea and biscuits to the entire plane? That's lovely."

Luckily, he eventually passed me through with no problem -- and I got to keep my stash of tea bags, packets of cup of soup, dried fruit and discount energy bars... Food for the plane ride? Not really, packing all those extra goodies is just one of the ways I save mega bucks when I arrive at my destination.

Food, dining out in particular, is an essential part of travel, whether you're going on a road trip through Newfoundland or hopping a plane for Italy. Exploring the cuisine of a place is how you're likely to experience local customs, get a taste for the region's food (quite literally) and meet the locals. But how do you do it without breaking the bank?

Here are 5 money-saving tips for eating well while travelling - and not breaking your budget:

1. Bring a handful of tea bags, instant cup of soup, instant coffee packets, energy bars and dried snacks.
Travel writer Michele Sponagle put me onto the tea bags and instant cup of soup some time ago and I've never looked back. Picture this: you're in your hotel room (where there's almost always a kettle), and you're a bit peckish late at night and the kitchen is closed. Or you're thirsting for a cup of tea but don't want to get stung with a hefty charge for ordering the expensive room service.

Solution: simply keep a few of these dried goods on hand and you're all set. You'll have what you need but, more importantly, you can save a few bucks and splurge on that fine restaurant the following night. Why pay $8 for a two-cup pot of coffee (as I had to do recently) when you can have a hot cuppa for pennies.

Another money-saving tip is to stack a few nibblies in your carry-on so you're not shelling out big bucks for in-flight snacks. (Have you purchased one of those over-priced, tasteless sandwiches or wraps on an airplane recently? I recently forked out $13 for a snack that would have cost me $4 at home.) Silly me, I had packed my discount-store energy powers in my checked luggage! Next time I'll know better.

Also, if you're waiting around an airport between flights don't expect $20 to go far when you've got the munchies. Just pack a few things at home and you'll be glad you did. Or hit a super market before you head to the airport.

2. Sign up for a cooking lesson.

Doug cooking up a storm in culinary class

Enrolling in a half-day or full-day cooking lesson is an event itself. You get to spend time with locals, perhaps shop in a local market, learn a few culinary skills, maybe even go market shopping with the chef, and you get to enjoy a full meal (in many cases up to 5 courses) for a fraction of the price you'd pay in a proper restaurant. I once paid $35 for a Moroccan cooking lesson which included a four-course dinner including tagine and wine, and it was the focus of my entire day. I even left with a doggy-bag.

Most recently, I was in Belgium where I participated in a morning cooking class at Mmmmh! Culinary Centre in Brussels. It was a hands-on experience and heaps of fun.

3. Local festivals, community dinners and church-hall suppers.

Lobster dinner in the local community hall (Photo: WikiCommons)

I've noshed my way through a mountain of scallops at a community dinner in Digby, Nova Scotia with beverage for a meagre $8. And I'm talking really delicious, fresh scallops right out of the ocean.

That meal would have easily cost me about $45 in a fine restaurant at home. On another trip I lucked out in British Columbia at a community salmon dinner. I paid $10, enjoyed a salmon steak the size of my plate, and supported a good cause at the same time. Just contact the local tourist office for details on food and cultural festivals when you're planning your trip. And be sure to check the local newspaper listings.

4. Breakfast in a local diner

Get down with friendly Calgarians at Diner Deluxe

Veteran food and travel writer Joanne Sasvari is a huge fan of NOT eating breakfast in your big-chain hotel or boutique inn. Not only does it get expensive, but for a quarter of the price, you can eat in a local diner, talk to the locals, get a feel for the city or region and not pay $28 for scrambled eggs and toast. For instance, if you're in Calgary, get up and head to Diner Deluxe, a fun retro breakfast experience. You'll think you've been transported back to the 1950s.

5. Do lunch:
Prices on lunch menus in fine restaurants are usually a lot lower than the dinner menu -- for the same dish! If you're hankering for the famous four-cheese risotto at the popular Italian eatery in Montreal, why not pay less and just have your special meal in the middle of the day. Then for dinner, you treat it as a modest lunch by grabbing a healthy take-away sandwich or some fruit and snacks to enjoy on a park bench, down by the waterfront or in your hotel room.

A budget-savvy tip for foodies: swing by a local food and produce market for in-season food and locally-produced cheeses at amazingly good prices. Pick up a freshly-baked baguette and you're good to go. Chances are you'll be getting organically grown produce as well.

Do you have any great budget travel tips that work for you?

Globe-trotting Mamas and Children

Two Christmases ago I took what I call the best 'cheap and cheerful adventure' holiday ever: I signed up for a group package with G Adventures (then called Gap Adventures) to Costa Rica. The 10 days were jam-packed with zip-lining, horseback riding, Level 4 rafting and some of the scariest heart-in-my-mouth rappelling ever.

Admittedly, my participation in a few of the activities were the direct result of peer pressure ("Doug, don't be a wuss!") from a mother-daughter duo from Wisconsin who were in the group.

Of course the physical activities were unforgettable, but some of the most enduring memories of that trip were moments shared with mom-daughter duo Karen and Brenda. This adventure trip was their Christmas gift to each other. How cool, I thought, instead of swapping identical cardigans and over-priced kitchen appliances, they opted to travel together.

Talking to them separately, it was clear that it was a special time for both of them. And they were being practical as Brenda joked, "Being in a group is safer. If we get on each other's nerves, there will be other people to diffuse the tension!" Not that I saw any signs of conflict. They were having a blast.

Wouldn't it be great if we all had that opportunity in our lives? To plant yourself in a new environment, just parent and child (of any age) and discover a new part of yourself – and maybe a new dimension to your parent-child relationship? Isn't that food for thought as Mother Day approaches.

Turns out that Brenda and Karen aren't the only ones who believe in parents and children hitting the road together.

Canadian writer Heather Greenwood Davis (Globetrotting Mama) is an incredibly courageous believer in the concept. She and her husband are travelling around the world - for a year - with their two young boys.

I interviewed Heather last November in this blog  about her reasons for taking her young children travelling around the world:

"This is the opportunity of a lifetime," Heather said. "It's true for Ish and I as parents and it's true for the kids. This trip will affect the rest of our lives. Since we left home there have been rare moments when an inkling of uncertainty might creep in but then we see our boys learning something new or growing as individuals and it wipes the uncertainly out of our minds."

Round the World with kids in tow (Courtesy: Globetrotting Mama/Heather Greenwood Davis)

The Greenwood-Davis foursome has been hot-air ballooning in Egypt, on safari in Tanzania, boating on the Mekong Delta, roaming ruins in Cambodia, bathing elephants in Thailand, back-packing through parts of South America, and eating their way through parts of the Middle East - not to mention falling in love with Lisbon. And, as Heather was keen to point out, learning about the world and each other.

What an incredible gift she's giving to her children.

You can follow Heather and her family as they spend their last 100 days travelling the world as a family - and get inspired. Maybe send the link to mom or your own child.

I also caught up with Cameron and Nicole Wears, Traveling Canucks, who shared some of their travel highlights in this blog last year. Then they were travel-obsessed Canadian couple living the dream. Now, they're  a travel-obsessed Canadian couple living the dream...with baby in tow.

They've also just launched a new web site where they share their hard-earned wisdom for travelling with infants. It's called, what else, Tips For Baby Travel.

Traveling Canucks: new member of the team

Say Cameron and Nicole: " Gone are the days of simply showing up to a backpacking district in Asia and searching for a hostel (at least in the foreseeable future). We now need to plan and get organized." And that's the focus of their new cyber venture.

If you're looking for gift ideas for Mother's Day or  tips on travelling with kids (and parents) of any age, check out Tips for Baby Travel, G Adventures and Globetrotting Mama.

Would you ever travel with your mom or adult child?

Inside the Castle with a Belgian Count

With so much buzz about Her Majesty Queen's Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee celebrations to mark her 60 years on the throne of England, it's easy to forget about the monarchs, nobility, lords, ladies, dukes, counts, earls and the like in other parts of the world.

Castle Ooidonk on Lys River, Belgium (Photo: Doug O'Neill)

Recently, while travelling in Belgium, a group of us were invited for an afternoon visit with a bonafide Count, Earl Juan t' Kint de Roodenbeke, whose family have long resided at Ooidonk Castle, which is just east of the village of Bachte-Maria-Leerne, a few kilometers south west of Ghent.

Count Juan t'Kint de Roodenbeke (Photo: Doug O'Neill)

It's not everyday you visit a castle which is still occupied by the owner. The castle has a spotted history. It was caught in the midst of conflicts between various warring cities during the 14th and 15 centuries and then endured the raucous religious wars of the 16th century. Demolished, burned, torn asunder, at times pillaged, the medieval castle was rebuilt in 1595 with the notable crow-step gables and chimneys which so often remind visitors of castles in the Loire, France.

The castle was brought into the modern age in 1870 (with minimal tampering to its Renaissance elements) and it's been open to the public since 1958. The castle is brimming with paintings of European monarchs, furniture that wouldn't be out of place in Versailles, lots of silver and – just like any home – there are endless family portraits and photographs. Click here for an aerial view of the castle.

The gardens are lovely but not overly manicured. The rose gardens were just being prepped during our visit and I got the sense that this was a home -- not a museum piece. The surrounding land is still a working farm. A couple of sturdy Belgian horses greet you at the end of the lane, and don't be surprised if you see herons skirting over the castle moat and nearby lake. I was surprised to learn that the castle is twinned with Duns Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland.

One of the Guard's Tower of Castle Ooidonk (Photo: Doug O'Neill)

 
What really resonated with me about the visit to Castle Ooidonk parallels my impression about the Belgians, especially those I met in Flanders: they're unpretentious. Even in the stylish quarters of Ghent and Brussels, people seemed approachable. They're the perfect blend of Parisian style (even while riding bicycles along the canals) with - dare I say it- Canadian modesty.

Such ingredients make for a perfect time when you're wandering around medieval Bruges or the chi-chi shops of Bruxelles. It's no wonder I felt so welcomed when visiting the count and invited into his family home.

Elaborate furnishings of the castle date back hundreds of years (Photo: Doug O'Neill)

Like many castles throughout Europe and the United Kingdom, the inhabitants have opened their doors to visitors to generate money (you have to pay the heating bill!) but Count Roodenbeke firmly believes he and his family are custodians of history, that they are the keepers of an important cultural treasure. He also maintains of tradition of opening his doors to the locals for festivals and flower shows. Apparently the castle is 'the' happening place at Hallowe'en.

Count Roodenbeke proudly speaks of his family's connections to royals and cultural leaders, but like anyone else he's a family man. One of his sons works in IT in the United States. But his successor, the eldest, has been chosen, so you can expect the castle to put out the welcoming mat for another generation at least.

You can visit Castle Ooidonk throughout most of the year. For more travel information, check out the robust Visit Flanders web site.

I never leave home without....

1. My Street by 50 headphones. Love them. Love them. At first I thought they were a bit decadent. I had been a cheap ear-pod guy. I even resorted upon occasion to those freebies that some airlines give away. But the quality sucked. Now, I get to listen to Bose-quality music while in crowded train stations or in hectic airports.

Biggest advantage: I just flew to Brussels on a flight that was about 30 percent children. Let me qualify that: about 30 per cent crying, screaming children. I donned my Street by 50 headset, and lost myself in two hours of Sting while the little toddlers cried themselves to sleep.

 
2. My Ipod Nano - which is almost 5 years old. (Yeah, I know. Time to update it.) I’d be lost without it. Biggest advantages:  I can zone out while listening to my favourite music, or close my eyes on a long-haul flight (when the in-flight movies don't cut it) and listen to an  audiobook.

What I enjoy the most: listening to podcasts related to my destination. I remember listening to a  podcast from the Amateur Traveler which was devoted to travelling in India -  just as the plane touched down in Mumbai. And it fit in my shirt pocket.

3. My Kindle - has spoiled me! I remember hauling about 8 books in my backpack on my first trip to Europe and getting charged for the extra weight. I didn't anticipate falling in love with my Kindle so quickly - and so completely. I long fancied myself a 'paper kinda guy.'  I held forth at dinner parties about my need for "the tactile experience of turning the printed page."

Now I've clearly crossed over to the dark side. I'm now carrying about 50 travel books, novels, guide books, memoirs and humour books all in the inside pocket of my jacket which is where my Kindle fits. (It makes airport check-ins a breeze.)

The only drawback: not once has anyone leaned over to me on a plane or train to say, "Hey, I see you're reading Rolf Pott's 'Vagabonding' book," because, of course, they can't tell from a glance. The upside:  I can go anywhere I like without having to carry an extra tote for books - or worse, be stuck somewhere without anything to read while waiting for someone.

4.  SKROSS World Travel Adapter 2 and USB Charger has saved my butt on many occasions. You don't have to carry a bulky carry-all of 5 different adapters in the hopes that one of them works. This is hugely important if you're travelling to more than one country where the electrical outlets require a different gizmo.  This handy SKROSS World Travel Adapter 2 and USB Charger set is compact - and guaranteed to work for you in any country. And it takes up very little packing space.

5.  Quick dry towels.  I'm a big fan of these little life-savers. I have two yellow quick-dry towels that I purchased at Mountain Equipment Co-op years ago. They do the trick. Not just on camping or back-packing trips, but even on urban trips when you get doused in a downpour and need to make yourself presentable before touring the Louvre.  Now that I've gotten my money's worth out of them, I've got my eye on a handy multi-towel set from Innate.

At some point, I'm going to break down, dip into my piggy bank and get an iPad and combine multiple functions of the iPod and Kindle (not to mention laptop). It's long overdue. But, hey, I have a birthday coming up so if anyone is feeling generous...

CALL FOR HELP!!  Has anyone found a reliable travel accessory that allows you to boil water in your hotel room when there's no kettle available.

I figure if I bring some tea bags and a travel mug, all I need is some way to boil water. Apart from hauling an electric kettle around the globe, I'm curious what any of you have found?

Please let me know. I may even send you a cook-book!

Spring is coming, perhaps a little early in some parts of Canada, and few outings shed the doldrums of winter like a blast of natural colour. So perhaps it's time (now) to make plans for the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa-Gatineau, which is marking its 60th anniversary this year - and has special meaning for Canadians - and citizens of Holland.

Canadian Tulip Festival (Courtesy: Ottawa Tourism)

A Royal Family in in war-time peril and a country willing to take them in. That's how the Canadian Tulip Festival started 60 years ago.

"The tulip was a gift in perpetuity to the Canadian people for providing a safe harbor to the Dutch Royal Family during the Second World War," say the organizers. "The festival’s mandate is to preserve this heritage and celebrate the tulip as a symbol of international friendship by engaging local organizers, volunteers, artists, performers, tourists and festival-goers in what has become an annual ritual of spring and one of Canada’s best loved and well-known cultural events."

Canadian Tulip Festival (Courtesy: Ottawa Tourism)

The  Tulip Festival takes place in the Byward Market, Little Italy, Chinatown and other neighbourhoods through the capital region. Not-to-be missed is the Commemorative 60th anniversary Garden Party for the international community at “Blue Gables,' where the Dutch Royals made their home in Canada during the Second World War.

Check out the complete roster of Tulip Festival Events.

Canadian Tulip Festival (Courtesy: Ottawa Tourism)

I've always found Ottawa to be the perfect walkable city with activities that make everyone happy. If you're keen to combine other activities with a visit to the Tulip Festival, check out Tourism Ottawa's user-friendly web site.

Are there any springtime flowers shows in your area that you'd recommend to visitors. Post below. I'd love to hear about them.

Roman Ruins, the Eiffel Tower, Man-made Lakes and Glitter!

Vegas is a one-time must. I know people (heck, relatives) who visit Las Vegas every year. I just returned a couple weeks ago from my own bucket-list jaunt to the Grand Canyon which I achieved by booking a cheap 'n' cheerful flight-hotel package through Orbitz to Las Vegas and then arranged a series of day trips outside the city (kayaking, zip-lining, touring the Grand Canyon by helicopter, a sunset horseback ride..). You can read about it here.

Then there's the other side of Las Vegas - which you can't ignore even if you're bunking in a hotel off the strip as I did: mammoth hotels, artificial lakes, humungous fountains rivaling those of Italy, pseudo-French bistros - not to mention a replica of the Eiffel Tour.

A little over the top? Certainly, but that's the beauty and the bafflement of Las Vegas.

Here's a taste of what you'll see in Sin City:

Greek and Roman Statues dot the Vegas Strip

Greek and Roman statues along the Vegas strip (Photo: Doug O'Neill)

High-end shopping, faux skies, a touch of Venice

Indoor lagoons and faux cloudy skies (Photo: Doug O'Neill)

Tacky meets titillating: casinos that look like coliseums

Fountains and casinos: the perfect mix (Photo: Doug O'Neill)

Celebrity Factor - Everywhere!

Celine - on stage, on air, on the buses (Photo: Doug O'Neill)

The must-see Wax Museum

An incredibly realistic Whoopi at the Wax Museum (Photo: Doug O'Neill)

Hire your own gondolier

Are we in Venice? Indoor-outdoor gondola rides (Photo: Doug O'Neill)

Live opera performance as you shop for designer hand-bags

Impromptu Italian opera in the shopping plazas (Photo: Doug O'Neill)

Mammoth lake-side hotels, reminiscent of Lake Como

Man-made lakes and Italian villas (Doug O'Neill)

It was my non-Vegas Vegas vacation.

Gambling, the Vegas strip, faux French palaces and indoor gondolas just aren't my thing - which begs a good question (one many of my friends posed): So why did I book a four-day trip to Vegas? A simple answer: I wanted to see the Grand Canyon, was my answer.

It's long been on my bucket list. It was everything I expected and more. I saw it by helicopter, then rambled along the west ridge on foot, and then kayaked 12 km down the Colorado River from the Hoover Dam to get an even closer look at the rock and caves - not to mention the wild life that thrives in the Canyon.

I felt ever so small. Standing on a butte in the canyon, looking up into the distance into sheer walls of rock was humbling. I felt like a speck on the universe. I was in awe, to say the least.

The Grand Canyon, about 450 km long, 30 km wide in places and almost 2,000 metres deep is the stuff of folklore and bucket lists. Nearly two billion years of the Earth's history have been laid bare as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut through layer after layer of rock. It's arid yet bountiful, empty yet teeming with life.

Here's a sampling of photos:

Taken from a helicopter (Photo: Doug O'Neill)

Taken while kayaking along the Colorado (Photo: Doug O'Neill)

 
 
A cheep and cheeful hotel-and-flight package vacation to Vegas with daytrips to the great outdoors (outside Las Vegas) is the perfect (and affordable) four-day holiday. I ziplined, hiked, rode the Red Canyon at sunset on a horse, kayaked, and got a bird's eye view of Mead Lake, Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon by helicopter.

And the Vegas strip? Yup, I meandered through a few times. You couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting an Elvis impersonator. It's fun to see, but I'll take the wonders of the Grand Canyon over faux Egyptian pyramids any day. Just a matter of taste. (Now the outlet malls, that's another story!).

Book Posh (Practical) Accommodations in London

I'd wager on the family tea set that there isn't a single fan of the popular PBS series "Downton Abbey" who hasn't fantasized about sleeping in four-poster beds, taking tea in the library and splashing about in marble-tiled bathrooms equipped heated towel racks.

Thanks to savvy London entrepreneur Greg Marsh, you can do just that. His venture One Fine Stay (www.onefinestay.com) is billed as an "unhotel". Guests take over hand-selected private homes throughout the London area while on vacation or short stays for business. If you're heading to the 2012 Olympics, this could be just the type of service for you. And they're not just any homes! Travellers search the nifty web site for preferred neighbourhood, number of rooms, amenities and thus fine a posh alternative to a traditional hotel while the owners are away.

The benefit? Not only do you get lovely accommodation, but visitors get to live like a local. www.onefinestay.com is ideal for people visiting London for the Olympics and are looking for a break from the standard hotel scene. It's also ideal for families and groups of friends who want to split the cost, eat in, and enjoy a taste of the finer things in life.

Some are high-ceiling homes with libraries, while others are a bit more contemporary. Greg Marsh and team have devoted an entire category to Family-friendly homes , one of which sleeps six to nine people for a few hundred pounds per night. Compared that to individual hotel room rates and you'll see it's worth it. These are not modest B&Bs or bedsits. They're elegant, stylish properties.

Cool factor: every guest gets the loan of an iPhone to use during their stay which is loaded with local tips and helpful videos recorded by the owner of that particular home (and, yes, you get to make free local calls.) It's the next best thing to having the owner show you around his or her local area.

Greg Marsh says he and his team have "sifted through some of the most decadent, elegant, quirky and surprising houses and apartments, and curated a collection of wonderful places to stay. Every single one is different. But they all offer the same delicious levels of comfort and character."

One can almost hear Dame Maggie Smith (Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham) giving her sniff of approval.

Here's your peek into three ready-to-rent London homes:

Clanricarde Gardens, Notting Hill
Calling card: "Funky mouldings and furnishings"

Clanricarde Gardens, Notting Hill Funky mouldings and furnishings

 Neighbourhood Higlights: Rent the Hugh Grant-Julia Roberts flick Notting Hill for a quick preview of the area. Shop for collectibles and curios at Portobello Road Market or stroll through Kensington Gardens. If you want to go further afield, just hop the tube and be at Oxford Circus in a jiffy.

Albert Hall Mansions, Hyde Park
Calling card: Palatial three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment overlooking Hyde Park

Albert Hall Mansions, Hyde Park

Neighbourhood highlights: You've got Hyde Park (watch for the Queen's Guards on their morning riding drill) and,  of course, you'd be within singing distance of Albert Hall for concerts. The trendy shops of Kensington are close by as is the Natural History and Science museum.

Ivor Place, Marylebone
Calling card: An urban retreat adventure - and family-friendly, too!

Bedrooms for Everyone

Fully-equipped kitchen

Neighbourhood highlights: You've got access to Regent’s Park’s rose garden, plus the regal The Landmark Hotel for Afternoon Tea, and you're within walking distance to Marylebone train station.
If any of these tickle your fancy or if you're seeking stylish lodging in another part of London, visit One Fine Stay. Greg Marsh plans to extend his survey internationally in the very near future.

The Luck of the Irish...

...is that they live in one of the most beautiful places in the world.  Yeah, I know, you've heard that before about 101 other travel destinations. But, really, my ancient family history aside, it is breath-takingly beautiful - but it can be a quirky place to visit. I'll grant you that.

The early trickling of green beer here in Toronto announces the arrival of St. Patrick's Day unleashes a surge of memories of two particular trips (translation: mishaps) which underscore the dual pleasures of Ireland: magic and mirth.

St. Patrick's Day in Dublin (Courtesy: Tourism Ireland)

One of my "magical" moments in Ireland turn into a pain in the butt, literally. I had just embarked on a four-day horse-riding holiday near Downpatrick (site of the Saint Patrick Centre, dedicated of course to Ireland's Patron Saint), very close to trails that would take me up and through the Mountains of Mourne.

I had long-awaited my chance to mount an Irish Draft Horse. The beast was not. Imagine, if you will, straddling a breathing bull-dozer who, in one sigh, tosses you to the ground. Limping along (post-toss) with the offending horse (who suddenly turned into a sucky baby) nuzzling my pack for treats, I couldn't help but admire the incredible scenery, something I wouldn't have done while cantering - maybe.

My other "magical" Irish moment transpired at Giants Causeway, the naturally-occurring wonder of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that look like they were chiseled by human hands. Giants Causeway was created by volcanic action. It made for the perfect photo op - until the skies open with hail and thunder.

You'd think my excursions to Ireland were jinxed or were the leprechauns just having fun with me?

An informal survey of friends and fellow travellers netted me this round-up of favourite Ireland experiences. Do put them on your bucket list if you head to the Emerald Isles, but be wary of big horses and funny little men.

5 Amazing Ireland Wonders

1. Giants Causeway, Antrim

Giants CausewayIreland (Courtesy: Tourism Ireland)

Giants Causeway looks like it could be part of a movie set, the overnight work of craftsmen and special-effects technicians. But it's the real McCoy. You must walk the suspension bridge. (Just don't look down.) See www.giantscausewayireland.com

2. Horseback trekking in Connemara

Connemara, County Galway (Photo: Holger Leue, Tourism Ireland)

This conversation transpired at a bus depot in Connemara, a few days after my horse mishap in Downpatrick.

Jimmy from Connemara: I see you're limping.
Me: Why, yes, just a bit.
Jimmy: You had a wee bit to drink, then, laddie?
Me (taken back): Ah, no, I fell off a horse, if you must know.
Jimmy: Was it a Connemara horse then?
Me: Nope.
Jimmy: Ah, then that was your first mistake.

The next time I sign up for an equestrian holiday in Ireland, it seems I must head to Connemara. But really, a riding vacation anywhere in Ireland would appeal to me (depending on the weather that day). To quote one Willie Leahy: ""It´s difficult to translate the charm and magic of Ireland on horseback." Check out Horse Riding Ireland - Connemara Trailsfor reliable outfitters - and ask for a jitter-free horse.

3. Temple Bar, Dublin

Temple Bar, Dublin: popular with locals and visitors (Photo: Tony Pleavin, Tourism Ireland)

 
Don't chide yourself for for getting confused. Yes, there is a great drinking establishment called The Temple Bar. It's been serving brew since 1840. But Temple Bar also refers to the area on the south bank of the River Liffey in central Dublin, crowded with pubs and alive with streetlife. A good source for non-touristy pubs is Dublin Uncovered.

4. Cycling through the Emerald Isles

Cycling in Connemara (Photo: Tony Pleavin for Tourism Ireland)

A double plug Connemara, featured again in this photo. If you prefer wheels to horses, hop on a bike. Suggestion: budget more time for your back-country outings. It's not the winding roads that will take up more time, it will be your frequent stops and photo ops. The 'Cycling' section on Discover Ireland is the go-to stop to start planning a biking holiday in Ireland.

5. Chatting with the locals!

Friendly folk of Listowel, County Kerry (Photo: Nutan, Tourism Ireland)

Getting a grip on Irish customs can be entertaining. You can always check out any of the hundreds of cultural festivals taking place in Ireland throughout the year. Head to a friendly place like Listowel, County Kerry, where you can enjoy traditional Irish music at the ‘Seisiún’ held at the Seanchaí Literary & Cultural Centre every Thursday night.

Or you can simply stop for a pint at the The Harp & Lion or The Pure Drop on Listowel's Church Street.

If you're looking to avoid my equine mishaps and weather woes, Discover Ireland web site (www.discoverireland.com) has hundreds of great ideas to inspire your own magical Irish moments.

Go n-éirí an bóthar leat! (Have a good journey!) And Happy St. Patrick's Day!