Malahide Castle is one of the most beautiful buildings in the whole of Ireland. Situated 14km north of Dublin, parts of the building date from the 12^th century, whilst continual additions make the castle a fascinating collection of architectural styles. One of the major draws for those staying in Dublin hotels is the extensive parkland in which it sits, 250 acres of rolling greenery through which it is remarkably pleasant to stroll, particularly on a summer’s day.

Those staying in hotels in London may think they have access to the most majestic historic buildings around but this stunning Castle is tremendously easy to reach from the centre of Dublin, with the DART and number 42 bus from Beresford Place serving the pretty seaside town. During the summer, a stroll along the beach can be a magical experience, whilst observing the sunrise from the shore makes for an awe-inspiring start to the day.

The Castle served as a fortress and private home for the Talbot Family, who lived in the building from 1185 to 1973. The history of this illustrious noble family is chronicled in the exquisite portraits which adorn the Great Hall, whilst historical parallels can be drawn between the fates of family members and the fate of the Irish nation. One legend states that 14 members of the family had breakfast together on the morning of the Battle of the Boyne, only to die later that day.

The house also contains fine examples of period furniture, whilst the interior design and artwork is something to be marvelled. Many of the paintings are part of the collection from the National Gallery of Ireland. Guided tours are available in a variety of languages and these are conducted throughout the summer and winter months. Meanwhile, it is possible to have a feast in The Great Hall as the dulcet sounds of a String Quartet play from the Minstrel’s Gallery. A restaurant and tearoom is also on site for those with less exquisite tastes.

A quirky highlight is The Fry Model Railway, which is one of the world’s largest miniature railways, covering an area of 2,500 square feet. It houses a unique collection of handmade models of trains and is a delight for all railway enthusiasts. A significant amount of love and attention to detail has gone into the building of the railway, whilst a great deal can be learned about the history of the rails in Ireland.

Malahide Castle makes for a fascinating day out and a perfect break from the bustle of the city. During the summer or winter, there is plenty to do here, whilst visiting the surrounding countryside will allow you to experience a real slice of Ireland.

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So now that the recession refuses to go away, some businesses are spending less on travel. This is bad news for more people than travel agents, online booking sites, and car rental agencies.

While it is true that there are very many people who often don’t enjoy traveling for business, there seems to be a few who do. These people have become accustomed to frequent business trips and they positively relish leaving town for a couple of days, once or twice a month or so.

But who are these people and what is it about business travel that excites them so much?

Many of these people are women who are also mothers. Yes, men also enjoy going away from home but not quite to the same extent that women [who happen to be mothers] do.

·        Some of us love being pampered. We just love the thought of having someone else cook breakfast for us. And this breakfast is often far bigger than what we’d normally eat when we’re at home. It also really helps to be able to call room service at 11pm when feeling peckish.

·        Some of us love having someone clean up after us. Don’t feel like making the bed? No problem because there’s someone who gets paid to do that. You can make a mess in the bathroom and someone else will clean it. Does the air conditioner’s noise keep you awake at night? Well, call downstairs and they’ll sort it out for you. 

·        Some of us love getting some me-time. Yes, we’re prepping for that early morning meeting with possible investors but really, it’s just fabulous to do so while watching the sun rise. There are no crying children in the background, someone else will take care of the dirty laundry, and we have time to finish the spreadsheet before dashing off to the gym for a quick run. Bliss!

·        Getting some shut-eye is possible when you’re the only one in the bed. There are far too many spouses who snore, and there are far too many children who insist on sleeping in mommy’s arms. So is it any wonder that the thought of sleeping alone is such a pleasant one? Even if it’s only one night every couple of months?

The right travel package can make life so much more enjoyable. Pick one that will do just that. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasts.

Rome is known to be the Eternal City because of its long history. It is Italy’s ancient and modern-day capital and one of the world’s great historic cities. It is considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful cities where ancient monuments and magnificent churches and palaces stand as reminders of Rome’s past glory.

Rome is one of the world’s top tourist destinations. Thousands of visitors come every year from all parts of the world to enjoy the beautiful buildings, works of art and catch a glimpse of the ruins of ancient Rome.

As the home of the popes, whose palace is in the independent Vatican City, Rome became the centre of the Roman Catholic Church. Many priceless masterpieces collections done by famous artist Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, and other great master can be seen in the Vatican Palace.

The Colosseum is one of the chief landmarks of ancient Rome. This huge amphitheatre is one of the most popular travel attractions visited by many tourists and Romans to watched train fighters called gladiators battle each other or fight wild animals and other public entertainment.

One of the most gorgeous squares of Rome is the Piazza Navona surrounded by coffee shops and restaurants. The square is full of artists making artworks like portraits and caricatures to the tourists. In the center of the square lies the great work of Gian Lorenzo Bernini which is the beautiful Fountain of Four Rivers. Another masterpiece found in Piazza Navona is the Fountain of Neptune surrounded by beautiful churches and palaces.

Rome offers many public parks and gardens in the grounds of magnificent old villas like the great Villa Borghese which has hills, meadows, and woods like a natural countryside. Various Rome’s tourists visit the Villa Ada, the old home of Italian kings. The Villa Glori, a park honoring Italy’s war dead, is covered with pine trees. The Villa Sciarra has famous fountains and rare plants.

There are many exclusive deals vacation rentals coupons you can use for your trip to Rome and wide choice of Rome accommodation options. Visit an accommodation directory and choose your holiday home in Rome or find lodging for your stay.

Berlin is Germany’s official capital and largest city. Its location at the junction of the Spree and Havel rivers – a trading crossroads – helped to establish its importance. It is one of Europe’s great cultural, political and economic centres. The city has a diverse and unusually open urban landscape. Within the city limits lie many parks, lakes, gardens, and forested areas, and some open farmland.

The Brandenburg GateThis is the famous iconic landmark in Berlin, stands at the literal heart of the city and German history. It serves as the city’s main crossing point for east-west traffic. Tourists can visit the gate anytime. No fixed opening hours is implemented.

KurfürstendammThe most famous avenue in the western central area is Kurfürstendamm, an elegant shopping boulevard. Fashionable shops, theatres, nightclubs, and restaurants make it an exciting area. At the east end of the Kurfürstendamm stands the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The modern church building and a bell tower stand on either side of the original bombed-out tower, left standing as a reminder of World War II.

TiergartenTiergarten is a 255-hectare park that houses a number of important buildings and monuments located in Mitte and were designed by Peter Joseph Lenné. The Zoological Gardens situated in the west end of the Tiergarten which have about 2,000 different species of animals and it has a striking “Elephant Gate” entrance. The Soviet War Memorial in the Tiergarten which features a massive statue of a Soviet Soldier where visitors can watch the changing of the guard.

Alexanderplatz SquareThis is a large square used to be known as “Oxen Square”. It developed into an important traffic junction and business centre until now. The TV tower known as the Fernsehturm is the focal point of this square in Mitte which is the second highest building in the European Union.