Vacation Resorts: Artisans and Travel in Mexico

Travel Tales: Glendalough

In my early teens, our extended family vacationed in Ireland. The second day there, we visited Glendalough National Park in County Wicklow. We were tired from the flight and I didn?t understand why it was so important to go there. Little did I know that it would be one of the best days of my life.

Wicklow Gap

It was a 45-minute drive through the West Wicklow Mountains, rising to the Wicklow Gap at elevation 1,500 feet, before dropping into the Glendalough Valley. My father is accustomed to speeding over New York highways and was challenged by driving on the left-hand side of the mountain roads, which were narrow, winding and lined by stone walls. Every time someone shouted, ?Look!? in response to the spectacular scenery, we had to quickly add, ?But not you, Dad!? And whenever he had to turn, the whole car had to agree on which lane he should turn into and where he had to look for oncoming traffic. Getting there really is half the fun!

Source: MotoWhere? [http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/Wicklow-Gap]

Welcome to Glendalough

When we arrived in the Glendalough National Park, my father lay down to recover from the drive and we went into the Visitor Centre to figure out why we?d bothered to go to the park. We learned that the name Glendalough means ?Glen of Two Lakes,? and that glaciers carved out the spectacularly beautiful glen.

Source: Wicklow Mountains National Park [http://www.wicklownationalpark.ie/pages/glendalough.php]

Monastic City

From the Welcome Center, it was an easy walk to the Monastic City, which houses a series of churches, monastic settlements and cemeteries, originally founded by St. Kevin in the late sixth century. The oldest collection of buildings is clustered around St. Kevin?s Church and the 100-foot tall Round Tower. They are in extraordinary condition for stone buildings constructed more than a thousand years ago. We also saw St. Kevin?s Cross, which confers luck on anyone who can fit his or her arms around it. We had fun trying. It was fascinating to read tombstones from the 1700s.
Source: Georgia College & State University

[http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~dvess/ids/medieval/glendalough/glendalough.shtml]

Lower Lake

Right after the Monastic City is the Lower Lake. According to an amazing history and virtual tour of Glendalough [http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~dvess/ids/medieval/glendalough/glen5.htm] by Dr. Deborah Vess of Georgia College & State University, the Lower Lake is where the monks, most famously St. Kevin, spent a lot of time in self-examination. Biographers talk about St. Kevin fighting a ?monster? here; Dr. Vess thinks that this was a metaphor for his inner self.

Upper Lake and Trails

From there, the trek up to the Upper Lake is manageable for most people. The trails continue higher into the mountains, and the long hike is worth it for the incredible views toward the top. My cousins and I encouraged the rest of our family by yelling, ?Top or bust!? A few members of my family decided to try one of the harder trails; we didn?t know until afterward that we had actually gone off the trail. When we found the path again, and met up with our family, we saw a beautiful waterfall and a sign that warned about ?dangerous cliffs ahead? and told us that we needed boots, a compass and a map to go any further. This encouraged us to turn back, but we?ll be prepared for next time! After my entire family completed the breathtaking walk, we now have a new motto: ?Wicklow, baby, that?s how we roll!?

Source: Walking in Ireland [http://www.walkinginireland.org/glendalough/]

Maggie Moran is a writer for findingDulcinea [http://www.findingDulcinea.com]

MORE ARTICLES:

Post-Holiday Spa Week and Duchess Detox in Mexico's Riviera Maya
Seven Day Mayan Retreat Package Available Through December 31, 2009 at Esencia Estate

A Mexico Travel Special To The Mexico Caribbean Coast
A Great Mexico Travel Special should include time spent on the Mexico Caribbean Coast, where you will find so much to do and so many things to enjoy. You can easily organise a Mexico Vacation Package that will allow you to travel around Mexico seeing some of the Country?s amazing sights and then allow you to finish with a relaxing time on the Mexico Caribbean Coast.

La Casa Que Canta In Zihuatanejo Mexico Pacific Coast
It is difficult to do justice to the La Casa Que Canta in Zihuatanejo , but for a start, you only have to think of no kids. no noises. No distractions...just pure beauty, and total relaxation. A perfect choice for a Mexico romantic honeymoon hotel.

Uncovered: A New Resource for Real Estate Investment Opportunities in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
fundVallarta announces a full online resource for discovering real estate investment opportunities in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. With conditions similar to the property boom in California, Puerto Vallarta is poised to become an international performer with a solid return on investment. Visitors are able to access a significant knowledge-based investment resource center at the fundVallarta.com website.

The Beaches Of Puerto Vallarta
The beaches in and around Puerto Vallarta may be the most diverse in Mexico. Located at the midpoint of Banderas Bay, the area surrounding Puerto Vallarta boasts 34 miles of coastline, 26 of which are sandy beaches. Within the city, the beaches are elegant and pristine, bordered by restaurants and resorts. Beaches to the north of the city tend to be longer and wider, with great opportunities for surfing and swimming. South of Puerto Vallarta, the mountains topple into the sea in places, creating placid coves and intimate sandy pockets.

Puerto Vallarta: The City of Festivals
After Puerto Vallarta found its way onto the international tourism map following the release of ?The Night of the Iguana,? the city became a meeting place for artists, musicians and anyone seeking a cosmopolitan destination amongst incredible natural beauty As a result, numerous festivals have developed in Puerto Vallarta, celebrating everything from independent film to haute cuisine

In-Suite Spa Treatments Exude Romance in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
New In-Suite Spa Treament and Diamond Bath for Couples at Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort

Resort in Mexico's Riviera Maya Offers Luxury, Family Fun, and Culinary Excellence
A recently completed expansion provides all-inclusive getaway at the Hotel Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort.

A Mexico Vacation Special To The Maroma Resort In The Mayan Riviera
Some very good reasons for booking a Mexico vacation special and choosing the best of luxury hotels the Maroma Resort in the Mayan Riviera

Discount Last Minute Puerto Vallarta Packages To The Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita
We managed a discount last minute Puerto Vallarta package to the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. In truth the discount was the bonus, because we fully intended to go there anyway, and pay the full price, but thanks to some work online, we got a huge discount. A quick thank you to The Vacation Bargain Finder, details of which can be found at http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/pages/Vacation-Bargain-Finder.html

Livin' La Vida Loca at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Mexico is in itself a paradise with its lot of places that offer nothing but the best comfortable life to anyone. Out of the several coastal resort-type offerings in the region, Puerto Vallarta is possibly the greatest epitome of wonderland.

Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Receives AAA Four Diamond Award
Casa Velas Hotel Boutique in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is again joining the ranks of AAA Four Diamond Award winners. Casa Velas is the only adults-only all-inclusive golf resort in Mexico to receive this AAA Four Diamond award.

Iconic Mexican Performers Take Flight In Puerto Vallarta
Every weekend in Puerto Vallarta, a group of famous Mexican performers take flight From a central location on the Malec?n ? Puerto Vallarta?s beloved boardwalk ? the Papantla Flyers dazzle visitors with six performances each Saturday and Sunday

Spring Break Soccer Training and Spanish Language Camp in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Spring break soccer training and Spanish language camp will take place in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.