Private and Custom-Designed Tour Testimonial – Ireland and Wales with David McGuffin

by | Feb 12, 2016 | Uncategorized

Ireland and Wales with David McGuffin

Nine months in advance, my husband, Gary, and I (ages 70-plus) and our daughter and her spouse began planning a trip to Ireland. After much searching for tours and being frustrated with scheduling problems, we contacted David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe. Based on his 9-day “Essence of Ireland” tour, David designed a custom package for the four of us for Aug. 27-Sept. 5, 2015. We paid $3,039 each and were pleasantly surprised by the affordability of having our own professional tour guide and driver plus all of the included amenities, among which, received in advance, was a travel planner with travel tips and descriptions of the areas we’d be visiting.

Following the Ireland trip, David accompanied Gary and me on a 6-day extension to northern Wales, where we visited many historical sites and went to an archive office to search for family history documents. I also explored the area where my great-grandfather grew up. The total cost of the extension, including airfare from Ireland to Manchester, England, accommodations, a luxury car, a driver and a guide, was $2,590 each. While we were in Wales, we stayed at the small but wonderful B&B Tan-yr-Onnen Guesthouse (Waen, Saint Asaph, Denbighshire, Wales) and took side trips around the area. The B&B owners served delicious homemade breakfasts and were very helpful in providing information and local contacts. We were astounded by the beauty of northern Wales, with the wild heather in full bloom covering the mountains with purple haze and lining the lovely backroads that led to small villages and farms.

On both of the tours we scheduled with David, we were extremely pleased with his attention to details, his professionalism, his excellent driving skills and his great sense of adventure. He was flexible and well informed and a delightful traveling companion. All accommodations on his tours were first class, and the included meals were excellent, with a wide variety of choices and some culinary “surprises.” Gary and I have traveled extensively overseas, usually with tour groups, and it was wonderful not having to wait in lines to get on or off a bus or to search for our luggage, check into hotels, file into restaurants, etc., not to mention being able to take more convenient routes to save precious travel time. These tours were awesome!

– SHANTI MILES-KELLEY Newport, OR

IRELAND – A Photo Tour Around the Emerald Isle

by | May 18, 2012 | Destinations, Uncategorized

When we Americans conjure up images of Ireland we often think of rolling green hills, rock walls, sheep, and soaring cliffs plunging into the wild Atlantic. That’s exactly what you can expect from the west coast of Ireland. From north to south, the Counties of Antrim, Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Clare, and Kerry offer some of the most beautiful scenery on the Emerald Isle. So, to whet your appitite, I’ve included a visual photo tour of some of my favorite Irish scenes.

Sláinte!

David McGuffin

 

 

 

 

 

 

Framing Perspective Shots – by Dave Davis

by | Nov 12, 2011 | Photography, Uncategorized

Special photographs often depend on the perspective from where the shot is taken.   The image that captures curves or disappearing paths is a way to break out of the typical rectangular shapes of most photos in a collection.   It can accentuate depth.   They entice the viewer to look deeper into the image, and, in general, will just be of more interest.

In the accompanying photographs, notice how the curve or the path pulls your eye.   Also, notice how the curve or the path is located within the central portion of the picture.   In essence you are taking a picture of the landscape feature, letting it be the central image of the photo for your photo collection story.   Framing is still important but not as structured.   More often foreground plays a more important role in the end product.   Here are a few images that try to demonstrate the point.

ha-penny-bridge

giants-causway

eiffel-picnic

Dun-Aonghasa

dublin-street

Alpine Delights in Switzerland

by | Mar 28, 2011 | Destinations, Experiencing Europe, Uncategorized

Alps I’ve been calling Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland my alpine home for the past 15 years.  Tucked away and hidden from the mega-tourism of Switzerland,  Lauterbrunnen is a sleepy little jumping off point for savvy outdoor enthusiasts looking for a laid-back village with lots of outdoor recreation.

I’ve spent the day wandering around the alpine terrain and villages above Lauterbrunnen.  The entire region is connected by a series of railways, trams, lifts, and funiculars making transportation a breeze.  One could effortlessly experience a lot of the countryside by taking public transportation, but for me, I want to get out for some exercise.  I’m visiting here in March and it appears the ski season is still going strong.  Unfortunately, I never tried snow skiing and I’m too old to begin now, so I’ll trust my adventures to my own two feet and get out for a good hike.

Train and snowI began my day by taking the lift from Lauterbrunnen to Grüutschalp, a ten-minute ride and elevation gain of more than 4000 feet.  From Grütschalp, I walked on a fairly easy trail for 1.5 hours to the resort village of Mürren.  It is loaded with swanky alpine hotels designed for skiers and outdoor enthusiasts.  Mürren is an alpine village with no vehicular traffic (except farm and service equipment) and requires a lift and a train to reach its hotels and chalets.  I believe it is a bit on the expensive side, but I enjoy the ambiance for lunch and poking around.

After touring the town, top to bottom, I decided to have lunch at an outdoor café with a view of the Alps.  I ordered raclette, which is a sinfully delicious mixture of melted Swiss cheese, boiled potatoes, pearl onions, Gherkin pickles, and a few garnishes.  Wash this rich and gooey dish down with a flask of the local brew and you’ve got a tasty meal.

GrindelwaldFrom Mürren, I hiked downhill to the quaint farming village of Gimmelwald .  Up above town, I found a comfy bench with a grand view of the glacial mountains where sat and I updated my journal and finally, laid down for a peaceful nap.  Later, I took the cable car back down to the valley floor and walked along the river to Lauterbrunnen. 

This was a `great day, but I’ve experienced many such days in the Lauterbrunnen Valley.  In the past hour, I’ve enjoyed broad sweeping alpine vistas from my hotel balcony while putting the finishing touches on this blog entry.  Now, it is getting dark, and I am getting cold.  I believe we have the two Swiss favorites of fondue and rösti on the menu for dinner.  It’s days like this that reminds me of the wonders of exploring Europe!