The Greek islands are exactly what we all think of in our day dreams – beautiful blue waters, ancient history, and idyllic atmosphere. But this destination offers far more than meets the eye. Beneath this beauty queen’s flawless exterior lives a woman of substance – a thriving culture with a timeless past, and unique experiences […]
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Spotlight on Greece
Crystal clear waters and hidden coves, blue-domed churches and whitewashed homes, windmills and ancient archeological finds. This is the Greece we’ve all heard about and long for…images we’ve gathered in our minds from movies, magazines, and jet-setter friends who make us green with envy. Greece is all these things and more, from the mainland to […]
Big Adventures Await on “The Big Island” of Hawaii
So…..let’s talk about the name of this island first. We here on the mainland often refer to the Island of Hawaii as “The Big Island,” because that’s been its nickname for years, and also because it’s representative of the geographic nature of the island. In recent years, the residents of this lovely and distinct island […]
Maui is the Perfect Place to Begin Married Life
Maui, or the “M” word, as the other islands call it in good-natured competition, has long been known for romance, due in part to its lovely beaches, but mostly to its relaxed pace and restful spirit. It also ranks as the favorite island of visitors from the mainland, much to the dismay of its sister […]
Kauai Leaves an Impression on Your Heart
The Garden Isle. An outdoor paradise. A mecca for active travelers. There are many ways to describe the Hawaiian island of Kauai, but on my recent travels there I found that the most accurate description of this magical place is not in words at all–it’s in the impression it leaves upon your heart. Kauai is […]
Oahu’s Diversity Attracts Travelers of all Kinds
Oahu is the island that truly has it all. While many visitors come for just a quick stopover due to the convenience of the international airport or to sightsee at Pearl Harbor, this island is much more than it seems at first. There is so much to enjoy– lovely beaches, stunning scenery, history, culture, first […]
Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher and Connemara Surpass Expectations
My husband, Phillip, and I had just spent a few days in Southeast Ireland, where our Irish adventures included kissing the Blarney Stone and meandering through the tiny port city of Cobh. Now it was time to explore more of Ireland! As we headed North out of County Kerry toward Galway, we couldn’t possibly imagine that anything else […]
Dublin’s History and Architecture Charm Visitors
After spending a week in the wild and scenic countryside of Ireland, we reluctantly turned our tiny road rocket in the direction of Dublin. Though I tend to be more drawn to the rustic and rural areas of any country, I can enjoy a lively city with the best of them. It was my turn to […]
Company Founder, Ella Grondahl, Bids Farewell
This Thanksgiving is a special one in our office, and for a significant reason – we’ve had the privilege of celebrating the fulfilling career and recent retirement of our founder, inspiration and second mother, the one and only Ella Grondahl. Ella founded Global Escapes in 1988, and she has built a thriving business through sheer […]
Days of Yore and Local Lore in Ireland
By Christine Smith, Global Escapes Certified Travel Associate Upon arrrival in Dublin, Phillip and I headed straight for the car rental counter to pick up our tiny road rocket and begin our grand Irish adventure. And it certainly got off to a roaring start–driving on the left in heavy traffic is not for the faint […]