FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
Fly Chicago

Top Irish Castle Accommodations for the Family

by Angelique Platas

Jun 29, 2018

© Upthebanner | Dreamstime.com

Listicles

Castles in Ireland may be a dime a dozen, but it’s not everyday you get to stay in one. With Ireland’s Blue Book of castle properties, guests can sleep like royalty in actual historic accommodations boasting luxury, heritage, unique features and easy access to local attractions and day excursions.

Beginning in County Clare, Gregan’s Castle boasts incredible views across Galway Bay and the rugged Burren landscape While situated off the beaten path from tourists, Gregan’s Castle is a luxury retreat minutes from local tourist attractions. Enjoy homemade Irish cuisine, 15 elegant bedrooms, six luxury suites and open log fires during colder nights.

Over in County Kildare, Barberstown Castle is a 13th-century residence your family can use as home base while exploring Dublin and the eastern side of Ireland. Once the home of Eric Clapton, Barberstown hosted visitors for more than 800 years and offers 4-star accommodations and luxury service as well as local food and wine in an ideal location.

On the newer side (by Irish standards), Belleek Castle in County Mayo was built in the 1820s and boasts a unique Neo-Gothic architecture. This cozy hotel provides just 10 bedrooms, open-log fires and Irish charm for days. Built on a medieval abbey, Belleek Castle resembles an Irish country house with an updated dining venue.

Castle Durrow

Castle Durrow © Patryk Kosmider | Dreamstime.com

The 4-star hotel and traditionally beautiful Castle Durrow is located in County Laois and was once the home of Peter and Shelly Stokes. Built in 1716, Castle Durrow is now a popular wedding venue surrounded by lush woods and winding pathways — idyllic to say the least.

When you picture old-world luxury on the rolling green of Ireland, you might actually have a picture of Castle Leslie Estate in mind. Located in County Monaghan, the Leslie Estate is literally surrounded with acres of natural beauty and rustic landscape, perfect for an authentic Irish countryside experience.

Each castle estate boasts a bit of the old world meets new. Enjoy luxury comforts and modern convenience with that added touch of something special to your Irish family vacation for all ages and interests. Slow down and unwind with the rolling landscape of Ireland without sacrificing comfort.

#WhereverFamily

Insta Feed
Destinations / North America
Nov 28, 2023

Families Can Explore Rocket City with a Kids Pass

Huntsville, Alabama, is one of those destinations helping define the family-friendly vacation. Home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the city is lovingly nicknamed Rocket City thanks to its history of always reaching for the stars. This is where you’ll find Space Camp, where kids and families can take part in various programs at the world’s largest space museum, U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet

United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.

Destinations / North America
Nov 28, 2023

Head to Now Snowing in Celebration Festival in Kissimmee, Florida, This Winter

Through Dec. 31, family travelers can enjoy the most unexpected thing in Florida: a white Christmas. The Now Snowing in Celebration festival in Kissimmee, Florida, embraces winter traditions for both locals and visitors. Free to visit, families will love heading to the town built by Disney.

Destinations / North America
Nov 27, 2023

5 of America’s Most Beautiful Aquariums

Let family travels take you to one of these stunning aquariums around the United States. Recently, Aquarium Store Depot analyzed TripAdvisor reviews containing words such as beautiful, breathtaking and picturesque for 175 public aquariums across America. Each aquarium ranked based on the percentage of reviews to determine the most eye-catching aquariums.

United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates

As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.

Multigenerational
Nov 27, 2023

Sip Some Holiday Afternoon Tea on the Napa Valley Wine Train

All aboard! A holiday afternoon tea on a vintage train winding its way through lush wine country? If that sounds a lovely to you as it does to us, the Napa Valley Wine Train is on track to offer you a great seasonal experience perfect for sharing with family or loved ones. Tea is served in a holiday-decked vintage Pullman rail car with historic features like Honduran mahogany paneling, etched glass partitions, sumptuous armchairs and gleaming brass accents.