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EXPERIENCE HOGWARTS AT ASHFORD CASTLE!

08.09.11

By Sheryll Alexander

For those who take the Harry Potter book and movie series very seriously, perhaps the most fantastic place to be this Halloween is Ireland’s only five-star hotel, Ashford Castle. And the time to plan this once-in-a-lifetime fall getaway is now.

In fact, the 700-year-old Ashford Castle looks so much like J.K. Rowling’s imaginary Hogwarts School of Wizardry & Witchcraft that it could have been a setting for any of the blockbuster Harry Potter films. So, every Halloween, the castle celebrates a Hogwarts-themed holiday in its stone-walled turrets, secret rooms, hidden alcoves, spacious dining halls and secluded woodlands.

This year, Ashford Castle hosts hundreds of families for “Hogwarts Halloween,” which features special packages and magical activities such as treasure hunts, painting classes and hours of supervised themed play. The kid and parent dinners (served separately with supervision for the children so mom and dad can relax) are spectacular events with fine food and drink. Harry Potter films (also supervised!) are shown in the evenings after dinner. Can you imagine watching one of the Harry Potter films after dinner as English-style nannies supervise the children so parents can dine, drink and relax? Now, THAT is magic!

Ashford Castles’s mystical surroundings in a 700-year-old Irish castle In County Mayo surrounded by a lake, a river, stone bridges, golf greens and forests of rolling verdant green hills, host two “Hogwarts Halloween” packages offered from Oct. 28-Nov. 6.

The one-night package is priced at €495 (around $700) and the two-night package is priced at €950 (about $1,350). Both packages include accommodation in a deluxe family room and are based on two adults and two children (12 years and under). €85 (around $120) per night may be applied for each additional child.

October 28, 30; November 1, 3, 5

Noon: "Forbidden Forest" treasure hunt for entire family

3 pm Visit to the hiding place of Dingle, Ashford Castle's resident owl (supervised)

4 pm: Afternoon "Chamber of Art" painting class (supervised)

5-6:30 pm: Kids' dinner in the Ardilaun Suite (supervised)

6:30-9 pm: Harry Pottermovie evening (supervised)

From 7 pm: George V Table d'Hote dinner for Mom and Dad

October 29, 31; November 2, 4, 6

Noon: "Hidden Garden" treasure hunt for entire family

3 pm: "House Elves" cooking class (supervised)

4-5 pm: Afternoon "Chamber of Witchcraft & Wizardry" (supervised)

5-6 pm: Kids' dinner in the Ardilaun Suite (supervised)

6:30-9 pm - Harry Potter movie evening (supervised)

From 7 pm: George V Table d'Hote dinner for Mom and Dad

About Ashford Castle

AshfordCastle, which dates back to 1228, is set on 350 acres of County Mayo, on the shores of Lough Corrib and the River Cong, with a spectacular backdrop of woodlands, lake, river and mountains. Recent awards and recognitions include being ranked Best Resort in Ireland in Condé Nast Traveler's 2011 Gold List, winning the 2010 Gold Medal from the Green Hospitality Awards and being among Trip Advisor's 2010 top ten picks for European castle hotels. For more information, visit: www.ashford.ie.

Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, California. Follow her! @sheryllalexande

Good-bye Summer Crowds, Hello Inn at Laguna Beach

08.08.11

As soon as Labor Day comes and goes, the summer crowds in Laguna Beach will be gone, yet the beautiful weather will be breathtaking. So a stay at the oceanfront Inn at Laguna Beach can make a perfect getaway. Everything you need is within walking distance: the beach, shopping, art galleries, restaurants, and the Laguna Museum of Art.

The Inn at Laguna Beach overlooks Main Beach, Laguna Village and Heisler Park and it’s offering a special fall rate that’s hard to beat: from $139 per night you can book a village view room. Just book the room online at www.innatlagunabeach.com, or call 888.740.7178 by Sept. 10, for a stay from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31. Mention the promo code: PROOCT.

The rate doesn’t include resort fee, incidental charges, or taxes, and blackout dates can apply.

211 North Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach.

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