by Renee Paudler, 7-time traveler from West Linn, Oregon
Voltaire once said, “We must cultivate our own garden.” As a master gardener, I can certainly relate to that sentiment in a literal sense—I know the hard work that goes into making a garden look beautiful. Yet there is another meaning there: the idea of working to create the experiences you want to have.
I wanted to see some of the world, but my husband is not a traveler. So I knew that if I wanted to take a trip, I was going to have to take the chance of going solo. I wanted to go to Ireland, and a friend had recommended Grand Circle as a solo-friendly company. So I did my research and liked what I found—especially the free Single Supplement, which is a huge benefit.
I signed up for the Ireland in Depth trip, an exciting journey that visits Emerald Isle destinations like the Burren, Blarney Castle, the Ring of Kerry, and Dublin. I enjoyed seeing the Cliffs of Moher—particularly because my group saw them early in the morning, before the rush of tourist buses arrived. And of course, I especially enjoyed some of the beautiful gardens we saw.
Our Program Director, Sean, was a big reason why I enjoyed the trip so much. He gave 110% every single minute of the trip, and always made himself available. I really appreciated that he didn’t treat me differently because I was traveling by myself.
I appreciated having freedom to be on my own while I was traveling, but I also enjoyed the connections I made with my fellow travelers. People were very friendly, often inviting me to join them for a walk or sit with them at their table. And I found that I had quite a bit in common with others on the trip. There were several other ladies traveling single, and there were some other vegetarians like me. Best of all, perhaps, there were other master gardeners on the trip. We had a lot to talk about after seeing some of the beautiful gardens in Ireland.
The trip was such a success that I have another one booked with Grand Circle. This time, I’m off on the Holland & Belgium in Springtime River Cruise. I know I’ll enjoy so many parts of the trip, but I can’t wait to see the Aalsmeer Flower Market, the largest one in the world. Once a gardener, always a gardener!