Traveler Daren Tobert and his companions enjoyed whiskey and far more at O’Loclainn’s.

Sue and Daren Tobert and Anna and Bruce Steingart here. We traveled the Wild Atlantic Way along the west coast of Ireland for 8 days in late August. We began planning our trip in November 2024 with the assistance of Louise. Our only request was to fit in a game of golf at Dooks Golf Course in County Kerry.

Our guide and driver for the trip was the fabulous Kate. She met our every need and was a wealth of history and knowledge. We were met with reasonable weather, intermittent sun, clouds, and a bit of rain, but we had come prepared for the climate. Some trip highlights included a visit to the Clonmacnoise monastery, a private sheepdog demonstration with Tom the farmer, a blustery trip to the Aran islands, a relaxing boat ride past medieval castles with Dux, and a Ring of Kerry beach foraging experience with local fisherman and storyteller, John. Our WOW came through in our whiskey tasting with Mary, the proprietor of O’Loclainn’s pub in Ballyvaughn. She immersed us in stories, flavors, history, and Irish culture!

Travelers David and Barbara Katz during a “spectacular” drive around the Dingle peninsula.

We’re just back from a wonderful two-week trip to Ireland, land of raincoats and sunglasses (frequently at the same time), pounding surf below steep cliffs, green fields, sheep and their canine herders, and rainbows—expertly planned by Liz. Outside the cities, we wanted a self-driving, mainly independent trip—which is generally how we like to travel, especially in Europe—with some guided experiences along the way. Liz paid close attention to our interests in easy hiking and cycling, natural landscapes, animals, cultural experiences, and interactions with locals.

Highlights included a private sheep dog demonstration on a mountain farm high above beautiful Killary Fjord in County Galway, where we were greeted with a rainbow arching over the valley below and enjoyed extended conversation—including tea and cookies—with Tom, whose family has been in the business of raising sheep for generations; a delightful, occasionally wet hike across The Burren with Pius, who knew everything about the geology, botany, history and culture of the area—and recited relevant verses of poetry as we walked; views of the spectacular Cliffs of Moher; ducking in and out of music-filled pubs in charming Dingle, and a spectacular drive around the Dingle peninsula; guided cycling away from traffic in Killarney National Park; a drive with Pat around the beautiful Ring of Kerry; a couple of evenings relaxing in charming Killarney town; and a walking tour of lovely Dublin with an enthusiastic historian who provided a rich picture of the history of the city and the Irish Republic.

Accommodations were all lovely, comfortable and roomy with beautiful views, and Liz provided lots of information on interesting stops to make along the way and great local restaurants and pubs for lunches and dinners. Travel info also included direct links to driving routes—and while some of the narrow, winding, shoulderless Irish roads with stone walls on either side were a bit challenging, we got to see beautiful countryside all along the way at our own pace.

Liz was extremely responsive throughout—from initial planning, to finalizing the itinerary, and even as we were traveling and making a couple of last-minute, weather-related adjustments to plans. All in all, a delightful experience, and we would highly recommend Liz to plan an adventure in beautiful Ireland.

I don’t think we could have come close to such a remarkable trip without the planning of our team. We spent 2 weeks, and the suggestions for locations and experiences were spot on based on what we had discussed with Louise. We were a little concerned about having a driver/guide for most of our trip (kind of taking your vacation with a stranger). Turns out that Dave, our driver/ guide, made our trip. He was so knowledgeable, fun, and considerate We were unbelievably well taken care of and he was able to adjust some of our experiences when weather turned south during our second week. We got along so well that should he visit the States in coming years, we would welcome him to our home.

A note on the weather: We were very prepared and had waterproof pants, jacket and shoes, so we could still be outdoors in the pouring rain. Highlights of experiences were exploration with a documentary filmmaker in Conamara coast, boat tour with Dux on lakes of Killarney, foraging with John on the southern shores, and sheep dog demo with farmer Tom. The only experience that we thought was very poor was the Galway food tour. The tastings were mediocre at best and the tour guide talked so incessantly that we cut it short.

Accommodations at Ballynahinch Castle and Gregans Castle were top notch. Sheen Falls, though popular with many, a little less so, as some staff appeared somewhat undertrained or curt. Overall kudos to Louise and the company for a great 2 weeks.

Louise & Liz planned an active and fun 9-night self-drive itinerary through Western Ireland for our multi-generational family’s summer vacation. The patriarch of the group, a County Mayo native who has lived in England for decades, had never actually toured any part of his country, instead always returning to work on the family farm. So this was a real treat for him—and we all benefited!

Our journey began in the north and included 3 wonderful lodging stops—Roundstone (Galway), Doolin (Clare) & Killarney (Kerry). We enjoyed excellent meals at well-selected restaurants which our trip planners arranged, incredible Irish music at local pubs, and gorgeous scenery throughout our stay. But the highlight for our group were the activities Liz & Louise selected for our group: chocolate making, seaweed foraging, soda bread making, and more. Each activity was led by a fun and skilled expert and not once were we disappointed.

Wendy Perrin connected us with planner Rachael. We asked for the trip of a lifetime and Rachael delivered an awesome adventure, going above & beyond. Rachael planned our 2-week adventure, starting with 3 days in London, from where we took the Caledonian overnight train to Inverness where we met our personal guide, Andrew McMurtrie. Andrew drove us for 7 days through Scotland, from Isle of Skye, through the Highlands & Glencoe, ending in Edinburgh. Rachael planned a variety of Scottish tour experiences and booked us in beautiful local hotels and restaurants, where we were able to experience the beauty and culture of London & Scotland. Andrew was the perfect guide for us. He was extremely knowledgeable, patient, and kind. He explained everything about Scottish culture and history. He was patient with me as I took hundreds of pictures; flexible and accommodating with my husband and his health issues; and he gave our 29-year old son fun and challenging experiences.

Racheal listened to my desires for this trip and delivered everything I asked for and more. She planned a trip where we learned the history of Scotland and my ancestors, complete with battlefields and castles. We experienced the beauty of the Scottish seas & highlands complete with hikes and bike rides. We saw Harry Potter & Outlander filming sites. We ate delicious Scottish fare at historic locations, and we learned about the whisky and sheep industry of this country. Rachael went above and beyond by researching my ancestors’ burial plots and had her parents confirm these locations. On the last day with our guide Andrew, he drove us to not one, but two burial sites of my Scottish ancestors. Rachael sent a beautiful quaich with Andrew for us to toast our family heritage. Andrew came with a bouquet of flowers for each grave and whiskey to toast with the quaich. Rachael also arranged for us to meet with a genealogist.

I asked for the trip of a lifetime and Wendy Perrin, Rachael, Andrew & their company delivered above and beyond. I will never forget this fabulous adventure, and I am ready to move to Scotland.

Travelers Holland and Patience take a break while touring the Scottish Highlands.

We were very happy and impressed with our recent trip to Scotland and England with planners recommended by WendyPerrin.com. We got a late start on our plans for the Scotland leg, which we added to our commitment to attend a wedding in London in mid-August. We thought, if we’re traveling to the UK, why not get a peek at Scotland while we’re there?

Wendy’s WOW List planners jumped right on it to recommend some great destinations and make the arrangements, both in Scotland and in London. We stayed in Edinburgh for three days, followed by three days in the Scottish Highlands. We then took the train from the Highlands to London, which was a real treat and it gave us a wonderful snapshot of the region. We stayed in London for 7 days.

Rachael’s team managed the myriad details, which can be quite challenging, and very quickly with a happy attitude, which is what we hoped for. We highly recommend the planners because they are smart, capable, and reliable.

This was my first time using a trip planner and having a private guide. The goal was a trip to Ireland with my mom to celebrate her 70th birthday. But also knowing my Mom has some physical limitations due to a recent foot surgery as well as some breathing issues, I knew the trip had to be planned around her capabilities and a private guide was the best option.

I was put in contact with Louise. We had a call where I gave her some details like the reason for the trip, about my Mom, the approximate length of trip, etc. The first itinerary and quote I received gave me some sticker shock for sure! And I asked if there was a way we could bring it down. Take 2 was still considerably higher than I was expecting, and I told Louise that we probably would pass on this option. BUT after sitting with it a few days and doing a little research, I realized that for what we were looking for, the price wasn’t so crazy (plus we were going during their busy season of August). And it’s a big birthday for Mom! So I emailed Louise back and said—we’re back on! Then we finalized the itinerary, and I put the deposit down.

From the pick up at the Dublin airport, we were taken care of. Everyone we interacted with was nice and helpful. Our guide Katie was amazing (knowledgeable, kind, funny, excellent driver), and she really helped to make this trip so memorable for both my Mom and myself. Being able to just show up and enjoy is quite a luxury! Some highlights from the trip (beside of the obvious tourist destinations, i.e. Cliffs of Moher) for us were staying at the Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, with the beautiful grounds and where they offer you the newspaper to read at breakfast, a private cooking lesson in Galway (making Irish brown bread, potato leek soup, Guinness brown bread, and a strawberry and rhubarb crumble), a seaweed bath in Doolin for my Mom, and feeding goats on Inishmore (Aran Islands). We even got to see a Celtic Step Show! Interacting with people one-on-one and learning about the culture is a real gift.

Even our transfer from Killarney back to Dublin was a guide himself and pointed out additional stuff along the way that we had not seen before. We had a great time and I would go back in a heartbeat. No regrets, and would go back in a heartbeat!

All in all, an excellent, memorable journey. Have recommended the itinerary and travel planners to friends and family. Thanks to Rachael for planning a fantastic trip!

We are just back from Ireland. Louise was very good at listening to what we wanted out of our trip and she was very flexible when we changed our minds about things, which we did several times. She was very responsive to all our communications.

We loved all of the experiences she provided for us: Chocolate-making class; basket-weaving class; crystal-cutting demo; sheep dog demo; a mini walk on the Burren rocks; foraging and then a cooking class over the fire. The food tour in Galway was such fun! And the falconer experience at Ashford Castle was not to be missed.

Our driver/guide, Linda, was quite good. She was an excellent, careful driver. She was quite personable, resourceful and flexible—she managed to get us different experiences when it rained us out of some.

My husband needed a clinic on short notice. The team found one for us, got us there with no fuss, and had us on our way quickly without missing a beat.

The Hayfield Manor and Ballynahinch Castle were wonderful hotels that we thoroughly enjoyed.

We were referred to Louise and Rachael’s team for a trip to Scotland for our 25th Anniversary. We were assigned Rachael as our agent, and she was a joy to work with. Eventually, we decided to go the London, Edinburgh, Isle of Skye, Glencoe and back to Edinburgh before heading to Oxford for a day before leaving. We left on June 11th, arriving in London on the 12th, and flew home on June 24th.

We planned the majority of the portions of London & all of Oxford, but Rachael planned the majority of the trip, selected our tour guide/driver for the majority of the Scotland trip, and handled the purchasing of tickets for the activities in Scotland. I would highly recommend this company.

It was an amazing trip. Rachael was extremely knowledgeable about the country and what we would want to see. As an example, I had never heard of the Clava Cairns, and when we told her wanted to go to Culloden, she immediately said the Cairns are close and are special, and she was absolutely correct. I also wasn’t sure about Glencoe, but it was incredibly beautiful and turned out to be one of my husband’s favorite parts of the trip.

We wouldn’t have enjoyed the trip as much without the selection of the tour guide & driver Rachael gave us. She paired us perfectly, and Emy’s depth of knowledge about the history of the country, trails, trees, etc. demonstrated her love of the wonders and gift that is Scotland. Emy chose walks and hikes that were beautiful and on our fitness level.

In honor of our 25th anniversary, the company presented us with a Quaich cup. It was a beautiful and special moment.

It also says a lot about the company that when Emy needed to leave early for a family issue, the company gave us another driver/tour guide to finish the trip and drive us back to Edinburgh without any hiccups.

“I was not particularly interested in touring castles or museums, preferring to enjoy the countryside, nature, learning about Irish people.”

As Wendy always says, having the right fixer makes all the difference when the unexpected happens. Such was the case with Louise, who was recommended to me by Wendy Perrin to plan my trip to Ireland.

From the beginning, Louise was fantastic in responding to our original trip request, calling promptly to discuss our goals for the trip, putting together an interesting itinerary which fit our budget. Then surprise…just 2 weeks out from the trip date, one of my two travel companions suffered a serious injury which prevented him from being able to travel!

Despite early recommendations (and reminders!) from Wendy and from Louise, my friend had failed to purchase travel insurance for himself. Though the terms of the trip clearly stated no refunds at that point, Louise graciously went above and beyond to negotiate with our selected hotels a very generous refund so that my friend received relief on the costs of the rooms. She was under no obligation to do this, and her effort was deeply appreciated by both of us!

While we missed our travel companion who had to cancel, two of us went on to enjoy a glorious two weeks. I’d long wanted to visit the land of my maternal ancestors and Ireland did not disappoint. Louise recommended I look into booking an appointment to explore my Irish roots with a genealogist at the EPIC Museum (Irish Emigration Museum) in Dublin. It was an enlightening and joyful experience with a delightful expert to uncover the names of my direct ancestors and learn more about their emigration to the United States as well as their early years as immigrants. I highly recommend this experience to future travelers with Irish ancestry. The museum itself is fascinating and well presented.

After a lively day in Dublin, we were collected by our fantastic guide/driver, Fionnuala, with whom we spent the next 8 days. She was so very pleasant, knowledgeable, attentive, helpful, an absolute joy.

Our experiences were delightful. I had shared with Louise that I was not particularly interested in touring castles or museums, preferring to enjoy the countryside, nature, learning about Irish people and their lifestyles.

We explored Killarney National Park in a private boat, spent a morning learning about various species and importance of seaweed with a foraging and foodie expert, marveled at the Cliffs of Moher, explored the fantastic island of Inis Mor, largest of the Aran Islands with a charming goat farmer who seemed to know every inch and every person living on the island, had a picnic on a beach on the small Inishlaken Island with a fourth-generation fisherman, and visited a local sheep farm in Connemara with a private sheepdog demonstration.

The most memorable day was a private visit with a charming cattle farmer in The Burren, the amazing landscape of limestone plateaus in County Clare. From Frank, we learned about the lifestyle in The Burren as well as the incredible array of wildflowers for which the area is famous. This particular area was included in our itinerary but did not happen on the day scheduled. When Fionnuala understood how important it was to me, she went to work with the main office to arrange the extended visit to explore the Burren in depth on another day. Their prompt efforts to make this last-minute arrangement provided a memory that will last a lifetime!

We had comfortable accommodations along the way and lovely meals in pubs and restaurants either included in our tour, or recommended to us by Fionnuala to enjoy on our own. Contrary to what we were told by some who had visited Ireland, we had such good food experiences—from pubs to inventive new restaurants, we were treated to every type of delicious fresh seafood imaginable as well as scrumptious fowl and lamb. Divine!

Every recommendation by Louise and Fionnuala was perfection.

I highly recommend Louise and her team when thinking of a trip to Ireland.

Our last-minute family trip to Ireland transformed into one of our most treasured vacations, thanks to the exceptional planning of Louise and her team.

From the moment our guide Denis greeted us at Dublin Airport, we knew we were in extraordinary hands. His profound knowledge of Irish history, politics, and customs elevated our journey from simple sightseeing to genuine cultural immersion—he was genuinely exceptional. Louise’s thoughtfully crafted itinerary masterfully balanced active exploration with meaningful cultural experiences, creating perfect rhythm throughout our adventure.

The bicycle tour of Inis Mór in the Aran Islands revealed fascinating prehistoric stone forts and pristine landscapes seemingly untouched by time. Our return boat journey offered a breathtaking perspective of the majestic Cliffs of Moher from the sea. Denis’s expertise in navigating the unique, fissured plateaus of the Burren landscape led us to discover hidden prehistoric tombs and vibrant wildflower fields that would have remained unknown to us otherwise.

Killarney National Park was truly spectacular. Hiking the historic Old Kenmare Road provided stunning vistas, while visits to the impressive Muckross House and Ross Castle connected us to Ireland’s rich heritage. The Gap of Dunloe captured our hearts completely—we’re already planning a return trip specifically to explore its hiking trails more extensively.

Our final days in Dublin rounded out the journey perfectly. Visiting the Book of Kells was an absolute must-see. The food and history tour through the characterful Liberties district introduced us to Dublin’s culinary treasures and fascinating stories, while charming local shops offered unique keepsakes of our Irish adventure.

The accommodations selected by Louise enhanced our experience throughout, with Gregans Castle standing out as truly outstanding—a place we’re determined to revisit. Our culinary journey through Ireland featured too many delightful meals to enumerate, though memorable highlights include the refined dining at Gregans Castle, The Winding Stair, and the authentic combination of traditional Irish fare and lively local music at Darkey Kelly’s.

This masterfully orchestrated journey by Louise and the team has left us with cherished memories and a deep desire to return to the Emerald Isle. A big thank you to The WOW List for connecting us with Louise!

Traveled in Ireland 4/14-4/21 and Louise put our trip together. We had a truly wonderful time with the itinerary that they suggested. It had a little bit of everything and we were in very capable hands with Fionnuala as our guide and driver who was both knowledgeable and caring. The specialists that they arranged for us to spend time with were unique and clearly motivated by their surroundings and background that they presented. In each case their eccentricities and characters aligned perfectly well with their story. I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

The accommodations were all very nice with good service and attention to detail. The food was extraordinary and we even enjoyed the pub fare. Of course the raw beauty of Ireland’s west coast was overwhelming and jaw dropping. We lucked out with the weather—only two rainy days! Even if the weather had been more typical we would have come away with the same good feelings for the country and its people. And the WOW Moment was wow! A wonderful surprise on my birthday with a truly magnificent picnic in heaven! Thank you very much for that.

All the best of intentions and plans wouldn’t have evolved if it weren’t for Fionnuala’s attention and participation. She was lovely, tireless and always willing to change plans instantly due to weather or other interests of ours that came up. I imagine it takes a strong and giving personality to be intimately around strangers for prolonged periods catering to their expectations. Fionnuala was a pro at that, always helpful and always prompt. She added to our positive experience in numerous ways and was a joy to be around.

We certainly would like to return Ireland and when we do we’ll request the same people through Wendy.

“The landscape in Northern Ireland was every bit as breathtaking as you’d imagine.”

Louise did a phenomenal job on our April 2025 spring break in Northern Ireland. We had a rather unusual request to plan a trip around our 7 year old’s undying interest in the Titanic and our desire to celebrate this bittersweet late stage of his childhood. There are trips you take, and then there are journeys that take you—that unfold something inside you you didn’t know was waiting to be discovered. We meant for this trip to be all about our son as a belated birthday present in lieu of a party, but amazingly, we were all restored on this trip.

We appreciated the dual nature of the itinerary—we had unguided time on arrival in Dublin and in Belfast, which was absolutely perfect. It always takes us a few days to get into vacation mode and truly be able to be present with guides. The hotels Louise picked were perfect for a family of three, and the flexibility to follow her tips (or not!) was appreciated. The Titanic Museum and Hotel were true highlights, and we appreciated her thoughtful gesture of booking a hotel tour for us.

As we moved on to the Antrim Coast, we were in for a surprise. Yes, the landscape in Northern Ireland was every bit as breathtaking as you’d imagine: sea cliffs carved by time, fields stitched in every shade of green, and skies that seemed to change their mind every few minutes. But what made this trip unforgettable wasn’t just the country—it was our guide, Warner.

Warner didn’t just show us Ireland. He translated it. He was a steady, thoughtful presence—equal parts storyteller, historian, naturalist, and occasional therapist. He had a gift for weaving folklore with facts, giving texture to every stone wall, ruin, and trail. Warner listened and after our first day together, knew that half of our itinerary needed to be ripped up and changed completely. He helped us see Ireland not just as tourists, but as temporary stewards of something ancient and alive.

If you want an outdoors-focused trip that a 7 year old can enjoy with you, Louise is your woman. Highly recommend. Truly exceptional. We hope to return and see other parts of Ireland!

UK Oxford, Cotswolds, Windsor and Bath, March 14-23
My husband and I planned to meet my son and daughter-in-law in London and travel together a bit in the Cotswolds. Other than taking a trip to Kew Gardens, the three nights in London were just spent wandering around on our own, as we had been there many times before. I didn’t have any specific plan in mind other than potential dates, so I was happy to take suggestions. I spoke with Rachael for a while and gave her a feel for the types of things we might be interested in. Our big thing was that we did not feel comfortable driving in the UK.

After our conversation, she provided me with many options to choose from and I selected the ones that worked best for us, given the time we had. We were oh so close to Wales, but decided there was enough to see without doing that long day trip.
We all took a train to Oxford where we were met by Tania, our guide for the rest of the trip. She picked us up in a comfortable van and we spent the day getting a student tour of Oxford and seeing the various sights before we went to Wild Thyme and Honey, our hotel in Cirencester. Over the next few days some of the places we went to were Blenheim Palace (our group favorite), Bath, Broadway Tower and Chedworth Villa. Tania was great at adjusting our schedule to adjust to our slackerly timing. We still hit the highlights and had time to relax and regroup.

All through the trip we felt that Rachael’s group was there to help if there was anything Tania couldn’t handle on the ground, whether it was canceling a dinner reservation or making sure that on our last night in Windsor we had the biggest bed possible.
On our last day, we were sad to say goodbye to Tania. She was a pleasure to spend time with and had taken such good care of us!

We enjoyed the day at Windsor Castle and flew home the next morning.

My husband and I spent two weeks in Scotland—the first week in Edinburgh and Pitlochry celebrating a wedding, before kicking off a Highland tour organized by Rachael’s team. We completed a self-guided driving tour through Braemar, the Isle of Skye, and Glencoe, before returning to Edinburgh. Every detail of the trip was seamless and thoughtfully organized, and hit all the right notes that we were looking for—beautiful countryside, hiking, fantastic food experiences, and time to relax.

Rachael was a fantastic resource before the trip, learning about our preferences before proposing a fantastic itinerary. When we needed to make some changes, both months ahead of time and in the days leading up to the trip, she responded quickly and suggested great alternatives, including arranging for the rental car to be dropped off at our hotel a day early.

We fell in love with the Fife Arms, our hotel in Braemar with an exceptional whiskey bar, and enjoyed the most incredible and unique day with our guide Mungo, hiking over the hills to visit chef Ghillie Basan for a Whiskey Food Safari. We moved from there to the Isle of Skye, an exceptionally scenic drive, before checking in to our home there at the Three Chimneys. Food was a priority for our trip, and the Three Chimneys was a great home base for us. We had fantastic recommendations for how to spend each of our days, ranging from visiting remote beaches to the best artisans on the island. We finished the trip with a beautiful two days in Glencoe. When my husband fell ill and we cancelled a day of rainy hiking in favor of a cozy day by the fireplace, our intended guide Rhona was kind enough to offer to pick up medicine and anything else we needed.

I would not hesitate to recommend Rachael and her team for any trip through Scotland—you can expect a seamless experience, thoughtful details, and access to unique opportunities tailored to your interests.

We loved our Scotland trip and would definitely recommend Rachael for The WOW List. Our guide, Martin, was terrific. He optimized our hiking time and was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Our hike on the Isle of Skye was the highlight of the trip. The weather was awful—but Martin was still able to lead an amazing hike. We also loved the sheepdog demonstration in Cairngorm.

Rachael made reservations in terrific restaurants. We were not expecting such good food in Scotland. Overall very happy with the trip.

The trip to Ireland was excellent in large part due to our travel guide — Kate O’Sullivan. Kate was incredibly kind, thoughtful, and FUN. She anticipated the needs of each member of the family. We changed plans for one day and Kate was so wonderfully flexible and full of ideas on how we could spend the day. It ended up being our favorite day, including an oyster farm and sheep farm. Another very memorable experience was the hike just outside of Dingle. Incredible guide (Kevin), incredible views, incredible storytelling — just outstanding!