I walked away from my ordinary life and for two glorious days I am enraptured by extraordinary, casual elegance of Estancia Hotel & Spa in La Jolla, California. The minute I turn off freeway and into their entry driveway, sound of soft, crunchy gravel under my tires welcomes me into a world that feels like my own private equestrian estate.

I am in awe of property, which is situated on 9.5 acres. It’s amazing how a simple left turn off busy California freeway lands me in such a beautiful place. I enter a historic California coastal ranch that is alive with rich history of low rise adobe structures that connect by open-air arcades, luxurious gardens, and all surrounded by sweet smelling eucalyptus trees. This picturesque setting is complete with Pacific Ocean breezes that immediately set me at ease.

Arriving at Estancia, I feel like I have come home to my own private retreat where wealthy ranchers knew what hospitality meant. To my surprise, I discover that hotel is built on site of former Black family La Jolla Stables. The old world elegance is visible: wrought iron railings, arched doorways, picturesque clay tile roofs, and cozy fireplaces — exactly how I imagine life in Old California, a time when breathing fresh open air, and feeling connected to natural surroundings is what is expected. Those were days when adventure was found in exploring your environment.

Estancia is an adventure in comfort and style near Torrey Pines Cliffs and Pacific Ocean.

Every space surrounding The Estancia articulated this adventure. The property is relaxing and quiet but not remote. Five minutes away I discover hand gliding cliffs that overlook Pacific Ocean. Gliders take off from steep crevices of Torrey Pines cliffs and sail through air with blue sky and darkened waves of ocean as a backdrop.

About ten minutes from hotel is Torrey Pines Golf Course, a Robert Trent Jones paradise that hosts PGA Buick Invitational. Another ten minutes down street is famous La Jolla Cove, where seals sun on rocks and pristine beaches — what a secret delight. But if adrenaline rush of hang gliding or relaxing at beach is not your style, great shopping at UTC Mall is right across street.

The true adventure of my weekend awaits me inside Estancia walls. I check attention to detail: The Mexican Talavar terra cotta lobby floor is custom-made. The lobby walls and around fireplace are covered with an old Italian technique called Integral Color Plaster. It’s a time consuming painting technique that’s all hand trowled-blending. The painter uses various colors to create a soothing rich modeled quality with a subtle finish. All exposed beams and fireplace mantles are made of indigenous California Douglas Fir.

My new adventure not only indulges my senses but enriches me with artistry.

The Old World charm of Spain greets me in garden outside lobby. In fact, word estancia is Spanish for estate. The three brick buildings that are part of hotel are each modeled after original structures from original horse farm, also of Spanish architecture. The business center is modeled after Caretaker’s Cottage, lobby is a recreation of farmhouse, and bar and restaurant are a replica of tack room. The white bricks built into each building are actually from these original structures. The Historical Society preserved bricks even though buildings were torn down. Everywhere is passion for past blended with a modern desire for excellence.

Estancia's modern business center.

When touring Ireland you can stay in a farmhouse, guesthouse, villa, secret hunting lodge, abbey, palace, or country manor house. But for romance you must stay in a traditional and authentic Celtic castle!

The first castles were built in England by Normans, made of wood and earth and mostly on a motte and bailey plan, a central mound (motte), topped with a stronghold (the keep) and circled by a wall. The enclosed area was called Bailey. While touring Irish countryside I notice a green ziggurat covered with grass as if pushed up from depths and into sky. The first mottes were more defensive in nature.

Norman castles were royal military bastions. The Normans built Ireland ’s oldest castles. Superb Carrickfergus, begun in 1180, and still well preserved today, is probably first true castle in Ireland. A garrison town was usually built next to each castle, but castle had to be self supporting in times of a siege. Castles usually included stables, workshops, gardens, storerooms, and a chapel. Castles were economic and administrative and social centers for feudal society.

The end of feudalism, and not introduction of explosives, hastened use of castles. A few nobles still live in castles, surrounded by servants, or they are turned into luxury hotels or tourist attractions with Medieval banquets. Royalty still lives in castles in England, at Windsor.

The signature castle in Ireland is a Preferred Hotel — Dromoland, in western side of country. You won’t find serfs hurling rocks or spears or shooting flaming arrows or boulders catapulted onto castle grounds. The four-hundred-year-old castle is more of a Baronial home than a castle — and it never was used as a defensive castle. You don’t need a battering ram to get in to make a reservation.

Dromoland is not just a castle, it is a large sixteenth century Gothic revival castellated multi-towered aslar (hewn and dressed stone columns laid horizontally) monument. Dromoland was former home of O'Brien Family, one of great noble Irish clans, who ruled Southern Ireland. This stone splendor is set on 365 acres of its own estate in a natural amphitheatre scooped out in bygone days by action of a glacier ice sheet and surrounded by a lake (louge) and woodlands filled with deer. The castle first opened as a hotel in 1963, and today, after many renovations, there are 75 rooms and 21 suites on four floors; function space and conference facilities can handle hundreds.

This is most romantic place I have ever stayed in, and all guests I talk to wish they could stay forever and role play as a baron or baroness. Because of its romantic appeal, Dromoland is a major draw as a wedding and honeymoon destination; set your Rolex to GMT so you won’t be late for your own special event!

Plush carpets regale landed gentry’s museum quality of castle. Vibrant paintings are stars on vivid velvet walls. Exquisite sculpture stands testament to fine living. Luxury service is expected and received on damask dinner tables. Jetetters Magazine readers have always given castle superior ratings.

Gourmet dining at castle is a knightly pleasure, with many options and wonderful cuisine choices for various group sizes or for private romantic interludes.