Travel: 48 Hours in Co. Wicklow

2pm Collect hire car (www.avis.co.uk) and set off on 45-minute drive to County Wicklow, known as the garden of Ireland, near Dublin.

3pm Shopping at Avoca Handweavers, home to the classy knitwear brand (www.avoca.ie).

4pm Check into The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow. On one of the most scenic estates in Ireland, the house can trace its roots back to the 12th century.

5pm Explore Powerscourt's 47 acres of gardens. Highlights include the Japanese Garden and the spooky Pets' Cemetery (www.powerscourt.ie).

8pm Head to McGills, the hotel's traditional Irish pub to find some new friends to celebrate St Patrick's Day with (inset).

Saturday, 8am Full Irish breakfast in the grand dining room.

9am Book in for a round of golf on the west course of Powerscourt golf club. The parkland course, designed by David McLay Kidd, has links characteristics (www.powerscourt.ie/golfclub).

1pm Lunch at the clubhouse.

3pm Garden of Inspiration Body Ritual at Espa. Head to the spa early to enjoy a dip in the 20m, Swarovski crystal-lit pool.

5pm Visit 398ft Powerscourt waterfall, Ireland's highest. You can walk or cycle the short 5km distance from the hotel.

7pm Dinner in Gordon Ramsay at Powerscourt. You'll love the glorious dining room with views of the Sugar Loaf Mountain. The food's not bad either.

Sunday, 8am Breakfast in bed. Enjoy your decadent quarters – details include Bulgari toiletries and a TV in the bathroom.

11am Return flight to Edinburgh.

The Facts The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow, Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry, Ireland (353 (1) 274 9606, www.ritzcarlton.com).

This article was first published in The Scotsman, Saturday March 13, 2010