Travelbiz E-Zine
25
June
2023

Choose Chicago – Certainly!

#Traveltradetogether

Lynn Osmond (CEO Choose Chicago) hosted a wonderful lunch in Hugo’s Restaurant on Merrion Row on June 22nd and Jacinta from Travelbiz was there! What a festive occasion it was. The weather was amazing and the food and banter was even better. Daniel Thomas (Choose Chicago) informed me that the company adores coming to Dublin as such a huge Irish connection exists between Ireland and Chicago. In fact, over 30.000 Irish visitors were welcomed to Chicago last year alone. Lynn advised that the excellent air lifts from Ireland are obviously a big advantage in fostering Irish US connections and the simple draw of Chicago as a vibrant, exciting city with its top-class dining experiences, performing arts and sports outlets is unparalleled. As Chicago sits directly at the beginning of the iconic Route 66 (those 2 golden lions outside the Art Institute mark the starting point), the city is perfectly placed to hit the highway and travel further across the States. By the way, that Art Institute houses a world class collection of paintings and sculptures – I know because I had the huge privilege of visiting.

Gina Murphy (Proprietor of Hugo’s Restaurant) was proud to showcase sublime food at lunch. Her Head Chef, Michael, joined forces with the Head Che, Aaron from The Dearborn in Chicago to give us course after course of unbelievable local food. These dishes were simply art on a plate. The two Lawless sisters (Clodagh & Amy) are owners of The Dearborn in Chicago. Galway born and bred, the sisters are totally passionate about their restaurant, but also about their adopted city and they manage to lure unsuspecting passersby into their restaurant if they look Irish! A magnificent partnership now exists also with Killarney Brewing Company in Kerry also and we supped samples of their beer as Tim O’Sullivan and Barry Spellman held forth on their brilliant enterprise. Good luck to all who sail in her!

Voted best big city by Conde Nast, its not much wonder as Chicago is a marvellous city break holiday. With its beachfront, riverwalk, professional outlook on hospitality and hardworking people, it’s definitely worth a visit and there’s always a festival going on. By the way, Chicago Cubs play St Louis Cardinals in London this weekend, so there’ll be fun for sporting fans. Chicago, Illinois, situated on Lake Michigan, has fabulous architecture, Golden Mile shopping and an interesting skyline with soaring skyscrapers. We even received a goodie bag as we left Hugo’s, but don’t breathe a word – I think someone was smuggling gin….. Once fondly referred to as the Windy City, Chicago will blow you away in all the right ways!

Subscribe to our E-Zine

    More

    from latest edition

    Birdies, Eagles and amazing hospitality at the Open.
    18th July 2025

    Birdies, Eagles and amazing hospitality at the Open.

    Travelbiz is covering all the fairways at The Open this week in Royal Portrush Golf Club for the 153rd Open, the oldest golf tournament in the world, and one of the most prestigious, hosted by J...

    Read more
    Riviera Travel Sets Bold Course for Growth in Ireland
    18th July 2025

    Riviera Travel Sets Bold Course for Growth in Ireland

    Ita Hendrick our Travelbiz river cruising trade reporter, brings you all the very latest from Carrie Day, Vicky Billing and Phil Hullah (Riviera Travel) as trade and media partners are treated ...

    Read more
    Emirates announces third daily flight from Dublin
    18th July 2025

    Emirates announces third daily flight from Dublin

    In a significant enhancement to its Irish operations, Emirates is set to operate a third daily service to Dublin this winter starting from 26 October 2025. Emirates flight EK165 will depart Duba...

    Read more
    Travelbiz at the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush
    18th July 2025

    Travelbiz at the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush

    Courtesy of Fiona Cunningham and Clare Mc Coy from Tourism NI, we’re VIPS in the hospitality tent where we had a wonderful breakfast and we’re now sipping champagne- as you do!

    Read more
    Brrr-illiant New Getaways Land This Winter With Aer Lingus!
    17th July 2025

    Brrr-illiant New Getaways Land This Winter With Aer Lingus!

    Aer Lingus today announces the launch of three new winter routes, offering customers flying from Dublin and Cork even more opportunities to enjoy a seasonal escape to some of Europe’s most encha...

    Read more
    Sights to Behold with Oceania Cruises: Majestic East Africa, Grand Far East & the Taj Mahal
    16th July 2025

    Sights to Behold with Oceania Cruises: Majestic East Africa, Grand Far East & the Taj Mahal

    Sights to Behold with Oceania Cruises: Majestic East Africa, Grand Far East & the Taj Mahal

    Read more