Ireland: Elaine Lafferty, Editor in Chief, Ms. Magazine

Some years ago I bought a 300-year-old, very modest thatched cottage in County Cork. I often go alone. This time a bunch of friends showed up over a two-week period. We did lots of cooking (stews) and walking. Out my door are paths down to the sea. A neighbor raises Highland cattle. They get shown and win ribbons. They’ve got little dreadlocks. Another neighbor uses a field near my house to keep his horses in. I have two at the kitchen window in the morning.

Discovery: About 20 minutes from [me] is the beautiful old Ballymaloe House, a hotel and restaurant. Darina Allen, who is known as the Martha Stewart of Ireland, has a wonderful cooking school there.