Destination Articles

The charm of Killarney is undeniable

Here, you’ll find yourself in the Irish countryside. The small town of Killarney is littered with small pubs, treat shoppes and picturesque with flags from every nation hanging above the streets. I was situated in Dunloe, a quick 20 minute bike ride from Killarney. I made arrangements to make my way through the Gap of Dunloe, a narrow passageway through mountains.

On my second day, a bus picked me up — on the side of the road. Not a bus stop, no formal markings. A kind Irish man simply called the bus driver and told him I would be waiting on the side of the road, so I settled myself on top of the fence and waited (Avoid these silly happenings and let us book your tour in advanced). The 11km of the way through the Gap of Dunloe wound through Killarney National Park. We passed small lakes, crumbling stone houses, and friendly sheep — lots of sheep. There are several ways to make this trek, by horse drawn carriage, by bike or on foot. I opted for on foot because I’m a lingerer. Also so I could climb and wander and try to pet sheep.

The end of the hike wraps up with a ferry ride across Lough Leane

The scenic hike was led by an elderly Irishman speaking about the history of the area. I can say with confidence, I did not catch a word of what he said. Between the wind gusts, motor of the ferry and his exceptionally thick accent, his words were lost on me, but full of character none the less.

The Gap of Dunloe

It is definitely a must and will give you a glimpse of the Irish countryside as well as the history and people. Save yourself some waiting on the side of the road for a bus and book your Ireland vacation with us!

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There are few places that you can stand on the edge of the world.

The Cliffs of Moher are certainly one of those places. Jagged, untamed and heart-stoppingly sheer — a walk along these natural wonders can only leave you in awe. Extensive trails along the edge offer endless photo opportunities as well as thought provoking questions such as; ‘I wonder why there are no railings, isn’t this a rather gusty place…?’ To answer that question, there just isn’t and yes, yes it is rather windy up there. Spend the day walking along the sheer cliffs and taking in the splendor as you enjoy a picnic lunch in the lush green grass. The drive out to the Cliffs of Moher is almost equally stunning, winding through rural County Clare with views of old stone walls, farmhouses and livestock.

The west coast town of Galway may be “the most Irish” city you will encounter and possibly the only one that you’ll still hear Gaelic spoken in the pubs and shops. The bustling center of town, Eyre Square is the perfect place to wallow away a sunny afternoon and enjoy sports and picnics in the grassy area. With colorful iconic pubs, narrow cobblestone streets and live music in the street performers as well as in nearly every restaurant and pub, this small city really packs a punch. A favorite moment of mine came from sitting in a dark pub packed wall to wall, enjoying a frothy Guinness while jotting down travel tips from two French gentlemen, drinking in some of the most amazing live music, and then catching some traditional Irish step dancing from locals — all in one evening.

Staying in Galway places you in the perfect location to explore the surrounding areas such as; Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey, The Cliffs of Moher, and endless scenic drives.

Galway is among the top ten “most friendly” cities in the world and without a doubt, as soon as you arrive, you will feel that. Have a walk about the city, order yourself some Beef & Guinness stew and a pint and take a deep breath — you’re in the heart and soul of Ireland.

Let us help make your plans of traveling to Ireland as memorable as ours!

As far as favorites go, Edinburgh Scotland is up there, way up there. Moody, full of medieval and victorian architecture and thick Scottish accents, this city has a feel that is unparalleled. The stark contrast of the Old Town and that of the modern and elegant Georgian New Town is like experiencing two completely different cities in one. Walk the famous Royal Mile that separates Edinburgh Castle from The Palace of Holyrood House. Full of shops, restaurants, pubs and many more attractions, this street is a bustling stretch through Old Town. A unique quality of Edinburgh is that the wild landscapes of Scotland can be reached with just a short walk out of the city.

Bring your rain jacket and make the hike up Arthur’s Seat — an extinct volcano that overlooks city and the North Sea. Situate yourself up there amongst the vibrant landscape and watch the clouds pass right before your eyes. Catch the bustling city from the top of this mountain and experience the city in a unique way!

Beer is cheaper than water, in Belgium. Yes, it really is. Hard to believe, but as I shared 1 euro beers with some Belgians, this is not the only thing unique to Belgium. For such a small country, Belgium packs a real punch — chocolate, waffles and beer that are known the world over. For those like me who find the consumption of chocolate to be something of a necessity of life, Belgium is a haven.

Everything you know about waffles will be shattered when you step into a pastry shop and let the sweet smell of biscuits, cake and most importantly, waffles wash over you. Here, you can find a menu dedicated solely to waffles. As there are several types of waffles and endless combinations of toppings, this can be a bit overwhelming. For reasons that I still am unsure of, my travel companion and I opted to share a waffle…this was one of the premier regrets of my life. As the waitress placed the waffle on our table, we knew we were on the verge of something life changing — something that would be the mark of every waffle to cross my path from here to the end of my days.

A short train ride from the capital of Brussels will bring you into a town that truly delights. Voted in the top 15 friendliest countries in the world Bruges delights. It’s old world, riddled with canals and lush foliage, incredible architecture, overtly friendly locals, charming shops and sweet shops everywhere, to visit Bruges is to love Bruges. Get lost wandering through the cobblestone streets, venturing over arched stone bridges, conversing with locals and you’ll find that the feelings that Bruges evokes are hard to replicate.

During my short three day stay, the rain was hard pressed to keep me indoors. In fact, by some mystery the beauty of Bruges seemed to be amplified by this weather — wet cobblestones, and moody canal passages. Now, as many of us are aware, Belgium is known for its beer. As in, they have the best beer. In the world. During my time in Bruges I was fortunate enough to find myself in Le Trappiste brewery — a cellar bar with with brick walls and lofted ceilings, with a few locals. The cheery man that came to our table asked questions about what types of beers I liked, learned that I was a visitor to the country and told me that he would just bring over a few nice ones. Five minutes later, I find myself pulled up to a flight of beers, the next more delicious and completely different from the previous.

Do yourself a favor and visit this picturesque medieval town! We’ll help you plan your stay!

This northern town has is somewhat unexpected. Settled in Basque country, there are three main beaches that rest right in the Bay of Biscay. Picturesque as any European beach, the slow relaxed style of Spain will shower you with its full charm as you spend your days on these clean, sandy beaches. Rent a kayak and make your way out to the Isla de Santa Clara and you may be rewarded with the ever elusive fourth beach of San Sebastian, a small strip along the island only large enough for a few people to sit and enjoy.

Nevermind the beautiful beaches, this small town has multiple Michelin star restaurants and is home to some of the best restaurants in the world. WIth charming pintxos (Basque style tapas) bars, a memorable and exciting dining experience is around virtually every corner. Before you know it, you’ll be buying into the Spanish lifestyle — spending the warm summer days at the beach, making your way to wherever you’re staying for a much needed siesta and spending the night eating delicious pintxos with a glass of sangria in hand — whiling away the night and the early morning dining and drinking with friends, both old and new!

There are several areas to the town of San Sebastian, each with its own unique feel. Walk through old town (Parte Vieja) to admire the truly unique architecture and authentic Spanish culture with some of San Sebastian’s most popular pintxo bars. Continue onto the east side of the river and you’ll find a completely different feel in the surfing beach and surrounding shops and restaurants — filled with a younger crowd and relaxed atmosphere.

Whether you want to come for the beaches, the world renowned food, the unique Spanish culture, go surfing, or simply to relax in a small cafe sipping rich espresso, San Sebastian is the perfect location that will thrill and surprise you. If this sounds like the perfect fit for you, we’d be happy to arrange an itinerary to suit you!