The Emerald Isle's jaw-dropping landscape, friendly people and sites steeped with history tops among the top reasons why millions of travelers visit Ireland each year. Traveling to Ireland is typically easy; however, there are a few tips that you should be aware of before visiting this enchanted land.
Tip 1 - Be Prepared for Weather Changes on the Same Day! One of the most important things that you should realize is that the weather in Ireland can quickly change. The lush green hills of Ireland are that way for a reason - the rain and dampness. In Ireland, you should always ensure you have an umbrella and a raincoat with you because one minute it can be a beautiful sunny day and the next minute the wind and rain move in. It is best to wear layers when you are traveling in Ireland. This will allow you to remove layers when the sun is shining and add layers when the wind and the rain move in. Because the weather is a part of Irish life, you need to embrace it rather than becoming frustrated by it. Get out in the middle of the rain and enjoy Ireland the way the Irish do - amidst the sudden weather changes.
Tip 2 - Travel Outside of Dublin Dublin is a popular tourist city due to its amazing pubs, beautiful architecture, museums and restaurants. There is plenty that this charming city has to keep you busy for several days. Because of this, many visitors are tempted to just stay in Dublin for their entire trip; however, Ireland offers so much more than just Dublin. If you ask a Dubliner for tips for visiting Ireland, they will agree that some of the best areas of Ireland are located outside of Dublin. Ireland is small, which means it is easy to enjoy some of the vast landscapes that Ireland has to offer. Because of Ireland's small size, a short day trip from Dublin will allow you to enjoy the lush green landscape of Ireland. You can immerse yourself in all that Ireland has to offer by planning to stay in some of Ireland's town, hamlets and villages that dot the landscape. If you are wanting to travel inexpensively, these smaller, yet amazing towns will save you money as compared to staying solely in Dublin. However, you do need to make sure that you spend a day or two in Dublin. If you are flying into Dublin, why not spend your first and last days exploring the city. For the rest of the trip, get out to the countryside and see some of the natural landscape, castles and beauty that Ireland has to offer.
Tip 3 - Embrace the Craic It will not take you long to hear the word "Craic." When you first hear it, you will probably wonder what the word means. Although the exact meaning can change based on the context of how it is used, it usually refers to a party or entertainment; however, it can also mean gossip. No matter how it is used in context, it epitomizes the sociable culture of Ireland. Pull up a stool at a local pub, put your cell phone away and enjoy the people of Ireland. Soon you will truly understand the meaning of the word craic.
Tip 4 - Make Sure to Try Ireland's Stouts Most people know the Guinness brand; however, it is not the only stout that Ireland has to offer. Guinness has done a wonderful job mass-marketing this brand; however, there is another stout that is loved by the Irish - Murphy's Irish Stout. Cork is home to this Irish stout and people across Ireland love its unique dark flavor. People usually prefer one or the other stout, so make sure that you try both early so you can choose a side in the Irish stout war.
Tip 5 - Rent a Car and Explore Although you can travel around Ireland on a bus or train, sometimes it is best to just get in the car and drive. The trains in Ireland are wonderful; however, there are areas where they do not run. If you are on a train and want to travel to another area, there is plenty of buses to take. Another option is to use tour companies. These companies will shuttle you to the country's top sites. As you can see, you do not need a car; however, if you want to get off the beaten path and really experience all that Ireland has to offer, a car is the best way to travel.
Some of the best parts of your vacation will be finding a pub in a country village of visiting an under-touristed castle among Ireland's green rolling hills. When you have a car to use, you will be able to have spontaneous adventures across the country. The roadways in Ireland are scenic and good quality so you do not need to worry about getting out and exploring on your own throughout Ireland's countryside.
