As with any other country you plant to visit for the first time, Ireland has its unique things to offer, and that requires unique planning. Yes there are must-see sites and popular spots that you want to have in your itinerary, but there are definitely more things to consider. If you’re planning to visit Ireland for the first time, then here are three things you should always remember.
Decide On Your Transportation
Do you want to drive a car around the country, roam around and visit places at your own pace? If so, consider renting a car through a travel agent rather than booking online. Car rental can be dicey in this country, prices go up and down, and some may come with hidden costs. Travel agents usually work with car rental companies, making it easier for them to offer you the best deals. Renting a car of course, gives you the flexibility and freedom to move around. If you’re not confident about driving however, you have a couple of options:
Hire a local driver – Choose a city as your home base – that can be Westport, Galway, Kilkenny, Cork, etc. – and hire a local driver from there. You can also work with a B&B hotel, as they often have the list of people who will drive you to your destinations. You can also sign up for coach trips (bus) to go out of your home base.
Bust tour – You can book a bus tour; though you don’t have the flexibility and freedom in this option, you can definitely visit some of the must-see sites and attractions through this option. Also, locals love to take care of group guests, which mean when you walk into restaurants or museums with your bus group, you will most likely get the best service, not to mention you will have your own private guide.
Think About What Appeals to you Most Before Planning Your Trip
Don’t let ads dictate what you want to see in Ireland. Make sure you actually like what you want to see there. There are tons of options, from castles, stone circles, megaliths, old churches, scenic cliffs, small town, pubs, beaches, mountains, golf courses, hiking, horse back riding, churches, beaches for swimming, boating, fishing, or even surfing, etc., the list can be endless. Choose things and places that really appeal to you. You can pick a region. If you’re into mountains, hiking and cliffs, then you can go North. If you want to experience the pub scene and the nightlife, check out the museums, know more about the country’s history, see their visual art scene, then you should definitely choose Dublin. Wherever you choose to go, you’re a winner in this country. Also, it’s a small country, which means going from one city to another is easy.
Consult a Travel Blogger
Travel bloggers get tons of questions and requests on where to travel and what things to see in specific countries such as Ireland. Most of them actually like the idea of engaging to their readers and giving tips based on their experiences. You can search through social media, especially Facebook and Twitter and reach them there.