Many people who book a trip to Ireland with Crystal Travel and Tours, have been waiting to visit for a long time. For many of them, this is the trip of a lifetime- a chance to experience the home of their ancestors, a land they’ve seen in movies, or just a country they’ve always found interesting. Booking through us means we take some of the responsibility of making the trip perfect, off of your hands. There are so many easily-avoidable mistakes that can make or break your time in Ireland, and we have compiled some simple guidelines to help you make the most of your visit.
Sticking to the tourist track
Ireland’s tourist scene is a huge part of its culture and economy. Some areas are highlighted in the tourist guides more frequently than others. While these areas have certainly earned their status as tourist attractions, we fear that much of our gorgeous country has been neglected, when it is left out of the typical tourist advice. There are so many places around the island that deserve the same recognition as the highly-populated areas, and for one reason or another (poor exposure perhaps), they are often passed by or through on the journey to somewhere else. If you want to get to know Ireland in its truest form, you may want to stray off the tourist track, and be open to seeing places that don’t appear on your first Google search of ‘things to do.’
Not getting to experience rural Ireland
In the same vein as the previous point, we recommend a visit to the less densely populated countryside, to experience one of Ireland’s greatest strengths- its natural beauty. The rugged landscape of rural Ireland showcases a scenery that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. Counties like Mayo, Donegal, Kerry, or Clare have some of the most beautiful scenery and are home to lovely people who are proud to introduce you to it. More bonuses to staying in rural areas are the roads are quieter, for aimless, leisurely drives and you will more than likely come across fields of farm animals (the baby lambs are always a hit in the Spring).
Not seeing the coastline
The coastline is another feature of rural Ireland that is sometimes overlooked when planning your itinerary. Ireland is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but due to the unpredictable weather, this can be forgotten. Lots of tourists visit Galway City but fail to venture outwards to the stunning beaches like Dog’s Bay, Silver Strand, and Clifden. Sligo’s Strandhill beach is one of the top locations in the world for surfing and Mayo’s Downpatrick Head is a breathtaking Penninsula. There is a picturesque coastline all over the country and if you’ve got the time, we recommend a ferry to the Aran Islands, to see the coastline from the other side too.
Spending your time on your phone
Reiterating the natural beauty of Ireland, we are certain that one of the biggest offenses is spending your time staring down at your phone. This is the easiest way to miss something worth stopping for. While we maintain that Ireland is extremely picturesque, we hope that visitors enjoy the scenery through their eyes and not their phone screens. The spotty signal in rural areas may be a blessing in disguise as it forces people to look up and appreciate the world around them. This is actually a great opportunity to disconnect and reconnect with yourself, your surroundings, and whoever you’re traveling with. We promise that when you look back on the trip, you won’t remember what was on your Instagram feed, but you will remember all the experiences you had when you were paying attention.
Not booking a long enough stay
We know what you’re thinking- how can I possibly fit everything into one trip? The ability to visit at all is a huge opportunity, one that many people will only get once, so we recommend booking enough time, to move through the country at a pace that’s right for you. If you’re traveling with a highly organized group, one week may be enough to see everything. If you are traveling with elderly guests or children, it might be a good idea to give yourself a few extra days to see everything you want. The duration of your stay is entirely dependent on you and your proposed itinerary. Ireland may be small, but you’ll probably find yourself wanting to extend your stay in certain areas. Be open to straying from your schedule and make sure that if you do have a strict itinerary, you’re leaving yourself enough time to see North, South, East, and West.
