I finally used my passport! In this episode I talk about traveling on a budget and going to three countries in one week.
Listen:
Ireland
From ancient Celtic tribes to Viking settlements and castles, Ireland has culture deeply rooted in storytelling, music, folklore, and history. Of the three places I visited this trip, Ireland was my favorite. It was so dreamy!
Stage Door Café
Known for serving one of Dublin’s favorite full Irish breakfasts.
Temple Bar District
It’s one of the city’s most walkable neighborhoods, filled with pubs, restaurants, live music, galleries, and cobblestone streets, making it an ideal area to explore on foot. I got my AirBnB in this area.
In Stitches Comedy Club at Peader Kearney’s Pub
Located inside Peader Kearney’s Pub, the comedy club in Dublin. Two birds one stone: seeing live music and a comedy show under one roof.
Cliffs of Moher Tour
Cliffs of Moher
The cliffs rise more than 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean and were formed over 320 million years ago from layers of sandstone and shale. I took a bus tour off Viator to see the cliffs. It included stops to Ennis and Limerick, as well as lots of history.
Ennis
One of Ireland’s best-preserved medieval towns.
Limerick
The Cranberries Mural
Dolores O’Riordan grew up just outside Limerick. Her unmistakable voice helped define Irish alternative rock in the 1990s, and she remains one of Ireland’s most beloved musicians.
King John’s Castle
King John’s Castle was built around 1200 by order of England’s King John to strengthen Norman rule in Ireland.
St. Mary’s Cathedral
Built in 1168, it remains one of Ireland’s oldest buildings.
Fairy Trees
A lone hawthorn tree is traditionally believed to be a gateway to the world of the supernatural beings from Irish folklore. Many people avoid cutting them down, and roads have occasionally been rerouted to preserve them.
Famine Walls
The stone walls scattered across western Ireland were often built during the Great Famine as public relief projects, providing desperately needed employment for food during one of Ireland’s darkest periods.
Dublin
Bank Bar
The restaurant occupies a beautifully restored Victorian bank, and many original architectural details remain intact.
Trinity College
Founded in 1592, it is Ireland’s oldest university and has educated generations of writers, scientists, and political leaders.
Book of Kells Experience
The iconic Long Room at Trinity College Library, one of the world’s most beautiful libraries. The experience showcases the beautifully illuminated Book of Kells before leading into the iconic Long Room at Trinity College Library. This was high on my bucket list for the trip. Try to book ahead if you can.
Oscar Wilde Statue
Oscar Wilde studied at Trinity College before becoming one of the most celebrated playwrights and authors of the Victorian era.
Naples
Naples is one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, founded by the ancient Greeks more than 2,500 years ago. My favorite food for this trip would be Naples!
Fountain of the Giant
The fountain dates to the early 1600s and earned its nickname because locals thought its enormous marble figures resembled giants.
Castel dell’Ovo
Castel dell’Ovo is the city’s oldest seaside fortress.
Galleria Umberto I
Built in the late 1800s, its soaring glass dome became a symbol of Italy’s modernization after unification.
Centro Storico
Naples’ historic center is one of UNESCO’s largest historic districts, preserving over 2,000 years of Greek, Roman, medieval, and Baroque history.
Bacoli
Once the vacation destination of Roman emperors and aristocrats, the coastline is still dotted with archaeological remains of ancient villas. Mistero Beach Club Restaurant:
Posillipo
Its name comes from the Greek word Pausilypon, meaning “respite from sorrow,” a fitting description for its views over the Bay of Naples.
Libreria Berisio
A charming independent bookstore bar in the historic center.
Duomo di Napoli
Primary cathedral in Napoli, founded in 1272.
Royal Palace of Naples
Royal Palace of Naples was built in the early 1600s for the Spanish viceroys who governed the Kingdom of Naples.
Naples Underground
Beneath the streets lies an underground world of ancient Greek quarries, Roman aqueducts, escape tunnels, and World War II bomb shelters carved into the volcanic rock beneath the city.
London
London began as the Roman settlement of Londinium nearly 2,000 years ago, now encapsulated with royal history, literature, art, and modern culture.
Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea
Inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (at the Sanderson), the experience transforms the classic British afternoon tea into a whimsical celebration of one of England’s most beloved stories.
Double-Decker Night Tour
Many of London’s most recognizable landmarks take on an entirely different atmosphere after dark, when historic buildings and bridges are illuminated.
Banksy Monument
A public monument honoring Banksy was installed near one of his well-known works, recognizing the impact his anonymous street art has had on London’s cultural identity.
The Warwick
Traditional British pub meals are rooted in hearty, simple ingredients, making steak and potatoes one of the country’s enduring comfort-food classics.
Victoria to Gatwick
The rail connection between Victoria Station and Gatwick Airport has been transporting travelers between central London and the airport for decades, making it one of the city’s most popular airport routes.
eSim: Saily code: MISTIO7933
