Happy St. Patrick’s Day! A day when everyone you meet seems to be Irish! Will you celebrate with a pint of Guinness? Perhaps it’s time you learn to pour your own perfect pint?
What comes to mind when you think of Ireland? Is it the emerald green rolling hills? The iconic scenery of The Quiet Man or Game of Thrones?
Ireland is one of my favorite European destinations. When I think back on my time spent on the Emerald Isle I’m drawn to my visits to the local pubs and the towns so small that they were barely dots on the map.
It was in these tiny towns that we were able to really interact with the locals. Where my sister-in-law was approached by an elderly Irish man who gleefully asked her “Are ye gettin’ enough Craic*, lassie?”
It’s where we met Mary, the B&B owner who also ran the local pub.
It’s where we played Snooker with the locals. There wasn’t a charge to play, only to power the light above the table.
Sure, the larger towns like Dublin, Shannon, Cork and Galway are iconic and in some respects not to be missed, but it’s the small towns where you become a traveler instead of a tourist. The same is true across the globe.
Maybe you feel like you’ll blend in easier in a big city, or that you will find it easier to get someone to speak your language, but will you really get to experience the culture? Ultimately, isn’t that why we travel?
Do you want to really experience the next destination you visit, rather than simply checking the boxes of sites that were recommended by friends and websites?
Ready to learn more?
Sign up here: