So why Ireland…Well Delta had a direct flight (which is seasonal) for 44k points! So I thought….I’m game and this has been on my list. So time to get ready for a five day adventure. Day one I arrived and my flight landed a bit early on a Saturday morning. As I walked out of the airport the crisp air of 39F and sunshine smacked me all at once, but I smiled and got into my Uber. Most of the Ubers are operated by taxis, so that was an adjustment. Instead of getting a flat rate, the app presents a fee range so something to be aware of. Upon arriving in Dublin and settling into the Aloft hotel in the vibrant Liberties area, I found myself excitedly anticipating the whiskey tour booked for later that afternoon.  After waking up from a much needed nap feeling rejuvenated and ready for adventure, I eagerly headed to the nearby Liberties Distillery for the whiskey tasting. Since the distillery was right across the street, it took all of two minutes to get there. Edwin was our guide and he was full of information. Some of the anecdotes he shared were so vivid and colorful, they felt straight out of a scene from “the Gangs of New York.” As he painted a picture of the tumultuous past and resilience of Dubiin’s distillers, I found myself transported back in time, immersed in the intrigue and drama of bygone eras.Despite not being a dedicated whiskey enthusiast, I approached the tasting session with an open mind and palate. Since then I’ve developed an appreciation for whiskey, especially those that are honey flavored. I decided to walk to Fire restaurant for their early bird dinner. If you’re not familiar with early bird dinner, it’s offered in many destinations and includes a 3 course meal that consists of an appetizer, main course, and dessert for a fraction of the price and only offered generally between 4pm and 6pm. I decided to start with the potato soup, a succulent ribeye, and wrap up with raspberry cheesecake all for 60 euros. Good thing about traveling solo is always being able to get a seat at the last minute! Now that I’m stuffed, it’s time to take the scenic walk back to my hotel and get ready for an early morning.

Day two is long because of the tour I booked which was approximately 13 hours. The day started at 6am and I arrived and saw a bus packed full of people. So glad I paid the extra $30 for the front row seat. Godfrey was the tour guide and full of Irish pride as well as songs throughout the day. The first stop was about 2 hours after departure for snacks and restroom breaks. Once everyone was back on the bus, we headed to Dunluce Castle. Just a heads up, we didn’t get to go near the castle. We are a good distance away with it in the background for a nice photo opp. Now it’s time to head to Giant’s Causeway. This is the cool photo you may have seen that has the staggered stones. I started to walk down and begin to see some absolutely stunning views of greenery and crashing waves. Once I approved the stones for my photo opp, I saw people slipping left and right and began to do so myself. I finally found a point that wasn’t too bad and asked a fellow tourer to take a picture. I never assume I speak the same language, so I usually politely get someone’s attention and point at the phone. That’s the nonverbal and universal way of asking “can you take a picture for me”. Ironically, not only did the guy I ask speak english he was from my Hometown of Chicago and quickly obliged. I saw him snapping photos with a professional camera, so I was appreciative of the magic he made happen with my little phone. As you can imagine, we became buddies for the day. Now it’s time for us to head to Dark Hedges. This was what I had been waiting for. Fun fact about me is that I love to book trips based on photos and movies I see. One look and I think, wow I’d love to visit that place. Next the research begins and now I’m booked to go. I’ll explain that another time, so back to the story at hand. People kept making references to Game of Thrones, which I had never seen. Godfrey also spoke about the filming that took place there as well as the nice actors he had a chance to meet. For all of the fans, the kings highway is literally the dark hedges with some green screen work. That was the one photo I was waiting for, but our day was warm and sunny so not so dark. I got the picture I was waiting for and now we head to our last stop in Belfast. My tour buddy and I walked the streets and stopped at a few shops. We had a late lunch and sadly, I can’t remember the name of the restaurant. I remember the service was amazing and so were the fish and chips as well as a neat local whiskey. Now that we’re stuffed and tired, it’s time for the drive back to Dublin. Godfrey was full of songs and anecdotes throughout the entire ride which were all informational and entertaining. As we arrive back to the city around 8pm, I head back to the hotel and order one of the best bacon cheeseburgers I’ve ever had from room service and crash to start again in the morning.

Day three I woke up determined to start with an Irish breakfast which I did, I’m sure you’re wondering what is this? A traditional full Irish breakfast comprises bacon, sausage, eggs, potatoes, beans, soda bread or toast, tomatoes, mushrooms, and black pudding. Now it’s time for me to head out for an hour-long photo shoot in the heart of the city. I met my photographer Noel at the Ha’Penny bridge. We quickly got acquainted with him asking questions about what I had been doing on my trip. I shared about the Irish breakfast I had just consumed and he also shared that the black pudding is actually made with blood. I was happy to not know that before trying, though I probably still would’ve tried it. Now the photo shoot begins. Doing my hair that morning seemed like a complete waste of time as the wind was blowing so fast and hard I thought I was back in Chicago! Luckily he was able to capture some awesome shots while giving me commentary about history throughout the city. It was nice to walk through the city with him to areas like O’Connell street, ChristChurch, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He continued to get my input about what was working and what wasn’t. Mother nature wasn’t on our side that day, but he did a phenomenal job navigating and truly helping me capture the essence of being in Ireland. That afternoon I headed to Tribe fitness and pole for my class with Marcin. I looked him up prior to my visit and knew I’d leave stronger and worn out. Indeed I was right and was not disappointed. He motivated me to push myself. I made many mistakes and he cheered me on with a big smile. Loved him and the class. Now it’s time for dinner. It’s still cold and windy but now there is some rain. I refused to stay in the hotel for dinner, so I grabbed my umbrella and ventured out for some tapas at Las Tapas De Lola which I love and it was an easy walk. Food and drinks were tasty along with a laid back vibe.

Now it’s time to pack and get ready to head back to the states. Mentally recapping all that I saw and experienced in just a few short days, I’m struck by a sense of disbelief. How was it possible to fit so much into a mere five days? I absolutely adored Ireland. I met some of the nicest people and helpful people throughout my journey, gained an appreciation for whiskey, and ate until my little heart was content. Ireland may have been just a brief stop on my journey, but its impact on me will last a lifetime. Until next time, Emerald Isle. Slán go fóill!