Ireland at Your Own Pace: Smart Tips for a Trip Without the Rush
I fear that I can be a bit like a broken record as I seem to repeat ‘slow down, do less, experience more' like it is a personal Ireland travel mantra.
Which, I suppose, it kind of is. As I've mentioned previously, I've made every travel mistake there is to make and I still struggle not to repeat them with every trip I make.
I want my time to be my own but, I don't want to feel like I'm rushing from place to place just to fill the “must see” tourist squares. Any suggestions on how to spend two weeks, slowly?
This article is also available as the Traveling in Ireland podcast, episode 262.
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How to Plan an Ireland Vacation without the Rush
This is a great question- and one I still struggle with personally. There is just so very much to see, do, and experience in Ireland!
I share the 10 steps I use to plan an Ireland itinerary here.
- Visualize your trip (use a map & circle everyplace on your list)
- Divide Ireland into quadrants
- Check for groupings
- Get travel distances
- Calculate drive times correctly
- Determine how much drive time you are OK with
- Determine how often you (really) want to change accommodation
Before you begin with step one, you need to know just a few things:
- Where are you arriving and departing from? This is hugely important if you are arriving in Ireland early in the morning after an overseas flight. You don't want to drive a long distance that first day (I recommend no more than 90 minutes), but you do want to be active to combat your jet lag.
On your final evening you will want to be within easy driving distance of the airport – especially if your flight leaves in the morning (tips here). - What's on your personal ‘must see' list? I work with so many people that tell me, “A friend told me we must go here,” or “I heard this was something I should really see.” Really think about these suggestions – do they interest you? Or are you only adding them because someone told you to? Each place you visit should be because you want to- and you should know why it's on your list.
- What are your interests? Do you enjoy history, art, dance & music, or outdoor adventure? What hobbies do you have that you would like to experience in Ireland? Keep these in mind as you plan your vacation. If something doesn't interest you, don't do it!
After you know these things, then begin working through the 10 vacation planning steps that I outline. As you begin marking your map, you'll be able to see what works in your time frame- and what doesn't.
If an area really resonates with you as you plan, stay an extra day or two. Keep your schedule somewhat fluid. In the overall scheme of things, very little in Ireland must be booked
Sometimes you will need to drop one ‘must see' site for another that is more important to you. It's ok to do this! This is your vacation and you can make it exactly how you want it!
You won't miss the places you didn't see, but you may always regret not spending more time in a spot that really interests you.
