One of my absolute favourite things to do when I'm travelling is to take a class or workshop. It doesn't matter if it's food or craft based--I love them all. It's such a fun way to chat with locals and learn a new skill. Taking a class also often gives you a tangible souvenir that you've made yourself to take home. This was the case when I made a sterling silver ring in Dublin--I wear my ring all the time and have such fond memories of the experience. Now, I'm going to be totally ... Read More
Ireland
A Sentimental Visit to Butler’s Chocolate Factory
It would be difficult to visit Ireland and not see boxes of Butler's chocolates. There are cafes scattered around the country and boxes of their chocolates can be found in train stations, airports, and gift shops. Our first exposure to Butler's, though, was in New Zealand way back in 2006. A new cafe opened in our local mall that specialized in chocolates and hot drinks. The flavours were intriguing and they had the best mocha. Getting a box of Butler's became a special treat for us and we said ... Read More
Jameson Distillery Bow St Experience: Is it Worth it?
Dublin is obviously a major tourist destination and with that comes tourist traps. While a lot of travelers don't mind going to the popular tourist attractions, Scott and I have generally tried to avoid them. It's almost a point of pride to try to find the off the beaten track locals only spots. I don't tend to like the feel of the super touristy places, either, so it took some back and forth between us to decide to visit the Jameson Distillery in town. It's always on the "Top Ten Things to do ... Read More
Is a Day Tour Right for You?
I had my trip to Ireland all planned out-- Scott and I would have a couple of days in Dublin together and then he would get stuck into his conference while I rented a car and headed out west. I had a list of places I wanted to see and right at the top were the Cliffs of Moher. When I went to book my rental, though, I realized way too late that I hadn't been paying attention and my driver's license had expired. Renting a car was no longer an option. I couldn't come up with a plan that allowed me ... Read More
A Day on the Dingle Peninsula
I don't know anyone who doesn't have Ireland on their wishlist for travel (and if it isn't, it should be!). I've had Ireland on my list for many (many!) years, so when it was announced that TBEX would be in Killarney, I knew I was going. As part of the conference ticket, we were given a choice of tours. There were so many fun sounding options and I ended up choosing to spend a day on the Dingle Peninsula. The Dingle Peninsula is the most northern of the peninsulas in County Kerry and is named ... Read More