European Reboot Adventures: Starting with Ireland šŸ€

My husband and I decided to take a Europe trip to visit my sister while she was studying abroad in Ireland. It was especially exciting because it would be my husband’s first time in Europe. It was great timing because I was in a rough patch emotionally and physically – feeling stuck and overwhelmed with work and life. Without completely intending this, I was able to experience a lot in Euope that refreshed my mind and soul.

Ireland holds a special place in my heart as I have always felt connected to Ireland. Maybe that it was because I was born on Saint Patricks day, or that I love Irish music/accent/people. In any case, after visiting in 2020, I couldn’t wait to return.

šŸ€ Ireland trip highlights

  • āœˆ visiting the lovely sister in Cork. My sister and I travelled together to Ireland in 2020 and it was only right for me to visit while she’s studying abroad again.
  • šŸš™ road trip- driving on the left side on the right side of the car Pt2. šŸ’š green, green everywhere. Ireland has the most beautiful shades of green in nature. Looking at the greens is my favorite thing to do while driving across the country.
  • šŸŸ eating curry chips at Jackie Lennox
  • āœØ Gap of Dunloe in Killarney is my absolute favorite place in Ireland. We are driving through a deep valley with high green mountains on both sides. There are sheep walking around everywhere. It felt like we drove through a scene from the Shire!
  • šŸ§±cool old looking rock walls and buildings. I love anything old and medieval looking. Ireland is just the place.
  • šŸŽµ Irish trad music in pubs is a great place to experience Irish energy. Irish people are not afraid to throw down some old tunes and party to it! Also, there are a lot of classic American pop being played in Irish pubs!
  • Lowlights: We need to learn manual to rent a cheaper car. Lots of cold, cold wind and rain.

Have you been to Ireland? What is a special place in your heart to visit?

Guest Post: Five perfect European Weekend-Getaways

 

Let me start by introducing myself. I am Emma, a 20-something year-young girl from Belgium. I have my own blog, called Curlygirlabroad (which might change name soon). Winta was so kind to reach out to me, so I can share a post of mine on her blog. I have done quite some travelling in Europe and like to share five great cities for a weekend-getaway.

Antwerp

Being a proud Belgian, it might not seem to odd I am promoting this city in my country. Antwerp is very diverse, and not so well known for tourist. Thatā€™s why it is the perfect city to explore. The city center is filled with beautiful medieval architecture, and also has some beautiful baroque buildings. If that is not your cup of tea, you can talk a walk along the river, admire paintings from the Flemish Primitives, do some shopping, spot diamonds, or get multicultural in Chinatown and the Jewish Quarter. There is something for everyone in Antwerp!

image1

Almeria

I travelled to Almeria in January and absolutely fell in love with the city! It is located in the beautiful region Andalusia and might not be as known as other cities in that region like Sevilla, Granada and Cordoba. Yet it has so much potential! The city clearly shows the Moorish history and has a beautiful city center. You can easily fill your weekend in the city itself, but if you like some change there is much more to discover in the neighbourhood. The natural park of Cabo de Gata brings some lovely change with its beautiful volcanic rocks. Also nearby is the desert of Tabernas, and there is of course always the sea.

image3

Caernarfon

Besides the fact that I have no clue how to pronounce it, I do enjoy the small town of Caernarfon. Up in the North of Wales, the weather isnā€™t always that great but this town definitely makes up for it. Also here, it is perfectly possible to combine culture and nature within a weekend. Whether you like to walk along the coast path, climb Mount Snowdon, or visit another cute town in the neighbourhood, youā€™ll have a variety of things to do in and around Caernarfon.

image2

Carcassonne

Iā€™ve been to Carcassonne twice now. Every time it ā€œservedā€ as a stopover destination towards Spain. I love to walk around in this medieval town. It can get pretty crowded though, but it is definitely worth it. Unlike other towns/cities where there are several medieval buildings, Carcassonne makes you dive back into history. A walk on the city walls is recommended!

image5

San Sebastian

The Spanish Basque country is way less touristic then other regions in Spain. While Bilbao seems to be the more known citytrip, I find that San Sebastian or Donostia has much more character. The town itself is absolutely beautiful and perfect for foodies! Hiking up the hill will give you a beautiful view over the bays as well as the town itself. The perfect spot to try some Pinxtos (or tapas) and enjoy the local culture.

image4

Hope you enjoyed the post! Let me know: what is your perfect weekend-getaway on Europe?

Emma fromĀ CurlyGirlAbroad

Also do check out my guest post on her blog! “How to Get Over a Bad Experience While Traveling” <3

Impressive Structures Around the World

While I haven’t seen nearly enough, I am always thankful to visit someplace new. Here are some of my highlights of noteworthy structures around the world.Ā 

wp-image-1639083437
Piazza San Marco, Venice

wp-image-2041114861
Museum in Paris

wp-image-1218081378
Thai temples

wp-image-1143884421
Parisian streets

wp-image-1890822985
Cambodian Temples

wp-image-1048325164


Thanks for passing by my page! Here are some other posts you might like!

Via Photo Challenge:Ā Structure