Stuttgart is home to the second largest beer festival in the world, Volksfest! We enjoyed Volksfest in the company of our friends. Stuttgart is also know for the manufacturing of luxury automobiles such as Mercedes and Porsche, and is home to their respective museums.

Munich is home to Oktoberfest. Our limited time in town was spent with our friends enjoying this legendary celebration! Prost!

Guide to Salzburg, Austria, coming soon…

Guide to Vienna, Austria coming soon…

we’re currently in Bratislava, Slovakia…

Guide to Budapest, Hungary coming soon…

Guide to Krakow, Poland coming soon…

A very pleasant and walkable city that has charm enhanced by hundreds of gnomes throughout the city.

The capital of Poland is large and spread out making it the least walkable of Poland’s big cities.

Travel Guide to Gdansk, Poland

Bunratty was a great home base for exploring central Ireland. The town is situated directly off the N18 motorway, about halfway between Shannon and Limerick. The proximity to the motorway makes it a good starting point for day trips. The town is home to the Bunratty Castle & Folk Center, a handful of restaurants/pubs, a gas station, and a number of B&Bs.

Things to See & Do

1) Bunratty Castle & Folk Center

Located in the heart of Bunratty. Visit website for additional details.

2) Day Trip – Cliffs of Moher & Eastern Coast (Clare)

(Distance: ~45mins from Bunratty)
Located on the eastern coast of Ireland are the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs are a tourist attraction and are quite beautiful. One can walk along the coast in either dierction from the Vistor’s Center for varied views of the Cliffs. Weather can change quickly, pack rain gear! From the Cliffs drive north and explore the coastline and little citites. (Could be combined with a visit to Galway.)

3) Day Trip – Galway

(Distance: ~1 hour from Bunratty)
A larger (more industrial) city located on the Esst coast of Ireland. Many day trips can be made from Galway, including to the Cliffs of Moher, and a boat trip to the Aran Islands. The city has a decent cathedral and has a number of pedestrian streets lined with shops, restaurants and buskers. We found a fantastic french cafe & crepe shop called Java’s Creperie & Cafe. We would highly recommend their tasty crepes; Note they accept cash only.

4) Day Trip – Blarney Castle & Stone (Cork)

(Distance: ~1.5 hours from Bunratty)
The Blarney Castle is home to the famous Blarney Stone. Work you way through the castle to the top, where you will have the opportunity kiss the stone. A nice gentleman will support you while you lay down and lean backwards to kiss the stone. (Or you can pass like we did … due to a germaphobia!) The grounds of the castle are beautiful. There is a lot to explore (caves, gardens, trees.) Find the most photographed tree on the property.

5) Day Trip – Ring of Kerry (Kerry)

(Distance: ~1.5 hours from Bunratty)
Making this day trip from Bunratty is doable, but makes for a VERY long day of driving. Recommend staying in a town along the ring to help reduce your driving time. This route is well marked, just follow signs. We went counter-clockwise (with the buses), as reocmmended by the locals, and had no issues! There are countless places to stop and see along the way and snap pictures of the scenic views. Some of our favorites were off the Skeilligs Ring (turn off the Ring of Kerry to head towards Portmagee & Valentia Island.

• Skelligs Cliffs Lookout: Follow the signs from Portmagee to the best cliffs. Then continue up the hill for some wonderful views.
• St Finian’s Bay: Quit cove with beautiful views. Great location for a picnic.
• Skelligs Chocolate Factory: Offers free tastings with a great viiew over St. Finian’ls Bay.
• Derrynane Beach: A beautiful sandy beach with rock formations. Located just after Waterville, turn off main road and follow signs to the Derrynane House and Beach.

Top rated item to see is Skelling Michael. Boats leave from Portmagee, Ballinskellig & Darrynane. Limited seating is available. Book in advance. (Leaves @ 10am returns @3pm)

Restaurants

1) Durty Nelly’s

Located directly at the base of the Bunratty Castle, this establishment has history dating back to 1620. Serves up a good pint of Guiness, some tasty food, and has very friendly staff. (Serves food later than any other establishment in town.)

2) The Creamery

Located across the street from the Bunratty Castle, the Creamery is one of the more affordable options in town.

Lodging Options

Bunratty is home to a significant number of B&B options. We enjoyed our stay at one of the local B&Bs that we found through Booking.com.

Bunratty Grove Guesthouse

This house is located on the Low road, about a mile and a half from the Bunratty Castle & Folk Center. The property has nine rooms at a modest price. The rooms were clean and had an ensuite bathroom. A full irish breakfast was served each morning in the dining area. The wireless internet connection was dependable. Our host Joe, was very friendly and helpful. We would definitely recommend this B&B.

Things to See & Do

1) Guinness Storehouse

A visit to Dublin is not complete without a trip to the Guinness Storehouse. A self guided tour starts at the base of the seven story pint glass. Visit floor four to learn how to pour the perfect Guinness. Alternatively, visit floor seven for a 365 degree view over the city.

2) Guinness Connoisseur Experience

For the devout fan of Guinness, take the opportunity to do the Guinness Connoisseur Experience. Offered three times daily, for a maximum of 16 guests per sitting. This experience takes place in a special Guinness bar on the 4th floor, where you will spend just over an hour learning more about the history of Guinness, tasting four different Guinness beers, and pouring your perfect pint. (Note: Each person must pay the general entrance fee plus the additional cost for the connoisseur experience.) We were lucky enough to be the only two on our connoisseur experience.

3) St Patrick’s Cathedral

The largest cathedral in Dublin, St Patrick’s has been in existence since the fifth century. The current church was rebuilt in the early 13th century, and the spire was added in 1749. The entry fee to the cathedral is pricey. Free tours are offered at varied frequencies. A beautiful park is located adjacent to the building.

4) National Museum

Provides a comprehensive glimpse at pre-historic life in Ireland. A good way to pass some time on a rainy Dublin afternoon. Admission is free.

5) National Gallery

Art work from European and Irish artist. Entrance to the gallery is free. A good indoor activity when its raining in Dublin.

Dublin is home to a number of sites that offer free admission. The following site provides a sampling. Visit Dublin
 

Restaurants

1) The Porter House

Located on the edge of the Temple Bar district, this restaurant is also a microbrewery. Give one of their ten (or so) beers on tap a try, or opt for the taster, and try multiple. They are know for their stout beers, but also make some good ales and lagers.

2) Bar Pinto

A busy tapas bar located on the end of the Temple Bar district. A good location for a light meal.

3) Mama’s Revenge

Located directly across the street from Trinity College (near the museums) is this little burrito joint. A finite menu of burritos and quesadillas are available for take-away or sit down. Order at the counter and see the burrito made before you eyes. Be sure you have Euros available, as this is a cash only establishment. Our vote for best burrito in Dublin.

4) Boojum

A close mirror of the US based Chipotle restaurants, Boojum serves up large burritos that are assembeled in front of you. We found the chicken lack something, however, not a bad choice if your in the mode for quick Mexican food. This is a cash only establishment.
 

Lodging Options

1) Westin Dublin

Fantastic location in the heart of Dublin. Situated across the street from Trinity College and within a short walk from the Temple Bar district. It is everything you love about a Westin, including the heavenly bed and stylish room decor.

The small Isle of Mull is hilly and lush. It is easy to drive around and explore this island on the few roads (mostly single-track). The island is also a good location for a day trip to the islands of Staffa & Iona.

A pristine landscape of green hills and mountains with great hiking and lots of roads to explore.

As the capital of the Scottish Highlands and very near Loch Ness, this larger city in northern Scotland is a good hub for exploring castles, lochs and scenery in the Highlands.

A charming city on the eastern coast of Scotland, which is home to the oldest and most prestigious University in Scotland. The city is best known as the home of golf. The Royal & Ancient Golf Club was founded in 1754, and the famed Old Course and Club has been host to many British Open Golf Championships.

St Andrews was named for Saint Andrew the Apostle, and the cities history is filled with religious strife and turmoil.

Be sure to visit the fantastic St Andrews city website for additional details and links to the top things to do and see on your visit.

Things To See & Do:

1) St Andrews Castle*

The castle was originally built in the 12th century and rebuilt in the 14th century.  The castle was home to the bishops (and archbishops) and was the location of many historical events that shaped Scottish history.

2) St Andrews Cathedral & St Rules Tower*

The impressive remains of the St Andrews Cathedral stand out on the coastal point of the town. Set amongst a vast graveyard, the Cathedral was built / re-built on 3 different occasions. During the Scottish Reformation, the impressive church was destroyed and appeared much as it does today. Free admission to explore the church grounds. Worth the price of admission to climb to the top of St Rules Tower for the great views over St Andrews. St Rules Tower, pre-dates the cathedral as the first church built in town.

3) British Golf Museum

A couple hour detour that provides the detailed history and evolution of golf. Outlines the initiation of golf in Scotland in the 16th century, the evolution of clubs/balls, and the spread of golf beyond Scotland in the late 19th century. Be sure to print a 2 for 1 admissions coupon from the museum’s website.

4) West Sands Beach

A three mile sandy beach near the Old Course that is best know as the filming location of the running on the beach scene in Chariots of Fire.

5) West Port Gate

The surviving city gate that was rebuilt in 1589. The gate is at the entrance of the city on South Street (at Bridge Street).

6) Blackfriars Chapel

Located on South Street, this is a small bit of remains of a chapel from the 16th century.

7) Fife Coastal Path

A paved path that stretches the length of the Fife coast. Exploration can be made from St Andrews via the path. The path follows along the coast, and within the city limits will take you from the West Sands Beach on the north (across from the Old Course), by the British Golf Museum, St Andrews University, The Castle, and The Cathedral.

8) Himalayas Putting Green

For a nominal fee (~2 GBP) one can play a round of miniature golf on the St Andrews Ladies Putting Green, which is located next to the Old Course. Unfortunately, due to the Women’s British Open being hosted at the Old Course during our stay, the greens were closed.

9) St Andrews Botanical Gardens

*Be sure to check out the Scotland Explorer Pass. Covers admission costs to a number of sights across Scotland. Comes in 3 day pass (within 5 days) and a 7 day (within 14 days). Might save you a few GBP!

Restaurants

1) Glass House

Serves up a two course lunch (until 5p) and early dinner (5-7) for a fixed price.  Lovely location on North Street, featuring modern Italian fare.

2) Doll House

Serves up a two course lunch (until 5p) and early dinner (5-7) for a fixed price.  Located on Church Street, the restaurant specializes in Scottish and French fare.  We had a delicious meal followed by a sticky toffee pudding (with vanilla ice cream) that was absolutely scrumptious.

Lodging Options

St Andrews is home to a host of different bed and breakfasts. Visit the St Andrews B&B website to view local B&Bs.

Strathkennis B&Bs
Approximately 3 miles outside of St Andrews, makes a good location exploring the area as long as you have a car. The town has a handful of B&Bs and is home to the Strathkennis Tavern. We had a nice 3 night stay at the Hawthorne House on Main Street.

Edinburgh is home to the Royal Mile. The city center is best explored on foot. It is a popular tourist destination and offers a lot of different options including: hiking, gardens, castles, palaces, monuments, cathedrals, whiskey, and restaurants.

Things To Do & See

1) Edinburgh Castle

Any trip to Edinburgh should include a walk along the royal mile. Situated at one end is the Edinburgh Castle. One of the top tourist attractions, the castle is swarming with people. Purchase the Scotland Explorer Pass or alternatively purchase tickets online, to avoid the queue. (It is one of the priciest attractions in Scotland.) We would recommend an audio guide to help provide additional history and detail on the castle.

2) Holyrood Palace

A well done audio guide is included in the entrance fee. The audio guide will take you on an hour and a half tour of the palace (room by room), and provide you with some details on Scottish history and the royalty. Be sure to visit the gardens.

3) Holyrood Park

Wonderful hikes with views back on the city center. One of the most popular is the hike to Arthur’s Seat. The hiking paths can be crowded on weekends when the weather is favorable. If headed towards Arthur’s Seat, follow the path to the left that curves up around the mountain (much easier ascend than the one that goes right towards Salisbury Crags). Pick up a map from the little hut across the street from the Holyrood Palace. For a less crowded experience, hike along the top of Salisbury Crags.

4) The Whiskey Experience

Scotland and scotch are synonymous. No trip is complete without a scotch tasting. If your time in Scotland is limited to Edinburgh city center, this might be a good option for you. Reservations can be made in advance online. (Must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.) Or just stop by to take the tour. We did not have a chance to do while in town, due to the line, but it was recommended by a friend (and on TripAdvisor).

5) Princess Street Gardens

Located right off of Princess Street, these gardens are beautifully maintained and offer some great views back up on the Edinburgh Castle. Enjoy a picnic or just a moments rest.

6) National Gallery

The National Gallery is located off of Princess Street (next to the Princess Street Gardens). The Gallery features paintings by Scottish artist, along with some impressive more well known European artists. Entrance to the gallery is free.

Day Trips From Edinburgh

There are many day trip options from Edinburgh. We elected to stay in the city center for a few nights to explore the sites on foot. We then rented a car to explore the country-side, but found that we could make a base in Edinburgh (outside the city center where parking was available and free) and explore some of the nearby sights and towns as day trips. Note: We purchased the 7 day Explore Scotland Pass, and thus we utilized it as a basis to determine which sights to see (There may be other sights worth seeing that are not included in our list.) We saved a lot of money (and saw more sights that we would have) by purchasing the pass. It covers sights such as the Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Melrose Abby, Iona Abbey and the St. Andrews Castle & Catherdral. Visit the Historic Scotland website for additional details.

1) St Andrews

The home of golf is located about an hour Northeast of Edinburgh. Although we elected to stay in the area for a couple of days, this sights could be easily be done on a day trip from Edinburgh. See the St Andrews destination summary for additional details.

Stirling & Doune

Located about an hour northwest of Edinburgh are the cities of Stirling & Doune. Both cities are home to a historic castle that is worth the a visit. The cities are also between Glencoe & Edinburgh, and can be paired with the scenic drive down A82 into Glencoe. Or alternatively, can be visited on the return (to Glasgow or Edinburgh) from the western islands of Skye and Mull.

• Stirling Castle: Set up on the hill from Stirling, this castle is considered the entry point to the highlands. The military assumed use of this castle and modified many of the historical buildings. Restoration has been in progress since the 90s to try and restore some of the buildings to their glory days. Take one of the free guided tours to provide you background and history of the castle. Home of King James V, check out the wood carvings. Also, visit the tapestry shop (until 2014) to see the creation of a tapestry in progress.
• Doune Castle: The location where the Monty Python & the Holy Grail was filmed. The free audio guide provides details on the history as well as what scenes were filmed at the castle.

3) The Scottish Boarder Towns – Melrose, Dryburgh, Smailholm, & Jedburgh

Located about an hour southeast of Edinburgh are the towns of Melrose, Dryburgh, & Jedburgh. Each is home to a historic Abbey. Entrance and a free audio guide is covered by the Scotland Explorer Pass.

• Melrose Abbey: One of the most well know Abbeys, Melrose was home to the White Canons (follows St Benedict) for a few hundred years. Like most Abbeys (and Cathedrals) in Scotland, the historical battles between England and Scotland cause much damage to the historical structure. By far, one of the busiest Abbeys.
• Jedburgh Abbey: An impressive Abbey that was home to the Augustinian Black Canons. This Abbey is worth the trip to see the impressive remains. Jedburgh is also a nice town for a afternoon refreshment or meal. (The Queen Mary Scott home is also located in town.)
• Dryburgh Abbey Sir Walter Scott was buried at this Abbey. It is near a river just on the outskirts of town. Our visit on a summer Saturday afternoon coincided with a wedding. We were able to observe the wedding party (and bag-pipper) but not all the Abbey had to offer.
• Smailholm Tower: On a clear day this tower boast beautiful views across the country-side. Sir Walter Scott spent his childhood on a farm nearby. If a fan of Sir Walter Scott, then the exhibit (and hour long audio-guide) is good. Otherwise, if you are in the area, have the Explorer Pass, and it is a nice day then make it a quick visit for the views.

Restaurants

There are countless pubs and restaurants in Edinburgh. The Grass Market area has a wide selection of options. Here are a few other options we encountered during our stay.

1) The Southern

A specialty burger place located just outside of city center. (Located halfway between city center in the Alba House B&B.) We tried the Pioneer burger (rosemary mushrooms, bacon, and Swiss cheese) and the Bohemian burger(chili Gouda, sliced turkey, rocket and prosciutto). Served some of the tastiest burgers we had while in the UK (and Ireland), and sweet potato fries!  Also offer up a good selection of Scottish beers on tap.

2) Amber

This restaurant is located downstairs from the Whiskey Experience on the royal mile. We enjoyed a late (light) lunch here one afternoon…and watched a rain shower pass.

Lodging Options

1) Alba House

A terrific bed and breakfast located near the center of Edinburgh.  The rooms were spacious, clean, and had a dependable wireless internet connection.  Our host was wonderful and very helpful.  We also enjoyed the morning feasts.  We would definitely recommend!

2) Dalmahoy (by Marriott)

Located outside of the city center, the Dalmahoy has a fantastic fitness center and free parking.  It was the perfect location to base ourselves in order to do day trips around Edinburgh.  There is also a park and ride a few miles away, which offers service into the Edinburgh city center. Outside of the hotel, golf course/fitness center, and couple of onsite restaurants, there is not a lot of other services located close by.

Copenhagen is a very livable city…we stayed here for 5 days and explored the city on foot.

Known for its green parks, Gothenberg is Sweden’s second largest city.

Tallin is a quick day trip from Helsinki so we jumped on a boat to walk around the very historic city that’s been occupied by both the Russians and the Germans.

Guide to Stockholm, Sweden coming eventually…

As Norway’s largest city, Oslo still feels very manageable…

Balestrand was an amazing little town that we enjoyed for it’s size and charm. The hiking on the mountains above the town were the highlight.

We landed in Bergen without a place to stay. So our first mission was to find a room (while trying to stay dry).

Guide to Akureyri, Iceland coming eventually…

While not particularly stunning in itself, Reykjavik is a a charming city that provides access to the visual wonders of southern Iceland.