Oh, the places you’ll go! : Ireland

                I was lucky enough to travel to Ireland with my brother when he came to visit. We made it to three different cities and they were all so amazing although we were only there for a day each. We went to Dublin, Galway, and Cork. Even though we were only there a short time, the impression made was a great one. We traveled in between the cities very easily. There were daily buses to take you to the different cities. We didn't plan ahead for this part of the trip but rather just asked the front desk of the hostel we were staying at. They were very helpful and pointed us in the right direction! I loved every hostel we stayed in and only wish that we had more time to hang out at the actual hostels!


Here is a list, by city, of some of the things I enjoyed about Ireland.

Dublin

Where to stay:  Four Courts Hostel

                We flew into Dublin from London and from the airport and it was relatively easy to get there. We used the Hop on, Hop Off bus in order to get there (more info on that following) which we picked up right outside of the airport.  I know a few other people who have stayed here as well and they had an enjoyable experience as well. Although I haven’t done it myself, my friends have reported that this hostel has a good bar crawl and it was lots of fun! It’s also priced quite nicely at around $20-25 a night, depending on how many people are sharing the room.

                There’s a bar right down the street from this hostel that says it’s the oldest in Dublin, so a visit is worthwhile. It’s a very typical Irish pub feel and if you go into the back room, there’s another part of the bar where the walls are covered in currency from different countries which was pretty awesome

What to do:

Buy the Bus Tour

It was recommended by a friend that it was worth it to purchase the Bus Tour and I am passing on that recommendation.  It was definitely worth it. You buy one day and get one day free. It’s hop on, hop off, goes all over the city, and if you so choose to listen, there is information about each stop playing throughout the ride. You can also take this bus from the airport into the city!

                Go to the Guinness Storehouse

This is a MUST. The Hop On, Hop Off bus will take you to right outside of it. Go on the tour here. It’s really impressive how they have set up the whole factory to show how Guinness is made. You also get a free pint of Guinness at the end! They also have an option where you can learn how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness (more complicated than I thought!)

Galway

Where to stay: Snoozles

                Snoozles is specifically one of the hostels I really wish we had more time at. It was such a cool place to hang out. We traveled by bus from Dublin to Galway; this hostel is right next to the bus station. Their accommodations were better than I ever expected with really nice rooms and a private bath for a 6 person room. It has an entertainment area downstairs as well as a patio and kitchen. It’s about a 5 minute walk from the main area of Galway. Priced around $20-30, it’s a great place to stay in Galway.

What to do:

                Cliffs of Moher

This one I don’t know too much about due to time constrictions. If you plan on doing this, be aware that the Cliffs are not in Galway but are about an hour drive away. There are tours that take you there via bus that leave in the morning and come back later in the afternoon.

               

                Just walk around!

Galway is a very quaint little Irish town. The buildings are colorful, some of the streets are cobblestone, and the people are friendly. Take a walk through the town and go down towards the water. It’s a beautiful place to hang out for a bit. 

                Eat at Dail bar

Recommended by a friend, this place was a great place to settle in for a Guinness and some grub.

                The Quays

                                This pub was lots of fun and had great live music.

Cork

Where to stay: BruBar & Hostel

                This hostel was especially cool because it’s inside of a bar. Downstairs is the bar and then once you head upstairs, it turns into a hostel! The rooms were really small but considering we weren’t in the rooms for too long, it didn’t matter so much.

What to do:

                Take a trip to Blarney!

There are buses that go to Blarney where the Blarney Castle is. The grounds around the castle are gorgeous and then, I mean, there’s a real castle. It was so. cool. 

  

 Happy traveling!

May the road rise up to meet you, 

may the wind be ever at your back. 

May the sun shine warm upon your face 

and the rain fall softly on your fields

- Irish Blessing

Oh the places you’ll go! : Granada, Spain

                I’ve decided to start a little series of post called Oh the places you’ll go! Throughout this series, each post will be focused on a different city that I’ve been to and recommendations that I have about hostels, food, and places to go. 

                I decided it was only appropriate to start with the city that captured my heart and where I have just called home for a year: Granada, Spain. 

                First off, if you haven’t been to Granada yet, you need to go. This is my favorite city in Spain for numerous reasons that would take a whole different post to list. Instead, here is what I consider some of the best food and drink places in Granada that should be visited if you ever have to good fortune of going. Since I was there for some time, some have two choices because, well, it’s like trying to pick your favorite child—you just shouldn’t do it.

Favorite overall café:

 Mundo Manila (Realejo, near the statue of Isabella and Colon)

-          All their food is delicious (yeah, I actually do mean all), the atmosphere is what I would call ‘global relaxation’, and the staff is super nice

-          Placeta de las Descalzas, 3

18009 Granada, Spain

Favorite breakfast place:

Mundo Manila (Realejo, near the statue of Isabella and Colon)

-          Placeta de las Descalzas, 3

18009 Granada, Spain

Hicuri (Realejo)

-          They have great ‘tostadas’ with scrambled eggs, which is a luxury considering the Spaniards don’t normally eat or offer eggs for breakfast

-          They also offer whole wheat bread for tostadas

-          Awesome artwork/décor inside

-          Calle Santa Escolastica, Esquina Plaza Girones 4,

Granada, Spain

Hicuri Restaurant and Bar

One of the paintings inside of Hicuri
Photo credit: Jiela Peyman

Favorite wine:

                La Ermita (Centre)

-          Their semi-sweet white wine is my favorite but frankly, every wine I had there was good

-          They are also the reason I learned to like olives—they’re the best there!

-          Great gazpacho, nice staff, and prime location right next to the Cathedral of Granada. I could sit in that plaza sipping on wine all day long!

-       Cárcel Baja, 1, 18001, Granada 

The view from the plaza where Ermita is located-- can't get much better!

Favorite tapas:

                Bubión

-          My ABSOLUTE favorite tapas bar, ever ever ever

-          Calle Socrates between Calle Pedro Antonio and Camino de Ronda

-          Their Tinto de Verano (half red wine, half lemon Fanta) here is amazing and their tapas are phenomenal. Plus, you get to choose what you want!

-          Favorites?

o    Pechugas de pollo: The chicken and fries with a garlic-lemon aioli sauce

o    Carne en salsa: The meat in sauce

o    Croquetas : croquettes

o    Paella: this is usually a ‘Tapa del día’ but whenever I’ve had it, it’s delicious. It’s a typical Spanish rice dish

Bubión is on the left

LAX

-          Great eggplant with honey among other things

-          You get to choose your own tapa here and they’re all wonderful so it’s a win-win

-          Follow Calle Puentezuelas until you reach Calle Paz and take a left and go all the way down the street

Chicotá (Centre)

-          Great wine and wonderful tapas

-          You don’t get to choose your own tapas but they’re pretty much all good so it’s a safe bet

-          Calle Navas, about mid way down

Photo credit: Jiela Peyman

Favorite fancy coffee place:

                Il Caffe di Roma (Centre)

-          Their normal coffee is fine too but they have a large selection of ‘fancy coffee’ options too that are delicious

-          Plaza BibRambla

Il Caffe di Roma in Plaza BibRambla

Favorite ‘pan’ place aka bakery:

                Name is unknown but I have supplied a picture and directions

-          Their fresh baked loaves of bread are the best thing since, well, sliced bread. Almost  always warm, fresh out of the oven. A great accompaniment to any meal—and only .65 euro cents!

-          They also have a pastry that is like a log donut, covered in sugar, stuffed with Nutella, and then drizzled with chocolate— .95 euro cents and it’s a wonder how I didn’t get one every day

-          The sign says ‘Pizza al tallo, pizza, croissant’

-          The corner of Calle Pedro Antonio de Alarcón and Calle Emperatriz Eugenia

My favorite bakery

Favorite Gelato:

               Heladería Tiggiani (Centre)
                              -       Great gelato, tons of flavors, big portions, and cheap. How do you say no to that?
                              -       Plaza BibRambla


               Los Italianos (Centre)

-          The most famous gelato place in Granada and for a good reason. Although you get a small amount, it’s expensive, and sometimes you feel like you’re in a crowded bar trying to get a drink, it’s worth it to go

-          Don’t get it in a cone… it’s a rip off, trust me

-          My favorite combo: Chocolate and Hazelnut

Favorite bar:

                Tantra Bar

-          Great atmosphere and place to hang out with friends

-          Wander the streets like Calle Elvira beforehand because many times, they have reps walking around giving out deals on beer that are worth it

-          Feel like dancing after? One of the popular discotechs in Granada is owned by the same person. After you get a drink, go up to the bar and ask the bartender for however many free passes to Granada10 and then go off and dance the night away!

-          Calle Álvaro de Bazán, 9, right off of Gran Via

-          Granada 10 is 2 streets down on Calle de la Cárcel Baja

Great hangout:

                Damasqueros (Realejo)

-          Great atmosphere and close to the Center of Modern Languages

-          There are couches indoors and seating outdoors. Great place to spend an afternoon for a drink

-          Follow Calle Sta Escolástica from the statue of Isabella and Colon down and take a left onto Cuesta del Realejo. It’s across the street from where Cuesta del Realejo and Calle de los Molinos meet

Happy traveling and happy 4th!

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