By Rachel Diebel
When planning the perfect getaway for women, it can be difficult to decide on just the right location, somewhere with the exact right mix of gorgeous sweeping vistas, comfortable housing, and a feeling of safety and security. The Republic of Ireland, just a flight away over the Atlantic Ocean, has all of these things and more. The friendly people, ease of travel between cities and potential to recreate your favorite romantic comedy are just some of the reasons Ireland should be the top of your list of dream getaways. Whether you are traveling on your own or with your closest girlfriends, Ireland is the perfect destination for women travelers—a place WanderTours hopes to get to in the near future.
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Perfect Accommodations
Ireland has no shortage of hostels (for the extremely budget conscious) as well as mid-range and luxury hotels. With a well-developed tourist infrastructure, you’ll find a range of accommodations. But the perfect solution for the woman traveler looking for a place to spread out, even just for a few days, is the country’s bed and breakfast scene. There are dozens of B&Bs all throughout the country and they fall into a perfect mid-range price point between the expense of a hotel and the inconveniences of a hostel. As an added bonus, these bed and breakfasts are often family-run businesses, giving them a homey touch and providing access to a knowledgeable local along with your hot breakfast.
Kind Strangers
Traveling alone as a woman or even with just a few of your closest female friends can sometimes be intimidating. Stopping to ask for directions can cause some nervousness when you aren’t sure what the reaction will be. Ireland, however, and particularly the countryside, is full of kind, helpful and chatty locals who love to give advice, suggestions, or just have a conversation with travelers. Stopping to gossip with the local residents gives you the extra feeling of both safety and belonging, and who knows? You could be making a lifelong friend.
A Feeling of Safety
If you are looking for a vacation destination where you can relax and let your guard down just a bit to enjoy yourself to the max, Ireland is the ideal place to be. The country is an extremely safe place to travel, whether alone or in a group, providing you exercise normal precautions. Because the Irish are such a kind, chatty people, they’ll go out of their way to look out for you in pubs, clubs and out on the street. Even Dublin, the largest city in the country, is a pretty safe place to be. Of course, if you and your girlfriends are looking out for each other, it will be even safer!
Great Day Trips
Traveling from city to city every day or two can be exhilarating but also exhausting. For women travelers who want to settle in some place for longer than a few days but still see as much of the country as they can, Ireland is perfect. There are hundreds of great day trips from cities like Dublin and Galway, all within easy driving or bus distance. Taking day trips gives you the flexibility to see a lot of what Ireland has to offer, but also the comfort of being able to return to your temporary “home” at the end of the day.
Picture Perfect Views
Sometimes it’s easier to stick around and just enjoy the view when your travel companions are your closest female friends. There’s no rush to keep moving forward, just the perfect amount of time to stop, gasp in awe at the gorgeous green rolling hills and maybe even take a selfie. Ireland offers some of the most Instagram or Pinterest worthy vistas of any place on earth, from its dramatic seaside cliffs to its quaint valleys. It’s the perfect place to go with your girlfriends and contemplate just how beautiful our planet can be.
Dublin Craft Markets
Are you one of those travelers who is always itching to bring home a unique piece of wherever you are visiting? Or are you just looking for the perfect birthday present? Either way, Dublin’s craft markets are the place to be. A Dublin fixture, the long rows of stalls and carts, are wonderful to browse through for hours on the quest for the perfect Irish souvenir, or spend some time haggling with the vendors. The Moore Street market in particular is famous for its vendors with their Silver Cross prams piled high with goods. Whether you are a veteran thrifter or just looking for the perfect knickknack for your bookshelf, you can’t miss these markets.
Movie Moments
Ireland is the setting for so many romantic movies that it’s hard to avoid stumbling across a location from your favorite romance. You’ll recognize so many places, from scenes in movies like “PS I Love You” or “Once” to classics like “The Quiet Man.” Visiting Ireland is perfect for the romantic at heart who wants to discover these gorgeous locations firsthand, and who knows? You might even get a little Irish romance of your own.
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Photo credits:
Uragh Stone Circle: mozzercork via Flickr
St. Patrick’s Cathedral: José Manuel Armengod via Flickr
Temple Bar: René Silvio H. via Flickr
National University of Galway: Martie Swart via Flickr
Gap of Dunloe: Daniel Dudek-Corrigan via Flickr
Moore Street: William Murphy via Flickr
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