From castles to pubs: why Ireland will be the perfect start to your trip abroad?

Ireland is a great place to take your first foreign trip, especially if you have never traveled outside of North America. Many travelers choose Ireland as their first experience abroad because it offers a unique blend of nature, culture and history.

Ireland can be your magical portal to the world of travel. Here's what you can see when visiting this green country, according to the New York Post.

Flights to Ireland

There are many options for flying to Ireland. Aer Lingus offers flights to 14 US airports, including JFK, Newark, and Hartford during peak season, and will also launch service to Denver in May. Despite the distance, nonstop flights to the major transportation hubs of Shannon and Dublin are only slightly longer than transcontinental flights to the US.

In addition, there are airlines with budget ticket prices. For example, Aer Lingus has affordable prices close to JetBlue or Spirit, which makes their tickets much more favorable compared to other airlines such as British Airways. It is recommended to book a round-trip ticket arriving in Dublin and departing from other airports (e.g. Shannon) or vice versa to make the most of your trip.

It is worth noting that both airports offer pre-clearance, which greatly facilitates the border control process. Thanks to this procedure, you are treated as a passenger on a domestic flight upon arrival in the United States, which allows you to pass through security and return home faster.

Language and transportation

Another advantage of Ireland is its language. The country has a unique culture, but there are no problems with communicating with the locals. Although there may be signs in Gaelic on the streets and on buses, most information is available in English.

Ireland is an easy to navigate and understandable destination for travelers. Navigating cities and reading street signs is easy. It is a convenient and affordable place to visit.

Traveling and cultural activities

The country is very compact, so you can cover a lot of different experiences in a short time without spending days on the road. Six nights is enough time to see the main attractions. Start in Dublin, where everything is mostly accessible on foot and no car rental is required. Head to Killarney and the Dingle Peninsula to experience Ireland's laid-back pace of life, live music, and dolphin watching in the bay.

After that, head to County Clare for two more nights to enjoy the beautiful rocky Atlantic coastline and open spaces where you can watch hundreds of birds.

Hiring a local as a driver-guide is a great option to avoid difficulties on left-hand drive roads and hear interesting stories about local attractions.

Currency

Remember that Ireland uses the Euro, so plan your budget accordingly and don't forget to check out the duty-free shops.

If you were looking for the best hotel options in Belfast, TravelWise has previously published the TOP 5 luxury hotels.