Plan your Journey in the Republic of Ireland

Europe indeed is such a splendid continent. It has a lot of amazing natural and man-made structures and architectures. One of the most visited countries in Europe is Ireland. Ireland consists of two countries: Northern Ireland, which is a part of the United Kingdom, and the independent Republic of Ireland. With more than 6.2 million tourists who visited in the year 2011, tourism has become one of the major economic contributors in the country.

The Republic of Ireland was once voted the Favorite Holiday Destination in the World. It was also listed one of the friendliest countries in the world in 2011. The majority of the country's visitors come from France, the United States, France and the United Kingdom.

A vacation in the Ireland Republic is not that cheap, but there are some ways on how you can cut down your expenses. Research and planning - these will be your secrets to a good trip to this wonderful country. Read more and learn some tips on how you can plan a very memorable journey to the Republic of Ireland.

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   Check out visa requirements. Before you even get excited about the trip, you should check the requirements for acquiring a visa first. For more accurate information, it is better to check the official immigration site of the country. Checking it earlier will give you more time to prepare the requirements or work on things that need to be fixed.

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   Check your passport validity. To refrain from hassles before, or even during the trip, be sure that your passport is within its validity period.

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   Do your homework. It is recommended that you do your research about the country ahead of time, like modes of transportation, the peak/off peak season, culture, attractions, the laws, and many other important things.

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   Check travel agents. If it is your first out-of-the-country trip, it is recommended that you consult a travel agent. Check online for the cheapest yet still reliable travel service provider.

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   Travel in a group. Group travels can help you save few bucks through air fare group promos. Take advantage of it.

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   Choose the right dates. The weather in Ireland is unpredictable. The most recommended travel period is from March to October. It is in this country where it can get dark at 4 in the afternoon during winter, and you will be able to see the sunlight as late as 11 p.m. (This happens in the month of June.) So schedule your trip in the summer or spring, if possible. If you prefer to see a lot of attractions, be there during the peak season. Most attractions close earlier, or never open at all during off-peak season.

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   Prepare an itinerary. To save you some time, you should prepare an itinerary. This will save you some time. Research about the places, proximity and travel time so you can allot or budget your time for each attraction. This way, you will be able to visit all the places you want to.

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   Check for prices of accommodation, food and transportation. Having an idea as to the cost of living in the country will help you determine how much money should be allotted.

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Each city in Ireland has its own share of world-class tourist attractions. Depending on what interests you, each country has something waiting for you.

Carlow

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   The Borris Home. The house is a Tudor-style structure and is open for public visits at a certain time of the year. (Check out the schedule when you plan to visit.) It is a 19th century house in Gothic style, consisting of a two-floor facade where some of its parts are still original.

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   Carlow Brewing Company. If you are a beer lover yourself, you may want to take a peak in on one of Ireland's best brewing companies. Their products are sold all over Ireland and 20 other countries. Enjoy a sample of O'Hara's beer, stout and ale.

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   Duckett's Grove. The former home of the Ducketts is uninhabited today. The structure of the home is composed of various shapes, from squares to octagons and circles. Though this splendid house is no longer in use, you can still enjoy its walled gardens, which are restored to their original appearance.

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Cork

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   The Titanic Trail. Were you moved by the Titanic movie? You may want to visit the final port of the wrecked ship before it completely went under the water. In 2012, the ship's 100-year anniversary was commemorated.

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   Fota Wildlife Park and Arboretum. The place is perfect if you are visiting with kids. Here, you get to enjoy being with animals living in a free environment. It is a perfect flora and fauna community!

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Waterford

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   Waterford Crystal Center. As the center's name implies, Waterford Crystal Center is where you find world's finest and biggest collection of glass works. Though the center is already closed, you still can get a glimpse of its shining glass pieces.

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   Reginald Tower. One attraction in the British Isle's oldest city, Waterford, is the Reginald Tower. Only a part of the original tower survives today, but it still is an eye-catching site. This circular tower was once a defense fortress and was used as a military store and prison. In the later part of Irish history, the tower served as the regal castle for the royalties. It is also in the same castle that new coins were minted.

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   Rock of Cashel. A church, castle and cemetery ruins sitting on a hilltop; this is what will welcome you when you visit the Rock of Cashel. This place is considered to be one of the popular attractions in Ireland. Nice landscapes and museums surround the Rock. From the top, you get to see a 360 degrees view of breath-taking landscape.

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Kilkenny

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   Kilkenny Castle. The Castle, for 800 years, has served as the city's centerpiece. Kilkenny Castle has been the home of some well-known people in Irish history like the Butlers and the Earls of Ormonde. Some restorations have been done to the Castle and it is now considered to be one of the most kept castles in Ireland.

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A visit to a country can be even more complete if you get to experience one or a few of their festivals. Here are some of the festivals you may want to try during your visit to the Republic.

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   St Patrick's Festival. This celebration is both a religious and cultural activity. This is in commemoration of the death of Ireland's most recognized saint, St. Patrick.
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