The best Irish vacations

The Emerald Isle, as it's called, is the ideal getaway for many different kinds of people. Ireland is filled with music, adventure, fun and romance. And it's only a plane ride away!

Irish vacations can be whatever you want them to be. One I'd recommend off the bat is staying in Dublin and just exploring that great city. It's the ancient home of the Irish kings, having been settled before the time of the druids! Today it's lively with commerce and industry, as well as some of the finest music and sports you'll find anywhere in the world. But it hasn't lost its distinctly Irish charm, part of what makes it such a wonderful experience. On the one hand you have a modern city with modern amenities, but on the other it's an ancient city of ancient kings. What more could you want?

Of course a staple of Irish vacations is a visit to the famous Guinness brewery, located in Dublin. Beer lovers from around the world consider it a holy sight, like the Vatican City of beer! Many even say that the Guinness brewed there is somehow tastier than the very same Guinness found in bars and pubs all over the world. Sounds suspect to me, but remember: They give you lots of free samples on the tour, so maybe the judgement of some folks gets a bit effected.

After your tour, it's time for some live music, or as the Irish call is, "a session." Irish vacations are not complete without at least one session, preferably in a traditional Irish pub. The great thing about sessions is that they're informal. It's not like going to see a live band where they have a setlist, and the band plays that list and you watch. In a session, anyone who knows the song is encouraged to sing or play along. An obscure song could see just a couple of old men playing, but get something popular like "Wild Rover" or "Dirty Old Town" started, and the whole pub will join in. It's the best part of most Irish vacations, and one I recommend.

You won't want to forget to do some touristy stuff while you're there, though. Visit the Blarney Stone and give it a kiss. Maybe you'll get the gift of gab and be able to talk your way into and out of whatever you want from that point forth. Also check out the Giant's Causeway, and some of the Medieval English forts.

But the one tourist attraction you shouldn't miss is Newgrange. It's an ancient burial tomb just outside of Dublin. It was built to house the remains of the Irish kings for all eternity, much like the Pyramids were built as tombs for the Pharoahs of Egypt. Newgrange was constructed in such a manner that, on the winter solstice at dawn, a narrow beam of sunlight shines all the way down into the depths of the tomb. It's an engineering marvel, especially when you consider that the sight is actually prehistoric! It is one of the most popular attractions for Irish vacations, and with good reason - many consider it a bridge between the mortal world and the world of the ancient gods.

So pack your bags and enjoy your trip! Ireland is a magical blend of the ancient and the modern, the spiritual and the corporeal. It's a beautiful country, unlike any other in the world with sights and experiences to match.