If you’ve not been lucky enough to visit the Emerald Isle yet, here is your chance to start chasing the end of the rainbow and lock in a tour of this lush island. Here are seven reasons why a trip to Ireland is essential in 2023.
1. Have joyful encounters with strangers: The Irish are a particularly friendly bunch, so when it comes to strangers there’s no better nationality to bump elbows with. Conde Nast Traveler readers voted Dublin the sixth friendliest city in Europe last year, and a trip to Ireland in 2023 will help you shake any hermit habits you picked up during the pandemic. Whether you’re speaking with a cafe owner or tapping your toes to a street performer, seize on the capital’s zest for life as you find the spring in your step.
2. Feel the raw beauty of Ireland’s enchanting landscapes: It won’t take long to confirm how the Emerald Isle received its poetic nickname. As the tour coach laps the lush Ring of Kerry, famous for its “40 shades of green,” you’ll soon see why. Following the coast along the Wild Atlantic Way will only confirm how enchanting and mysterious the beauty of Ireland is.
3. Stay in the magnificent Ashford Castle: The sound of a lone piper marks your arrival to the incredible Ashford Castle. He’ll escort you over the drawbridge and into the palatial 13th-century building, set on the picturesque shores of Lough Corrib. This special Trafalgar Stays With Stories is one you will truly never forget. Check into your room, rest and refresh ahead of an elegant royal dining experience where you’ll be treated as lords and ladies. Gentlemen, you’ll need to bring a jacket for this one. Ladies, bring the glamour!
4. Enjoy a pint of the “black stuff” at the source: Even those that don’t like Guinness find themselves ordering a pint when in Ireland. There’s something about being swept up in the atmosphere of an Irish pub that does things to you. City breaks are back in 2023, according to trends research from Expedia, and without a doubt you’ll have a blast enjoying Dublin’s quaint pubs and colorful performances on Grafton Street.
5. Kiss the Blarney Stone: If it’s always been on your bucket list, then make 2023 the year you venture to Ireland in pursuit of the ‘gift of the gab’. At Blarney Castle you can kiss the fabled Stone to join a legion of pilgrims, world statesmen, and famous actors who have climbed the step to gain the gift of eloquence. The castle itself is magnificent too, built almost 600 years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy. Give the special (sanitized) Stone a smooch and you’ll never be lost for words again!
6. Jig your way to happiness: No matter where you go in Ireland, music seems to follow. From folk dancers performing on the streets to fiddle players squeezing into pubs, there’s always a tune giving a backdrop to your Irish adventures. Dive deeper into Ireland’s music heritage in 2023 with a special Irish Ceilidh evening. Expect plenty of craic at this fun and informal evening of song and dance.
7. Stand atop the magnificent Cliffs of Moher: Feel alive as you stand atop the dramatic Cliffs of Moher that rise 200 meters above the pounding Atlantic Ocean. No matter the weather, Ireland’s irresistible beauty will be on full show at this raw, rugged destination. Keep a keen eye out for curious-looking puffins hiding in the cliffs and get to know this natural phenomenon more intimately with the interactive Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience center.
Magic Carpet Travels is located at 1359 S. Main Road, Vineland, NJ 08360. Contact at [email protected] or 856-507-9110.
