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Brilliant Read!

Off the rails - A student guide to inter railing in Europe.

With summer fast approaching, it can certainly be worth while to start thinking of summer plans now before the madness of approaching deadlines ,  exams and assignments. Three months of freedom , 30 countries to explore - Inter railing offers the perfect experience.

Inter railing offers the perfect opportunity to see some of the most beautiful cities Europe has to offer in a short period of time. Inter railing offers more freedom and flexibility  when planning , where , when and for how long you plan to extend your visit to each country.

Inter rail passes offer flexibility , Spontaneity and Freedom

You might have an idea of where you want to go . A city you have always wanted to visit !

On the other hand, you may not want to be tied to specific trains & dates.  If so, buy an InterRail as they give you the freedom to explore, be spontaneous, stay longer or shorter in a city depending whether you like it or not, and change your plans as you go.

http://interrailingeurope.tumblr.com/post/73211302558/inthe-m0urning-actually-for-real-doing

What is an inter rail ? .

An inter rail pass is a train tickets which allows you to travel on almost any train throughout  Europe , It offers access to 37 railway and ferry companies across 30 countries. From there the decision is yours where this amazing pass will take you on your adventures. Inter rail is available to all European citizens  There are two tickets you can purchase depending on where your travel plans take you.

How much does it cost / how to book ?.

There are many sites in which you can book your inter rail pass ,although if I could offer essential tips when booking it would be as follows

-shop around - While there are many sites which offer inter rail pass deals , it is essential to shop around to see which have the best offers to suit you !

-booking early - there are many discounts and offer on offer when you book early.

There are two types of passes available

-One country pass - This offers you unlimited travel in one country.

-Global pass -  Offers unlimited travel in unlimited countries to 31 countries at your own pace.

Passes can be bought at

https://www.interrail.eu/en/interrail-passes - free upgrade to first class when you buy a global pass in February. They also offer discount rates to travellers under 27

https://www.interrail.ie/passes

Prices

Prices star from 127 euro For one country pass or

218 euro For Global pass .

Booking Accommodation

Hostels are cheap and cheerful and defiantly worth considering while inter railing   , while I  would recommend sorting out accommodation for your first few destinations , DO NOT book well in advance for every city you plan to explore , as you never know how your plan might change or where you might end up . This option doesn’t tie you down too much and allows flexibility.

Hostels are always a great idea to meet new like minded people , they are all usually full of people just like yourself travelling one city at a time . This can offer a great chance to get some travel ideas  or even gather some more troops change your plan trip entirely or make friends for life.

European festivals

If your a fan of festivals Inter railing can offer the perfect opportunity to try out some of the festivals Europe has to offer.

Sziget

Budapest - 7-13th of August

https://szigetfestival.com/fr/

Ultra Europe

Split , Crotia - 14-19 July

https://ultraeurope.com/#videos

Isle of wight

Isle of Wight Festival 2019 Guide / Book Isle of Wight Festival 2019 Tickets, Accommodation & Extras

13-16 June 2019; Isle of Wight, UK

Tomorrow Land

https://www.tomorrowland.com/global/

19-21 July & 26-28 July 2019; Boom, Belgium

Exit Festival

https://www.exitfest.org/en/

4-8 July 2019; Novi Sad, Serbia

Whether your looking to find yourself , tick a few cities off the bucket list , be spontaneous and not know what city you'll wake up in next , explore different cultures , try out a few European festivals or simply have an adventure of a life time - Inter railing has a lot to offer regardless of what you wish to experience , it offers a cheap alternative to create a tailor made holiday one you can decide where to next.

One more thing to do - Grab your friends get planning and have the summer of a lifetime

For more information :

https://www.seat61.com/InterRail-and-Eurail-reservations-guide.htm

-offers a great insight to reservations in each country

https://www.interrail.ie/sample-routes

This can give some inspiration on a selection of routes on offer.

www.euroventure.com

offer train and hostel packages 

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Cheap Day Trip From Dublin: A Day in Howth

By: Alicia Nicholas

While the bustling city of Dublin is a fantastic travel destination, ranking high on lists of “Best Places to Visit” all over the world, there’s something to be said for venturing out of the city to experience the traditional charm and gorgeous landscapes that the country of Ireland is famous for. During my first month living in Dublin, it’s these day trips I’ve taken outside the city that have been the most memorable experiences; however, as a university student, I also understand the importance of sticking to a budget. This is a problem that many young travelers struggle with, which is why I want to share a how-to guide for the cheapest day trip I’ve taken so far, which also happens to be my favorite: a day in Howth--a charming seaside fishing village. In the following post, I’ll share affordable things to do and places to eat before finishing off with some tips on how to get from Dublin to Howth.

Things To Do

Hike the Cliffs: Howth us well-known for its hiking trails. There are 4 different hiking loops: the Lower Cliff Loop, the Tramline Loop, the Black Linn Loop, and the Bog of the Frogs Loop (in order from shortest to longest). All 4 loops conveniently depart from the Howth Station and will bring you to the top of cliffs with views of Lambay Island and Ireland’s Eye as well as to views of Baily Lighthouse (pictured above). All 4 loops are can be hiked without too much difficulty and are well-marked. Just be sure to bring good walking shoes, a rain jacket, water, and a snack. You’ll be stunned by this hiking near Dublin!

Walk the Piers: There are two piers surrounding Howth Harbour: the West Pier and the East Pier. The West Pier is lined with restaurants and shops, while the East pier leads to the Howth Harbour Lighthouse (pictured above). This is my favorite place in Howth to take a relaxing stroll. Keep an eye on the harbor--you may spot seals playing!

Take a Boat Ride to Ireland’s Eye: Experience an even more remote get-away on Ireland’s Eye--a small, uninhabited island just a 15-minute boat ride off the coast of Howth. Here you can explore the ruins of The Church of the Three Sons of Nessan, Martello Tower (pictured above), and the rock formation known as “The Stack,” which is home to many colonies of seabirds, including puffins. There are also small beaches around the island where you can relax and swim while watching the seals swim around the island.

Two companies offer boat rides to Ireland’s Eye: Ireland’s Eye Ferries & Island Ferries. A round-trip boat ride from either company costs €15. Ireland’s Eye Ferries also offers a boat ride around the island for only €10. Boats from both companies depart from Howth’s West Pier.

Explore Howth Castle & Gardens: Located just a 10-minute walk from Howth Station is Howth Castle (picture 1 above). The castle is unique in that it has been the private residence of the Gaisford-St Lawrence family for over 800 years. While tours of the home can be arranged in advance, the gates to the surrounding property are always kept open during the day. Visitors are free to view the castle from the outside and explore the castle gardens. The garden is unique in that it’s filled with exotic-looking plants that appear to be growing freely throughout the garden. It’s most famous for its beautiful rhododendrons (picture 2 above) that bloom each May and June. Within the property, there is also a path leading up to a cliff with great views of the water, Howth, and Dublin (picture 3 above).

Explore the Ruins of St. Mary’s Abby: St. Mary’s Abby is just a short walk up the hill in the center of town. Simply walk up Abbey Street and follow the stone steps to the right of Abbey Tavern. The ruins are beautiful to walk through and the position on the hill provides a nice view of the town and harbor below.

Visit the National Transportation Museum: See an interesting collection of historical vehicles including cars, trucks, trams, fire trucks, military vehicles, and so much more dating back to the years 1883-1984. Admission is only €3.

Where to Eat

Although Howth Harbour is lined with pricey seafood restaurants, there are also affordable meals available if you know where to look.

Howth Market: In addition to its permanent storefronts, the outdoor market comes alive with up to 25 market stalls selling a variety of food from all around the world; from Mexican burritos, traditional Hungarian, and Chinese noodles for the meal and cupcakes or churros for dessert. Whatever you’re craving, this marketing is sure to have something to satisfy it, and likely for less than €10. In addition to food vendors, there are plenty of stalls selling produce, baked goods, jewelry, and gifts that are fun to peruse.

The market is open from 09:00-18:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and bank holidays year-round. It’s located just across the street from the Howth DART station.

Beshoff Bros: Beshoff Bros is well-known for its fish and chips meals and provide several meal options for under €10 as well. For example, their fresh Atlantic Hake served with fresh potato chips, tartar sauce, a lemon wedge, and a drink is only €7,95.

How To Get There

Now that you’re no doubt inspired to visit Howth, here are the two most affordable options on how to get there.

DART Train: This is the cheapest way to get from Dublin to Howth. With a LEAP card, the DART costs on €2,40 each way. For shorter term visitors, an Adult Day Return ticket costs €6,25 and covers both your departure and return rides. Tickets can be purchased in advance on or on the day of travel at the station. The closest stations to the city center with service to Howth are Dublin Connolly, Dublin Pearse, and Tara Street. The station in the center of Howth is Howth Station--be sure to get off here and not the similarly named Howth Junction! The DART is also the quickest way to get from Dublin to Howth, taking approximately 26 minutes.

The DART running hours and departure/arrival times vary by the day. Useful resources for this information is the Irish Rail online Journey Planner and the Irish Rail official app.

Dublin Bus: The second cheapest way to get from Dublin to Howth is by taking either the 31 or 31a bus. With a LEAP card, the bus will cost €2,50 each way. Without a LEAP card, visitors may travel these routes for €3,30 each way. With this option, you must pay the driver upon boarding the bus. Make sure that you have exact change to pay the fare as bus drivers can’t get change for Euro notes. Keep in mind that the travel time for buses is much more variable and often longer than the DART due to traffic and more frequent stops.

And now you’re prepared for a day in Howth! You’re one step closer to doing Dublin on a Budget with this cheap day trip from Dublin. If you enjoyed this post, please share and comment below any additional questions you have about Howth, any topics you’d like to see covered in future posts, and any reviews you have once you’ve made your own trip to Howth. Until then, have a good trip!

Picture Credits (in order of appearance):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howth

https://www.activeme.ie/guides/howth-circle-loop-walk/

my photo

https://www.sidewalksafari.com/2016/07/irelands-eye-island.html

https://www.adventurous-travels.com/posts/wild-rhododendron-gardens-in-howth-ireland

https://www.adventurous-travels.com/posts/wild-rhododendron-gardens-in-howth-ireland

https://www.adventurous-travels.com/posts/wild-rhododendron-gardens-in-howth-ireland

https://www.irelandhighlights.com/info/st-marys-abbey-howth/

https://www.facebook.com/nationaltransportmuseumofireland/

https://www.pack-your-passport.com/2015/03/day-trip-to-howth-dublin.html

https://soulseaker.com/2016/09/06/looking-back-dublin-day-5-part-3-in-pictures-howth/

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A Cultural Break in a Free Museum of Dublin!

Is it rainy outside? No problem! After discovering the lively, bustling streets of Dublin; relax and unwind in the inviting rooms of a museum. Zoom on 2 museums which, in my opinion, should be seen.

 The National Gallery of Ireland

If you never heard about Yeats, Barry, Lavery, O’Connor, Danby or Henry, now is the time to learn about these Irish painters! In the heart of Georgian Dublin (Merrion Square West - Dublin 2), you can admire 14 000 works of art from different periods all around the world. Whether you’re a fan of romanticism, contemporary art or simply curious, you will surely find your happiness.

Currently, you can see the impressive, temporary work “Finding power” by the street artist Joe Casling representing a portrait of Stephen Moloney in the Gallery Courtyard. This large-scale installation is a part of a series of 7 portraits of people who lost and find their agency. This project must be seen for the reflection on the enpowerment that it generates.

Spend the day there, or just see a few rooms – the choice is up to you in this haven of peace and beauty! The National Gallery is opened every day. As in all the national museums of the city, entry is free. Additionally, there are free guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays.

More information here 

National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology

It is in this museum that you will find the largest collection of Irish heritage. You will see in 7 galleries, some of which go back to 7000 BC! The National Museum of Ireland has one of the finest and richest collections of gold objects from the Bronze Age in Western Europe. You can see a model of Dublin as a Viking city around 1000 AD. This museum manages, for the country and the world, a collection of extraordinary archaeological collections covering several millennia of the history of Ireland. It also has rich collections of non-Irish antiques.

Personally, it was the Viking period that fascinated me the most. This tour will help you better understand Ireland's journey through the ages.

Go spend some time in this fantastic museum located on Kildare Street and open from Tuesday to Sunday.

More information here

 Now that you know a bit more about what you can find in these museums, what are you waiting for?

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Dublin’s Great Outdoors

Welcome to my Dublin’s Great Outdoors series 😊 I will be posting about some of my favourite walking spots in Dublin. To kick-start, I am going to write about my personal favourite route: The Bray to Greystones Cliff Walks. If you are looking for something outdoors in the Dublin area, this walk is definitely for you!

Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk

While it may not technically be in Dublin, if you’re looking for something different to do besides the usual tourist destinations in the heart of the city centre, this seaside walk is perfect for a relaxing afternoon in the outdoors with nature.  A mixture of fresh air and scenic views (arguably the best views on entire east coast), make this trail one of the most popular walking routes in the Dublin region. The best part - it’s completely free! If you’re visiting Dublin from abroad, snaps of the stunning views are sure to make all your Instagram followers back at home extremely jealous!! Beware though, you will have no signal once on The Cliff Walk so your posts will have to wait until you are down the other side. 

Location

The walk is very accessibly located along the dart line, you need to get a southbound train and get off at the Bray stop. Tickets are only a couple of euro. Bray’s dart station is roughly a ten-minute walk to the beginning of this route which connects Bray to a small little town called Greystones. Walk along the Bray Promenade (which itself is a lovely walk ) and follow the road up towards the car park on Bray Head. On a warm day you could stop for an ice cream in Ginos or the famous Teddy’s Ice Cream. If you’re driving, there’s amble free parking in the bray head carpark or paid parking all along Bray seafront. If you prefer, you could hike up bray head however, I’d recommend taking the cliff walk around the head, instead of going up and over. The walk itself is marked and easy to follow. The Cliff Walk is home to numerous types of seabirds and colourful wildflowers that add to the natural beauty of the walk. You might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a dolphin, a black harbour porpoise or a basking shark swimming in the waters around the Cliff.

History

As if the beautiful scenery isn’t incentive enough to visit, The Cliff Walk has a really interesting history; it was built during the construction of the rail line, to allow the movement of men and equipment.

The ruins of a small house along the path were once Lord Meath’s Lodge, here there was a toll gate and the public was charged a penny for entry. Just past lord Meath’s lodge was an area called the Brady Hole, which was cave notorious for smugglers.

Difficulty and Length?

The simplicity of this route makes it ideal for all walkers – you do not have to be an experienced hiker to enjoy this route. There’s a couple of steep parts however nothing too major. I’ve done this walk multiple times with my friends and family and we even bring the dogs sometimes. In terms of timing, I would allow two hours for the walk itself, and then you will have to factor in travel time depending on where you are travelling from. Bring your walking boots and a warm jacket, as well as a bottle of water – It is roughly an 8km walk one way so keep this in mind and stay hydrated.

Time for a Bit of Grub?

Once you get to the other side, follow the road which leads you through a new housing development and eventually brings you to Greystone’s town.  It’s small but cheerful and has a laid-back, seaside atmosphere. You can grab a coffee in one of the many coffee shops – you will not be short of choices. The route itself is famously associated to The Happy Pear, a well-known healthy café which I can honestly say serves some of the best vegan food I have ever tasted. The owners have built an amazing brand and I’m sure you’ve probably come across one of their cook books or their delicious product range currently being sold in SuperValu’s across Ireland. Here’s the link to their website if you want to check it out before you go: https://thehappypear.ie/about/ 

Return Journey

If you’ve had enough of the walking, you can hop on a dart at Greystone’s dart station and head back home. However, if you have the time and want to do a bit more walking, you just follow the trail backwards and you’ll end up back where you started at the base of Bray Head.

Next Time ….   

If you’ve enjoyed my blog post, please feel free to like, comment and share. If you’ve decided to follow my advice and try out this route, why not share some of your snaps below? Check back in next week, where I will be posting about a new walking route: Killiney Hill

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A Premium Night at Bargain Prices

The Irish are well known when it comes to their appetite for both drink and dance, and no trip to Dublin would be complete without sampling the local nightlife (and maybe a local or two as well - if you’re lucky!). Unfortunately, a night on the town in Dublin can end up costing a small fortune, and nobody likes waking up wincing at their internet banking balance. BUT, fear not because I’m about to give you the inside scoop by sharing three great Dublin nights out that are great for anyone on a budget.

1. Captain Americas

Situated on Dublin’s main shopping thoroughfare, Grafton Street, hidden away upstairs from a shoe shop, this student favourite offers a bargain busting banquet and great drinks deals. All main courses are buy one get one FREE, yes, free, Monday through Friday. So grab yourself a companion and have double the fun for half the price. Captain Americas do great drinks deals – cocktails and pints from only €3.50 Monday to Wednesday. So, give yourself some good soakage with Captain America’s brilliant bargain burgers and get on their delicious drinks. I’d personally recommend having a good few Woo Woos, and, trust me, you will be ready to Woo all around you. Young staff and cool décor really do make this place an ideal night out for the young budget traveller.  

Check it out for yourself here: https://captainamericas.com/students/ 

2. Dicey’s Garden

Ah, Dicey’s, a rite of passage for any young adult in Dublin. Dicey’s is notorious for its drinks deals. Most nights of the week there is some budget bonanza going on drinks wise. An old reliable is Thursday night – all pints and bottles just €2. I know! €2! It’d be rude not to. Dicey’s attracts a diverse crowd – from young professionals popping in for a ‘few’ (ahem) quiet ones after work to students and tourists. There’s great opportunity to mix with both locals and travellers that are just passing through. The music playing is normally pretty mainstream charts kind of stuff so Dicey’s is appealing to just about anyone. You are pretty much guaranteed a fantastic (and cheap) night out here.

Have a look: http://www.russellcourthotel.ie/diceys-garden/

3. Pygmalion

Pygmalion (Shortened to Pyg colloquially) is the home of some really, really good cocktails, or, in this case, ‘Pygtails’. And, the good news for you is that Sunday to Friday all Pygtails are buy one get one free, yes, completely free. Pyg has a great outdoor area – an ideal place to sit with a whiskey sour or six and do some people watching of an afternoon. If that sounds a bit too laid back for you then fear not because Pyg has an extensive list of DJs playing several nights a week, including the odd appearance of the Irish sensation DJ Deece. There’s a really cool, quirky feel in Pyg and it’s frequented by a quirky, cool, young clientele too. You’ll have a great night in this spot – and with the great Pygtail deals, you won’t go over budget either.

Take a peep: https://www.facebook.com/PygmalionDublin/

Round any one of these nights out off with a trip to Dublin’s finest eatery - Babylon - located on the exotic Camden Street, an establishment with the best customer service, an unrivalled atmosphere and great value late night snacks and you’ll have surely bagged yourself a bargain night to remember. 

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CHEAP FOOD IN DUBLIN: THE PERFECT PICNIC

Dublin has a great food scene, but it can be hard to find cheap food in Dublin. However, as a student visiting Dublin, one thing I have noticed is how you can get cheap food in Dublin from the local grocery stores. This post is going to give you a great recommendation for something to do while visiting Dublin & is going to help you pack the perfect picnic! This will help you find cheap food in Dublin and will give you a chance to check out St. Stephan’s Green, it’s a must see when visiting Dublin.

The first step in getting your cheap food in Dublin is to head to a local grocery store. The Tesco on Lower Baggot Street is the perfect location compared to St. Stephen’s Green, so I recommend heading there.

Here are the two on map!

To create the perfect picnic I recommend going charcuterie style. To start your list, make sure you grab:

Baguette (usually 1 euro)

Apples

Grapes

Your favorite cheese (gouda is always a crowd pleaser)

Deli style meet (salami is again a crowd pleaser)

This is a great base and feel free to grab anything else (some other great examples: chips & hummus, popcorn, mixed nuts, other fruits). I would also grab some drinks they have a great selection of juices or other sparkling drinks. These are all cheap food options and easy to carry to the park. Perfect picnic is done!

After collecting all of your yummy food head two blocks up and grab a seat on one of the many benches in the park! I recommend sitting near the ponds it’s a great view and pretty relaxing. Whether you are visiting Dublin as a tourist or are a local this is such an easy way to cheap food in Dublin!