Category: Europe
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Castles, Creepy Laundry Rooms, and Airbnb Disasters
Our ten-week journey through Europe recently concluded with an extensive exploration of Ireland, completing a circuit that began on the east coast and took us through Northern Ireland, the Great Atlantic Way, the southern coast, and finally back to the eastern coast of Ireland before finishing in Dublin. After our adventures in England, Wales, Scotland,…
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Exploring Western Ireland: From Galway to the Wild Atlantic Way
Our recent 10-week journey through Ireland’s western coast offered a glimpse into both well-traveled tourist destinations and hidden local gems. After establishing our base in Oranmore, just outside Galway, we set out to experience Ireland’s famous landscapes and small towns that define its rugged western edge. Galway itself presented a mixed experience. As Ireland’s fourth…
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Discovering County Roscommon: Ireland’s Hidden Heartland of History, Legend, and Pastoral Beauty
Escape the crowded tourist trails and discover County Roscommon, a hidden gem in Ireland’s heartland. This beautiful and bucolic county offers a peaceful retreat steeped in history and legend, a place where pastoral landscapes meet ancient stories. While Ireland’s overall visitor numbers have seen fluctuations, with overseas visitors down 15% in March 2025 compared to…
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Tips for Visiting The Cliffs of Moher: Costs, Crowds, and the Best Viewing Angles
The Cliffs of Moher. Just the name conjures images of dramatic coastlines, crashing waves, and windswept beauty. This iconic Irish landmark attracts approximately 1.5 million visitors every year, and for good reason. But planning a trip to this natural wonder requires a little know-how to make the most of your experience. From understanding the costs…
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From Belfast to Roscommon: Castles, Coastlines, and Cultural Discoveries
Ireland presents a captivating tableau of contrasting experiences, where stunning natural beauty mingles with stark reminders of a troubled past. Our recent 10-week overseas journey brought us to this enchanting island, where we embarked on a 29-day counterclockwise exploration that revealed both expected treasures and unexpected delights. Our Irish adventure began with an unpleasant surprise…
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Is Affordable Healthcare Worth Leaving Home For?
Medical tourism is a growing trend among Americans seeking respite from the astronomical costs of healthcare in the United States. As someone who has experienced both systems firsthand, I want to share my journey of receiving medical care abroad and how it compares to healthcare in America. This perspective might help those considering similar options…
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Health Care Overseas
You often hear politicians touting “the US has the best health care system in the world”, usually as a preface to explaining why there is no need to improve, or even worse, why they want to cut funding for social programs. You also hear disparaging comments about health care in “socialist hell-holes”, again arguing against…
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Learning Italian and Buying a Villa
The second season of “Travels with Jim and Rita” continues with an inspiring conversation with travel writer Linda McCarley, who shares her remarkable journey toward establishing a home in Italy. Linda’s story begins with her earliest travel memories at just three years old, when her Scottish-born parents took her from Canada to visit relatives in…
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A Pleasant Surprise – Seville, Spain
When we were originally planning our spring 2025 trip, we were not thinking about Spain at all. Our primary goal was the UK and Ireland, but our late-March start meant it would be a little too cold to enjoy. So instead, we decided to stay a couple of weeks in the Algarve region of Portugal…
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Why Not Take a Cruise?
Cruising represents one of the most versatile and value-packed ways to explore the world, offering travelers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and adventure. While cruises sometimes get dismissed as superficial travel experiences, our recent conversation with veteran cruiser Babs Dearmond revealed why these floating resorts might be the smartest way to see multiple destinations…