My wife & I are planning a 2 week trip in June & need help making a decision. We are not into a hurried "see-it-all" trip. We are more hitting the main sight-seeing places in a few days & then spend the rest of the time relaxing & experiencing the culture & shopping & eating in their quaint places away from the tourists. We want to rent a car & see some of the countryside & villages. This would be my wife's 2nd trip to Europe & my 3rd. What would you suggest: Paris & then into the country or Dublin & then into the country? Please Help!!!!!

3 days Paris, then into the countryside for 4-5 days - - then 2 days dublin, then into the Irish countryside. <BR> <BR>Use www.ryanair to connect the two. <BR> <BR>

We loved Ireland, but went in the Fall--check rainfall data.... <BR>Ireland is a rare depopulatled country with an unspoiled nature...I asked a man if billboards were outlawed and he replied: "What's a Billboard!" We loved the quaint little inns and beautiful countryside...If you go don't miss Adare the most beautiful town in Ireland with thathed roofs...really! We stayed in the only Inn in Adare and it was delightful...The Adare Manor is the deluxe place to stay,but we made do with dinner there..stayed there 4 nights and did day trips from Adare. IE Cliffs of Mohar (sp?) <BR>Also discovered Kinsale...just south of Dublin..do go and experience the gourmet town of Ireland...off the beaten tourist track. If you go walk around the bay on the old footpath..we felt like we were 200 yrs in the past.The path leads to a quaint pub where you can have lunch or a pint. <BR>TAKE FULL AUTO COVERAGE! The Irish drive fast and the roads are narrow with stone walls almost all US tourists loose at least one hub cap.We did and it cost $100.00,(we were told they were only replaced in sets)but the freedom to drive anywhere made it a minor problem. The roads were well marked and with the rental maps we never had a problem finding our way.

Steve-I have not been to France (yet) we go this June/July but we'll go to Ireland first, then London then Paris. My family is Irish so maybe I am a bit prejudiced but Ireland is magical for me. If you go-land in Shannon if you can. When you get out of the terminal-just stand there for a minute, take a deep breath, and then "take it all in". It is stunning. Quiet, peaceful, not hurried, friendly. There are many lovely B&B's all over-abundant really and quite a good value. Great breakfasts!! (THE county to go to if you like breakfast!) We always end up stopping the car a lot to talk to the farmers along the road, watch the sheep and the sheep dogs! Ok, I can go on and on but if you are looking for restful, quiet, quaint I think Ireland will do it. But of course Paris is calling me in a few months so I may fall in love with it as well. And that will be ok too.....

As an Irish person who loves france, I reckon you should only do one country (considering you sound as if you want to relax).Why go to france this year, & Ireland in a year or two (or vice versa).I really don't think that a week in either country is going to give you enough time to comfortably explore all the out of the way places