I am planning a two week vacation for my wife, 14 year old daughter & myself in mid-september. We plan to spend one week in Ireland & one week in Italy. We'll begin in Dublin, then onto Venice & the Italian Riviera. What are some good day trips out of Dublin? Also, what are the best travel options between Venice & The Riviera & are there any other options between Dublin & Italy, besides flight?

If I were you.......I would forego the east coast....land at Shannon and travel around the west and southwest! That is truly Ireland! Most of the beauty is in Kerry...whether the Ring of Kerry or Dingle and Slea Head...Then up to Clare and Galway...You will get many replies re. places to stay and visit ......

I note a tendency in this board to say "do what I did, it's the only way". Well, perhaps it's a mistaken viewpoint: another traveller might not like the things you enjoyed. Many 14 year old daughters have a limited appetite for scenery, and might want the buzz of a city visit. People differ, and there is more to Ireland than the south-west.

There is plenty to see and do from a Dublin base, and I would suggest the Boyne valley (Newgrange, Tara, Trim, and other bits & pieces) as a good well-filled day. Another day could be used for the Wicklow Mountains, including Glendalough and perhaps Russborough House. Tell me what your interests are, and I can refine my suggestions.

Ferry and overland travel to Italy would take an inordinate amount of time if you have only two weeks, and I can't imagine it being worth the trouble.

For the Italian portion of your trip, you might want to contact Megan at www.bellavitaitalia.com. She is "personal travel concierge" based out of the Cinque Terre/Italian Riviera area. We used her services and found her extremely helpful and knowledge about the region as well as all of places we visited in Italy.

Thanks all! I personally would prefer to see ethnic or true Ireland. I love history & culture, yet my wife & daughter prefer the chic metropolitan scene. I plan to compromise, since I enjoy both & they will endure a day or two of serene sightseeing. Thanks also, for the travel advise.

Do you plan to hire a car for your excursions, or will you seek out organised tours? (I am sure that you have figured out that a hire car is a waste of time in the city).

Author: Padraig
Date: 11/26/2006, 06:17 am

There is more to Ireland than the South-West!

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I couldnt agree with you more Padraig, all of Ireland is the "real true" Ireland.

Given all you want to see in a short time, you pretty much have to fly from Dublin to Venice. And take the train from Venice to the Italian Riviera. The question is where are you going to fly home from? Milan? Genoa?