Back to Guardia by way of Ireland

(This blog entry will act as my online journal/photo album to share with family and friends)

It's official - we are new additions to the neighborhood of Guardia! We closed from the United States on May 12, 2015! We are headed back to get our new casa whipped into shape...we just have to choose an airline. After researching, we decide that Aer Lingus is the one for us because the rates are affordable and we have always wanted to see Ireland. It's also a non-stop flight from Orlando, Florida directly to Dublin, Ireland. We'll stay a few days in Dublin and then Aer Lingus will fly us as close as Rome and we'll drive to Guardia from there.

One of the best things about owning a place "across the pond" is that we can always choose a different airline, through a different city or country, each time we visit. Ireland was at the top of our travel bucket list, so off we go. Me and my two favorite travel buddies, Courtney and Mom, boarded the plane to our next adventure!

When we arrived in Dublin, we took the AirLink bus to the City Centre (lower O'Connell Street) near the River Liffey, short walk to our budget hotel accommodations at the Clifton Court that were fantastic! Our room on the second floor overlooked the Liffey River and was a fabulous view. Mom's room was on the third floor and her view was terrible, but fortunately she hung out with us until bed time.

Clifton Court Budget Accommodations

Overlooking the River Liffey

Views from our window

Lanigan's Pub downstairs

Authentic Irish Stew from Lanigan's Pub downstairs

Sipping Bailey's Irish Creme after long day of sight-seeing

Night view from window - it's almost 11 at night

Double Room with Great View

Day One - Exploring the neighborhood, walking all the way to St Stephen's Green

St. Stephen's Green

Had to try a Guinness, right?

O'Connell Street Bridge over River Liffey

Day Two - County Cork and Blarney's Castle

Out of the city of Dublin to see a little Irish countryside. Views from the bus (Only cost 24 euros from Dublin to Cork roundtrip on Bus Eireann). Takes approximately 3 hours (one way).

Yes, that's sheep dotting the countryside

COUNTY CORK

BLARNEY CASTLE

Searching for souvenir rocks

Day Three - HOHO(Hop-On Hop-Off) Dublin Tour Bus/Trinity College/Book of Kells

We purchased the "Freedom Pass" bus ticket, which is good for 72 hours and works on all buses and trains, including the hop-on-hop-off and the Air Link bus 747 which shuttles you back and to the airport. The price is 30 euros.