Summer 2019 Europa Tour. My daughter was going to Mallorca, Spain for a summer program. What a great chance to take a vacation!
Since we'd traveled through Spain in 2017, we decided to go on vacation to Italy. Weather, food, tons of stuff to see. Can't beat it.
Our flight to Italy took us through my ancestral homeland of Ireland. Since we'd never been there, we decided to see Dublin for a couple of days.
IRELAND
Dublin
Dublin is a fun city—and much more modern than I expected. We found the people friendly and helpful, making it easy to communicate and get around. Plus, the weather was cool and pleasant.
We targeted a few key attractions during our visit. Trinity College houses both the Book of Kells and the Trinity College Library, both of which were incredible. We were awed by the intricate detail and colors of the Book of Kells, and walking through the library felt like stepping back in time. It reminded my son of Harvard, the Gutenberg Bible, and Widener Library.
We found Dublin Castle much more impressive on the inside than on the outside. Personally, I liked knowing that JFK and Bill Clinton had attended functions there even more than British royalty. Nearby, Saint Patrick's Cathedral looked immense from the outside, while Christ Church Cathedral felt ancient and significant. And, without fail, the Viking Splash Tour amphibious vehicles would periodically cruise by and give us a pleasant surprise!
Our hotel was located right across the river from the Custom House. We really enjoyed walking around the lively Temple Bar area, where the restaurants and pubs are all packed close together. The Spire was just a short walk across the river, right in the heart of a bustling shopping district. Dubliners certainly know how to have fun!
Next, we flew from Dublin to Naples to explore Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast.
IRELAND
Dublin
Framingham - Newburgh, NY - Dublin, Ireland - Naples, Italy
1. Friday June 21 Drive rental from Framingham to SWF Airport Newburgh, NY
Enterprise
Pick-Up Framingham Thursday, June 20, 2019
Return Newburgh Stewart Int Airport (SWF) Friday, June 21, 2019
2. Friday June 21 Norwegian Air flight D81762 from SWF Airport Newburgh, NY
to Dublin, Ireland
Depart SWF Friday June 21 2019 9:00PM
Arrive DUB Saturday June 22 8:20AM
Direct flight 21 June 2019 from New York-Stewart (SWF) to Dublin (DUB)
Flight Duration 6:20
3. Saturday June 22 - Sunday June 23 Clayton Hotel & Leisure Club
Cardiff Lane, Dublin, Ireland
Cardiff Lane Sir John Rogesons Quay, Dublin
City Centre - Four Star Hotel - Restaurants - Pool - Gym
Dublin Attractions: (Saturday June 22 8:20 AM - Sunday June 23 4:10PM)
National Museum, National Gallery, Trinity College, Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, Chester Beatty Library, Guiness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery, Christ Church Cathedral, St Patrick's Cathedral, Phoenix Park, Merrion Square, Poolpeg Lighthouse, Famine Memorial, James Joyce Cultural Center
4. Sunday June 23 Ryan Air fligh FR6840 from Dublin, Ireland to Naples, Italy
Depart DUB Sunday June 23 2019 4:10PM
Arrive NAP Sunday June 23 8:25 PM
First thing we confirmed M's program was a go. Next we looked around for the cheapest flights. Turns out flights between European cities are relatively cheap so it was all about finding the cheapest flight to and from Europe. Best we found was on WoW Air. From Boston to Reykjavik to London. Homeward we'd fly from Mallorca to Madrid to Boston.
But then WoW airlines went out of business! We got our money back (thank you Chase Visa Card) but we had to find another flight on short notice. Enter Newburgh New York to Dublin to Naples. Gotta be flexible!
