Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Ireland Off-Season

I found this interesting article on Travel Hoppers and it was posted by Travel Hippy.

Everyone wants to go to Ireland, and it seems that everyone wants to go in the summer. Now don’t get me wrong. There is much good to be said about the warm days of summer on the greenest of islands. However, fall, winter, and spring offer their own special charms, as well as being amazingly affordable times to travel. The scenery is still stunning, the people are still Irish (and maybe more so, relieved of the pressure of so many tourists) and the pub life is especially warm and friendly.

Most destinations have a prime season for travel that coincides with excellent weather. Throughout this “peak season”, the crowds tend to be heavy and the prices high. Ireland’s peak season is the summer months: mid-June through mid-September. When the weather is typically less than balmy, destinations experience a “shoulder season” and a “low season.” Shoulder season in Ireland is April, May, early June and early October. Shoulder season has the distinct advantage of retaining many summer travel perks: longer days, good weather and extended shopping hours. Low season is November through March – the winter-weather months in Ireland.

Rates and crowds lessen proportionally as you travel farther from the warmer months. Airfares are often hundreds of dollars below peak season rates, and hotels offer bargain discounts. But for many, one of the best advantages of traveling in the so-called “off season” is that it’s much easier to enjoy and absorb Ireland’s renowned culture and avoid getting lost in crowds of tourists. Off-season visitors often find that their hosts, hoteliers and shop keepers engage easily in conversation and provide individual attention, increasing the odds for a fascinating and flawless vacation.

Off-peak Ireland is one of the best travel bargains worldwide… short daylight hours and cool weather provide a new, moody perspective on the country. Celtic architecture and cool seascapes fill mornings of exploration, and crisp afternoons call for cozy Irish sweaters and refuge in a warm pub, where visitors mix with the locals.

One of the great attractions of Ireland is that many of its amazing sites are in the wide-open: the cliffs and shores, castles, cathedrals and great stone circles are accessible throughout the year. The countryside, too, holds its famous green, even in the winter when visitors can trace the landscape of long stone walls against a leafless sky and emerald-colored hillsides.

To ensure your comfort while you wander through Ireland, bring heavy sweaters and outdoor clothing and hats. Warm, comfortable (and preferably waterproof) shoes are a must, and pack turtlenecks and windbreakers for good measure. The good news is that because Ireland is situated on the eastern Atlantic side of the Gulf Stream, temperatures are typically more moderate than in continental Europe. Ireland’s average winter temperature is a relatively mild 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ireland can be equally enjoyed through a fully escorted or independent tour, and often at additional savings over already low rates. A good travel agent familiar with Ireland is the best resource for planning your off-season itinerary to ensure that you experience the best aspects of traveling during this time. Travel agents can connect you to highly regarded tour operators who are financially sound and have a reliable history of taking care of the agent’s clients. In fact, Tourism Ireland has a group of destination specialists that can set you down in Dublin in real style.

So pack a sweater and have the Emerald Isle to yourself!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

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Friday, March 4, 2011

Beautiful and Historic Kyoto

Kyoto was Japan's capital for over 1,000 years, and during that time became the repository of much of the best of Japanese art, culture, religion, and thought.  Fortunately, during WW II, it was decided that this historic city not be bombed in order to preserve these beautiful treasures.  The city is only 2 hours and 40 minutes from Tokyo by the famous Bullet Train.

When we arrived in Kyoto, we were greeted by our guide for the day, Avi Lugasi, an Israeli who moved to Japan 15 years ago.  Avi is a magnificent guide, providing us with so much history of the city that we almost couldn't take it all in.  We visited temples, the most famous geisha district and we even had time to do a little shopping (the only time we were really able to do that on the trip.)


The Golden Pavilion
The Most Famous Geisha District



 
Famous Geisha School

                   
The Kiyomizu Temple is famous for its wide wooden veranda jutting out over an exquisite valley that extends to a panoramic view of the city.  The day we visited, and I assume it's like this every day, the temple was full of visitors, young and old.  

Kiyomizu Temple Shrine

Kiyomizu Temple

Traditional Wedding Couple at the Temple




In addition to the veranda and for health reasons, Kiyomizu dera temple brings in visitors hoping for luck in love. The sub-temple Jishu-jinja has two love stones placed roughly 20 meters apart. If you can manage to walk between with the stones, eyes closed, you will find love--or so the faithful believe. (Cheating however is allowed: pilgrims are often seen being led by their significant other.)

In addition to being a World Heritage Site, Kiyomizu was recently submitted as a candidate as a New Seven Wonders of the World.

After visiting the temple, visitors wander around Sannenzaka, a small shopping street lined with traditional shops and wooden houses. They can follow this road as it winds its way down past Nene no Michi, Kodaiji to Gion - the traditional pleasure and geisha quarter of the city.
           
The next morning, after a restful sleep and a delicious dinner with Joseph Kelley, the Sales Manager, we had a cultural experience with WAK Japan.  This consisted of a tea ceremony, flower arranging, kimono wearing, and origami with an in-depth talk.  How lucky we were to have experienced the Ikebana program and to learn from the famous instructor, Jalko Fujii.

Ah, Kyoto, where you can feel the essence of Japan.