First, we knew we only had 3 full days to spend in Ireland, so we needed to narrow down the things that we wanted to see or do while we were there. I don't count the day that we arrive or the day that we leave. This allows for some free time to do whatever you feel like and there's no added pressure of trying to fit something in before you need to be at the airport.
- The Guinness Storehouse
- Kilmainham Gaol
- Cliffs of Moher
- Giants Causeway
- Dunlace Castle
- Portrush Beach
Once we narrowed down what we wanted to do, I was able to determine a good central location for our overnight accommodations. Given that we're flying into Dublin and the first two items on our list are in the city, and the fact that Dublin is about the same distance between the cliffs and Northern Ireland, finding a place in the city was a win-win.
I <3 AirBnB! So, naturally, we found the perfect little studio apartment, walking distance from the Guinness Storehouse, that fit within our budget. Check!
Now, time is money and timing is everything! So, this is the part where I make spreadsheets.
It starts off as more of a list...
Day 2: Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol
Day 3: Cliffs of Moher
Day 4: Giants Causeway, Dunlace Castle, Portrush Beach
You don't want to cram too much stuff into one day. Afterall, this is a vacation! I group things together based on the amount of time they will take and where they're located.
After a little research, you can begin filling in the details and your itinerary will turn out something like this:
As you research, you might add little things to your activity list. For instance, the Burren is on the way to the Cliffs of Moher, so it only made sense for us to take an extra 30 minutes that day to see it.
Just try to consider how long each activity, including your meals, will take. I also try to keep a running tab in the far column to make sure that we are within (or preferably below) our budget.
This can be as detailed or as simple as you want it to be. I do eventually add our flight itinerary and reservation codes in the details section, so I can have everything in one place. It is a little bit of work, but it's like cleaning your bedroom: once you're done and everything is organized, you feel SO much better.
So, where is your itinerary taking you? We can't wait to hear about your next trip! Leave us a comment below and if you 'follow' our blog (top right!) I'll even help you create your next itinerary!
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