Dublin Unveiled: An Emerald Escape

Here it is, the eagerly awaited kickoff of our grand European adventure! Over the course of 16 whirlwind days, we hopped across 13 vibrant cities in 3 different countries, and man was it an unforgettable journey.

Before the real adventure in Dublin, Ireland, kicked off, we stopped in Quantico, Virginia, and our nation's capital, Washington D.C. The best part? Surprising my cousin Dylan, who was beaming with pride in his sharp Marine Corps uniform as he graduated from The Basic School (TBS). This marked the end of one chapter and the thrilling start of a new one - FLIGHT SCHOOL!

In a lightning-fast 43-hour escapade, there wasn't much room for sleep, but hey, who needs sleep when you're on a mission to support family, right?

We revisited one of our favorite D.C. restaurants at Old Ebbitt Grill (a personal favorite), enjoyed refreshing drinks by the water at Catina Bambina, soaked in the historical vibes at Ford's Theatre, paid our respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, and, just for a thrilling change of pace, pulled off a successful escape from Special Ops: Mysterious Market at The Escape Game (we aced it, no big deal!). And, because no trip is complete without some mementos, we made sure to grab some souvenirs to commemorate this action-packed tour.

Now it was time for our grand European adventure according to our meticulously planned itinerary - and, of course, we did it in style, traveling first class!

Next stop.... Dublin, Ireland!

Our Dublin adventure officially began as we touched down at noon, with a mere 8 hours of sleep stretched across two action-packed days. Luckily, Cat and Arya graciously opened their doors for us to crash for a few days. They lived in the cutest, coziest little town outside Dublin called Donabate. The town had that classic small-town charm, with everything and everyone just a short stroll away.

Little did we know, upon arrival at their place, that Momma and Chad were in the midst of a full-blown DIY renovation project. These two are the DIY champs, with new tile flooring laid, a shiny new backsplash, and they were nearly finished with the grouting. If you're ever in need of some DIY experts, they're your go-to crew – their work was nothing short of impressive!

But even the most dedicated DIYers deserve a break, so we took them away from the project for a while. We headed to a charming café right on the water, where the weather couldn't have been more perfect.

Fluffy pancakes, avocado toast that's basically art on a plate – you name it, they had it. I, of course, went right for the mocha cappuccino - per our waitresses' request - and it didn't disappoint.

The wait staff was so kind and welcoming and the atmosphere was perfect for a gorgeous afternoon in Dublin. The vibe of the place was just right too. Lots of natural light, cool décor – a perfect hangout spot for a lazy morning in Dublin. It was the kind of place that made you want to stay a bit longer, you know?

With our stomachs happy and caffeinated, we decided to take the party to the beach. Turns out, Dublin has this sweet combo of city life and coastal charm. A short walk from the café, we found ourselves by the water, with the sound of the waves playing background music to our morning. It was a perfect afternoon (although the water was FREEZING) there were kids and dogs carelessly enjoying themselves in the waves and sand. The sun, the waves, and the whole vibe – it was the perfect encore to our breakfast adventure.

Touring Downtown Dublin

Our Dublin experience kicked into high gear when we decided to go all-in by booking a full-day Original Dublin Walking Tour: Highlights & Hidden Gem. This would be just the beginning of our (extensive) walking adventures throughout the trip. Booking a day tour with a knowledgeable guide turned out to be the smartest move. It's like the express pass to the city's highlights. You get to explore all the must-see spots, soak up the city's rich history and culture, and fully immerse yourself in the "tourist" role.

Our guide was super knowledgeable but also kept the tour lighthearted and humorous which made it easy for us to stay involved and follow along the history of Dublin and it's culture. We kicked things off in the vibrant heart of Temple Bar, the cultural quarter of the city. Temple Bar was a lively part of town, packed with tourist attractions, bars, and shops. Its picturesque cobblestone streets and colorful buildings made it a great place to kick off our adventure.

From there, we made our way to the impressive Dublin Castle, a historic gem right in the heart of the city. The castle's architecture and the stories it held within its walls left us in awe, providing a glimpse into the city's rich past.

Next on the list was the awe-inspiring Christ Church Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece that exudes a sense of grandeur and spirituality. Inside, the intricate stained glass windows and the centuries-old crypt were a testament to the city's deep-rooted history. This is where our guide told us the interesting story of the “The Crusader” which is a six-and-a-half-foot tall man, thought to be 800 years old that was preserved in the crypts. For centuries, visitors were allowed to shake the Crusader’s hand, an experience thought to be a Dublin good-luck charm. One day, a thief stole the head of The Crusader which launched a 6-month-long man hunt for the thief and the famous head. This made national news and was being investigated country-wide. One day, a landscaper found the head in the bushes near the property with a sticky note saying "I'm sorry!". An odd story altogether.

As we strolled along the banks of the River Liffey, we couldn't help but admire the famous Ha'Penny Bridge, an iconic symbol of Dublin. We learned the fun story behind how this bridge got its more commonly known nickname. The bridge was officially known as the Liffey Bridge, but it quickly earned the nickname "Ha'penny Bridge" due to the toll of one halfpenny that pedestrians were required to pay when crossing. This toll was collected until 1919 when it was abolished. Over the years, the Ha'penny Bridge has become a beloved symbol of Dublin. Its distinctive design and historical significance have made it a must-visit attraction for both locals and tourists. Today, it stands as a testament to Dublin's rich history and the evolution of its urban landscape. We continued our journey with a visit to O'Connell Bridge, where the bustling city life and the stunning river views came together in perfect harmony.

Our tour concluded at the historic and prestigious Trinity College, home to the famous Book of Kells. We learned that this illuminated manuscript, created by monks around the year 800 AD, is celebrated for its intricate artwork and historic significance. It is on display in the library and attracts visitors from all over the world. However, the story behind the Book of Kells takes a darker turn. During its creation, Dublin was invaded by Vikings, and these monks, who were devoted to their Christian faith, tragically lost their lives.

Sipping History at theJameson Distillery

The final stop on our full day was the Jameson Distillery which was one of my favorite parts. We love a good whiskey tasting and this one ended with an extra special private tasting!

We were early so we signed up for our 45-Minute Bow St Experience and enjoyed our free cocktail in the bar area - we tried their "Jameson Ginger & Lime " which was pretty good and refreshing. We then headed next door to their cafe where we had a quick lunch to prep our bellies for even more alcohol.

I was a little lost since Irish food choices were a little new to me and I have a very immature palate (don't tell Alex I said that). I ordered a sandwich replacing the ham with turkey and really threw the chef for a loop. I of course, paired it with a coffee from the bakery side.

We arrived 15-minutes early like they asked and while waiting, we found this super fun upstairs bar/balcony area looking over the main bar and showcased historical items from Jameson's past. Side note: a cool thing about the bar area was it had parts in the floor where it was glass and you could see the original building framework of the undergrounds.

The tour kicked off, with our group gathered in a circular room, circling around a display table. The guide dished out Jameson history like a seasoned pro, syncing his spiel with projections that unfolded the tale of Jameson and the Dublin Winery on Bow St.

Then came my favorite part – the whiskey-making magic. I hadn't been on a whiskey tour before, so this was like whiskey school for me. The guide got interactive, letting us smell the different types of malted vs. unmalted barley and taking us through the various stages of aging. It was like a backstage pass to the science and art behind crafting that golden elixir.

And finally, the grand finale – the tasting. We sampled different barrels of Jameson, and to top it off, got a taste of a limited edition that only graces the shelves in seven countries (nope, the US wasn't on that exclusive list). Talk about sipping on liquid gold.

Private Experience - Cast-Strength Draw

This part of our journey was incredibly exciting. We decided to tack on the Bow St Experience + Cast Draw tour to wrap up our extensive exploration, and boy, did it exceed our expectations. It turned into an exclusive affair – a private tour and tasting session just for Alex and me. Total VIP treatment!

Our backstage pass took us right into the live maturation warehouse on-site. Here, our guide expertly showcased the distinctions between barrels and unraveled the story behind the captivating wings on the wall. (third picture below)

These wings, portraying a charred barrel flung wide open, narrate a tale of sacrifice in each precious drop lost to evaporation during the intricate maturation process, famously known as The Angel's Share. It was a genuinely remarkable and uniquely creative and I just loved it. We were treated to a taste of cask strength single pot still whiskey, and let me tell you, it packed a punch! The strength was no joke. I graciously handed the remainder of mine to Alex, and as we exited, we were undeniably feelin' the alcohol.

Exiting the Jameson Distillery, our heads were full with knowledge - and side effects - of our whiskey adventures in Dublin. From the cute café brekkie to the beachy vibes and the unexpected VIP maturation warehouse gig – our day was like a mixtape of flavors, stories, and shared laughs. Those wings on the wall and every highlight in between, now hold a special place in our mental scrapbook, reminding us of the serious skill that goes into every sip of Jameson. Dublin, with its cool history and surprises on every corner, left us buzzing.

Now it was time for the next country in our adventure... ITALY! It was a quick jump to Amsterdam with a 1-hour layover before we would take off to land in Florence, but I couldn't help but reflect on the whirlwind of FINALLY seeing Ireland - as a Cradle Catholic with a deep-rooted lineige of Irish Ancestry, this was an amazingly personal experience for me. From the cozy cafés in Dublin to the rhythmic waves of the seaside, every moment was a chapter in a storybook adventure. Although we didnt have enough time to experince the true essensce of Ireland with it's rolling hills and cliffs of scenic beauty along the countryside, we had plenty of unexpected delights - like our private whiskey escapade. I can't wait to come back and experience even more of Ireland, but for now... stay tuned to follow along our Italian Adventures!