You will really get to appreciate the beautiful scenery Ireland has to offer and work up an appetite for a hearty dinner later in the evening.

Phoenix Park, Dublin by William Murphy

Start with a day exploring Phoenix Park, just 4 kilometres from Dublin city centre. An 11 kilometre perimeter surrounds 1,750 acres of land and it is one of the largest city parks in Europe. It is also home to a herd of fallow deer and other types of wildlife. It is open 24 hours a day and is full of interesting sights, buildings and monuments, amongst a beautiful landscape. The residence of the President of Ireland, Aras an Uachtarain, is located in the park, as is Dublin Zoo.

Start to head further out of the city with a bracing beach walk from Malahide to Portmarnock. It is one of a series of iWalks, free podcasts audio guides that will educate and entertain you as you pass through areas of interest. Malahide to Portmarnock is a stunning walk along the northern coastline of Dublin Bay. Along the way, you can enjoy views of Lambay Island, Howth and Ireland’s Eye. The longest option is a 7km route.

If you are interested in a more challenging hike, then take a day to walk the Bog of Frogs Loop, a 10 kilometre walk with a 250 metre ascent that is graded as ‘hard’. The start of the Loop is located in Howth village, 15 kilometres north east of Dublin city centre. You can easily take the DART or a bus to the start of the route at Howth.

The Bog of Frogs Loop is well signposted with a purple arrow and takes in some spectacular views and attractions, including Lambay Island, Howth Castle, Martello Tower, Ireland’s Eye and Baily Lighthouse. Ireland’s Eye has a bird sanctuary and you can see a wide variety of birds, such as guillemots, fulmars, razorbills and gannets.

Howth Castle, Ireland by Erzsèbet

Perhaps you would like to try a long distance hike, or maybe tackle a section of the Grand Canal Way, a 114 kilometre long distance trail which begins as Lucan Road Bridge and finishes at Shannon Harbour. If you want to do the whole route, it can be finished in four to five days and as it passes through towns and villages, walkers have plenty of accommodation options each night. As public transport links are good, it is also easy to start and stop along different parts of the route. The Grand Canal Way was designed to connect Dublin with the west, through the midland area and the River Shannon. The area has been largely unaffected by development and agriculture and so is a tantalising glimpse into the past and a haven for plants and wildlife that used to be a common sight throughout Ireland.

Don’t confuse the Grand Canal Way with the Royal Canal Way, another long distance trail, 77 kilometres long, that runs almost parallel with the Grand Canal Way. It was originally constructed to connect Dublin with the Upper River Shannon and was finished in 1817. The route covers grass towpath, gravel and occasional tarmacked canal side roads to the village of Abbeyshrule in County Longford.

Again, it is easy to find accommodation along sections of the route and excellent public transport links make it easy to walk a section and return to your starting point. These are just a few of the walking and hiking options available to you from a Dublin base. You can head off on a long distance trail for a week or take short day trips and return to the city at night to enjoy the craic!

The post Hillwalking around Dublin – get away from the hustle and bustle of the vibrant city appeared first on Europe Explored.

Cruise from Seil Island / Tim Kelly (aka Aleister Kronos)

One of the most difficult decisions to make, however, is when it comes to where you visit if you’re looking for a quiet retreat in beautiful surroundings – and this isn’t because Scotland doesn’t have many of these areas, but because it has them everywhere!

From the northern coastline right down to the English border, if you’re looking for somewhere to completely unwind and relax, Scotland is without doubt your place.  But where exactly?

Well, you can’t go far wrong with the Argyll coast.

Where is the Argyll Coast?

Covering the south western part of the country, the Argyll coast, unlike other parts of Scotland, is known almost solely for its sheer natural beauty above all else and although the islands in the area are well-connected by road and ferry crossings to the county’s bigger cities, they’re worlds apart when you’re actually there.

Iona west coast / Phillip Capper

Plus, with just 90,000 people scattered throughout the whole region (that’s approximately a quarter of the population of Edinburgh, but in an area of land that’s 30 times bigger), it very often seems as though there are only a few dozen people near you – at most – wherever you are.

What to See on the Coast

So what should you expect from the Argyll coast area of Scotland?

With 26 inhabited islands, lots of dramatic coast lines is one of the most notable expectations!  From awe-inspiring cliffs to wonderful, gentle beaches, paddling in some of the areas many crystal clear bodies of water will take you away to a completely different part of the world.

And with quaint towns and villages offering the ability to sit back and soak in the relaxed pace of life wherever in the area you’re visiting, the simplicity of life just oozes out and it’s impossible to not be absorbed by it.

Easdale Island / nz_willowherb

If you fancy something a little more physical, however, try ambling along one of the many well-laid out paths in the area.  Some away from the beaten track for the more adventurous, but just as many available for everyone to enjoy, for some, walking isn’t fun or exciting in anyway – walk around the Argyll coast, however and it’s almost guaranteed you won’t want to stop.

If you’re planning on basing your Scottish stay around relaxation, you really can’t go wrong if you head to any part of the Argyll coast.  Fantastic coastlines, a beautiful, serene atmosphere and enough breathtaking scenery to give you completely different views of the country every day of the year, the Argyll coast really is the ‘Secret of Scotland’ – and possibly the best kept secret the country has.

Matthew Bettoli writes for Cottages and Castles who provide the perfect Argyll Islands accommodation for your next holiday.

View The Argyll Coast in a larger map

The post The Argyll Coast – Sea, Serenity And Stunning Scenery, Scotland, UK appeared first on Europe Explored.