Croissant Craic Travel Tip #7 - Getting Around Once You Get Here.

Last week I started working on a blog post regarding the best ways to get around Ireland if you come for a holiday (vacation) as part of my on going travel tip series. Then with one wrong key stroke my post was sucked out into an internet blackhole! Of course I had saved my work, but it was hopeless, the post was gone. So, feeling frustrated by that, I decided rather than trying to rewrite the post I would just hit the highlights!

So here is my Pros & Cons list:

Irish rail map

Even though it seems the cons outweigh the pros when it comes to renting a car, referred to as car hire here, I maintain that it is the best way to go when visiting the Emerald Isle. Once you get over the initial confusion of driving on the "wrong side"of the road it's not too bad. Yes, Ireland is one of the few countries in the world where they drive on the left hand side of the road.

 Make sure when hiring a car to ask for a sat nav, short for satellite navigation, or what Americans would call GPS. Additionally, know that most rental cars in Ireland are manual transmission and renting an automatic typically cost 20-30% more and may not be available last minute!

So much of the charm and beauty of Ireland is hidden down narrow unmarked lanes and within small villages that most trains and buses don't go. In a car you can take these things in at your own pace! For example, during our recent visit with my aunt and uncle, we pulled over on the side of the road several times, got out of the car and explored many ring forts dotted along the countryside of the Dingle Peninsula.

On a bus you might just fly right by something like this, and if you go by train you may never see it at all! Of course I'm not anti-train or bus, they have their merits (see pros list above) but if you really want to get the most of your holiday hire a car!

On a final note, you can also arrange for a chauffeured car to take you on a tour. This is what my parents did when they came to visit and it was wonderful. We hired Falconer and Sons, a small family owned and operated chauffeur business. Riding around in a spacious luxury vehicle and chatting away with a knowledgeable and entertaining driver while taking in the sites is the way to go if you can afford it.

My mom posing with our hired car and the beautiful scenery.

 Hiring a chauffeured car will run you between $400-$600 a day, but it is well worth it if you want the personal feeling and freedom that renting a car brings without the hassle of driving in an unfamiliar country and worrying about getting lost. The chauffeured car option is also brilliant for a group of golfers on a golf holiday. Falconer and Sons specializes in setting up golfing tours in addition to their many other tour options.

So there you have it; you can go by  bus, train, car hire, or maybe some combination of the three. It really does not matter how you travel as long as you travel! 

Croissant Craic Travel Tip #6 - Interpreting the Menu

Oops, I totally forgot about What's Cookin' Wednesday yesterday. Sorry!  This week my brain has been elsewhere; finalizing travel plans, cleaning house, and preparing for my parents' visit.  I can't believe they will be here tomorrow!


Because I forgot my food post for the week and I'm still working on sharing Irish travel tips I thought I would make up for it by combining the two! 

If you travel to Ireland you may be surprised to discover that Irish Stew and Corned Beef with Cabbage are not commonly featured on the local menus. They are Irish dishes, just Irish-American!  Bacon and cabbage is a much more common and traditional dish here in Ireland.  However, bacon over here is totally different than American bacon. Hopefully this does not confuse you if you read my post about The Great Bacon Debate. Irish bacon and rashers are not the same thing.  Irish bacon is actually a thick cut of cured pork loin. Bacon and Cabbage is prepared in a similar way to Corned Beef and Cabbage, so it seems Americans have only slightly altered the dish.


As for the remainder of typical Irish cuisine the best way to describe it is like farmstyle home cooking, hearty and simple.  Soups, stews, game, pork, an abundance of seafood, homemade brown bread, and potatoes done just about every way imaginable are the most common elements.  This is not to say Irish cooking is limited to being simple, but if you do something well why change it right? 


The food culture here is growing and changing. I feel lucky to live in Cork, which is without question the gourmet capital of the country! Check out my friend Evin's blog where she traversed Cork city on the Cork Gourmet Trail sampling some of the best cuisine available here.


Arriving in Ireland from the US you would not expect a language barrier, aside from the accent of course.  However, open up a restaurant menu and you may question weather English is in fact the national language.  Some things are obvious and I'm confident you'll figure them out on your own, while others may leave you scratching your head.  Here is a short list I've compiled of typical Irish menu items you may encounter:


Boxty - an Irish potato pancake typically made of shredded potatoes and fried on the griddle

Black Pudding- don't be fooled this is not a sweet dark chocolate treat.  Far from it!  It is actually blood sausage.

White Pudding - similar to black pudding minus the blood, often has oatmeal and spices in the mix


Bacon - Cured pork loin

Rashers- Irish breakfast meat most similar to Canadian bacon

Courgettes - zucchini 


Aubergine - eggplant 


Rocket - Arugula.  This bitter green is in just about every salad here.


Coriander - Cilantro.  In the states we only call the dried seed of the plant coriander and the green leafy part is cilantro.


Hake - White fish similar to cod or haddock.  This fish is available in the US, but nowhere near as common as here in Ireland.  


Prawns - No brainer right?  Prawns are shrimp!


Goujons - Chicken fingers or fish sticks depending on your protein.  

It is also worth mentioning that tap water is perfectly OK to drink and there is no need to order bottled water in a restaurant.  Additionally ice is not common.  You may receive a few cubes in your glass, but don't expect it everywhere you go.  Better yet, skip the water and wash your meal down with a pint!

Surely I have missed a few things, but what I did not cover I am sure you can ask your server to clarify for you. My best to you on your dining adventures in Ireland.  Bon Appetit!

Croissant Craic Travel Tip # 5 - Clothing & Shoe Sizes, & Fashion Trends

It is no secret to those of you who know me that I enjoy shopping. OK, I love shopping! Living abroad I am quickly learning which retail shops stock the brands I like and cater to my taste. 


So if you are anything like me and you arrive in Ireland on holiday you may want to take a little time out of your busy sightseeing schedule to do a little shopping. Nothing beats the thrill and excitement of racks of pretty frocks, and shoes all lined up in neat little rows. 

However, the thrill may fade when the sales clerk asks what shoe size you take and you suddenly realize you have no idea what your equivalent size is. 


Don't panic! The sales clerk may very well be in the know when it comes to conversions and can help figure it out, but just in case they are not I am including these handy dandy charts for you!  Take note that I have included not only UK & Irish sizes but European sizes as well because many of the major retail chains in Ireland are from mainland Europe.

Women's Clothing
United States	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20
Europe	34	36	38	40	42	44	46	48
UK and Irish	8	10	12	14	16	18	20	22

Yes, it takes some getting used to so that you don't feel like a fat cow wearing a size larger than your normal.  It is only a number, and that is important to remember in any country.  It is the fit that matters most, not the number sewn into the back of your skirt!


When it comes to shoes you will find that half sizes are nowhere near as common here as in the states.  If it is a higher-end brand half sizes may be available, but don't hold your breath.  The other funny thing to note is while you add a size to convert your clothing size, you subtract  to figure out your shoe size.  In the states I wear a 7 1/2 shoe, over here I am typically between a 5 or 6.

Women's shoes
United States	5½	6	6½	7	7½	8	8½
Europe	36½ /37	37/37½	37½/38	38½/39	39/39½	40	40½
UK and Irish	4	4½	5	5½ or 6	6 or 6½	6½ /7	7

I am not intentionally leaving the men out.  Oddly enough men's shirts, suits, and pants sizes here in Ireland are the same as in the US.  Their shoe sizes however are not.  When shopping for men's shoes subtract a  half size.  So a US 11 is an Irish/UK 10 1/2.


Obviously, trying shoes and clothing items on is a no brainer to ensure a proper fit.  However, if you have a general idea of your equivalent sizes while traveling abroad it may just save you a little time and hassle. 


If you've made it this far fantastic!  I know size conversion is not all that exciting. So in an effort to make for more interesting blog reading I am going to interject my own personal opinions and observations about Irish style.  Most of these observations and opinions concern the under 25 set.  Like most Western cultures fashion varies among individuals and is constantly changing. Here is what I have observed:

• Irish girls love fake tan! Too often I see day glow orange legs exposed to the damp cool Irish weather and it just doesn't make any sense!
• Hair tends to be big, and backcombing is all the rage. (think the late Amy Winehouse)
• Make-up is thick and heavy, lots of black eye liner!
• Out at the pubs, skirts and dresses are very, very short and heels are very, very high!
• Many men wear their hair in what I can only explain as faux-hawk meets fade (tried unsuccessfully to find a photo)
• despite the trends in fashion magazines showcasing wide legs this season, skinny legs are still very much in here.
• The teenagers love American brands especially Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister.
• Shorts over tights are a big trend now
• opaque tights
• converse sneakers

I'm sure there are many other fashion trends I'm missing, and they may not be that far off from trends in the US for all I know! However, as I said fashion is constantly evolving and is up to the individual. One thing I do know is you won't see me anytime soon rocking streaky orange legs with my mini skirt, sky high heels, and mile high backcombed hair, or an Abercrombie sweatshirt for that matter.  That ship has sailed.

Croissant Craic Travel Tip - #2 Don't be a Burn Out.

No, this Croissant Craic travel tip is not about smoking pot as the title might suggest.  Sorry to disappoint, but this is Ireland, not Amsterdam. Rather travel tip #2 is about
Electricity!



If you arrive in Ireland from the US and try to plug in your hairdryer, laptop, mobile phone, etc. you will no doubt encounter this:

You will quickly realise (realize, get used to it that's how they spell it here) that a standard US plug isn't going to fit into that socket. So what are you supposed to do? 

I'm not going to pretend to understand all the ins and outs of electrical current.  The long and short of it is the voltage and frequency here in Ireland and the UK is much higher than in the states.  What does that mean you ask? If you connect things to a socket with a different power supply you may just cause your equipment to burn out. Assuming you don't want to destroy your electronics, you will be needing either an adaptor or a converter.  I always thought they were one in the same, but as it turns out that is not the case.


Some electronics, most laptops and battery chargers for example, support dual voltage and dual frequency.  They should be marked with something like "120/240, 50/60Hz, or 120-240V".  This means all you need is a plug adaptor to allow you to plug into an Irish socket. This will not change the electricity supplied to the appliance, only allows it to be plugged into the different type of wall socket.  

However, not all electronics support dual voltage and in that case you will need a power converter which helps to step down the voltage and frequency. Typically used for hairdryers, irons, etc. It is important to note that converters are not designed for continuous use, 1-2 hours at a time is typically the maximum, any longer and you may risk a burnout.  

Personally, I think it is kind silly to bring a hairdryer over in your luggage. Save that space to pack  an umbrella or extra sweater, you're gonna need it! Or use that space to bring back a bottle of Irish whiskey! Most hotels provide an iron and a hairdryer. In smaller B&B's if there is not one in the room they typically have one available at the front desk. 


Another thing to note is that there is very rarely an outlet inside the bathroom. You may however find a place to plug in an electric shaver which will accept an American plug, but it is not suggested to utilize this outlet for anything other than a shaver.
  

Finally, it is also worth noting that the light switch for the restroom toilet or water closet, is on the outside. When we first arrived here I kept walking into the toilet and feeling around on the inside wall for the switch with no luck. It is just one of those weird quirks you have to retrain your brain to know!

Here are a couple plug adaptor options with pros and cons:

UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore specific dual plug

Specific country plugs - these tend to be higher quality plugs. For instance, this plug is all metal construction whereas multi-country plugs use plastic for the 3rd prong (the ground). Obviously, they only work in one region but are fairly inexpensive.

Multi-country push adapter  

The push out pin adaptors are more compact but can sometimes be a pain to push into the socket as the pin lock can wear out. However, this type is more compact and can fit into the sockets better. Remember, much of Europe was retrofitted with electricity so the sockets aren't always in the most convenient places like new American construction.

All-in-one flip adapter

The flip adaptors usually connect better; you don't have to worry as much about the plug slipping and not connecting as well. They can run a bit heavier and more bulky but only a difference of a couple ounces (grams for the metric folks).

Individual adapter sets

These are a bit lesser quality compared to the country specific plug above but still work well. Problem is they are small and you have to keep track of them. They are also US specific. If you only travel from the US then it shouldn't be an issue. If you are moving abroad you are better off buying an adapter that will transfer back to the states with you when your ex-pat time is up so you can use the electronics you bought overseas.

Croissant Craic Travel Tips - #1

Exciting news!  Well, exciting for me anyway.  My parents have booked their flight to Ireland; and shortly after their visit my Aunt Jane and Uncle Jim are also planning on coming over!  None of them have ever been to Ireland before so the pressure is on to be an excellent hostess and tour guide. The hostess part I'm pretty sure I can handle, it's the tour guide part that scares me.  We have only been here for five months and have barely scratched the surface on all Ireland has to offer, so I'm not sure how well we will fare as guides. 

I have been assisting my parents with their travel arrangements and accommodations and it got me thinking about a few things they should know before they go! So I have been compiling a list specific to Ireland, but I would recommend researching these things before you take a trip just about anywhere outside of your own country. 


Rather than bore you with one long post of my top ten travel tips, I am going to bore share with you ten short post over the next few weeks! 

#1
The first tip is about exactly that, tipping!

Adam and I always find tipping customs to be different from place to place and if you are in a situation and not familiar with what is customary it can be awkward. We have totally been there before! When in doubt we revert back to American tipping standards, which we have learned are a little bit different than things here in Ireland. What we have learned about tipping here in Ireland is this: 

Chowing Down
Unlike in the US where waitstaff only make minimum wage, here they are paid a living wage and do not rely solely on tips to survive.  This is not to say that tips aren't appreciated.  In a full service restaurant leaving a 10% tip is fairly common assuming the service and quality of the food were good.  However, we've been in a few restaurants where the service was as the Irish say "shite" and did not feel badly about not leaving a tip behind.  In the states I don't think I could ever do that, even if the service was not stellar.  I've been a waitress before (not fun) and it's just hard not to leave at least a little something.  

Out at the Pub
It seemed so odd to me when I first heard this, but it is completely normal to not leave the bartender a tip. Tips are simply not expected. Ordering my first few pints I couldn't break the habit of leaving behind a euro for the bartender, but as we have adjusted to life here I'm finding it easier and easier not to. So, unless they tell a great joke or give you extra special service do not feel badly about not leaving a tip. Adam ninja edit-don't worry, you still pay that tip in the end with €4.60 pints (~6.75 USD) of 4.5% beer


Getting a Lift
Much like the bartender situation it struck me as odd that taxi drivers don't really expect a tip here.  You can typically just round up the fare. Of course if your driver was particularly helpful, engaging, and courteous a 5-10% tip would surely be appreciated. Interestingly it is not uncommon for the driver to actually round the fare down, something a US cabby would never do!

Sleeping Over
If you are staying in a small or family run B&B, (and believe me there are a million of them here in Ireland!) tipping for food service or housekeeping is not expected. Unless of course you're staying at Chez Croissant, we gladly accept tips (in liquid form anyway. That means you can buy us a beer!)  In a larger hotel a small tip left for the maid is acceptable, but not required.


Hopefully that helps for those of you planing  a visit to the Emerald Isle. If it is somewhere else you are heading, consider researching their tipping customs ahead of time; it might just save you an awkward moment or two!