My travel choices in 2024 (part 3)

Exploring Ireland and the British Isles in Summer Months

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Although I don’t consider myself an extremely active traveler, every year I try to fill my calendar with as much travel as possible, and 2024 was an exciting one. It was full of new sights and ticking off bucket-list sites, of solo, coupled and group unforgettable adventures. I’ve become a pro at squeezing travel into weekends and holidays.

I have to say that travel for me is not about counting cities and countries – it’s about learning, growing, and connecting with the world in a way that keeps my curiosity alive.

Here’s a look at how my 2024 unrolled and how each trip brought its own unique story and lessons, reminding me why I love exploring Europe and, my home, Croatia.

I had to split this post into 4 parts because when I started adding photos, I realized my plan wasn’t sustainable. Read more:

My travel choices in 2024 (part 1)

My travel choices in 2024 (part 2)

My travel choices in 2024 (part 4)

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My Irish solo trip

I can take a week or more off only during summer, due to my work. I always tend to use every single day and spend at least 2 weeks traveling abroad, at least in recent years. And my problem with Croatian summer is the hot weather so I try to escape it either in the Croatian mountains or in Northern Europe. This time it was Ireland’s turn.

I planned a trip to Ireland for so long and finally decided on a combination of London, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, and Ireland. It was too much for 10 days, but my solo trips always ARE too much. I’m happy I combined all of this because I managed to visit many places I’d wanted to see for a long time.

And this trip was important because it was in Ireland that I finally decided to start writing this travel publication — my friends had been nudging me for years to blog, but I didn’t have time for that, although there had been some tries. My goal with the publication is to bring to attention some sites that are not necessarily on everyone’s travel wishlist.

What’s in the post?

• 1 day in London

• Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway

• Douglas, the Isle of Man

• Dublin

• Cliffs of Moher and Dark Hedges

• Newgrange

• Kilkenny and Wicklow Mountains

Solo Female Travel Doesn't Have To Be a Scary Adventure

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London

London is my favorite city. Ever. I would like to be able to revisit it at least twice a year (and this year I was lucky to do so), there’s always something that draws my attention. This time I visited the National Portrait Gallery, the Wallace Collection, and Soho. It was just one day, and I really enjoyed it. The only bad thing was my planning - it was a very busy Saturday and millions swarmed the city center.

Why the National Portrait Gallery? I wanted to see its first ever acquisition, the famous Chandos portrait, which is believed to be of the Bard.

the Chandos portrait

Mary Wollstonecraft, a founder of British feminism. She is probably pregnant in the painting, with her daughter Mary Shelley.

Ada Lovelace, the first computer programer. The daughter of the bad boy poet Lord Byron.

I love it when they arrange paintings in the Paris Salon style.

The Brontë sisters painted by their brother. The painting is still creased on purpose.

Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas, Bosie. Bosie's father accused Wilde of homosexuality, which ended in a 2-year prison sentence for Wilde, after which nothing was the same.

From Soho I’ll share just 3 photos, one of a pump installed in the place of the real John Snow pump guilty of the severe outbreak of cholera in 1854. Until then, they didn’t connect cholera with water, and doctor John Snow connected the dots and shut the pump down. The famous Florence Nightingale cared for the sick at the hospital.

And from the Wallace, I will share only one painting — only one is enough, the mighty Swing. It was painted in 1768 by Jean-Honoré Fragonard. Besides being considered best-known work, it is also one of the masterpieces of the Rococo era.

The Wallace Collection is impressive and housed in the beautiful Hertford House, so if you like art and have some time in London, visit it because you won’t regret it.

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Belfast (Northern Ireland)

I spent only 2 days in Belfast, and one was designated for a guided walking tour and my own research. Why Belfast? I wanted to visit it since the Troubles in the 1990s, and to feel the atmosphere of so many centuries of conflicts. Did I leave with new insights? Yes, many. What is positive about Belfast is that it has been rebuilt over the past 30 years and certain parts have been repurposed, like the Titanic Quarter. But not the Shankill.

Titanic Museum: RMS Titanic was built in Belfast before it started its maiden journey from Southampton. In the background of the photo on the left you can see Samson and Goliath, tow yellow-painted shipyard cranes, symbols of Belfast

Palm House at the Belfast Botanic Gardens

Upper row: the Cathedral Quarter is historic trading quarter; the Crown Liquor Saloon as an example of a Victorian gin palace

River Lagan and the Big Fish as a symbol of restoration of a self-sustaining population of Atlantic salmon to the river

Two Caravaggios in the wonderful Ulster Museum: on the right The Taking of Christ, and on the left, on loan from NG, The Supper at Emmaus. I’m a groupie.

Shankill Road (after two days, it was here I was reminded I was in the UK); The Peace Wall still physically separates two communities; Political murals and memorial gardens on both sides.

If available, I always go on a GuruWalk walking tour, and I recommend this one for Belfast. Guru walks are advertized as ‘free’, but they are actually funded by tips so - tip the guides.

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The second day here was my day trip to the Giant’s Causeway, and I definitely recommend Paddywagon Tours for tours in Ireland.

The wonderful greenery of Antrim County, and a stop at the Dark Hedges

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Basalt rock at Giant's Causeway

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a stop at Dunluce Castle

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Isle of Man

The Isle of Man was on my list for such a long time, and I arrived by ferry from Belfast. There are also ferry lines to/from Liverpool, Heysham and Dublin.

What’s so special about Isle of Man? Well, first of all, it’s a British crown dependency, which means they are a part of the UK, but they’re also not. I felt that when I realized I no longer have free roaming. They have their own currency, beautiful nature (the first entire nation in the world to be recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve), their own cat breed (the Manx), a rather unique flag, the TT Motorcycle Races, a steam train (!), and so much more.

I was only in Douglas for a day, but I would like to come back and go around the island. I noticed many boy and girl scout groups going to and from the island, so I guess its nature is perfect for kids and families.

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Dublin

I took the early morning ferry from the Isle of Man to Dublin. This was my first time in Dublin, and I’m sure it won’t be my last.

The docks; Samuel Beckett Bridge; the River Liffey; the Famine Memorial; Sunday morning; Christ Church Cathedral; The Liffey; the courthouse; the Temple Bar

for history buffs, a wonderful exhibition at the General Post Office Museum

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for nature lovers, the Howth peninsula and the Ireland's Eye island

“nije nebo, a nije ni more” (a quote from a band called Silente, refers to the almost invisible line between the sky and the sea)

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National Gallery of Ireland

my absolute top art find of the year; Una Watters, Girl Going by Trinity in the Rain, 1959 (National Gallery of Ireland)

Oscar Wilde & Seamus Heaney

The Spire; my favourite nickname is Stiffy on the Liffey

I used Dublin as a hub for several day trips, which made me fall in love with the out-of-this-world nature.

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Cliffs of Moher, a UNESCO site

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Wild Atlantic Way

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Discover the Ancient Mysteries of Newgrange and Knowth

Newgrange and Knowth, another UNESCO heritage site

My long-awaited trip to Newgrange and Knowth was a successful one, with the minimum amount of rain, and a maximum amount of dear memories. I wrote about the visit here, and it was my first blog post ever.

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Oh, yes, I saw a Riverdance show, not to be missed!

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Kilkenny

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Wicklow National Park

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I think you got the idea of this beautiful country, its nature, cultural sites and its fifty shades of green.

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To be continued…

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And one last thing - this publication will stay free forever, but if you feel I deserve a cup of matcha 🍵 here and there, then please buy me some - the next drink’s on me! ☕

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MORE INTERESTING SIGHTS:

Wine museum, London, Picasso’s birthplace and so much more…

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Plus, my “2025 Calendar: 12 Countries in 12 Months” is a gift for my free subscribers, so go and get your inspiration:

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