We were halfway up Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park when our bus driver, Paddy, told us something that will stick with me for the rest of my life: “The most important thing is determination; that’s the only thing keeping you from turning around.”
He was talking about the hike, of course, but it rings so true for so many things in life, solo travel included. It takes a lot of determination to step onto that plane, not knowing any of the people you’re traveling with. Here are six reasons why I think U30X’s Ireland tour is the perfect trip for first-time solo travelers.
1. You’ll meet cool, like-minded people.
Day one had us arriving early in Dublin, where we met up with our group leader, Dave, and our bus driver extraordinaire, Paddy. Once everyone arrived and had a quick breakfast downtown, we made our way to Howth for a stunning cliff walk. It was an excellent start to our adventure; not only is the easy walk a great way to stretch your legs after so much travel, but it’s a wonderful way to get to know each other. You’ll get to know this amazing group as you stroll the path to the village of Howth, snapping the first of many group pictures as you go.
After stretching our legs, we took our private bus to the city of Kilkenny, where we’d stay for the next two days.
And people say it’s impossible to make friends in your twenties and thirties!
2. Under30Experiences Ireland has a great blend of free time and planned activities.
The Ireland tour does an amazing job blending planned activities with free time, making it a fantastic choice for every type of traveler. Day two started with a bike tour of Kilkenny, which was a fun and unique way to see the town. A few members of our group opted out, choosing to go on a riverboat instead, which looked amazing as well. After the bike tour, we spent the afternoon popping into shops, visiting cathedrals, and touring the castle across from our guesthouse.
Read more: Exploring Scenery and Castles on U30X Ireland.
3. Activities you might not think to plan on your own.
We left Kilkenny on day three, making our way across Ireland to Galway. Along the way, we stopped at the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary. It was such a cool stop, and I don’t know if I would have thought to go on my own. Under30Experiences does such a great job of finding little things that you might not think to plan yourself. Glengowla Mines on day four is another one of those activities, where we got to watch a sheepdog demonstration and even get to hold a lamb! It was just a fun and unique experience, and it definitely was a highlight of the tripU30X Ireland will challenge you
4. U30X Ireland will challenge you
On day four, we stopped and had lunch at Kylemore Abbey before going on the infamous hike of Diamond Hill. (Pro tip: don’t have the Irish stew for lunch. It’s absolutely delicious, but it will weigh you down on the hike!) I was born and raised in the fourth flattest state in the United States, and a normal hike for me is a stroll in the prairie. Needless to say, Diamond Hill was a challenge for me. There were so many times I thought about turning around (not that there is anything wrong with that), but I just knew I would appreciate it if I kept going. Under30 has always been good at finding ways to challenge you, whether it’s physically, like the hike was for me, or just getting you out of your comfort zone, you’ll find out that you’re capable of so much more than you thought possible.
I was the last one of my group to arrive at the top of Diamond Hill (accompanied by Paddy, who took it slow with me), but they never made me feel like I was holding them back or slowing the group down, and they waited patiently at the top, ice-cold winds and all, just so I could be included in the group photo.
Read More: 5 Reasons to Visit Ireland Now!
5. A great mix of tourist spots and local ones
On day five, we drove from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher. We spent the early afternoon exploring the site, admiring the sweeping views, exploring the gift shops, and trying to find the best spot for pictures. Under30 is always great about getting you to those must-see spots.
But don’t think we ignored the lesser-known local spots, either! After returning to Galway, we spent the night visiting local pubs and restaurants and just enjoying our last night in town before heading back to Dublin.
The whole trip was an excellent blend of being a tourist and being a traveler, which is why I keep coming back to Under30Experiences year after year.
6. Perfect duration
Our last day, we drove from Galway to Dublin. Dave gave us a short tour around the local spots before giving us the rest of the afternoon to ourselves. Most of us made our way to the Guinness factory tour, learning all about the famous beer. Some of us even got a “stout-ie” because who doesn’t want to drink their face off in Dublin?
After the tour, we meandered Grafton Street, popped in and out of shops for last-minute souvenirs, and grabbed drinks at various pubs.
While I was sad to leave Ireland, I felt like we got a good taste of the country. When you’re a young professional with limited vacation time, it’s hard to find time to travel. Under30Experiences does an amazing job planning trips that are a perfect duration, from long weekends to nearly two weeks. They make sure to create trips that maximize your time in each location, as well as take advantage of holidays. I went during Juneteenth, so even though I was gone for eight days, I only needed to use four vacation days.
Even though this wasn’t my first trip with Under30 (and certainly won’t be my last), it’s a fantastic way to dip your toe into the solo travel world. There were so many times I could have decided that traveling alone was too difficult, but determination kept me from turning around.
Thinking about booking a trip to Ireland? I say go for it. And who knows, maybe I’ll see you there!
Further reading: Top Instagram Spots in Ireland!
