Exploring the Emerald Isle: 10-Day Ireland Road Trip

Check in to your hotel and drop off your luggage. They say the best way to fight jet lag is to get some fresh air and exercise, so take a walk through the historic city of Dublin. Make your way to Trinity College to explore the iconic library. After your academic excursion, enjoy a picnic in the calm city park of St. Stephen's Green. (Pro tip: If you're staying at the Fitzwilliam, this can be arranged by the hotel concierge.) Finish the day off in Temple Bar, the rowdy area known for its bar scene. Have a pint (or two) and a traditional Irish meal.

Dublin

Start your day with a traditional Irish breakfast before you head out to get your history fix. Visit Dublin Castle, St. Patrick's Cathedral, The National Museum of Ireland or the Little Museum of Dublin to get a deeper understanding of Ireland and its capital city. Learn the history and production of Ireland's most beloved beverage at the Guinness Storehouse and enjoy a pint with views over the city. If whisky is more your flavor, take a tour of the Jameson Distillery. For a unique dinner setting, head to The Bank on College Green. Set in a former bank, the vaulted ceilings and gilded bar are transportive, and the food is excellent.

Pick up your rental car from the airport and head south. It's time to get a true taste of Ireland. About an hour outside of Dublin is the famous Glendalough Monastery. The beautiful area surrounding the monastic site is home to much history and legend. You'll enjoy your first glimpses of Ireland's rugged nature as you travel through the Wicklow Mountain region. After your visit, drive to the beautiful estate of Mount Juliet, where you'll be staying. Enjoy the historic grounds and explore the quaint village of Kilkenny.

Enjoy your morning at the peaceful estate before driving to Killarney National Park. It's about a 2.5-hour drive. Split up the drive time with stops at the Rock of Cashel, a foreboding ruined fortress, or the Blarney Stone, said to grant the gift of gab to those who kiss it. Check into your hotel outside the park and head to a nature escape — the Gap of Dunloe, Lough Leanne and Torc Waterfall are all highly praised. If you haven't gotten your history fix for the day, you can visit Muckross House and Castle.

Drive the Ring of Kerry, stopping at Portmagee to take a boat tour to Skellig Michael, a small island off the coast of the Kerry peninsula known for being the film site of Star Wars. The unique landscape is also home to puffins and monastic homes.

From Killarney, head north to the Dingle peninsula. Here you'll drive along the famous Slea Head Drive on the Wild Atlantic Way, taking in views of the crashing waves at various stop points. Dingle is best enjoyed like a local — find a traditional BnB to rest your head and get insider knowledge of the area's hidden gems. We stayed in the small coastal town of Castlegregory and had some of the most memorable moments of our trip here. Eat at Murphy's Bar in Castlegregory for a truly authentic and delicious dining experience.

You'll depart the Dingle peninsula and head north, passing through the city of Limerick, to the iconic Cliffs of Moher. The main viewing point can become quite crowded with tourists — if you're able, take the hike up to the top of the cliff for a unique vantage point. Stop in Doolin town for some fish and chips before continuing your drive toward Galway. During this part of the journey, you'll drive through Burren National Park. It is a landscape so unique and otherworldly, especially when compared to the typical rolling greens of Ireland. Back in city life, explore the exciting center of Galway, home to fun pubs and restaurants. Try some Connemara oysters for dinner.

About an hour northwest of Galway, you'll find the picturesque hills of Connemara National Park. Find your way to the small town of Clifden, where you can rent e-bikes to journey through the region. This was the highlight of our trip to Ireland — the rolling hills filled with grazing sheep and the roadside shops serving fresh crab rolls made the entire day feel so authentically Irish. If you have time, take a trip to the Aran Islands, a beautiful, under-the-radar region of Connemara. (Pro tip: For those seeking an extremely luxurious experience, a stay at Ashford Castle is a must.)

Your drive today will take you to the literary mecca of Sligo, where W.B. Yeats famously penned several nature-driven poems. In fact, you can stay at Castle Dargan, frequented by Yeats, to truly step back in time and experience the awe and beauty of the region. Journey along the Yeats Trail, stopping by significant sites, including the famous island of Innisfree on Lough Gill.

Explore Sligo town in the morning, then head southeast toward Dublin. On your way, you can stop at historic sites like the Hill of Uisneach, known as an ancient ceremonial site from Ireland's pre-Christian roots. Enjoy a final traditional Irish meal at one of Dublin's oldest pubs – Darkey Kelley's.