Ireland is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world - and it's one of our personal favourites as well! I've traveled to Ireland four times now, in visits ranging from 24 hours to an entire summer, and each time I always discover something new that makes me fall in love with the country all over again.

But I also get frustrated with some traditional images of Ireland. There is so much more to the country than wild parties in Dublin's Temple Bar or jam-packed castle visits! Here are five Irish travel experiences we always look forward to that reflect the real heart and soul of the country.

Since I made the transition from traveler to travel blogger, not much has changed in my travel style. I'm still catching early morning flights to save money, still searching for online coupon codes, still going to free museums. And I'm still trying to squeeze in as much as I can on every trip, with early morning cafe visits and late night bookstore stops. The only real difference is that I'm working while I'm doing it and that means a never ending, insatiable need for Wi-Fi.

Technology doesn't come naturally to me (remember I'm still the girl who needs paper maps!) so for years the only thing I cared about when it came to Wi-Fi was that I could find it. I never gave a second thought to online security. I just cared that I could get online! Besides, who would ever care about hacking little 'ol me, with a hard drive full of pet photos and a credit card that's always jammed with airline tickets? 

What could possibly go wrong?

I love everything about seaside towns. Long walks at dawn with a creamy latte, combing the shore for beach glass. Sunny, salty afternoons with sand and surf and ice cream dripping off the cone. Balmy evenings spent curled up with a good book as  the sun goes down, followed by delicious dinners with friends. This has been my routine all around the world, from growing up on the Nova Scotia coast, to studying in Ireland, to vacationing in Hawaii. And that pattern works splendidly in Daytona Beach too!

And there's no better compliment to an afternoon, a weekend, or an entire season by the seashore than delicious, indulgent, CHOCOLATE! Here's where you go to satisfy your sweet tooth and find the best desserts in Daytona Beach. 

It may seem silly to worry about something as small as rental car gas prices when you're on the trip of a lifetime. Why sweat the small stuff when you can be out there enjoying yourself? And do you HAVE to fill up a rental car before you return it or just let it go? But small steps can add up to huge saving - savings you can use to make your trip even more unforgettable. 
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Savvy travelers know that their trip budget needs to take into account more than just base prices. Hotel rooms require taxes and tips. Flight costs don't include luggage fees and airport meals. And if you're calculating how much does it cost to rent a car, remember that car rental costs are more than just an automobile's base price. There are taxes and fees, insurance options, upgrade possibilities, and even add on features like GPS rentals.  And of course you need something to get around town - you need gas! 

The next time you rent a vehicle, you will probably be encouraged to "pre-pay" for your final tank of gas. This promises to be not only a convenient choice but an economical one as well. But is it all too good to be true? Readers want to know what the most frugal choice is and I am all to pleased to do the research and run the math on all your rental car gas options!

​Here are some things to consider when it comes to car hire fuel policy matters.

The north shore of Nova Scotia, incorporating Colchester and Cumberland counties along route 6 and 366, is one of my favourite spots in the world in summertime. It's small town Nova Scotia at it's best, but sometimes you can't help but feeling that dining options are few and far between. We noticed that a few of our favourite spots had closed since our previous visit just a few years earlier and discovering new eateries was at first a necessity; then a fun quest. 

Here are some of the favourites that we discovered - and we'd love to hear from you if you have more to add to the list! Our apologies for the lack of shellfish recommendations - allergies kept us away!

When you think of European romance, you probably imagine Paris, or maybe Rome. And I don't disagree! But I think Athens should be added to that list. It's got the fantastic food and delectable desserts. It's got the incredible wine and the amazing views. And it has a charm, a prettiness, that's all it's own. It may not be a conventional choice but I think Athens needs to be on everyone's list for romantic getaways. Here are my picks for the loveliest, swoon-iest, most romantic spots in the city.

Amsterdam has a fantastic, diverse, delicious food scene and there is something for every taste and price point. In just a few days we must have consumed our own body weight in goodies several times over. No shame, no problem! Here are four of our favourite places to eat, drink, and be merry. Don't consider it a comprehensive list or a 'best of' description - these are simply spots we loved and we think you'll love them too.  

I'm happy to report that Darwyn's miraculous recovery from being a lick-a-holic fur remover continues. For those not following the story, after 50 weeks of wearing a cone due to her mysterious and insatiable licking, we woke up on New Year's Day to see a house covered in fur tufts (oh, the carnage!) and a cone free cat. Darwyn has stuck to her New Year's resolution (so much better than any of us) and remains utterly reformed. Miracles do happen.