Featured Country: Ireland Now that European summer planning is in full swing, it's time for the European Newsletter. If you don't remember, each newsletter focuses on a different country. Read this month's edition for more info on the gloriously green island, Ireland. Ireland, affectionately known as the Emerald Isle, is a large island located west of the U.K. Ireland (officialty called Eire or The Republic) withdrew from the British Commonwealth in 1948, although part of the island, Northern Ireland, remains a part of the U.K. Approximately four million people live in Ireland, and 40% of them are within 100 km of the capital, Dublin. Before the potato famine in 1848, the population was about 8 million. Ireland is comprised of 26 different counties and is part of the European Union. Monetary transactions require the use of the Euro. The standard greeting in Ireland is "hello." English and Irish (Gaelic) are the official languages. English is spoken by most citizens, although 32% of Irish citizens claim to speak Gaelic as well. Irish is primarily used on the western coast of the country. Well, those are a few nuts and bolts. Keep reading for more info on Ireland, as well as other travelers' experiences in the country. What's in this issue? Ireland's Top Attractions Featured Content What our Insiders Say Airfare Deals Accommodation Info From the Bookshelf Links & Resources Write an Article and Tell a Friend Going to Europe? Get around on a Eurail Pass! Why Use a Rail Pass to Travel Europe? There is no better way to travel Europe, than with a rail pass. We've thought of some reasons why you should go by rail the next time you hit Europe, and we'll also help you sort out which pass is best for you. More information on Eurail passes Check out the prices on these passes Did you know that point-to-point tickets are also available for purchase online? Check out our great prices on one-trip tickets. Back to top Ireland's Top Attractions What makes Ireland interesting? Why do thousands of travelers head to Ireland every year? Check out our list of the top three "must do" attractions! Dublin This is the "it" city in Ireland--and your pocketbook will reflect it! Accommodation is expensive, food is pricey, but the Guinness is plentiful, especially at the brewery. There's also the historic Trinity College to explore, which houses the famous liturgical book, The Book of Kells. Don't stay too long or you'll risk blowing your budget, but the city demands at least some of your attention. Cliffs of Moher You've seen it in all the pictures of Ireland and all of your postcards will show them, so make sure you head to the west coast and take in the staggering Cliffs of Moher. The sheer drop is impressive - if you want to get close to the edge, lay down on your belly and scoot across the rock. Don't wear any accessories like a scarf or hat. The wind is so strong that it will blow those things away. Aran Islands Off of Ireland's west coast, this islands are famous for their beauty and handmade sweaters. If you're up for some hiking, check out the smaller islands as well. Inishmore is the largest of the islands and boasts impressive cliffs and a 'prehistoric minefield' of jagged rocks. Transportation to the islands requires a half hour ferry ride. Back to top FEATURED CONTENT Ghosts, Guinness and Oliver Cromwell - Sean & Kimberly Lightholder's first entry on their RTW Honeymoon starts where it will end: in Ireland. Dublin Travel Guide - In addition to being the nation's capital, Dublin is Ireland's largest city. As a result, most backpackers end up there for at least a night or two. Weathering the Changes - the Irish Countryside - Blustery weather couldn't put a damper on Robyn Dwyer's tour through Ireland, although the changes in the countryside might. If you would like to submit an article on your travel experiences, check out our Writer's Guidelines, then send it along. Back to top WHAT OUR INSIDERS SAY Those who know what the guidebooks don't give you their tips on traveling in Ireland. E. Attridge, West Cork Coastline Three bedroom self catering holiday homes on the West Cork Coastline at www.sandycovebeach.com. Beautiful location with the beach across the road. Courtney Ries, Airline Tickets If you plan on exploring Ireland via car, and only going for a short amount of time, buy a ticket that flies into Shannon and out of Dublin, or vice versa. That was you don't have to waste a day getting to the correct airport. Most international flights in and out of Shannon stop in Dublin and the price is generally the same to both airports. Ask a question of our Ireland Insiders Back to top AIRFARE DEALS The BootsnAll TripPlanner can book your around-the-world flights. Plan and book your international trip here! When searching for multi-destination air tickets, the BootsnAll TripPlanner is tops. After using the TripPlanner to get an idea of the itinerary you want, be sure to submit it to us and talk to our counselors about fine-tuning your trip. We found some good R-T-W deals that stopped in Ireland: $1797 US New York - Dublin - London - Rome - Overland To Athens - Bangkok - New York $2880 US San Francisco - Saigon (Ho Chi Minh) - Angkor Wat (Siem Reap) - Bangkok - Koh Samui (Thailand) - Phuket - Kuala Lumpur - Bali (Denpasar) - London - Shannon - London - San Francisco If you are looking for single destination tickets, head to the International Airfare Center. You can search via destination or departure city. Here are some examples of what we found: $390 US Boston - Dublin $500 US Seattle - Shannon Now, log on to the TripPlanner or International Airfares and put together an itinerary! More Specials & Deals The only thing better than flying to Ireland is getting a bloody good deal on the ticket. We work with other companies to bring you low, hard-to-beat round-trip fares, to help you fly not only to Ireland, but to wherever you want to go: Cheap Ticket Links Cheap Ticket Links UK & Europe Back to top IRELAND HOSTELS Hostels are a great way to stay when you're traveling in Ireland. Staying in hostels when you travel not only helps your budget, it is a unique way to enhance your trip. Meet new people, have new experiences; with our Hostels section you can learn about hostels and book your bed online. Ireland Hostels Cork Hostels Dublin Hostels Galway Hostels Visit the Hostel Section Back to top FROM THE BOOKSHELF | Ireland Read up before you go! Here is a list of the most popular guidebooks and literature/non-traditional guidebooks. For your convenience, the books are available on BootsnAll through our Ireland bookstore. Traditional Guidebooks: Rick Steves' Ireland 2004, by Rick Steves' and Pat O' Connor Fodor's Ireland 2004, by Fodor's Ireland (Eyewitness Travel Guides), Edited by Lisa Gerard-Sharp and Tim Perry Travel Literature/Non-Traditional Guidebooks: Bed & Breakfast Ireland: A Trusted Guide to over 400 of Ireland's Best Bed and Breakfasts, by Elsie Dillard and Susan Causin Round Ireland with a Fridge, by Tony Hawks The Road to McCarthy : Around the World in Search of Ireland, by Pete McCarthy Back to top LINKS & RESOURCES Use the following sites to learn more about Ireland, what it offers to travelers, and how to plan your trip. Irish Tourist Board The tourism board gets their say. Look at pictures, check out maps and figure out where you want to go. Irish Genealogy Many people claim to have a bit 'o Irish heritage. Track down your roots and learn about your ancestry. Guinness Irish Stout You know it, you love it. The most famous beer in Ireland. Be aware that you have to enter your birthdate before you can proceed into the site. Historical Timeline Quick history of the Green Isle. Irish Sayings Irish sayings are popular throughout the world. Learn a few in time for your trip! Back to top WRITE AN ARTICLE If you have a story of your own that you would like to submit on Ireland, have a look at BootsnAll's Writer's Guidelines: http://writers.BootsnAll.com And then send it along. We're always looking for new content and new perspectives, and we hope to get yours soon. TELL A FRIEND If you feel that BootsnAll.com is a valuable resource, or that others might think so, please tell your friends about us. As many of you know, we respond personally to every email we receive in an ongoing effort to build a true traveller's community. Many have responded positively. If you have comments both positive and constructive, we would love to hear them. Tell us what we have done well and how we can improve. We would appreciate it greatly. 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