{"id":16139,"date":"2020-08-14T10:58:20","date_gmt":"2020-08-14T14:58:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=16139"},"modified":"2020-08-14T10:58:20","modified_gmt":"2020-08-14T14:58:20","slug":"what-you-need-for-an-adventurous-trip-to-ireland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=16139","title":{"rendered":"What You Need For An Adventurous Trip To Ireland"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"2020 may have interrupted the global tourism industry, but last we knew, trips to Ireland were on the rise. Our post declaring \u2018Trips to Ireland Increased by 1.8% in 2019\u2019<\/a> noted that nearly 11 million people visited the country last year. That\u2019s an impressive number, and hopefully once the world has gotten past the pandemic, many more people are able to make the trip.<\/p>\n

Undoubtedly, with that much tourist activity, people have countless reasons to visit Ireland. But we know that for many of them, it\u2019s features like the open country, fantastic coastline, and historical sites that are the main draws. In other words, a lot of people travel to Ireland for a sense of adventure, and plan to go out exploring, hiking, or even camping in some of the most beautiful areas in all of Europe.<\/p>\n

That also happens to be the kind of trip that might be reasonable and safe before too long \u2014 as opposed to, say, visiting a crowded city somewhere. With that in mind, and because if you\u2019re like us you can\u2019t stop imagining where you\u2019ll travel next, we thought we\u2019d write up a little bit of a packing list. The following are some of the essentials for a more adventurous excursion around Ireland\u2026.<\/p>\n

Hiking Boots<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first item on your list, if you\u2019re planning one much hiking or adventuring (say, along the Ballycotton Cliff Walk, or up Co Fermanagh\u2019s \u201cStairway to Heaven\u201d), should be a pair of hiking boots. These don\u2019t have to be massive, clunky boots that take up half your suitcase by themselves. But some outdoor trail shoes built to fit well and handle terrain can make all the difference.<\/p>\n

The most important thing in finding good boots for a trip like this is to make sure you have a comfortable fit (and ideally that you have some time to wear them in before traveling). Generally though, we\u2019d point men toward the latest boots from Salomon<\/a>, which are particularly sturdy and will suit some of the rockier terrain you might encounter. For women, Timberland\u2019s Chocorua trail boot is about as good as it gets for covering different types of ground.<\/p>\n

Smartphone Camera Lens<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the past we might have recommended a great digital camera as an absolute necessity on a trip to such a beautiful place. Now though, most travelers have pretty strong cameras right in their pockets, in the form of their smartphones. Your phone should pretty much do the trick, though as you may have noticed it probably can\u2019t quite capture images as stunning as those that are used to\u2026 you know\u2026 market the cameras. To get those kinds of results, you may want to buy a lens to attach to your phone. It\u2019s generally more affordable than a digital camera, and it can take your phone\u2019s capability to the next level. For both Android and iPhone users, Moment\u2019s products do a terrific job.<\/p>\n

Drone<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you want to take the photography idea even further, and truly capture the gorgeous landscapes you\u2019ll be adventuring through, you can also consider packing a drone. Granted, some are more portable than others, and you may also want to make sure there aren\u2019t restrictions or regulations on piloting in the areas you\u2019ll be exploring. But provided it\u2019s allowed, you can find the right drone and use it to take photos and videos of your experience (including some with you in them!).<\/p>\n

As you\u2019re likely aware, the drone market has gotten fairly expansive these days, which can make it hard to narrow down your choices. That said, the drones on Adorama<\/a> cover all bases including options that are compact, relatively affordable, and equipped with cameras, making them ideal to pack when going on a hike.<\/p>\n

Weatherproof Journal<\/strong><\/p>\n

A weatherproof journal may seem like a small idea alongside smartphone lenses, drones, and new hiking boots. But if you\u2019re the type to write about your experience \u2014 what you saw, how you felt, where you went, etc. \u2014 you\u2019ll be glad to have an item like this. Truth be told, these are pretty common accessories in hiking circles, and you can likely pick up a cheap one at your local outdoor sports or camping shop. That said if you want something a little more special, that you\u2019ll keep and refer back to after your trip, Karst\u2019s \u201cstone paper\u201d journals<\/a> make for interesting options. Available with hard or soft covers, these products literally use paper made from stone, which is both a pleasure to write on and resistant to splashes.<\/p>\n

Day Backpack<\/strong><\/p>\n

Finally, you\u2019ll want a daytime hiking backpack. Note that we\u2019re not talking about a full-fledged camping backpack (though you may want one of those if you\u2019re planning on spending multiple days out in a park or on a trail). Rather, we\u2019re referring to something you can easily pack, and which you can tote along for a few hours here or there as you explore Ireland. In our experience, day backpacks really come down to personal taste \u2014 for fit, size, compartments, and even style. But if you want a few to mull over, the \u201cMountain Pack\u201d from Topo Designs, the \u201cNine Trails\u201d from Patagonia, and Deuter\u2019s \u201cSpeed Lite 20\u201d are all worth a look.<\/p>\n

With these items on hand, in addition to your general packing list, you\u2019ll be ready for an incredible exploration of all the beauty and adventure Ireland has to offer. Plus, researching and trying out products like these gives you something to do while you\u2019re waiting for the all-clear to travel!<\/p>\n

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