The Informed Traveler
The Informed Traveler
A Long Stay In The Canary Islands & Personalized Ireland
Travel Expert Onanta Forbes has been in the Canary Islands the past couple of weeks so we'll get some insight from her on what it's like to do a long stay there, escape the winter and blend in with the locals. Then we'll chat with the founder and CEO of Tenon Tours, a company that specializes in personalized tours through Europe and in particular Ireland. So we'll get some tips on planning a trip to Ireland.
Well, hello and welcome to Informed Traveler Podcast, a weekly travel podcast where our goal is to help you become a more informed traveler. I'm your host, Randy Sharman. Travel expert Onanta Forbes has been in the Canary Islands for the past couple of weeks, so we'll get some insight from her on what it's like to do a long stay there, escape the winter, and blend in with the locals. And then we'll chat with the founder and CEO of Tenon Tours, a company that specializes in personalized tours through Europe and in particular Ireland. So we'll get some tips on planning a trip to Ireland later in the show. But first, let's kick things off chatting with travel expert Onanta Forbes, who joins us each week to discuss some of the travel news and travel trends. You can follow her adventures on Instagram, Facebook, and X at Onanta Forbes. OnantaForbes.com is her website. And this week we find Onanta in the Canary Islands. So hello, Onanta.
SPEAKER_03:Hi Randy. Ola.
SPEAKER_02:Ola? Ola. Is that the uh is that like the uh main greeting in the Canary Islands? I don't think so. I think a lot of people speak English in the Canary Islands, don't they?
SPEAKER_03:Absolutely. You should see the number of Brits that are here. Oh my word. You would think it was Little Britain. Um, I went on a tour the other day, and they were saying that Irish people are the top tourists here. Um, but everybody I've met so far in our complex is from Manchester. So all I want to do is talk to them about Coronation Street, which is kind of sad, but I thought you were gonna talk about soccer, like man you, but no, I guess not. Well, speaking of football, yes. So in in the various bars um and lounges throughout the island, um, they actually uh post the uh football games so that and there is a number of people that make um it an event to go watch their team. So it's huge, huge draw for bars and and restaurants here. Um and it's funny because this is our snowboard um adventure for escaping winter of Canada and Calgary. And you know, not long ago, the term snowboard meant one thing: retirement. You work all year, you escape the cold for a few months, put life on pause. But today that idea has completely changed because it's it's um it's not just taking about a like a break from life, um, because with technology, you get to work if you wish. And people are working later in their life. Um they're they're logging in from beach towns, desert cities, RV parks. So it I think the goal isn't to feel like you're on vacation when you're a snowboard anymore. Maybe if you're lucky and you don't want to, um that's that could be your direction, but it's to live like a local. And it and you almost have to think like that uh before you leave because you're not there as a tourist. Yes, you're gonna explore the destination, but you don't have to be a mad tourist and do it in the first week, right? Because you have more time to do it. And so before you leave, um, you know, you need to simplify your life back home. So go digital wherever possible. Set up online banking, electric bill pay, mail forwarding, and and you know, somebody to check on your home. And next I would do is um research your destination the way you would if you were moving there. So check internet speeds, public transportation, healthcare options, grocery stores, and neighborhood markets. And those everyday details um will matter far more than the tourist attractions when you're living somewhere for weeks and months. And so we are in probably 10 days in and the Canary Islands. So that's our first week was just trying to figure out uh what grocery store to go to. Because you don't want to go to a grocery store that the tourist goes to, you want to go to one that the residents go to. Because then if you go to places that tourists go, the prices are gonna be higher. So you have to consider that. Um, and to find that out, you have to talk to people, like you know, talk to locals, talk to other perhaps other um snowbirds that are here. Um, and then the other thing, which is a big piece, is housing. So instead of hotels, you're gonna be looking for month-to-month rentals or longer-term Airbnbs, maybe even house sitting opportunities or home exchange. Um, because longer stays often mean better rates and a better sense of community, because you don't want to isolate yourself either. Um, and then, you know, when you're booking your travel, flexibility helps. One-way or changeable flights give you freedom, and traveling in shoulder during shoulder season can save you money while avoiding crowds. Because that's what a lot of people, when they go to Europe and a lot of tour companies that offer Europe, say, you know, offer like Q1 to come to Europe as um a lower, a quieter time to come here. You can avoid the crowds. Um, and and that's and what we chose the Canary Islands because it's supposed to be the warmest destination in Europe. Um it's been one of the coldest winters here that the locals are telling me. But then that, you know, it's a sense of what do you bring when you travel, right? Because you think it's gonna be warm, but potentially it could not be. And you don't want to spend your your good or hard-earned money buying things when you're here, like clothes, but sometimes you have to. Um, another thing that we had to really prepare for and investigate was health prep. So I had to refill some of my prescriptions for the time I was away, um, understand how how local health care works and where would I go if I needed care. So um lots of things to keep in mind. And um, as I had mentioned to you, I work, I still work while I'm away remotely. And so what I've had to do is adjust my time zones responsibilities with that of home. So um we are seven hours ahead of Calgary. So technically my work day is starting, but the thing I had to really look at was where we rented, what was the Wi-Fi like? Um, because they're you know, on the ship, the Wi-Fi wasn't always amazing. Um, and then think about what your mobile office looks like. So I have a great lightweight laptop, good battery life. Um, I have a long extension cord because sometimes you just need that long extension cord because the plugins aren't always where you need them to be. And then you just have to think about, you know, when is play time and when is work time. Um, but that's okay. You can you can sort that out pretty quick, depending on your clientele and your time zone um necessity. But the first thing we did when we were here, we just explored the neighborhood. Um we walked, we walk as much as possible. Uh, we we're trying to figure out public transit. Um, and then like we said, we kind of find our everyday spots early, like grocery stores or fresh markets or pharmacies. We found a dollar store that kind of comes in handy. Um it does too, because somebody set up in their rental may not be what you need, right? So sometimes you just have to figure out what makes you comfortable in that place because you don't want to be um because this is your home, right? So you just want to let go of that total tourist mindset and set up your home that you can um you can in you can enjoy it. Um, and then uh I don't know if you've ever been on holiday or away, but you end up kind of wearing the same thing over and over because it's just comfortable. And that's what you do, yike. Kind of, you know, pick your comfortable clothes, your casual clothes, and helps you blend in. Don't wear a lot of jewelry, still even like this is a very tourist destination, and you can't, and it's very, very safe, but you don't need to wear tons of jewelry. Um, we're learning basic um phrases in the local language. Um, I think those little efforts go a long way in building connections. And it and and what we're doing is we're creating a routine like uh work hours, walks, um catching the bus to go somewhere, finding out where the locals go to grocery shops. So we went to Little the other day, L I D L got groceries, which is a lot less expensive, more variety than the Hippo Express that's across the street, even though it's convenient. And and then we just talk to people, like you know, find out where they go for like entertainment and such. Um, we're trying to eat where the locals eat, you know, we talk to taxi drivers. One thing of note, there's no um Uber in the Canary Islands. Oh yeah, so you have to think about that. Um, but uh yeah, so it's been quite interesting. So since we've been here, um, as I say, uh I took a tour and it gave me kind of a lay of the land of the south southern portion of the island. Uh went uh there's not very far as the capital city, a Resefe, um that we can go to if we wish. Uh, we went to a Sunday market uh last week called um the Tegeze market. It is huge, it is wild. It is so many people. It was amazing. But again, markets in my experience in the past, you know, you can get some nice produce or maybe pick up something like a ready-to-eat meal that you can just um uh heat up when you are, you know, you you don't have to cook every night, but you don't want to also go out every night for a meal, right?
SPEAKER_02:It's very expensive then.
SPEAKER_03:Very expensive. And we are dealing with the euro, and I think it's almost like the exchange rate is 1.6. So um money matters. Like, you know, yes, you are you're not in a resort. Um, so that you know that's an additional expense, but you still are you still have to budget accordingly, and you still have to, I would recommend you you you see what you are um how you spend accordingly.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah. Well, I have a number of questions. Please probably tell because I first of all I don't know I know nothing about the Canary Islands, but uh when you were mentioning uh just getting there, and I think you said you had a one-way ticket, did you not? Oh yes, I did because we we started sure how long you're gonna stay there.
SPEAKER_03:Oh right, right, and we didn't know and we kind of we started with the cruise, so uh I think that's a good idea.
SPEAKER_02:So my question is is uh did you run into immigration problems or anything like that because or or did you need a visa? Because a lot of places, and I'll use the United States, for example, they want to know if you have a return ticket. I used to run into this problem all the time on the cruise ships because I was working and I had a one-way ticket. And they would always take me aside saying, Why do you have a one-way ticket? When are you getting out of our country? So I'm curious. Is uh did you need a visa? Did you uh have uh issues with immigration or did you have to have any sort of paperwork done?
SPEAKER_03:The only uh time we needed visas was when we were on the ship and we're going through different places in Africa. But coming to Europe, uh we didn't go through the UK, so we didn't need a UK ETA, but if you are going through, and uh good thing that you brought that up because they are getting very strict. It has it's not a transitionary period anymore. You have to have that UK ETA if you're transiting or visiting it. Um and as far as uh like uh coming transiting through Europe to get to the Canary Islands, um, we went through Zurich and we did notice that they have that uh new, it's called EES system where you um it's it's getting electronic, it's biometric now to get through, but it wasn't an issue to do it. So actually nobody asked me if I had a uh a return ticket. Um because I I and I, you know, I don't know whether it's because um we were coming off a ship and we were going to different places like to get to here. It was all pretty straightforward. Um the Canary Islands um is a is a it's it's actually off the coast of Northwest Africa, and it's um it is part of Spain, but it's an autonomous community, and it's quite beautiful. Like it has um year-round, like spring-like weather or climate, and that's why I think a lot of people in Europe, um, UK and Irish people are number one. It used to be Germans because they always seek the sun, but um uh but people like to come here for the um UK or Northern European winter. There's four, there's eight islands here: um, Tenerife, Grand Canaria, Lanza, uh Lanzarote, and uh uh another five that offer a mix of tourism, but the three I mentioned are probably the most that are inhabited. Um, and you know, here you can just sit back and relax and enjoy the ocean, or you could go hiking. Um, on the island we are, Lanzarote, there's a great volcanic or volcano park that's very interesting. It can be very busy. Um, Tenerife is the largest island. Um, and it uh there it's probably the most touristic inclined island. Um, and then Grand Canaria is known for its uh landscapes, like the diverse landscapes that it has, including beaches and mountains and cities. And um here uh it it is the volcano park, the landscapes. Everything is like you you learn about the volcano soil for the lack of a better term for it, um, and how it grows and how it will uh showcase or feature uh wineries are called bogeyas. Uh yes, I'm saying that wrong. And um the art and the architecture of Caesar Manrique. So it's lots to learn while you're here. Um the culture is lovely because it is Spanish and it has different island influences. Um, but you do hear um, you know, people saying here, because of the high volume of tourism on the local infrastructure, infrastructure, sometimes that can create a little bit of clashing. And I don't think it's about the tourists coming because tourism is one of their major um their major um revenue uh a source for the locals, but it's about you know people who rent out their place or rent out their apartment that used to go to um a local and now they're renting it out for a higher price to a um a snowburger. Long stay snowburger. Yes, absolutely. And so, and then the government hasn't kind of replaced that with other housing for the locals, right? So that's why I think there can be a very negative aspect or thought about um uh who we are as far as visitors into the uh into the islands. But I haven't encountered anything like that here. I've been very um whoever I encounter is very gracious, very liking um to our visits. Um, and I try really hard to speak some, not not good, Spanish to engage because uh that's what you do when you go somewhere else. You don't want to um, you don't want everything to be the same as home, right? That's why you leave home. True.
SPEAKER_01:Exactly.
SPEAKER_02:Yes. Uh now you also mentioned um uh using your computer and thing. What about the uh power outlets? I'm assuming it's direct current versus our AC current, and you need converters.
SPEAKER_03:Absolutely. So great point. Actually, I was I was reminded by my partner to say something about that because yes, one of the things you do have to pack is a converter or a currency um adapter. Because yes, um, you do need it because the plugins are not the same as home. And um, even on the ship, there was only one um 110 voltage, the rest were all um European plugins too. So you have to keep that in mind too, even though the ships go all over the world, right?
SPEAKER_02:Interesting stuff. Well, I've learned a lot.
SPEAKER_03:So yeah, it is good. It's um it's a very it it's a good if you have the opportunity, the resources, and the time to do a long stay. Um it it is, you know, it's it's something different to do. It's uh something to in you work long in your life, right? You might as well take advantage of the world as it is right now because you never know when that will change.
SPEAKER_02:Well, that's true too. And of course it depends on the job and everything like that. But technology certainly makes it a lot easier than it was, say, 20 years ago, to work remotely and become a snowbird, even though you're not retired. So good on it. Right.
SPEAKER_03:Yes. Well, we're very lucky, we're very grateful for the opportunity. So um, yeah, it's uh it's nice. One of the things our our uh our rental looks out the ocean, and every day you can see pretty much a cruise ship arrive on this island. Today's there's three of them in, but um, like some of the ships, and that's why I think sometimes the the locals can get mad. One ship can be over 6,000 clients.
SPEAKER_02:So busy, that's when it gets busy. Yes, yes, yeah.com is her website. Well, enjoy your time in the Canary Islands. Appreciate your uh input.
SPEAKER_03:Thank you.
SPEAKER_02:This is the Informed Traveler Podcast. I'm Randy Sharman. Just want to remind you of our website, the informed traveler.org. That's where you can find our contact page if you have any questions or comments about the podcast. You can also email me too with any questions you might have. My email address is randy at the informtraveler.org, and check out our social media pages too at facebook.com slash informed traveler, Instagram at informed traveler, or on X at InformTraveler. That's where you'll find a number of videos and reels from our adventures throughout the year and audio clips from our past shows. Plus, you can sign up for our monthly newsletter. It's released at the beginning of every month. Our January issue is now available. Just go to our website, theinformtraveler.org, click on the newsletter button, and it'll take you right there. Or better yet, you can subscribe to it and have it arrive in your inbox each month. Well, if Ireland is on your list of travel destinations in the near future, one company that can help you plan a personalized itinerary of Ireland is Tenon Tours. So joining us now to share some ideas and tips traveling through Ireland is Brian Lewis. He is the founder and CEO of Tenon Tours. Tenontours.com is the website. Hi, Brian.
SPEAKER_00:Hey Randy, how are you doing?
SPEAKER_02:I'm well, thank you. I'm excited to learn all about Tenon Tours. Tell me uh tell me how it came about.
SPEAKER_00:Uh Tenon was born from the idea that I was uh I was sick of seeing tour companies offer the same thing over and over. And uh you know most companies offer a totally independent trip where you rent a car and you go to BB's, or you jump on a bus and you have a very rigid itinerary. So back in 2008, uh when I left my previous uh position with a student travel company, I uh set out to do something different. And that culminated into a plan to do unique trips across Ireland to start with. And it was a very biased approach. I just I wanted to offer trips the way that I wanted to travel. And so through some thought and some some uh some some uh probably a few drinks and a few beers with a friend of mine who who was doing Ireland at the time, we came up with this great plan to do Ireland different. And that was 18 years ago now.
SPEAKER_02:And here you are today. And and Ireland's kind of your specialty still, right? It's it's your it's your baby, even though you do uh many different destinations around Europe and and and such, right?
SPEAKER_00:That's correct. Yeah. Ireland is still, as you said, kind of our baby. Um we started in Ireland, we expanded to the UK and eventually to Italy and Iceland, and then as the story goes on, during COVID, we expanded throughout Europe and we're on to our 18th destination now. But it all goes back to Ireland and for good reason because Ireland was the natural fit for um for a company like ours where we wanted to have easy access for those uh the folks, especially from the East Coast. Um, we wanted a destination that was English speaking, that was deemed safe, accessible. And uh it Ireland is always uh one of the most hospitable countries in the world. So it was a natural fit for us to uh to launch Ireland first.
SPEAKER_02:Well, I'm glad you said that. I was gonna ask you what uh makes Ireland special to you and and still your specialty. And if I'm planning a tour uh to uh to Ireland, for instance, uh like and I have nowhere, like I have no idea how to begin that process. Like, how would you how would you help me out?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, that's that's a great question because it it's funny. When we first started, uh we wanted to do something so different that we almost, in fact, we didn't almost, we we steered people away from the major tourist sites. Uh anything that that I deemed to be you know herding cattle, I said that's not the the true traveler experience. We didn't want to do the uh a typical tourist experience, we wanted to be a traveler, right? And so when we when we we started, it was a major uh the cities and towns of Dublin, Galway, Killarney, Kilkenny, Cork, uh, you know, the the cities and towns that you've heard of. And uh the unique approach to this was we wanted to bring you from town to town in point-to-point transportation, put you in city center hotels and then offer a selection of tours, attractions, and experiences um on your own time instead of dictating what you were going to do on your tour. We we wanted you to choose. And by having city center locations, you didn't need transportation once you're in the in the city. So that was kind of how we started. And as we evolved and and evolved past the the uh the city center hotels and and into the the countryside, the the four and five star estates, the uh you know, some of the unique D Bs in that, it really opened up the country to us where uh we started going up to the the Northwest region in County Donegal, County Sligo up into Northern Ireland. Uh and and even when you go to the major tourist towns, you know, we want to try to offer something a little bit more unique 18 years later. Uh everything is so personalized to what the traveler wants. We have people you know staying in the countryside doing cooking classes, we have uh you know the folks working with genealogists and uh you know researching their roots. Um we have uh people staying at five-star castles doing falconry, you know, I don't want to say playing with falcons, but you know, that's what you're doing and doing some really cool experiences. So in terms of where people want to go, uh Ireland is is is the size of the state of Maine, which sounds really small, but when you slow down and you want to take it all in, it it's not as small as you think. So we we try to encourage people to really slow down and experience each of the regions um outside of what you would would typically think is is just the the tourist places. Now that that said, I will absolutely go against my original approach and say those touristy places do exist for a reason and they are incredible. So I kind of eat my words a little bit, Randy.
SPEAKER_02:Well, and when you say it's uh it's custom designed tours, I guess it's depends on what your uh clients are looking for as well, right?
SPEAKER_00:That's right. We uh every everybody wants something a little bit different, and that was that was the entire uh the basis of what we're doing now in these tailor-made trips, is that I don't think anybody deserves when you're spending that kind of money on an international uh trip to do what the tour operator says you should do all the time. Of course, as the experts and as the tour operator, you have the inside knowledge to tell them that probably the best way to spend their time. But when you have a rigid itinerary and you know, and something um, you know, a day plan where you might hit three or four spots be to check off these boxes, you might not want to actually go to all three or four spots, but the itinerary dictates your time. So I think to to kind of turn that around and listen to people and say, what do you want to do? What does what does your your travel mates want to do? If you're traveling as a as a family, everybody's gonna want to do something different. And we're gonna be able to uh to schedule that in and to really create an experience that for for each person that resonates with them that they want.
SPEAKER_01:Mm-hmm.
SPEAKER_02:Well, it's interesting. Uh you mentioned about the different types of accommodations over the last 18 years, and you brought up Airbnb. But I I think does that that probably helps in um in doing customized tours because there were so many more options out there now, right? Or or maybe they were just people didn't know about them.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, I guess there was a different it was a uh different network, right? So like you know, BBs always they existed in Ireland, they were kind of the go-to, uh, you know, very authentic stays, and there was a network of BBs with the launch of and the introduction of Airbnb and Verbo and these things, uh, you know, there is there's access to to so many different properties. Um you're exactly right that it it kind of opened up uh a whole segment that people weren't didn't have access to before. And some of it made it harder for us, some of it made it easier, right? Because you know, there are independent booking sites that that we don't typically use. We can't vet those proper properties personally, whereas you know, a lot of the other accommodations we send staff and we really make sure that they're they meet our standards, which then in turn meet meet our traveler standards. But yeah, it it it was a it was a change when when these these platforms came on board, it changed everything.
SPEAKER_02:Oh, I bet, and it still has. Um so how does it work now? If I'm interested in uh a customized tour of Ireland, and and like I go on your website, obviously, contact you, and and that's starts the whole process, right?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, we uh when you go to our website, you know, and and and you there's general information. We we post a lot of itineraries uh for inspiration, but nothing's nothing's ever a set itinerary. So we direct you to uh a form that that you complete based on what you're looking for. Are you looking for you know how many how many nights are you looking to travel, how many people are in your party, what type of accommodations again you're looking at? You can select three-star, four-star, five star manor homes, castles, B and Bs. In other countries, you can do uh unique properties like gig glues, glass bubbles, all these things now, right? And then what's your pace of travel? And that's one of the important, most important things that we really hone in on is the is to slow you down. You can't cover uh you know all of Ireland in 10 days. We want to make sure that you're seeing you know probably three or four places in 10 days. Uh and then you submit that form. It goes to one of our uh travel designers and they review it, they schedule a call with you, usually 30 to 45 minutes as a uh initial consult and really dig deep into how you like to travel and what you're looking for. And then uh and then we design it from the ground up. No two itineraries are the same. So it's uh it's a very personalized process and one that our travel designers put a lot of heart into. And because they have such great experience in in Ireland and all the countries, and you know, they they all each have their own destination specialty. They'll uh they'll craft an itinerary, and when you're ready to just you know confirm it, we'll still fine-tune it. There's changes that always happen, as you know, when with travel, there's there's always little hiccups and things that come about. You know, Sally can't go, but Sammy can. And so he's an extra person. So we we s we tweak it and fine-tune it until we get it right.
SPEAKER_02:And well, you mentioned like um 10 days isn't enough to cover uh a whole country, and that's what I was getting at at the beginning. It's it's as small as Ireland is compared to other countries, there is so much to see. So you really do have to fine-tune it down into uh just your your general tastes and likes and how far you really want to branch out and how much travel you actually want to do.
SPEAKER_00:That's what it comes down to is how much do you how much time do you really want to spend in a car or on a train? You know, we use typically we don't do we don't use buses, but um we're actually working uh on a trip for my wife and daughter right now. She has a graduation trip. They're going to uh France, Germany, and Switzerland and Belgium. And originally they look and they say, well, it's too far from each other, let's just do it all. And then over time we go, no, no, no, you only have, in this case, nine nights. Let's slow it down. Or you're going to be on trains half of your trip. In Ireland, you're going to be in a car. And um, you know, so it's just how you want to spend your time. We try to discourage too much windshield time, as we say, and really get you where you're going and to experience that authentic, you know, cultural trip that you you're looking for.
SPEAKER_02:And how often do you get like Ireland, they drive on the opposite side? That would really bother me. So how often do you get the question of I don't really want to drive? Is there another way to get around other than trains? I mean, just within the city or you know, just getting around that way.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, when you're in the city, if you're staying in city center, I mean Ireland, even Dublin as the as the biggest city, is a very walkable city, right? Um, but you're getting around Ireland, uh, if you don't want to drive on the other side of the car and the other side of the road, which which I feel you do get used to pretty quickly, depending on if you've done it before, I suppose. Um, most people opt to get a private driver. Um, this is most, you know, most people automatically assume it's going to be too expensive. But when you consider that your their time is your time, they know where they're going. You're going to save the amount of time of the you're going to save the stress, right?
SPEAKER_02:Uh I was just going to say I would save the stress a lot.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, it's going to be much less stressful. They're going to you're going to save time by by not uh questioning where you're going and looking at maps. They just know where they're going. Uh they can stop at will. They they can they know they're very knowledgeable. And they uh if you want to have a pint, you can have a pint during the day. Ireland has a zero tolerance policy, so uh, you know, you can have the best time of your life uh when somebody else is driving. Not that that is equals each other, but yeah. So private driver is is really the way to go if if it it obviously is a little bit more expensive. Um but it it's it it's very common for people now to justify the cost based on the value, right? And in the and what they're getting, and to recognize um what they're saving in terms of that stress and time and knowledge. And that's that's what we do best as well. It's just you're you're you're paying for time and expertise and and less stress.
SPEAKER_02:I've never been to Ireland, so you give me some general tips for a first timer or something like that.
SPEAKER_00:Tips for Ireland, I think beyond the um so the first thing that I always recommend is never underestimate your jet lag when you fly overnight. And sometimes you're getting in at four or five in the morning and your hotel isn't ready until 3 p.m. So there's two things. One is is never underestimate your jet lag, and as a result, or as to to to be proactive, we always suggest that you book the night before your arrival so your room is ready on arrival to the hotel. There's so many times I can't tell you Randy that we arrive, and I I I don't follow my own advice. And I just did this in June. I arrived at you know 9 a.m. and thinking that oh, my you know, they'll my room should be ready before check-in time. And I sit in in that lobby for five hours and you're tired, you're exhausted. So we always say book the night before uh and and sleep. I'm not one, and this is this is maybe unpopular opinion, uh, one to just power through the first day. I'm sure you've heard a lot of people say to to get over that jet lag, you just gotta stay up, you gotta power through all the way through that first night. Not for me. I I want to check in, I want to grab a couple hours sleep. Um, because if you land at 6 a.m., it's only one in the morning back home on the East Coast anyway. So to grab those few hours of sleep is essential. Uh beyond that, I think you know, now in Europe, all across Europe, uh it's fairly cashless. So um one thing if you're gonna if you have a private uh transfer from the airport, even to have a few euros on you upon arrival just to tip that that first driver. And then uh from there, pretty everything's pretty cashless. If you do get cash, always make sure it's from a bank ATM, not a street ATM that charges you the 10% fee. Um try to to me, beyond like the the little tips, they know the the more logistical things, the bigger, bigger tips I'd say, is is I always say try everything. You know, my my model, my personal model is go everywhere, see everything, and meet everyone. So, you know, the Irish are are can they they're they're hospitable, they're friendly. There's a true culture in Ireland that's so well preserved that I don't find it in any other country, right? So you look at Scotland, you have fagpipes and kilts and haggis, but in Ireland, the music, the dance, the pubs, the conversations, the food, all of that is so well preserved and it hasn't changed over time at all. So you to to really you know put yourself in in uh again, go beyond being a tourist and and go to the local pubs, talk to the people, have those those those side conversations that sometimes lead to uh you know the the best experiences, whether it's a lock-in. Um, you know, I've I've been in a pub uh and playing, it's this kind of funny, playing Scrabble in the corner, and all of a sudden the bartender locks the doors, closes the plans. We're like, oh, is it closing time? He's like, and we stayed there till four in the morning playing Scrabble and having pints with the bar owner because that's just what they do. And it was like one of those nights that you just didn't expect. Yeah. So, you know, uh other than that, I I think it's just, you know, it's it's to really, I'll always say slow down, take it in. Don't try to do everything, you know, too quickly.
SPEAKER_02:And is there a best time to go?
SPEAKER_00:The shoulder seasons we always recommend April, May, and then late September and even into October are probably the best times to go to avoid the crowds. And what's becoming a problem is heat. So while everybody has July and August off, and it's it's technically the lowest travel season, uh, it's warming up quickly over there. And AC is is a luxury. Uh so you'll only see in the four and five-star hotels that you have AC. So uh it's a common complaint that it's too hot in July and August.
SPEAKER_02:Nice. Well, um, if people want more information, they can go on your website, tenintours.com. Brian Lewis is the CEO and founder of Tenin Tours. Uh appreciate your insight, Brian. Any any final thoughts or anything like that? Anything you want to add?
SPEAKER_00:The only thing I'd add, Randy, is is uh you know, we had talked before about just the rise in ancestral travel, and and you know, that's one of the things that I just wanted to highlight, and especially in Ireland with uh such a large percentage of of um you know uh Irish roots here uh in North America. There's a lot of people who are traveling to Ireland and beyond Italy to with to discover their roots, to research uh you know some genealogy. And Ireland's great for that because we have uh there's a there's a national um directory, um National Archives in Dublin, and there's uh genealogists scattered around the country, historians. Uh we've had travelers find you know uh relatives in cemeteries that they've gone to, and just by asking around, they've found their great-grandfather's home because they talked to somebody in town who led them that way. So I think one of the things that's really appealing about Ireland uh is that genealogy aspect of things. Um of course, you know, the it's it's you go back to the Titanic and and uh you know that's a whole other conversation, isn't it?
SPEAKER_02:Yes, absolutely. What would you be uh number one on my list uh planning a tour to Ireland? That would be the first thing I'd want to see.
SPEAKER_00:So yeah. So that's that's uh it's all I I have as far as the you know the reasons to go. I think once you once you do go, you'll keep coming back because that small, small company. Country that's the size of the state of Maine is is uh is undiscovered in in many areas. And I think if people have the uh the desire to keep exploring, well, Ireland's a place to keep going back.
SPEAKER_02:Brian Lewis is the C CEO and founder of Tenin Tours. TeninTours.com uh is the website. I appreciate your time, Brian. Thank you so much.
SPEAKER_00:Thank you, Randy. Appreciate it. This was fun.
SPEAKER_02:And that is our show for this week. If you have comments or questions, we'd love to hear from you. If you have a show idea, send that along as well. My email is Randy at theinformtraveler.org. And if you like what you heard, tell a friend. You can check out our website too at theinformtraveler.org. In the meantime, thanks for listening. Travel safe and be an informed traveler.