With a name like Patrick Magrady, you might suspect Irish roots, but my husband had never visited the land where his grandparents were born. So when he brought up the idea of a special vacation to celebrate turning 60, I planned a trip to Ireland that would put us in Downpatrick, his ancestral home, on his birthday.

As part of our two week self-drive tour of Ireland, we used Belfast as our base for touring the north.  My first surprise when approaching Belfast from Dublin was that there was no border crossing into “Northern... Read More

Question:  Jason H. asks: I am traveling to London, England this summer. We already booked our flights and made hotel reservations. We are staying in Trafalgar Square. What are the most highly recommended things to do in London? We will be there for one week.

Answer:  Wayne Northey, frequent traveler and president of the West Virginia Region of AAA East Central, says, "A week in London is the perfect opportunity for exploring any areas of interest: history; theater; shopping; museums; natural beauty; pomp and ceremony.  Several bus companies... Read More

A friend of mine is excited but terrified about her upcoming trip to Ireland. Last year, as I planned a trip to Ireland with my 14-year-old son, I too was anxious and apprehensive about the trip.

Digging online about the family name (we pronounce it Do-RAN, in Ireland it’s DOR-an), I determined it was likely his paternal side of the family came from County Wexford in southeast Ireland, just north of Waterford. Since we would first be in Dublin, then explore the west side of Ireland and wind our way south and east to County Wexford, I really couldn’t imagine how else to accomplish all of this in a week but... Read More

Question: B.N. asks: I am planning a trip to Italy this summer and I’m looking for interesting cities/sites. We are thinking about seeing Florence, Rome, and the west coast near Naples. What are your recommendations?

Answer: Betsy Sell, AAA Travel Services Managing Director and frequent Europe traveler, answers: The west coast is one of my favorite areas in Italy. Naples (the original home of the "Neapolitan" pizza) is a big, sprawling port city with little to offer in the way of interesting sights and things to do. It is, however, the departure point for the ferries... Read More

 Question: Barb O’Connor asks: Last minute invite to tour Italy with college alumni group this May. Based on temp predictions, what sort of clothing should I pack? Cities to visit will include Venice, Verona, Rome, Vatican City and Florence. What recommendations can you give for sightseeing and lunches on a budget?

Answer: Betsy Sell, AAA Travel Services Managing Director and frequent Europe traveler, answers: Your trip sounds wonderful. May is considered the “month of roses” in Italy; the weather is warm but not too hot for sightseeing. Temperatures range from lows... Read More

 
 Question: Shawn Murphy writes:  My wife and I are planning a trip to Lake Como area of Italy this summer.  Does anyone have recommendations for places to stay and day trips in that area? Thanks!

 Answer: AAA's Gayle Pierce of AAA Chicago answers: The Italian Lakes District is made up of three lakes, Como, Maggiore and Garda.  If heading to Lake Como, I would steer clear of Como itself unless the traveler is intending to stay at the very posh Villa D-Este; in... Read More

 
If you return to a travel destination that you loved the first time around, there’s a risk you may be disappointed the second time. It’s a travel dilemma we all deal with.

When I was in Denmark recently, I took the chance and returned to the coastal town of Dragør, 10 miles south of the country’s capital, Copenhagen. The last time I had visited was in December, but the second time it was late summer, so I... Read More

 Question: Heidi Welch asks AAATravelViews Q&A: Does AAA offer services to provide vouchers for bed & breakfasts in Ireland? I will be visiting in April with a cousin and my brother. Also, wondering how to communicate via phone in Ireland. I used to use a phone card but they are disappearing there as they are here and are not as reliable. I have a Verizon cell phone, but wondering if it will work over there.

 Answer: AAA's Lynda Gwynn replies:  AAA Travel works with two preferred partners that can assist with independent travel- Travel Impressions and Travel Bound. However, these two entities generally offer a variety of hotels versus bed & breakfast accommodations. Traveling without advance reservations may... Read More

     I confess. I’m obsessed with cathedrals—and churches and mosques and temples and just about any houses of worship. Ironically, I am not religious. I don’t look at churches from a religious viewpoint. To me, they are works of art. Art that I can walk into and touch and photograph. Art that tells about the culture and beliefs of the community in which it stands.

     I admire the talent that went into building these grand edifices, from the stonework of the structure’s towers, domes... Read More