The first days of driving on the "proper" side of the narrow roads in Scotland were harrowing.... But we are now in the embrace of the humor and calm of Ireland. Here's the most important travel tips regarding rental cars and phone apps for everyone.
1) Bring your Garmin GPS and buy the local map! Had I done this, I would have saved about $300 dollars!
2) Buy the full coverage insurance.
We have upgraded all of our rental cars at this point to include GPS, and full insurance coverage. We couldn't get GPS in Iceland, they were out of units, but it has been essential to our sanity in Scotland and Ireland. And one tire scrape during parallel parking on an old Scottish street lined with a stone curb made for the need of a tire and rim replacement (covered by insurance, thank God).
3) Download the following free apps to your cell phone:
MapsMe
Airbnb
Google Voice (set this up to link to your home phone number before you leave your home country)
Amazon Kindle app
Some guidebooks said don't bring the cell phone. That would have been ridiculous.
We say bring your cell (mobile) phone and load the right apps on it. Most important is one called MapMe. Open the app and download the maps for the countries you will visit. We are using Android MotoG phones. And we didn't buy a local sim card and we are not using the phones for calls so we keep them in airplane mode. MapsMe is amazing. It uses your device location (a free thing for emergency purposes on the cell phone) and can follow you. The best thing is when GPS acts a little drunk and sends you down an obviously wrong path, it doubles as backup.
Furthermore, most restaurants and all the Airbnbs and hotels we've stayed in have Wi-Fi. We use the Airbnb app to communicate with our hosts for directions and even if we need extra toilet paper. We read our Kindle book version of the Lonely Planet travel guides on the phone which is great when you hit an impasse and need dining or attraction ideas. And of course we communicate with friends via email and Google Voice for texts and forwarded voicemails.
Day 1 Ireland
Green, lush hills, farmlands separated by vine covered stone walls, rain, sun, rain, sun. Our day began with a lovely Palestinian breakfast made by our Airbnb host. Then off to Blarney Castle and gardens (15 min away) followed by a lovely afternoon in sweet Clonakilty. Finish with a peek at a surf spot south of Clonakilty and a mad dash/drive through Cork City in search of groceries.
1) Bring your Garmin GPS and buy the local map! Had I done this, I would have saved about $300 dollars!
2) Buy the full coverage insurance.
We have upgraded all of our rental cars at this point to include GPS, and full insurance coverage. We couldn't get GPS in Iceland, they were out of units, but it has been essential to our sanity in Scotland and Ireland. And one tire scrape during parallel parking on an old Scottish street lined with a stone curb made for the need of a tire and rim replacement (covered by insurance, thank God).
3) Download the following free apps to your cell phone:
MapsMe
Airbnb
Google Voice (set this up to link to your home phone number before you leave your home country)
Amazon Kindle app
Some guidebooks said don't bring the cell phone. That would have been ridiculous.
We say bring your cell (mobile) phone and load the right apps on it. Most important is one called MapMe. Open the app and download the maps for the countries you will visit. We are using Android MotoG phones. And we didn't buy a local sim card and we are not using the phones for calls so we keep them in airplane mode. MapsMe is amazing. It uses your device location (a free thing for emergency purposes on the cell phone) and can follow you. The best thing is when GPS acts a little drunk and sends you down an obviously wrong path, it doubles as backup.
Furthermore, most restaurants and all the Airbnbs and hotels we've stayed in have Wi-Fi. We use the Airbnb app to communicate with our hosts for directions and even if we need extra toilet paper. We read our Kindle book version of the Lonely Planet travel guides on the phone which is great when you hit an impasse and need dining or attraction ideas. And of course we communicate with friends via email and Google Voice for texts and forwarded voicemails.
Day 1 Ireland
Green, lush hills, farmlands separated by vine covered stone walls, rain, sun, rain, sun. Our day began with a lovely Palestinian breakfast made by our Airbnb host. Then off to Blarney Castle and gardens (15 min away) followed by a lovely afternoon in sweet Clonakilty. Finish with a peek at a surf spot south of Clonakilty and a mad dash/drive through Cork City in search of groceries.
Our backyard view
Perspective... Look at these micro environments of love ferns and flowers
Blarney Castle but no kiss
The manor at Blarney
Sweet bird songs
Sweet town of Clonakilty
An Sugan- best meal yet with a great environment and nice and funny wait staff
Salmon and potato cakes
Fish pie
Truth
So colorful
Boy running his horse from downtown Clonakilty and up into the hills.
We let him pass us and then we followed at 40 kmh for another km. Gotta love it.
Irish surf
Tunnels of foliage
Driving in Ireland. Way to do it Rory!
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