Adare is only an hour and a half from Cork. County Cork has lively small cities, quiet country villages and picturesque beaches. It's where you'll find the Blarney Castle and Kinsale a small fishing village sitting on a picturesque harbor.  Stop in at the Old English Market in Cork on your return, it's Ireland's best food market and dates back to James 1 in 1610.
 
Only an hour and a half north of Adare is Galway, the unofficial arts capital of Ireland. Rent a bike and discover this well laid out city. If you time it right you can go to the Galway Horse Races that are well worth catching.  This area is known for its salmon and sea trout. You can fish for it here or enjoy it in one of Galways many great restaurants. And on your way back to Adare stop in Doolin  and don't miss the Cliffs of Moher.

When you reside in one place for your entire stay you'll have the opportunity to talk to the locals and find the best place to shop, to eat, to drink. You'll learn your way around and begin to see things you wouldn't have seen if you're just passing through. Play a round of golf on one of the famous courses nearby. Pick up something produced locally from the market for breakfast or lunch. It's a chance to have some memorable down time in a place you've become familiar with while seeing the sights you came to see on short day trips.
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You unpack and pack just once and you're not carrying bags everywhere you go. If you're traveling with a family, I can't think of a better option. With a kitchen, living space and at least 2 bedrooms, it's a great place to relax at the end of the day. Saying goodbye to Ireland after immersing yourself in Irish life will be the hardest part of the trip. ​

Ah, Hawaii. It's the #1 "bucket list" destination among North Americans. If you've never been you might be thinking another Caribbean island in the Pacific but you'd be wrong.

You should know that each one of the bigger islands, Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island are all different, really different.

They all have a different vibe, different landscape, different beaches and before you go that far you should either talk to someone that can recommend the best island for you or do your homework. The Big Island has 11 different climate zones! If you're planning on driving out to the volcanoes,  bring a coat, think 35 degrees! Flip flops and a tank top don't work up there. But who knew?

It's important to plan ahead. A rental car will cost less if you prebook than if you just arrange one when you get there. Some of the more popular luaus will fill up and even Pearl Harbor should be reserved on line before you go to avoid wasting precious time in paradise.

And you know the line, location, location, location? Even 5 star resorts are not all alike. Where they are located on the island makes a difference. Princeville on Kauai gets a lot more rain than Poipu on the south end of the island. WaIlea and Kaanapali are both on the same side of the island on Maui but are very different.  Kaanapali's beaches are always rated among the most beautiful in the world.

If you're going that far consider seeing more than 1 island. Once you get there, they're not that far apart. That's why I'm a fan of the NCL 7 day cruise around the islands.  But if you've dreamed of watching the sun go down sitting on a beach and sipping a Mai Tai, then choose an island and spend some time there.
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If Hawaii is on your bucket list and the numbers  say it is, then plan ahead to get the Hawaii experience you've dreamed of. It's really worth your time.