I’ve been privileged to grow up in beautiful west Wales with the coastline of Pembrokeshire only a stone’s throw from the front door of my family home. Holidays to France and Spain as a child sparked an early interest in travel for me and I can still remember the feeling of driving around the countryside of Western France with my parents and exploring the hidden coves of the Balearic Islands with their crystal-clear waters.
As a teenager I was keen to jump at every opportunity to take on new adventures. Travelling to Ireland for hiking expeditions in Killarney national park as well as Sea kayaking expeditions around the Pembrokeshire coast and the River Teifi with the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, picking up a Saturday job in a local café to help fund multiple skiing trips to Austria with school friends also.
As a student I enrolled as a cadet in the Wales Universities Officer Training Core (WUOTC) through which I had some unique opportunities to travel the UK and further afield with Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, from building bison enclosures in the backdrop of the Cairngorm National Park in Scotland to skydiving over the Spanish city of Seville.
After university I decided to fully throw myself in to a new adventure and arranged a solo backpacking trip around South East Asia, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. My favourite memories of which include wandering around the amazing street food markets of Thailand, eating fresh watermelon on board wooden longboats after diving with sea turtles on the tropical reefs of the Gili Islands and an incredible helicopter flight and ice hike of the Franz Joseph glacier in New Zealand. This trip was inspiring in so many ways and I’ve no doubt has shaped the way I look at travel now.
Since then, I have been constantly on the move having planned a month long road trip throughout Europe with my Brother in a kind of pilgrimage for his vintage Volkswagen truck as well as travelling the length of Japan following both the Welsh and Irish rugby teams throughout their campaigns at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, combining two of my biggest joys in life: Rugby and Travel.
In recent years, with the unexpected arrival of a global pandemic and international travel grinding to a halt, I have rediscovered the unique and amazing locations these isles have to offer and with a sense of ‘hiraeth’ – I am reminded of the beauty of this place I’m blessed to call home.
Recent trip reviews for Nic
West Ireland vacation
Ireland
|
Aug 27 - Sep 4, 2024
Rona B.
Berkeley, CA
| Reviewed on Sep 05, 2024
Megan was lovely and warm. Most of the places she suggested were amazing (the Wilder, the Monks and the sheepdog demonstration were wonderful as was the guide in Dublin).
The only disappointing hotel was the Galmont in Galway. A very very loud party with loud music made it impossible to sleep until the party ended around 1 am. It was a hotel that needs updating (bathroom flooded when you took a shower, paint peeling etc—not a place we would return ).
Highlights were definitely the amazing...
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Megan was lovely and warm. Most of the places she suggested were amazing (the Wilder, the Monks and the sheepdog demonstration were wonderful as was the guide in Dublin).
The only disappointing hotel was the Galmont in Galway. A very very loud party with loud music made it impossible to sleep until the party ended around 1 am. It was a hotel that needs updating (bathroom flooded when you took a shower, paint peeling etc—not a place we would return ).
Highlights were definitely the amazing Wilder and Monks. Both of these spots were absolutely awesome.
Other than the Galmont we appreciated the recommendations from Kimkim.
Hotel Reviews
Amazing. From the scrumptious food to the amazing rooms this place was a 10/10.
The Galmont Hotel & Spa
Galway
First the good parts—
1. The breakfast was good and appreciated.
2. The location is outstanding right near the city center!!!
Now the concerns
1. A party very loud kept us awake until 12:30. We complained and they said “we will make a note of your concern” and then never did anything. It was loud booming music. The sound proofing was nonexistent.
2. The rooms are very run down and in need of new carpet and paint and not a great smell in the rooms.
3. The bathroom flooded every time you took a shower.
Overall (sadly) despite the great location, it was fine but certainly not somewhere we would return.
Authenticity & Character
Rooms need updating painting and new carpets. Bathroom flooded every time you took a shower.
Cleanliness & Comfort
New paint. New carpet. New bathroom fixtures that worked
Lovely wonderful spot to relax and enjoy the west of Ireland. Fantastic.
Activity Reviews
Trinity College Old Library and Book of Kells
Dublin
It felt more like a tour of Trinity than of the book of Kells. We did not know it was essentially a college tour. Then you are sent to see the Book of Kella on your own. Felt a bit misleading to be honest.
Our trinity college tour guide was lovely but it was not what we expected.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Dublin Walking Tour
Dublin
Our guide was wonderful. She was knowledgeable and flexible. So fun!!!
Quality of Experience
Our guide. She was wonderful.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guinness Storehouse Tour
Dublin
Overall just ok. Very crowded. Very commercial.
Caherconnel Sheepdogs & Fort
Ballyvaughan
Best thing we did in Ireland. So fun. So informative.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sean was amazing. So informative
Local specialist: Nic Howells
