This year I went to … Ruislip , London

“I couldn’t say Ruislip was relaxing or visually spectacular but it was a worthwhile weekend - in the end.”


Bryan Friel, Westport

Everyone knows times are tough but this year I have  been lucky enough to have had two trips and a weekend away.  I was recently in the Algarve with my girlfriend and before that I went to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon for a week in June by myself, along with a weekend trip to Ruislip in London for the Mayo game with my father.  That's all the travelling I'll be doing for a good while.
My girlfriend and I had planned the Algarve trip from early this year as we wanted a week away in a relaxing place that had good weather.  The Las Vegas trip happened very quickly as I recently moved jobs and had some holiday time to take before I finished my old job and got a good deal to go. My father will try his best to make it to any Mayo game so again we got a good deal and made it to London for the weekend.
The three trips were all different and very enjoyable.  The most time I spent away on any of the holidays was a week.  Each lived up to its billing - the Algarve was great weather wise, nice beaches and very relaxed, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon were both visually spectacular and the weather, while very hot in the upper 30s, was really nice as there was no humidity.  I couldn't say Ruislip was relaxing or visually spectacular but it was a worthwhile weekend - in the end! 
I would usually travel abroad rather than stay at home for my holidays.  I work fairly long weeks so I would prefer to take a week or two off together and visit somewhere interesting overseas to unwind rather than take a few days off and travel around Ireland.  Though airfares have increased recently, I've had the opportunity to take in a few city breaks across Europe over the past few years with college friends and most would be either on a par expense wise with Ireland or cheaper.
I don't think my holiday choices will change my opinions on where I would like to travel, I've always preferred travelling abroad and that hasn't changed. I would love to travel to Australia some time as I have never been but next summer will be spent in London for the Olympics.