Dream Trip: Aran Islands, Ireland

Real Trip: Assateague Island, MD

Distance from DC: 3 hours

It's that time of year, when everyone with a green article of clothing in their closet becomes Irish, and Guinness sales go through the roof. While this annual revelry is fun and good for pub business, the celebrations on this side of the pond seem to reinforce the stereotype that Ireland is all about booze and bar brawls. The truth is, the Emerald Isle has more to offer than pubs- and you can get a taste of the other side of I

reland without a passport.

While Dublin offers a bustling city with tons of shops, restaurants, and- of course, pubs- one must venture out of city limits to see the real deal- rolling countryside, herds of sheep crossing the road, and nothing but green for miles and miles. No where is more definitively Irish than the picturesque Aran Islands, located in the Galway Bay off the west coast. Here, the sheep outnumber the people and Gaelic is still the dominant language. Accessible via ferry service, the Aran Islands epitomize traditional Ireland w

ith distinctive Irish charm- and not a "Kiss Me I'm Irish" temporary tattoo in sight.

The secluded shorelines, miles of trails, campsites, and untouched natural beaut

y is reminiscent of a place much closer to home- Assateague Island. Split between Virginia and Maryland, the it provides an option for an island getaway on a tank of gas. The Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park, located on the Maryland side of the island, boasts numerous campsites for both tents and RVs with the the Atlantic Ocean in your front yard. At around $30 a night, this is likely the cheapest oceanfront room with a view you're ever going to get.

No lions and tigers and bears, but you'll likely run into some wild animals during your visit- the wild ponies that make their way to neighboring Chincoteague Island in July for the annual

auction. Like the high population of horses on the Aran Islands, Assateague's wild pony population is upwards of 300. You can catch a glimpse of them roaming the beaches and forests throughout Assateague. If the Tinker spirit moves you, feel free to shout "Tir Na Nog!".

Besides camping and taking in all the natural beauty of Assateague, the Island offers plenty of options for activities. Explore the National Wildlife Refuge on foot or bike via the miles and miles of nature trails. Canoeing and kayaking are also popular ways to travel around the Island, and take it all in. If bird-watching is your thing, this is the place to do that too. You might not come home with a new wool sweater, but this trip will undoubtedly leave you relaxed and refreshed- as long as you don't hit traffic.