Reviewer: Micki Peluso writer, journalist and author July 14, 2012 Rosemary Adkins, author, speaker, and expert traveler within Ireland, takes her readers on a special tour of her beautiful Emerald Isle. She decides to surprise her husband on his birthday and retirement with a dream vacation and spends the preceding two years researching how to make that dream a reality. Afraid that Doug might not like the idea, Rosemary tells him in advance. After saying, "Are you crazy?" he warms up to the idea, but notes that "It might be nice to see Australia." Rosemary did not research Australia so Ireland it is! She decides to share her research findings on the most economical ways to travel, what to see and what to avoid in a wonderfully well-documented book--taking her readers each step along the way. The result is a book full of laughter, fun, and amazing sights pictured within the pages. This book should not just sit as a coffee table travel book, but actually go along as a handbook for those who wish to travel to this mythical land. Author Adkins not only shows her readers the best places to visit, but itemizes the most economical flights, hotels and restaurants available, as well as the best times of the year to visit. Rosemary tells you what to wear, as Ireland's hottest days of summer only reach 65 degrees, and reminds travelers' not to overpack as she did. With her breaking the trail, future travelers learn how to go off the beaten track and have an incredible time. All of Ireland, according to Rosemary, has about four million people and one third of them reside in Dublin, a city not to be missed--and requiring around four days to both recuperate from the long flight and see the many sights. The first place Rosemary and Doug stay is The Fitzwilliam 5 star Hotel complete with courteous attendants and delectable food. Adkins reminds readers and travelers to take advantage of the special package tied to her book. Ireland loves its beer and Dublin's Guinness Brewery is a must see. Rosemary notes that the Irish people's sense of humor, once understood . . . finds one in the middle of much teasing. Ireland has a rich, if sometimes violent past, which Rosemary depicts in her book, giving visitors background history of this exquisite but often tumultuous land. There's whimsy in the stories Rosemary relates, such as the legend of "Molly Malone". So much of Ireland's lore is fascinating, from elves, fairies and gnomes to the famous "Blarney Stone". The author suggests buying and programming your own GPS to avoid getting lost as she and Doug did, while searching for the exquisite Wicklow Mountains. You'll travel with her to Cork, Ireland's second largest city, named one of the top ten cities of the world, by the Lonely Planet". Blarney Castle, which brings the word, "blarney' into the Irish and English language, is not to be missed since kissing the Blarney stone is no easy feat. You won't want to miss the Blarney Woolen Mills, famous for sweaters and scarves, and the famous Claddagh ring, which carries a unique legend of its own. Rosemary and Doug take you along as they visit haunted castles, the wondrous Killarney, the town of Doolin's beautiful Aran Islands, and the amazing Dolphin, Fungi, who loves to interact with humans and escort fishing boats While the Adkins' don't meet a leprechaun, they do enjoy the friendliness and lilting burr of the Irish people. Their trip ends in Limerick, another city rich in historical lore and close to the Shannon Airport where they regretfully depart for America--happy to be going home, but hating to leave the magical lush greenness of Ireland's beauty and the friendly help of its people. Author Rosemary Adkins writes a five star travel book for those who wish to see Ireland and those who prefer to travel in their mind's eye. Reviewer: Micki Peluso, writer, journalist and author of . . . And the Whippoorwill Sang