Eire

What can I tell you about Ireland that you don't already know? It is, as you've probably heard, quite green. In fact, until you visit, you aren't aware that so many shades of green actually exist in nature. Yes, you'll hear this line before you make the trip; yes you might be a tad skeptical. Really? you'll wonder. How green can it actually be?

I promise, it's true.

You might prefer Belfast to Dublin, the country more to the cities. You'll exclaim over and over that "it cannot possibly get more beautiful than this!" Then you'll round a bend in a road, and, it will.

Your camera won't quite do the landscape justice.

You'll need to use your 'mind's eye' when it won't.

You will see plenty of coffee shops around the island, especially in the bigger cities and towns. Every morning, your B&B hosts will ask if you'd prefer coffee or tea as they serve you breakfast. You should always - always - get the tea, even if you are normally a die-hard coffee drinker. The Irish make tea in a way that will make you rethink your daily indulgence of coffee. It will, there is no doubt in my mind, be the best tea you have had in your life. (Between you and me I'd say they even make it better than the British. Shh.)

If you order an Irish Coffee, however, it will be the best in the world.

You will be amazed at how good the food is, despite the bad reputation. In just the eight years since you last set foot in the country you'll be impressed by the amount of culinary options now available, though you'll stick with the traditional - fish and chips, Guinness stew, Irish breakfasts - as much as possible.

Potatoes will be served with every meal. Sometimes twice.

The Guinness will flow like water.

It will taste better than you ever remember Guinness tasting.

You'll find yourself craving it for days on end once you return to the States.

During your travels you will meet interesting, often hilarious, charming people. The Irish truly are as friendly as they say, you will never feel unwelcome. Of course, you'll also meet a few more "colorful" characters, ones who might have been imbibing in a wee much of the Irish whiskey as well. But you'll get good stories from them. Trust me.

The Irish Brogue will captivate you. When you initially arrive, you'll work to incorporate "grand" and "brilliant" into your everyday lingo. After a few days, you won't even have to think about it, you'll just say it because you've heard it so often. You'll start saying "tanks" instead of "thanks" as the Irish rarely pronounce their H's. You'll wish you could perfect the accent, you'll marvel at how different it sounds as you move through various parts of the country.

Yes, you'll buy an Aran sweater. And a scarf. Or maybe three. You'll buy more postcards than you possibly have time to write because you won't sit still for longer than five minutes during your entire journey.

Driving on the other side of the road won't be quite as frightening as you'd initially anticipated. It will help if you have a unflappable travel buddy who, when asked "Um, am I on the wrong side of the road?" Will calmly answer: "Yes."

You'll get quite good at doing U-turns.

You'll need to remind yourself every single time you pull onto a street to think: "left side, left side, left side." Your brain is easily tricked back into the driving habits its known all of its life.

The roads are narrow and tiny. When you meet a tour bus head on, with water on your right and a rocky cliff on your left, it is best to practice Lamaze breathing. Somehow, both vehicles are going to fit on that little road but it sure isn't going to feel like it.

As you work your way 'round the island you'll discover idyllic farms, green and greener still pastures, and rocky, jagged coasts. You will get to stand at the edge of Ireland. Literally. You will feel as if you're standing on the edge of the world. The experience will make you appreciate travel, the world, and what a tiny part you play in it, in unprecedented ways.

You will find yourself craving more time, more hours, more days. There will always be another village to explore, another windy road to turn down, another Guinness to drink, another experience to experience. You'll constantly turn to your travel companion and utter two words: "next time." You'll take more photos than you know what to do with, wondering with each camera click if you're doing justice to this marvelous, enthralling, beautiful, intriguing country.

The Emerald Isle.

You'll wonder why it took you so long to book a trip over there.

And you'll want, more than anything, to get back as fast as you can.