My firt trip to Europe turned out to be one of the most exciting travel experiences of my life. When thinking about Europe, I know the most immediate thoughts and images are of Paris, London or Italy, but have you thought about Ireland? Yes, that's right Ireland. It's not just about St. Patrick's Day. Ireland is a small island off the western coast of England. It's rich in history, culture and landscape. My Irish Harmony Motor Coach Tour combined all of the comforts of a more expensive tour of Europe, at a great value. Not only is the sightseeing great, but the guides can usually recall spectacular history lessons, telling stories about  the more than one million people who lost their lives due to famine and the history of Celtic wars. Stone monuments in towns and along the countryside, were erected to honor those who lost their lives and those who live on.  Ireland offers some of the most beautiful landscape in the world.  Imagine if you can, dark green yards and  pastures, everywhere. I visited in the month of January, the land was green and flowers were blooming in many places. Ireland has massive stone castles and forts constructed centuries ago for war, now nestled into relaxing, peaceful countryside. I hardly saw a piece of land that didn't have a a flowing  country river stream traveling across it. The progressively modern city of Dublin, offered a look at the bustling city life, culture and it's style. The Guinness Brewery, turned out to be a remarkable tour with incredible 360 degree views of Dublin that could be seen from the top level of the 60 acre brewery. More castles, folk stories, Pubs, (lots and lots of Pubs), and finally,  the Waterford Crystal Factory. Save money for shopping, once you see how the crystal, that is so expensive in America is pain stakingly made, you won't want to leave without your own authentic memory piece. The factory tour ends in the largest showroom of handmade crystal in the world.  After the factory and the beauty of glass, we went on to marvel at more of  the landscape and on to the Blarney Castle. I got talked into kissing the Blarney Stone. Legend has it, that once kissed the stone promises the gift of eloquence . One thing for sure,  the climb up the ancient steps of the castle to the battlements at the top, left me speechless, in more ways than one. Poets, Painters, Writers and Musicians have all tried to convey the beauty of Ireland, from it meadows to mountain ranges. The spirit of the land is wll worth experiencing.