Bob Fisher, contributing editor to Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel online & Magazine had the undivided attention of our New York branch, writes New York Chair, Laurie Blumenfeld. He gave great insights as to how to break into the travel writing industry, as well as what to think about in terms of shaping a story when on the road. He then went on to share some fascinating stories about his life while living in Japan, India and London. The fun really began when a spontaneous round-table chat started about travelling in Asia. Once again, Bob gave some helpful hints: did you know you can buy an air-purifier to wear around your neck? Handy for the polluted roads in Nepal and India! Bob can be contacted on: email:BobHaru@aol.com.

Next month, by popular demand, Laurie will be holding a travel networking session so you can ask and answer each other’s travel questions!

New York meetings are held at The Wings Theater, 154 Christopher Street (btw Greenwich St and Washington St), to the right of Crunch Fitness, in the Archive on the first Saturday of each month at 4pm.

The next meeting will be held on Friday 25th May (the fourth Friday, due to Bank holidays and long weekends). Bruce Weber will be showing his slides on a road trip from California to Toronto and also a visit to Cuba. Sounds pretty good! Vera Blowers, one of the founding members will be holding the annual picnic in her back yard in July ~ all are welcome! For further information about Ontario meetings, please contact: Ontario@globetrotters.co.uk

Meetings are held on the third Friday of January, March, May, September and November. Usually at the Woodsworth Co-op, Penthouse, 133, Wilton Street in downtown Ontario at 8.00 p.m.

By popular demand, here is a circuit of Eire beginning and ending in Dublin. The best time of year to go to Ireland is in June or September as it is less crowded than the peak months of July and August. The best way to get around is by car as this allows you to stop in places that are off the beaten track, plus many places are not connected by public transport.

This itinerary includes towns, castles, bogs, coastal scenery, mountains, valleys, streams, megaliths and remains of monasteries. To do this trip justice, you would at least 10 days, but you could cut it down to say one week. Each destination is not exhaustive ~ en route, you will see many signposts identifying interesting places that are definitely worth a look.

Dublin is a good starting point and you should spend at least two days here. It is a very walkable city and there is a great deal to see and do: museums, art galleries, shopping, a Guinness brewery, the castle etc. For those interested in tracing their ancestry, the Heraldic Museum is a must.

Drive west on the N4 and N6 from Dublin to Athlone, visit the castle there and make this your base for a couple of nights, to explore the Irish Midlands around the River Shannon and Lough Ree. You must visit the remains of Clonmacnoise, Ireland’s most important monastic site. From Athlone continue west on the N6 to Galway City on the west coast, and base yourself here for a couple of nights. Galway is a pretty city with narrow streets and a good nightlife. From here, you should make a day trip north west on the N59 to Connemara, a beautiful area of valleys, mountains, bogs, lakes and streams ~ chill out, relax and savour that fresh country air!

Another day trip or longer visit can be made from Galway City by ferry across to one (or all!) of the Aran Islands – Inishmor, Inishmaan and Inisheer. From Galway, drive south to Burren via Dunguaire Castle and prepare to do some walking. The Buren is an area, 25 miles wide and 15 miles long situated between Kilfenora and Kinvarra. Here you will find an amazing array of ancient walls, megalithic tombs, stone forts and beautiful glacial landscape. To make the most of this, by all means drive around in this area, but you must also get out of your car and have a good wander! You should also make a trip south to the Cliffs of Moher before heading south on the N85 and N18 to Limerick, a historic city (featured in Angela’s Ashes), on the River Shannon.

From Limerick, take the N21 southwest towards Tralee (don’t stay here), and to the Dingle Peninsula, Ireland’s western most point. Choose somewhere to stay so that you can spend time exploring mountains, valleys, streams, windy little roads, deserted beaches etc. This area is one of the Beetle’s favourite parts of Ireland. A trip to the Blasketts is also a pleasant way to spend a day. From the Dingle peninsula, make your way south on the N70 to Killorglin, the start of the Ring of Kerry which is 180 km and takes about 3-4 hours to drive without stopping, and ends at Kenmare. It’s all about the Mountains of Kerry, valleys, dramatic coastal scenery, castles and monasteries and is an absolute must! From Kenmare, continue up the N70, north to Killarney where on a good day you can see Macgillicuddy’s Reeks, Ireland’s highest mountains and stay the night. From Killarney, head east on the N22 to Cork, making a quick stop to kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle.

From Cork, head north on the N8 to Cashel to see the Rock of Cashel ~ a magnificent stone fort with 200ft high walls. From here, head east on the N24 to Waterford, home of the famous Waterford crystal. From Waterford, take the N11 back north to Dublin via Glendalough, set in the wooded valley of the Two Lakes. If you are a fan of the TV series, Ballykissangel, then you should also stop at Avoca before going to Glendalough.

Please contact Beetle@globetrotters.co.ukfor your suggested country itinerary although the Beetle regrets that she cannot draw up itineraries for individuals.