Glendalough, Wicklow, Ireland

Glendalough is a glen (long and deep valley of glacial origin where a river can flow down the valley) and a village in Ireland, located in the Wicklow County Mountains National Park. Its name means Valley of two lakes. The village was established by a hermit priest, Saint Kevin, in the 6th century on the site of a former monastery. Many of his followers wanted to follow him and settled in the valley too. There is a 33-meter round tower, which was used to protect relics, books and chalices, and a Celtic high cross known as Saint Kevin’s Cross. The village was established on the side of Lower Lake and the cliffs north of Upper Lake are recognized as popular climbing places.

Tips

There is no admission fee to enter the park or the site of the old monastery but you should leave your car in the car parks nearby and pay for your place. From here you can visit everything on foot.

You can visit all year round respecting the opening hours of the parking barriers, which are closed at night.

You will find several mountain trails. However, there are no guided or supervised hikes.

 

Cabbagetown, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Cabbagetown is a neighbourhood located on the east side of downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its name derives from the Irish immigrants who moved to the neighbourhood beginning in the late 1840s, said to have been so poor that they grew cabbage in their front yards. The area today known as Cabbagetown was first known as the village of Don Vale, just outside of Toronto; in 1850 they established in the area the city’s main cemetery. In the late 19th century the area was absorbed into the city. It became home to the working class Irish inhabitants who were employed in the industries along the lake shore. After the First World War the area became increasingly impoverished, and it become poorer and poorer with the years and the houses deteriorated. But in the beginning of the 1970s, professionals gentrified Cabbagetown and many residents restored the small Victorian row houses. We can find vintage clothing stores, health food stores, a gestalt therapy clinic and a farmer’s market. The area is also distinguished by a large number of rooming houses and other forms of low income housing. Many artists live there (musicians, journalists, writers, etc.).

Tips

If you go to visit the town at the same time of its annual festival, you must go on the second weekend of September. You’ll find many events during the week and the festival takes place at the weekend. The festival starts on Saturday morning with a band. There’s an arts and crafts fair. You can also do a tour of homes paying for it.
There’s another festival into the festival for film lovers. It’s a short film & video festival presenting productions running no longer than 15 minutes.

Cayo Guillermo, Ciego de Avila, Cuba

Cayo Guillermo is a small island of 13 square kilometers, part of the archipelago Jardines del Rey (King’s Gardens) and which is part of the archipelago Sabana-Camaguey. This archipelago has more than 2500 islands and islets (cayos) and is located off the Atlantic coast of Cuba in the province of Ciego de Avila. This popular destination is known for its five kilometers of fine white sand beaches, its always calm sea, its shallow seashore and its clear waters of a beautiful turquoise blue. It is an oasis of peace for lovers of nature and the beach. Playa Pilar is one of the most beautiful beaches there. The archipelago Jardines del Rey has its own international airport which is located on Cayo Coco, the neighboring island of Cayo Guillermo. The two islands are connected by a bridge. The archipelago is also connected to the big island of Cuba by a dike in the sea of 27 kilometers long. Bus transfer from Jardines del Rey Airport to Cayo Guillermo hotels is approximately 45 minutes.

Tips

Some hotels offer a service of sharing, you must go to the reception of your hotel and ask for the bracelet of the hotel you want to visit but you can visit a hotel per day only, from 9 am to 5 pm, excluding restaurants à la carte and transportation between hotels.