Ireland is currently one of the most popular travel destinations. Keeping in touch with loved ones or employers while in Ireland is often a concern. Depending on hotel Wi-Fi isn’t the best plan as it can be weak or spotty.

On a recent trip to Ireland I rented a device called WiFicandy.  It is a portable modem that you can rent so you have Wi-Fi wherever you are in Ireland.  UPDATE: WiFicandy now also provides Unlimited High-Speed data in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, entire UK. Overall the group I was with was very pleased with our experience using WiFicandy.  Here are what I see as the pros and cons of WiFicandy.

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Pros:

•  You can have Wi-Fi 24/7.  This was extremely helpful when we were using Google Maps to help us navigate around new towns.  We also loved being able to facetime with our loved ones whenever we wanted to.  We were able to share with them the Cliffs of Moher and other iconic Ireland sites! During down time on a tour bus we could use this time to download photos on social media.
• You can have up to 8 people on one modem.  This made it very cost effective for our group of 8.  Even with adding on extra insurance it was less than $20 each for 2 weeks of unlimited Wi-Fi!
• The device is small and lightweight. It easily fit in the small pocket of my backpack or in my purse.
• Very Convenient. You can have it delivered to the airport or your hotel.  We chose to pick it up at the airport so we could have it right away.  I will give directions on how to find it at the airport below.
• Very easy to use and set up!

Cons:

•  The battery did not last all day with 8 people using it.  We solved this problem by connecting it to a battery pack.  This increased the weight a bit, but it made sure we always had Wi-Fi.
• One person in our group had connecting issues at times (maybe 3 times in the 14 day period).  We fixed this by shutting off the unit and restarting it. 
•  
• Overall we loved the convenience of WiFi Candy.  We would definitely recommend it to our family and friends!!!

The other thing you should know if you are getting your WiFicandy at the Dublin airport is where to find it.  I had the directions that were given to me but was still a little confused as to where to go.  I asked two different airport employees.  Neither of them had any idea what I was talking about when I asked them where to find my WiFicandy!  So here is where you go:

You will need to go to Terminal one.  After you exit the baggage claim area, the area where you will meet your driver if you have hired one, you will turn to your left and follow the signs for Terminal One.

You will go through a tunnel.

When you exit the tunnel go to your right and take the escalator down a level.

At the end of the escalator it will be on your left by the Excess Baggage Storage.

Give your code that was sent to you and they will give you your WiFicandy, instructions, charging cord, bag for returning it and two pieces of candy!

Make sure you keep the bag to return it.  When you are done you will place the modem with the charging cord into the bag, seal it and drop it in the green container at the airport.  You can also put it in a mailbox.  Make sure you take a picture of the bag before you return it.

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1. Toilet Paper:  I always  have toilet paper with me when I am traveling.  I started carrying it when I was traveling in Asia and it wasn’t always available or there would be someone outside of the toilet selling you a few sheets (I like more than three squares thank you very much).  I find that I have needed it all over the world including the United States!  I just wait until my toilet paper at home is down to about ⅓ left.  Then I wiggle the middle cardboard core out, flatten it and put it in a sandwich sized Ziploc style bag.  It doesn’t take up that much space, but is worth it’s weight in gold when you need it!

2. Portable phone charger and phone:  If you are like me you phone is your main camera.  If you are also like me you take a lot of pictures.  When I am out and about on vacation taking pictures the last thing I want to happen is have my phone die.  Not only would my camera be gone, but also my GPS!  I love the linked phone charger.  It is a little bigger and heavier than some of the chargers out there, but it can hold enough charge for up to 3 full charges.  It also holds the charge for a long time.  I will charge it put it in  my purse for weeks until I need it (yes, I have it in my purse even when I’m not traveling).

3. Safety pins:  I use small zipper bags to hold things like safety pins and band aids in my purse.  Safety pins can be used for multiple things.  I have used them to attach my purse strap when it broke in Venice and for a zipper pull when traveling in England.  You never know when you’re going to need them!

4. Band-Aids:  When you walk as much as we do on vacation a blister or two will sometimes start to develop.  An adhesive bandage in the right spot can prevent this.  You also just never know when you might get a scrape.

5. Copy of passport:  I keep a color copy that is laminated of the front page of my passport.  I DO NOT walk around with my passport.  When I am traveling I leave my passport in the safe in my hotel room.  I never want to lose my passport while touring around.  (Note: some countries like Japan require you to keep your passport on you at all times.)  I keep the copy in case I might lose my passport.  I also have used it when buying jewelry in Antwerp.  When you make bigger purchase you can get the tax back at the airport, but you need your passport number when purchasing.  You can also take a picture of the first page of your passport and keep it in your phone.

6. Money-Small bills for tipping:  Of course you will have money in your purse or travel bag!  That said, make sure you have some smaller bills.  Depending on where you are traveling you may need smaller bills for tipping.  I also like to have small bills for sampling street food!

7. Credit card:  Again, of course you will have a credit card or two.  I use my credit card for almost all my purchases.  I do this for three reasons.  First, I don’t like carrying around a lot of cash.  If I lose my purse/wallet I can cancel my credit card but my cash will be gone.  Second, credit cards will look out for you.  If they think a purchase isn’t you they will not let the transaction go through without contacting you first, usually through a text to your phone.  And third,  I’m earning more points to use for more travel!!!  That said, make sure your credit card doesn’t charge fees overseas.  Many will charge 3% that can really add up.  Also make sure you pay off your credit card each month or the points you are earning are expensive!

8. Medical insurance card/ copy of prescriptions/medication:  In case of a medical emergency you want to have all your information!  If you take medication during the day those small zip-loc bags will come in handy again!  My spouse puts all of his meds in single dose bags.  He labels them with the day and time.  This especially helps him keep on track when changing time zones can me tricky.  Lastly, I carry a small container of ibuprofen as well.  After a day of walking tours my knees often need some pain relief!

9. Card from Hotel/keys:  I have heard stories of people going to their hotel checking in and being so excited to explore that they just walk about the door without really know where they were.  I totally believe in wandering and getting a little lost on vacations, but you have to know how to get home!  I always grab one of the cards from the hotel so I have the name and address!

10. Pen and paper:  You never know when you need a pen and paper.  This isn’t as needed in our digital world with notes on your cell phone and all, but sometimes I like to go old school!  When out on tours and just talking to other tourists you often hear about great places to eat, or other places to visit.  I would love to think that I will remember what they say…but let’s face it, that doesn’t happen!

11. Clif bar/ bag of nuts:  Often when we are traveling we hate to stop for lunch.  There is so much to see and stopping for lunch takes up 1-2 hours of prime tourist time.  That is when the museums and shops are open! On busy days we will eat on the run.  Other times we have misjudged how much “extra” time we have between tours or activities.  A little extra protein can really help.  Lasty, if you take a long tour on a bus or train they will often stop for snacks, but you will be paying top price!

12. Water bottle:  Often you can buy bottles of water, but using a refillable bottle is better for your pocketbook and the environment!  Make sure you know if you can drink the water before you fill it up!  We assume that we can drink the water in places like Europe and usually you can but always check.  When we went to Greece we could drink the water on the mainland, but when we went to the island of Santorini we couldn’t.

13. Sun glasses:  Even cloudy days can change into a bright day.  No one likes to squint all day.

14. Hand sanitizer:  I’ve never been a germaphobe…then Covid happened.  After a day of using public transportation I like the reassurance of a little hand sanitizer before I sit down to eat.

15. Itinerary for the day/week:  I’m a planner. I create a Google Doc. for every day that has what we are doing that day.  It also contains things we could do.   I don’t have to do everything on my plan, but my biggest fear is that I might waste time while on vacation trying to figure out what to do next.  I only usually travel to a place once.  I want to see as much as possible.  I keep my itinerary in my purse as a reminder of what is next and where meeting points for tours are.

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