More trips below! Have at it.

About Outspoken Traveler

Travel should be about embracing every moment — from the magic of the mundane to the awe-inspiring of nature, cities, the beauty that lingers in small places, and even an amazing meal.
My passion is to seek the magic lurking in every moment you travel to a new place; then let good planning and a dose of serendipity shape as many of the travel moments as possible. And finally, share it with you with a tongue-in-cheek honesty, authentic to my faults, stumbles along the way, and joys.
Thank you for particpating!
Alfred O’Neill
(Author pen name: A.E.S. O’Neill)

—OutspokenTraveler

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  • Mulcahy’s: Best Diner in Munster, Ireland? No kidding.

    And the winners of: Irish Restaurant Awards Munster Regional Final 2025. Mulcahy’s of Kenmare, Ireland is a very good restaurant. The BEST pate I have ever had. And it was chicken, which I normally avoid. I favor duck. From plate one I was grabbed. The chicken chasseur was exquisite…delicate pieces in a creamy sauce baked inside a pastry cup. Perusing the menu, it was one of those moments when you look up from your menu at the other table: “What are…

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  • Visiting the Mighty Connemara, Ireland: video that speaks to the awe you will feel.

    There are a thousand reasons why the Connemara National Park and region are so legendary. The haunting views. The boggy-laden ground that goes on forever. The lonely hikes and walks in the shadow ominous, bulging mountains. The contrast of greens, browns and the blue of the sky as it battles for dominance wit the constant shifting clouds. Then the sun breaks through and you catch your breath. Connemara National Park: try and go off-season; the bumper months are best…

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  • Visiting N. Ireland and you missed the Shepherd’s Hut of the Sperrin Mtns?

    Justine says it best: “At the Shepherds Hut, you just feel like you’re part of nature. There’s almost a mystical feeling about it to me. And that’s what’s so hard to convey in social media, is that it’s not just the views. It’s not just the hot tub. There’s an actual mystical beauty to it that you have to experience.” Justine is from the U.S., but married a local Irishman, so she has a true perspective on the beauty.…

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  • The Tuareg: Regal Blue Man tribe of the Sahara

    The blue man, a Tuareg tribesman, was incredibly tall. Because of his draping blue robes, his long legs seemed like he was gliding across the sand. It was a slow walk past mud buildings to a mosque that was a thousand years old. As he spoke of the mosque’s royal history, gently animated, he held himself in a constant pose of majesty as if he were the entire tribe, and all their ancient collective pride resided in him.  The…

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  • Now why would Nat’l Geographic call the Sperrin’s one of the most beautiful mountain ranges on Earth?

    When you see a place so stunning, yet simple in its beauty, you never forget it. So, Instead of me writing about the Sperrin Mountains of Northern Ireland, U.K., let me show you what I saw. National Geographic, as always, was so damned right.

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  • Seeking Balance? Lagom (Balance) of Kenmare creates a new standard for Irish B&B’s.

    Aren’t we all seeking “balance” in a crazy world? Are our vacations a mix of dreams of both relaxation and fun discovery? Lagom in Kenmare, County Kerry, is a great place to find both. Lagom is a special, unique place of food and rest. Stay here. Eat here. Be sure to say hello to Liz and Brendan, the owners and a wonderful team. First, the restaurant then the rooms. When asked about the name, Lagom, Liz said when they…

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  • Donald’s buggy ride & stories make any day perfect at the Gap of Dunloe. (County Kerry)

    A magic buggy ride in the Gap of Dunloe, county Kerry, Ireland. Humor, wild tales, wild wind. Truly by the roadside.

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  • A great chowder and a smile to remember. The Bervie BnB, Achill Island, County Mayo

    The Bervy, BnB.

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  • Five Days on Henrietta Street, London.

    London had changed. As it always does. London has the best and widest variety of boutique hotels. The Henrietta, by the Experimental Group, was a delightful surprise. I took a chance, especially since my significant other had never been to London and a good hotel room is crucial. I had not been since 2019. The toilet was broken upon our arrival, but the staff stepped in, specifically Christina, and proved that good hotels, especially boutiques, are not just about…

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  • Seville, Spain

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  • Spain Pics: Madrid

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  • New Years in Vienna: The luxurious 9-day rail trip through Central Europe

    New Years in Vienna: The Golden EagleDanube Express. A tour unlike any other. Having loved trains of all sorts all our lives, this 9-day tour of the Central Europe capitals and countryside, was like some surreal dream carved from the early 20th century. While there are several in-depth postings on the Destinations page, here we will try to serve up the itinerary and bite-sized observations that embrace a key tenet of the OutspokenTraveler philosophy: equal in praise and damnation,…

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  • The Golden Eagle Express private train. Vienna, New Years, and a tour unlike any other.

    A classic A 7-day trip on a private train; the epitome of luxurious travel, civilized company, and of another era. Except you can have it now. New Year’s in Vienna: The Golden EagleDanube Express. A tour unlike any other. Unique is a poor choice of words — classic is overused but perhaps better because the majority of the trip was by private train most likely built in the 1930’s. White gloved service. Staff for every sleeping car.A red carpet…

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  • Vienna Christmas Marts

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  • Knossos, the 3900 year-old labyrinth of ancient legend.(No Minotaur sightings.)

    The Palace of Knossos, on the Mediterranean isle of Crete, presents a daunting task that broaches mere tourism: how does one really take it all in? As a site of such massive size and complexity, ruined earthquakes, tidal waves, toppled empires…clouding the eyes of history with the dust of legend of Midas and the Minotaur, Perseus, Icarus and Daedalus…originally built around 1900 B.C.E. Saying it was the size of two football fields, which it is, feels small when you…

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  • Castelo de San Jorge: Start your visit to Lisbon here! From here, the city is yours!

    Lisbon is an amazing city — but not so much for the sites, but more for the place and atmosphere, people and food. One exception is the Castelo de S. Jorge. This highly intact castle sits atop the highest hill overlooking the city and the mighty Tejo river. The walk to the castle is fun, small winding streets, not too steep. Once there, past the hawkers and souvenir shops, the castle ramparts are the best part to explore —…

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  • Lisbon, Clube de Jornalistas: The great disconnect! Amazing interior but disappointing food!

    Newly arrived in Lisbon, the concierge recommended the Clube; and after a short sunset stroll, we arrived to a welcoming host with an interior beautifully dedicated to journalism — old typewriters, displayed newspapers, on and on; it was like a museum and so fascinating we kept hesitating on the way to our table to take it in. They seated us behind the building, in a well-dressed back courtyard, with airy white canvas umbrellas. BUT, while the atmosphere was unique…

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  • More of the magnificent Abruzzo, Italy: Days 4-6 of moments, images, observations.

    Day 4: a long drive to one of Italy’s great caves, Grotto Di Stiffe; descending down from the foothills and farms and onto SP50 highway — not a long ride, but a bit hard to locate due to lack of signage and the fact that the cave is in the mountains, which is a bit remote. Then again, much of Abruzzo feels remote, certainly to English-speaking tourists, which is a major part if its charm that in turn enhances…

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  • Isle of Rhodes and Temple of Lindos: a view worthy of 3,000 years of conquests and worship.

    Humankind has always, throughout time, sought the high ground; this was always, and still is, considered a strategy for both war and peace. A most ancient example of this is on the Isle of Rhodes, in the cross section of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. Atop a natural bluff and rocky outcropping, sits the wide natural plateau home of the mighty ruins of the Temple of Lindos. A perfect vista to take in the wide sea. A natural spot…

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  • Abruzzo, Italy: Melodies born of the eye. Days 1-3 of momentary visual observations.

    Day 1: the drive from Rome to Abruzzo takes around 5 hours, (great highways); pass through the majestic Gran Sasso mountains; maneuver the confusing outskirts of Civiello Casanova outskirts; hills smoothing to tumbled flatland fields, the Google GPS going bonkers, being so off the beaten track, but the paper map, cumbersome and incredibly accurate; The row upon row of vibrant fields of grain and fruit as we arrived; the (closest) local pizza restaurant that sat in the middle of…

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  • Images of Lisbon, the magic gem of Portugal.

    Some call Lisbon the city of seven hills. It is older, some say, than Paris or Rome. Not a “trophy city” (“I saw this” and “I climbed that”!”) but a majestic, mighty spirit courses through the neighborhoods. It has to be walked to be experienced. This post is short because we have done others that filled our week there; here is the official site for the city of Lisbon. Good information abounds. Highlights? We loved so many aspects of…

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