As soon as you arrive in the green surroundings of Ireland, you can't help but realise that you have arrived in a very special place. With its glorious rural scenery and lively towns, Ireland offers much to any visitor.

Choosing where to visit in Ireland can be tricky - after all, there are so many great places and sights here that it always seems a shame to have to limit the extent of any trip.

I've found that coaching holidays can provide a great means to make the most of my visits to the country. Since Ireland is relatively small by the standards of many other countries, a guided tour by coach can allow you to see many of the highlights within 2 or 3 weeks.

When you start to look at the itineraries offered by the various tour operators, there are certain key points to look out for.

For instance, it is to be expected that any reputable operator will ensure that your trip includes some time in Dublin but make sure that the itinerary also includes a visit to Galway.

The city of Galway, situated in the west of Ireland, is a thriving location. This is a great place to experience lively traditional Irish music and great food, often caught locally in Galway Bay.

Other highlights that you would be wise to take in would include the famous Ring of Kerry, a route around some of Ireland's finest west coast scenery.

For fans of great food, the small town of Kinsale (just south of the city of Cork) is the country's food capital - the local dishes should not be missed!

The great advantage of a coaching holiday is that you can let someone else do the driving, meaning that you can have a stress-free journey and that you can also take full advantage of the famous Irish hospitality.

A trip to Ireland is something that you are certain to treasure.