Tales of a Homestay traveller: from Dublin to the world (and back again)

Say hello to Sarah, our PR Lead at Homestay.com. A Dublin native and former journalist, Sarah tells us all about her favourite spots in Dublin, as well as her most memorable adventures from around the world. Read on to learn about her travel tips from here, there and everywhere!

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Name: Sarah Freeman
Position: PR Lead
Nationality: Irish
Hometown: Foxrock, Dublin

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What is your favourite thing about Dublin?

Definitely the beautiful parks! Our two year old loves to run around, so, as often as we can, weather permitting, we bring our picnic blanket to Herbert Park, Marlay Park or the Phoenix Park and settle in for an afternoon of meeting friends, people-watching, farmer’s market treats and keeping an eye on our little one as she wanders off to make impromptu visits to other picnickers.

Where’s the best restaurant or café in the city?

I love Dunne and Crescenzi on South Frederick Street. I’ve been going there for years and it serves delicious Italian food with seasonal variations. I would highly recommend the Baba’ Neopolitano al limoncello dessert – it has quite a kick!

Because I often spend a few days in London every year, I’d like to give an honorary mention to my favourite restaurant there, which we visit every time we’re in the city: Simpson’s-in-the-Strand.

It’s a fantastic old establishment, which writer P.G. Wodehouse and Prime Minister Winston Churchill used to frequent. It's well-known for its extensive wine cellar and classic roast beef, which is wheeled to your table on a silver platter and carved by a chef in traditional whites. You have to experience this at least once!

Describe a place you love in your local area.

Living in Donnybrook in south Dublin means I’m just a quick run from Sandymount Strand. It may not compete with Caribbean beaches in terms of white sand and swimming prospects, but it stretches out for miles and is really relaxing to walk along.

There's a path extending all the way to the iconic red Poolbeg Lighthouse on the Great South Wall, it’s the ideal place to get a break from city living and get some exercise.

Ile de Ré, France

Where is your favourite European city break destination?

I would have to say Prague. I first visited there when I was on an Eastern European school tour aged 17. The nuns were quite adventurous to bring us there! I then returned with friends and spent a summer working while in college: three of us stayed in a Soviet-style apartment block in the suburb of Nádrazí Holesovice and spent our days working as waitresses for a variety of establishments near the Old Town Square.

We also visited the beautiful southern town of Cesky Krumlov, which is surrounded by the Vltava river and has the most idyllic riverfront cafes, a historic town square and a 13th Century Gothic castle to wander around.

Tell us about your most memorable holiday to date.

I’ve been lucky enough to do a lot of travelling while working as a journalist and there are two trips that really stand out - Marrakech and Beijing. I instantly fell in love with Marrakech, aka the red city, so called because of the high walls painted dusky pink.

Highlights for me included visits to the mysterious shaded Souk and the extraordinary sights and sounds of the Jemaa el Fna, the huge bustling marketplace in the old Medina, where snake charmers jostle with monkey handlers.

All of this with the atmospheric sound of the muezzin from the nearby Koutubia Mosque as a backdrop. My accommodation was a gorgeous luxury villa in the Palmeraie district, but I’d love to try a traditional riad on my next visit!

Ezzahra Villa, Marrakech

China was similarly fascinating. Accommodation was the Aman Palace, a hotel located in the grounds of the famed Dragon Lady’s Summer Palace. I had the chance to walk along a section of the deserted ‘Wild’ Great Wall and explore totally deserted watch towers and take in the surrounding vista.

Wild Great Wall of China

I’ve visited Venezuela twice over the years. It’s a country of stunning natural beauty and highlights include expeditions to some of the most remote places I have ever been. One was a six day trek up Mount Roraima, a table top tepui where we camped for a few nights surrounded by flora and fauna that doesn’t exist anywhere else on earth.

I also loved the beautiful colonial village of San Pedro del Rio, nestled in the Andes. Because they don’t get too many tourists there, local radio interviewed me about my experiences and I had the chance to try out my pidgin Spanish live on air!

Interview with local radio Maxima 102.9FM in San Pedro del Rio, Táchira, Venezuela

Where in the world would you like to go on your next trip?

I would love to go on a sailing holiday. The idea would be to charter a yacht with a group of friends and bop from island to island, off the coast of Croatia or Greece.

I went on a sailing trip while in Belize and loved every aspect of it, from the fresh ceviche that the skipper prepared to the overnight camping on tiny private islands. Not to mention the lazing about on the deck in the sunshine. I’d love to try it again, this time with my family and friends.

What’s your ultimate bucket list destination?

Eventually my husband and I hope to travel around South America together. Luis is from Venezuela, so he has already travelled the length and breadth of Central and South America, but we’d love to make the trip together from Bogota, Colombia, all the way to Tierra del Fuego in Argentina and sample the incredible range of cultures and landscape that lies in between.

Somewhere along the Camino, Northern Spain

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