Irish Pubs Are Oasis

When surrounded by people speaking languages you don't understand, an Irish pub can be just the thing you need to enjoy a night of good beer and - ah - conversation.

Irish pubs are the major ice breakers of Europe. Feeling isolated? Find an Irish pub (or English, Australian, etc.), and almost instantly (it may take a pint of Guinness or a shot of Jameson, but you'll get there) you're on your way to making some new friends.

Traveling around Europe can have an isolating effect. Millions of people speaking in languages you don't understand. Forget about the signs you can't read and the confusing metro maps. But at an Irish pub, all of this disappears. Despite George Bernard Shaw's famous quote: "England and America are two countries separated by a common language," that common language brings travelers together.

While backpacking around Europe this past year, my buddy Jules and I often found ourselves beelining to the nearest Irish pub. They're not hard to find: Generally between the large green sign, clover decor and possibly a leprechaun painting, they're almost impossible to ignore. Cliche, but true.

In Brussels, we found ourselves at the Celtica, (http://www.celticpubs.com/celtweb/celticabxl.html) making friends with the token Irishman, Murphy. In Prague, Rocky O'Reilly's (http://www.rockyoreillys.cz) was the place to be. Of course, I have a soft spot in my heart for this pub as the bartenders graciously showed Jules and I and a couple of English blokes the proper way to take a shot of absinthe. And in Nice, Ma Nolans, which opened just a year ago, has become the must see hot spot (http://www.ma-nolans.com/).

Of course, as a traveler, you're going to want to experience the "authentic" culture of the countries you're visiting: A French café, a Swiss chocolaterie and a German beer hall. But on a long trip, there's nothing that can compare with a night of good beer and friendly conversation. And with an Irish pub, you can't go wrong.