We won't need the luck of the Irish to have a fabulous time on this trip! For more than thirty years, Dublin Ohio has reserved the first weekend in August for what is now the largest 3-day Irish festival on earth. On our way to Dublin and this grand event, we pass through Charleston WV for a stop at Capitol Market. Tucked in a turn-of-the-century train station, Capitol Market has grown from a modest farmers market to a vibrant indoor-outdoor retail and dining hub in this capital city. We arrive in Ohio just in time for a delicious, included dinner at one of the locals' favorite restaurants. (D)

Top o' the mornin' to ya'! Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then grab some buckeyes or other assorted candies when we visit Anthony-Thomas Chocolates, the largest family-owned-and-operated candy company in the Midwest. We visit Central Ohio's premier botanical garden, Franklin Park Conservatory. Our visitor experience spans about 13-acres and consists of botanical biomes, lush gardens, special horticulture and art exhibitions. A collection of glass works by artist Dale Chihuly is also on display. Next stop is North Market for browsing and lunch on our own. Eat and shop at this vibrant 147-year-old market made up of some of Ohio's best merchants, farmers and makers. Let's go nuts at Krema Nut Company! Select an afternoon snack from the finest gourmet nuts and all natural nut butters plus delicious chocolates and candies. A powerful experience awaits us at the National Veterans Memorial Museum. Designed to give voice to every man and woman who have answered the call to serve our country, the Museum takes us on a narrative journey with stories and actual shared experiences from veterans. We have another great included dinner tonight but save some room for a sweet surprise to follow. (D)

Did ya' think we were talkin' a load of blarney (rubbish) when we said we were going to the largest Irish Festival on the planet? Oh no, we weren't! Today we join the many other visitors at Coffman Park to explore eight entertainment stages spread out across 29 acres. Started in 1988 by a handful of dancers and a small band called the Irish Brigade, the Festival celebrates 36 years of activities and events honoring the land of the four-leafed clover. Enjoy Irish and other Celtic music, food, dance, exhibits and arts and crafts on your free day.

On our way home, Tamarack Marketplace provides not only our lunch break but a chance to explore the products of more than 2,800 artists and artisans from all fifty-five counties in the Mountain State of West Virginia. We arrive home this evening excited to plan our next fun adventure.