You're never going to find a rainbow if you're looking down. Maybe you're looking up for a little "me" time, and there just happens to be rainbows all around. Maybe you're looking up, and it's on your birthday? Well then, it's OK to be a little selfish; you've earned it, and sometimes, you have to be selfish to be selfless.

I just returned from a long birthday weekend in Ireland, and I wasn't looking for anything in particular. In Ireland you don't chase rainbows, you just let the experiences come to you. It's a land known for its people, charm, beauty and merriment. Perfect fit for me right? ...What?

If your name is "Theodore Daly Patrick Sullivan born on St. Patrick's Day" and you're in Ireland for the holiday, you'll find more than rainbows, leprechauns and pots of gold – you'll discover enchantment beyond your expectations. (You'll find a few dozen Guinness gifts from the locals as well.)

Exploring Ireland without a reservation, agenda or itinerary allows you freedom. You could climb abbey ruins, stay in a castle, watch an Ireland vs. Italy rugby game with locals, partake in a village parade, tend bar while the owner takes a smoke break, and eat seafood chowder with a sheep farmer. That's just an average Thursday.

If you explore without a destination, you'll feel freedom and will probably chance upon your own rainbow when you weren't even chasing one.

Ted's Top Five Things He Learned About Travel On This Journey:

1. The Craic (crack) is Irish for "good times and great conversation". So if they say: "Ted, your craic was mighty last night," don't get offended – it's actually a compliment.

2. The Guinness in Ireland tastes better. If your hotel doorman hands you one after your round of golf, or you're walking across a castle moat, or there are swans in the river, or you're in the mountains, and there's fiddle music in the background and you have no idea what time it is...well, that's just awesome.

3. The John Wayne film "The Quiet Man" was filmed in a little village called Cong. If your dad forced you to watch it on your birthday for 40+ years, you should steal him a relic from the film set. (Click for Video)

4. If you end up three inches from your first "hole in one" and no one is there to witness the shot, it's because of the leprechauns. 

5. Stay at the B&Bs and get to know the owners. They most likely will join you for pints at their favorite pub and you'll make lifelong friends.

Having a destination where you feel most at home is a special feeling. You can be yourself and exist in your own little world. In Ireland, that's OK – they know me there.

Trip Quote:

"So is your birthday on March 14th or St. Paddy's day, March 17th?" - Pascal (B&B owner)

"It's both, actually" - Me

"That makes no feckin sense. What are you, your own set o' twins?" - Pascal

"I'm adopted and I always celebrated my birthday on St. Pat's until I realized my real birthday was March 14th. So now I just make it a week-long event." - Me

"That's the best feckin idea I've heard so far today. Slainte!" - Pascal

Additional photos from this journey can be found by clicking here FlickrTravelWithTed

Why do men fight who were born to be brothers? Wars and debates do not help determine who is right – only who is left.

Too often at conferences, we go through obligatory pleasantries and polite discussions while avoiding deliberation for fear of a breach in etiquette. As a result, we return to our own organizations wishing a particular subject of interest was contested. Why do we do this? 

For MMGY's third annual DMO MOJO conference, we decided that it was time to have relevant topics debated amongst the DMO peer group. Civility be damned! Yes, we're all brothers and sisters in the travel industry, but honest disagreement is a sign of progress.

At first, I thought it ironic that idyllic and proper Charleston, SC would be the setting for these debates, but history reminded me that this place was also home to the first shots fired in the Civil War.  

So in between carriage ride tours of the Charleston Battery, golfing in the marsh and dining on shrimp and grits, MOJO attendees debated topics that will shape their future and, ultimately, their relevance to the travel consumer. The sides were evenly split, the topics were heatedly contested and the stage has been set for future Civil disagreements. Travel is freedom and freedom is the right to assemble, organize and debate openly. And that, I call Southern Mojo.

Top 5 Things Ted Learned About Travel On This Trip:

1. If you hit your golf ball next to an alligator sunning himself on the green, let him keep it and you give yourself a birdie.

2. The buttermilk fried chicken, mac & cheese, corn and mashed potatoes and gravy at Magnolias is worth the trip to Charleson. It's about 5,000 calories but you have all month to work it off.

3. National Geographic videographer Brian Smith (Beautiful Video) is a fantastic keynote speaker and his content subject Dean Potter is truly crazy! (video)

4. The first shots of the Civil War were fired by Citadel Cadets in Charleston. Several forts, canons and war torn buildings still exist in the area.

5. The Blind Tiger Pub pays tribute to the bawdy stories hidden in the walls of Old Charleston. The courtyard pays homage to the war and many battle ruins still remain.

Often people can be uncivil simply by too much civility – becoming tiresome in their courtesy. When you draw back the curtains of southern charm you'll find strong opinions wiling to be displayed. The object of war and debate is not to die for your opinion and view, but to make the other die for theirs. Debate amongst yourselves.

Trip Quote:

"I'm up here to tell y'all why I think Brand USA has done a poor job in their marketing efforts. I don't care if Amir is my friend-sitting right there and my daughter works for him at Brand USA. I've got to make a point! You're going down, Hagen." - Alyssa

"Bring it." - Hagen

Additional Photos From This Journey Can Be Found By Clicking Here FlickrTravelWithTed