Just a short train journey from Cork City, Cobh, once known as Queenstown, is a seaside heritage town praised for its picturesque buildings and local cultural activities. It's best known as the Titanic's last port of call before its tragic sinking in 1912. To learn more, visit Titanic Experience Cobh, as well as the Cobh Heritage Centre.

In case there wasn't enough to do in Monastir, the next port up has plenty to offer in the way of rare archaeological finds and exciting history which can be discovered in the Sousse Archaeological Museum or the Museum Dar Essid. The city of Sousse, similar to Monastir, exhibits some important ancient structures that remain intact today. The Ribat in Sousse is a bit smaller than that of Monastir and perhaps not as impressive, but it is inexpensive to enter and visitors can climb the tower right to the top to appreciate the expansive views of the city from above. The Medina is nearby and contains the main Mosque of the city as well as a bustling souk complete with passionate traders who will test your haggling skills. Be careful of rogue traders and pickpockets in busy areas such as these and be mindful of offers made by unlicensed operators. Getting to Sousse from Monastir is very easy to do, just hop on the bus or train from the city centre and in about half an hour you'll be there.

At the summit of this 15th-century castle lies the world-famous Blarney Stone. Legend has it that those who kiss the stone will receive "The Gift of the Gab" — eloquence and charm. The lesser-known Poison Garden features a collection of deadly and dangerous plants from around the world, while the Rock Close and numerous outdoor statues and artworks inspire a broader view of history. You'll also stumble upon a fern garden with the atmosphere of a tropical jungle deep in the woods. The castle is a short bus journey or drive from Cork City and one of Ireland's most iconic landmarks.

To really get a deeper understanding of the area, head inland towards the golden sand dunes that are home to a myriad of hidden treasures. One not-so-hidden treasure is the amphitheatre of El Jem which was a set for the film Gladiator and is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site owing to its size and importance during the Roman Empire. Due to the drifting sands of the desert, archaeologists periodically make discoveries here, the most recent of which is a large racetrack that had gone unnoticed for centuries. A private tour, which can last anywhere between four hours and three days, will take adventurers from Monastir through the surrounding Bedouin villages, past Kairouan to El Jem.