In this episode of Life in the Baggage Claim, hosts Jim Hauck and Chuck Longerbeam welcome Ruth O'Meara, a travel entrepreneur from Ireland. Ruth shares insights about her bespoke hiking tours that blend wellness activities with outdoor experiences. The conversation explores the growing trend of outdoor wellness in Ireland, the challenges of unplugging in a digital world, and tips for first-time visitors to Ireland. Ruth emphasizes the importance of relaxation during travel and the value of connecting with local experiences. The episode concludes with discussions about future travel plans and the significance of taking time to unwind.TakeawaysRuth O'Meara runs a travel business called Leafy Green Tours in Ireland.Outdoor saunas have become the new Irish pub, promoting wellness.Hot and cold therapy is beneficial for mental health and addiction recovery.Travelers should focus on appreciating their surroundings rather than rushing to see everything.It's important to unplug from technology to truly relax during vacations.Traveling should be about the experience, not just ticking off a checklist.Ruth offers tailored hiking tours that include wellness activities.Adventure travel allows for deeper connections with local cultures.Travelers often need to be reminded to slow down and enjoy their time away.Ireland is a great destination for both hiking and surfing.Sound bites"You don't need to be on your phone.""Our brains haven't really changed.""You don't need to handle this."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Life in the Baggage Claim01:24 Exploring Ruth O'Meara's Travel Business03:47 The Rise of Outdoor Wellness in Ireland07:09 The Importance of Unplugging and Disconnecting10:30 Traveling to Ireland: Tips for First-Timers15:28 Tailored Hiking Tours and Wellness Experiences18:23 Adventure Travel: A Different Perspective20:08 The Balance Between Busy Itineraries and Relaxation24:58 Final Thoughts and Future Travel PlansAbout our Guest Following a 10 year career in international sales and global travel, I embarked on an exciting new career in the outdoors and qualified as a hiking guide and surf instructor, two things I enjoyed for years. Following 4 years guiding multi-day hiking and bespoke tours around Ireland, I now design small-group experiences that combine nature, culture, and stress relief and work with an excellent team of guides to offer multi-day tours to international guests.Call to ActionLink to Ruth's Stie: https://www.leafygreentours.com/If today’s conversation has you dreaming of Ireland, check out leafygreentours.com to explore small-group hiking and wellness experiences designed to help you slow down, de-stress, and connect with Ireland’s beauty.Hashtags#irishtravellers #wellnessretreat #adventuretours #disconnecttoreconnect #exploreireland #lifeinthebaggageclaim #podmatch