I've heard many people rave about Irish hospitality, and Dublin didn't disappoint on that front.

However, what really stood out to me was how genuine the friendliness from locals felt. It wasn't the kind of overly rehearsed, customer-service-polished vibe you sometimes find in touristy cities.

People I encountered felt kind, helpful, and funny in a natural, unforced way. Our driver cracked jokes and gave us tons of travel tips that had rich local flavor, but didn't feel like a shtick.

The whole city gave off a low-key, welcoming energy that stayed with me long after I left.

As a vegetarian, I came in with pretty low expectations for the variety of foods I'd get to eat when it came to dining out in Dublin. Local cuisine tends to rely heavily on meat, from Irish breakfasts to pies and stews.

Many menus I browsed had lots of meat dishes and it initially looked like plant-based options would be few and far between. However, once I asked restaurant staff in person, I was surprised by how accommodating most places were.

Some servers brought out full vegetarian menus that weren't printed and only available to customers who requested them. Others happily offered to have something special prepared from the kitchen or make vegetarian-friendly menu swaps.

In the US, tipping feels mandatory. In Dublin, it just didn't seem like the norm.

Like many Americans, I'm conditioned to tip generously (sometimes even going way above what's suggested) in restaurants or service settings.

Aside from tossing down a few extra euros, tipping didn't seem to be expected at casual cafés or bars. Even at sit-down restaurants, tipping our server 10% seemed ample, whereas 20% feels like the typical minimum back at home in California.

The more lax tipping culture definitely took some getting used to, but once I adjusted, it felt refreshingly pressure free.

Dublin's streets were some of the cleanest I've seen in a major European city. This was an especially impressive feat, given that I visited the city during St. Patrick's Day.

Even though it had hosted a massive parade and beers and crowds spilled out of every pub the cleanup was surprisingly swift and civilized.

I was expecting a bit more grit — especially in high-traffic areas around the city center or Temple Bar — but even those looked remarkably tidy.

Sidewalks were free of litter, public trash bins weren't overflowing, and I never once encountered the kind of mess that can be common outside of crowded, late-night spots.

For a city with so much foot traffic (and so many pubs), it was honestly impressive.

Dublin hits that rare sweet spot: it's a capital city with real cultural and historical heft, but it still feels approachable and easy to navigate.

With a greater area population around a million (and a Dublin city population substantially smaller), I never felt overwhelmed by crowds or traffic.

Plus, many major sights were walkable. Even when the city center was packed for the holiday events, it was easy to navigate in and around the area.

I had no trouble making my way to several sights outside the urban area, from Avoca Mill (the country's oldest working hand-weaving mill) to Kildare Village (a luxury shopping outpost).

There's a strong creative energy in the air — from bookstores and galleries to street musicians — but the overall pace is slower and more relaxed than what I've experienced in bigger European capitals.

Leave the snow globes at home. They often contain more than the permitted amount of liquid for carrying on a plane.

According to the TSA, snow globes are allowed through if they are about tennis-ball size or less, and appear to contain less than 3.4 ounces of liquid. However, if you're bringing back a travel memento from a trip, it's usually a safe idea to pack it in your checked bag. 

When it comes to Magic 8 Balls, the future is clear: Leave them at home, or put them in your checked bag. Toys like the Magic 8 Ball that contain liquid are not allowed in carry-on bags.

"For carry-on bags: We asked the Magic 8 Ball and it told us… Outlook not so good," TSA wrote on its official website. "For checked bags: We asked the Magic 8 Ball and it told us… It is certain!"

If you're traveling to or from the UK around the holidays, you might want to avoid packing this traditional British Christmas item. TSA guidelines state that "English Christmas crackers" are not allowed in carry-on or checked bags. 

Made from a cardboard tube wrapped in brightly colored paper, crackers contain small gifts that come out when pulled on either end. When both ends of the cracker are pulled, there is a bang.

That's because, inside, there are two strips of card attached to each end of the cracker. The two pieces of card have a slight overlap that is treated with gunpowder. When each end of the cracker is pulled, friction is generated where the card overlaps, creating a small explosion on the part containing gunpowder.

A US Transportation Security Administration spokesman told Airport Parking and Hotels that these items are prohibited from flying in checked or carry-on bags.

"They are flammable and should not be brought on airplanes. They fall in the same category as sparklers and fireworks," they said.

You can bring snacks on a plane, but a large quantity of soup is prohibited in carry-on luggage.

The TSA reported that soup is allowed on flights if you are carrying less than or equal to 3.4 fluid ounces, but any amount larger than that is prohibited in carry-on bags.

If you plan on cooking at your destination, cast-iron cookware should be packed in your checked luggage.

Cast-iron cookware, such as skillets and pans, is not allowed in carry-on luggage. While the TSA website does not explain why these items are prohibited, heavy cast-iron items could cause serious injuries or damage if used as weapons.

Other types of pots and pans are allowed in carry-on and checked bags.

Alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol, or over 140 proof, are prohibited from both carry-on and checked bags.

Some high-percentage alcohols that would be affected by this ban include Hapsburg Absinthe XC, Sunset Very Strong Rum, Devil's Springs Vodka 160, and Golden Grain 190, which contains 95% alcohol by volume.

Alcoholic beverages that contain more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to no more than 5 liters and no more than 3.4 liquid ounces in carry-on bags.

They might not be lethal, but foam toy swords can't come in your carry-on. Instead, they can be packed in checked bags.

That being said, lightsabers are allowed to be brought on board, per TSA guidelines. 

Carry-on bags cannot contain squirt guns, Nerf guns, or other items that resemble realistic firearms or weapons.

The TSA recommends that you pack these items in your checked bags, instead. The agency also notes that "replicas of explosives, such as hand grenades, are prohibited in checked and carry-on baggage."

Water guns packed in a carry-on should be emptied of all liquid, or contain less than the 3.4 ounces allowed through security. 

TSA officers also have the option to prohibit or confiscate any item that goes through the security screening checkpoint "if they believe it poses a security threat," TSA guidelines state.

Nail scissors are allowed in carry-on luggage, but regular scissors need to be checked in a bag — anything that could be used as a weapon is usually banned from carry-on bags, and full-sized scissors are no exception.

TSA's website states that scissors are allowed in your carry-on, but must be less than 4 inches in length from the pivot point and wrapped or sheathed securely "to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors."

TSA guidelines explain that fertilizer is not allowed in carry-on or checked bags. The Street reported that this is because fertilizer is deemed a hazardous material, as it can be flammable and could be a risk for explosion. 

Gel-filled heating pads are also not allowed in carry-on luggage, since the gel in heating pads is liquid, but they can be checked.

Electric heating pads that do not contain gel or liquid are not restricted in any way.

After a series of dangerous incidents in which the phones overheated, Samsung recalled the devices on September 15, 2016, and again on October 13, 2016. The Department of Transportation issued a 2016 statement banning both recalled Galaxy Note 7 phones and refurbished versions.

"We recognize that banning these phones from airlines will inconvenience some passengers, but the safety of all those aboard an aircraft must take priority," then-Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in 2016. "We are taking this additional step because even one fire incident in-flight poses a high risk of severe personal injury and puts many lives at risk."

"The fire hazard with the original Note 7 and with the replacement Note 7 is simply too great for anyone to risk it and not respond to this official recall," said US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) chairman Elliot F. Kaye. "I would like to remind consumers once again to take advantage of the remedies offered, including a full refund. It's the right thing to do and the safest thing to do."

In a December 2016 statement, Samsung said 93% of recalled Galaxy Note 7 phones had been returned, but that the company was rolling out a software update that month that would render the phones unusable.

"Consumer safety remains our highest priority," it said in the statement.