The Summit and Sláinte Scorecard:
Affordability: I’m looking for destinations where an excellent glass of wine or craft beer is at minimum less than €5, paired with reasonably priced food that doesn’t sacrifice quality for the cost. I want to finish my food and turn to my wife and say, ‘Can you believe how little we just paid for all of that?’
Prettiness: The aesthetic quality of the town. If I’ve spent the day at 1000m, I want the “Basecamp” to be just as visually rewarding.
Food & Drink Quality: Stomach space is limited on vacation; every meal must be top-tier. I look for variety – I want a town with a deep bench of great spots, not just one or two “lucky finds.”
Late-Night Liveliness: Since I often arrive late post-hike, the town cannot be dead. I look for places where people are still eating and drinking well past 10 PM so the adventure doesn’t end when the sun goes down.
The Spillage Factor: There is nothing better for post-hike energy than standing on the street with the locals. I look for that vibrant street-spill where the crowd and the conversation flow outdoors.
Nomadic Dining: I’m looking for a culture of snacking and bar-hopping. After a big hike, a heavy sit-down meal can put you to sleep; I want the energy of moving from bar to bar, eating world-class local bites. Think pintxo crawling in San Sebastian or tapas crawling in Granada as a gold standard.
Multi-Generational Crowd Mix: The soul of the place – an authentic atmosphere where all ages (grandparents to grandkids) share the space.
Seamless Dining: I value places with little distinction between bars and restaurants. If I’m drinking, I should be able to eat—no formal boundaries between the “Sip” and the “Snack.”
Summit & Sláite overall craic rating: The final verdict—the intangible energy, soul, and feeling of the destination.