Ireland's vibrancy makes it a favorite

Born in Blackpool and raised in Manchester, England, actor John Mahoney moved to the U.S. at age 19, enlisted in the Army and was quickly shipped back to Europe. After graduating from Quincy College and getting a master's degree in English at Western Illinois University, he settled in Chicago, taught English but decided he'd be happier acting. At age 37, after just two acting classes, he was invited by John Malkovich to join Steppenwolf Theater Company; he's been a member for three decades and currently stars in "The Seafarer," running through Feb. 22.

Mahoney, 68, has homes in Chicago and Oak Park—"This is where I was born to live," he said of the city—and is best known for his long run as Marty Crane on the television show "Frasier."

Q What's your favorite vacation spot?

A Galway City, Ireland, because not only is it so beautiful and vibrant, it is also perfectly located for trips up and down the coast to the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, the Aran Islands and the Ring of Kerry. I've been there about 12 times. I worked at the Galway Arts Festival, did an evening with T-Bone Burnett, went with Northlight Theater and was invited by the Abbey Theatre to do a play. The audiences are great there. I didn't hear a candy wrapper; they didn't move. I was out with Tom Murphy, the playwright, and he said, "Theater's sacred to the Irish people."

Q What's your favorite hotel?

Find more Europe information at http://www.europe.thevacationzone.net