Laois is home to the oldest mountain range in Europe, the Slieve Blooms, which dominates the landscape. The county is an area of unspoiled natural beauty with an incredible 480 kilometres of off road walking routes making it a great choice for a walking holiday, in fact each May walkers of all abilities head to Laois for the Slieve Bloom Walking Festival. The county also hosts a number of other top festivals including the Electric Picnic Music Festival held in the grounds of Stradbally Hall in September.

Portlaoise has increased in size in recent years with people moving to the town from nearby Dublin, this has resulted in an improvement in facilities including a modern arts centre – The Dunamaise Theatre and some good pubs and restaurants. Other towns and villages worth visiting are Emo, Mountmellick, Portarlington and Abbeyleix, a well thought out estate town which has been designated one of Ireland’s heritage towns thanks to its preserved historic buildings.