Is there a quick way to Gridania?

[Rufalus]

I know... I walked the opposite way when I started out, haha. (From Gridania to Ul'dah)

I remember that being the first thing I did when I started... exploration, mapping the realm before the story really called for me to head out anywhere. My favorite thing is exploring new places for the first time. It's a special feeling you really only get the first week of a new game or expansion. I look forward to exploring Heavensward before I even get into the meat of the quests just for the fun of exploring.