Best way to see Ireland?

jandb · Newbie

Best way to see Ireland?

Michele Erdvig · Host

jandb,

Welcome to my forum. You are going to Ireland during my favorite month to visit - May. Let's hope the weather is nice this year.

It sounds like you are not enchanted with either a tour or self-drive. Have you thought of taking public transportation on your own? If you choose good bases you can get day tours to various places. You could fill in the blanks with some taxis when needed.

As for the title of this post "Best way to see Ireland?" that is by renting a car and driving yourselves. That will always be the best way to see the country. But as you can see, there are alternatives.

What do you think?

Michele

Writer · Veteran Member

Dear JandB,

A lot will depend on when in May you are booked to travel. If you will be there in the second half of the month, you might consider joining my tour - a very personalized tour of Ireland in the Springtime (May 16-23). See: http://www.irelandexpert.com/group-tourSpring.htm

This tour is just for one week of the southern and southwest coast, starting at Shannon Airport and thence to Kinsale (2 nights), Killarney (2 nights), Dingle (1 night) and Bunratty (1 night). Since you have another 6 or 7 nights, you could then spend a few nights on your own in Galway (a good base with many available day tours by bus or boat), and then over by train to Dublin for your last 3 or 4 days (again, there are many day tours by bus/train available from Dublin including to the SE and North). This will allow you to see the best of Ireland without renting a car. We have 33 people on the tour from 9 states so far, so it is not a very large group, and my husband John and I travel with the group, providing very specialized attention and guidance all the way.

If you think you may be interested, contact me at patpreston@mac.com.

Hope this helps,

Pat

Michele Erdvig · Host

jandb,

As Pat says, her tours are different. Would't it be wonderful if your dates coincided with her tour dates? That might be the best of both options.

Michele

Maggie117 · Guru

Hi JandB - If you plan super well you won't have to worry about fending for yourselves. Last year I spent 16 days in Ireland and drove over 1100 miles. We used Michele's services and were so prepared we never got lost or went without a great place to stay, eat or great things to see...it was perfect. The only downside was the driving...I was the driver and mom and dad were my co-pilots (sort of). The next time we go I think we're doing a fully escorted tour. We figured we saw everything, and I mean everything we wanted to see so next time we want to travel a different path and I don't want to worry about driving!!! ...but I would never have wanted to do my first trip to Ireland any differently. We got to stop at everything and anything we wanted to stop at...I think driving about a round-about six or seven times is the norm... right??? =(

Good luck!

Michele Erdvig · Host

jandb,

If you feel brave and want to drive I can do an itinerary for you. I did one for Maggie in 2008 and I think she liked it! wink

Michele

jandb · Newbie

Hi Pat,
This tour sounds wonderful! How easy would it be for us to fly into Dublin, spend a couple days and take the train to join the tour in Shannon? Is the cost of flying into Dublin and out of Shannon outrageous? We loved that idea. We don't really need to stay for 2 weeks -- a few days on our own and then the tour might be just perfect! Please let me know your thoughts.
Thank you,
Joyce

Writer · Veteran Member

Dear Joyce,

Shannon and Dublin are common gateway areas, so the cost of flying into one and out of the other is usually the same or very similar on Aer Lingus or Continental. And right now Aer Lingus is having a sale - from $239 each way if booked by Jan. 21 (www.aerlingus.com). Just select "multi-city" when booking (i.e. into Dublin and out of Shannon).

You could actually fly into Dublin and then take the train/bus to Cork and a bus/taxi to Kinsale and meet us there on the afternoon of May 17, rather than going to Shannon first and meeting us at 7 a.m. on May 17, if it is easier for you (it would save you the expense of overnighting at Shannon on May 16 in order to be there early on May 17).

If you have more questions or want to start the booking process for our tour, please feel free to send me an email directly - patpreston@mac.com.

Look forward to hearing from you, and thanks to Michele for facilitating this exchange.

PAT

Michele Erdvig · Host

Joyce & Pat,

Hope this works out for you both.

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Joyce,

The sooner you contact Pat the better because booking early many times means getting a discount. Her email address: patpreston@mac.com Also, her tour is filling up so if you are interested it is best to get on the list.

Michele

Maggie117 · Guru

A: With your eyes!!!

=)

Michele Erdvig · Host

Maggie,

You and your mother will be doing just that in the fall. Hope your tour is wonderful!

Michele