e-vouchers

lekenn · Newbie

e-vouchers

Michele Erdvig · Host

LeAnne,

Welcome to my forum! Unless you get a super duper deal with an all inclusive fly/drive/voucher package I generally don't recommend using vouchers. Many times you will pay a lot more for them that if you were just paying cash as you go. Vouchers greatly restrict where you can stay since not all B&Bs accept them. In November you are even more restricted because many B&Bs start closing for the year.

In Dublin you will mostly find hotels and guesthouses. B&Bs are becoming rare in Dublin city. In the suburbs you will find a few.

In November you can certainly wing it in Ireland. However I always recommend reservations for Dublin and for your first and last nights in Ireland (since you know where you will be anyway). In between you can find B&Bs as you go.

How long will you be in Ireland?

Michele

lekenn · Newbie

We will be in Ireland for 7 nights. I think I've changed our direction and are flying into Shannon and out of Dublin. The package I found w/ vouchers is $1164, w/o vouchers $824. The best air I can find out of Atlanta is around $740. I found car rental through Interval International for $88 not includind the daily road tax. That totals $828, so that leaves $336 per person or $672 for two for accomodations for 7 nights. Does that sound good or do you think we could do better with just airfare and car and then do accomodations as we go?

I'm hoping to see the Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, Blarney, Waterford Crystal Factory, Kilkenny, the Irish Stud Farm, and anything else we find. (including multiple pubs and hopefully alot of local interaction) I would love to see the Giants Causeway but I don't think we'll have time.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I don't have any reservations as of yet but need to do something quick, airfare is going up daily if we don't do the package.

Thanks again,
LeAnne

Michele Erdvig · Host

LeAnne,

The package sounds pretty good. I think you can probably do B&Bs on your own for a comparable price as getting the vouchers, provided the dollar does not weaken more. You can look at B&B prices by going to my "Links" page and clicking on Town & Country in the accommodations section.

Since you will be there off-season the lower rates should apply. Good idea to fly into Shannon and out of Dublin, if possible. However, if it is Delta you are taking out of Atlanta their direct flights do not go to Shannon at this time of year. You are correct that you will not have time for the Giant's Causeway. Save it for another trip when you have more time.

Michele

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig at 00:38, 2007-10-15

zerf77 · Newbie

Leanne,

Just a word of warning about winging it with B&B's in November. We're leaving next week and staying through early November. I booked all our accomodations ahead of time, but I did run into multiple places that are either fully booked or closed because they're having work done during those times.
It's probably still easier than if you were going during the height of tourist season, but just be prepared that your first or even second place that you try might not be able to take you.
Have a great trip!
Erin

Sidz · Guru

Go to US Air's site. You can get from Atlanta to Dublin roundtrip for about $540 or so -- almost $200 less than what you are mentioning.

-- Edited by Sidz at 16:42, 2007-10-18

Michele Erdvig · Host

Erin & Sidz,

Thanks for the additional info for LeAnne.

Michele

lekenn · Newbie

Thanks everybody for the suggestions. We have decided not to do the package and do it on our own. The hidden fees kept going up as I went along. I went to the Town and Country link and ordered their book so I'll have it to take along with phone numbers and rates, also when they're open and closed. What if we want to leave the itenerary completely open, is there a certain time we should try to call the B&B before (obviously not real late)?

Also, how is cell phone service? Should we rent a phone to make reservations with, or would a phone card and a pay phone be better?

Is it worth it to drive the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula, or should we pick one or the other? If choosing, which one? I have also heard navigating can be difficult, especially at night. I'm a little worried about the short days and having to be where we are spending the night by 5:00pm. Are maps good enough, or would it be worth it to rent a GPS if we wanted to do some driving after dark? Kemwel offers one for $84 for the week.

Again, thanks for all the suggestions
LeAnne

-- Edited by lekenn at 01:05, 2007-10-29

Michele Erdvig · Host

LeAnne,

You should always have reservations for Dublin. Otherwise you can wing it. It is not really necessary to call ahead to B&Bs unless you have a specific one you want to stay at. You can just stop at B&Bs and ring the bell. Check in is usually between 3-6 pm.

Cell phone service is fine in Ireland but you must have a phone that works there. I usually just get a phone card. Also, your B&B hosts will make reservation calls for you if you know where you want to stay on your next onward night.

How long will you be in Ireland? If time is limited you might opt for Dingle.

My best advice about driving at night is don't do it. You should be at your B&B by dusk. Get exact directions if you are driving into town for dinner or pubs. Their cards usually have a map on the back. If you are not directionally challenged you will be fine with maps. Although many nowadays prefer a GPS.

Michele

lekenn · Newbie

We will be there for 7 nights. The Ring of Kerry is the one I've heard about, but two guide books I've read recommended the Dingle Peninsula.

I was hoping it would be possible to drive for a couple hours or so after dinner depending on where we want to end up. That way we would be in the next place first thing in the morning instead of having to spend daylight hours just getting there. Of course getting there may be half the fun. Just trying to think of different options since we'll be short on daylight for sightseeing.

Do cell phones work in the country or only near the cities or towns?

Thanks,
LeAnne

Michele Erdvig · Host

LeAnne,

My advice is not to drive much at night. Once you do so you will see what I mean. Since you are winging it you can make such decisions when there.

Cell phones (called mobile phones in Ireland) work all over Ireland.

Michele