Ideas for my dream Honeymoon!?!?!

jlsrem · Newbie

Ideas for my dream Honeymoon!?!?!

Sidz · Guru

The Guinness factory really is not be a "must see" as far as I'm concerned. It is more of a souvenire store and not really a tour, so you might get what your expect. You do get a supposed free pint on the rooftop at the end, but when you figure out what you paid to get in, drink it slowly, because you've paid quite a price for the beverage!

I would suggest flying into Shannon instead of Dublin if you can, especially that time of the year. The beauty of the west coast probably will be the romantic thing you might seek, not the urban grind that is Dublin. I also am used to driving in Chicago -- and believe me, the two are not even close to the same experience.

If this is a first trip to Ireland and you are driving, I would not let that initial outing be in Dublin. It can be overwhelming, even for people who have been there many times before.

-- Edited by Sidz at 09:54, 2009-01-14

CowboyCraic · Guru

I agree with Sidz.

My first thought in recommending a Honeymoon spot in Ireland would most certainly not be Dublin. I also would suggest flying into Shannon and staying to the West Coast. If you feel that you must see Dublin, then book your departing flight out of Dublin and explore at the end of your trip.

With a week on the ground...or are you including your travel days?.... I would suggest:

(If Staying to the West)

Land in Shannon and head to Killarney (2 nights lodging at Loch Lein Country House) (mention that you are on your Honeymoon)
- Day 2 - Gap of Dunloe Tour & Kate Kearny's Cottage

Day 3 Head to Dingle - (2 nights lodging at Emalgh House )
- Day 4 - Sciuird archeological tour

Day 5 - Head to Ennis (2 nights Lodging NewPark House)
- Day 6 explore the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren

Day 7 Depart for home

(If flying out of Dublin)

Land in Shannon and head to Killarney (2 nights lodging at Loch Lein Country House) (mention that you are on your Honeymoon)
- Day 2 - Gap of Dunloe Tour & Kate Kearny's Cottage

Day 3 - Head to Galway (2 nights lodging at Marliss House)
- Day 4 tour the Connemara region or catch the Ferry to Inis Mor

Day 5 - Turn in your rental car and catch the train to Dublin - (2 nights lodging)
- Day 6 - take the Hop-on/off bus tour

Day 7 - Depart for Home

On average, with the dollar to euro ratio being what it is, you are probably looking at $80 - $100 per person daily, perhaps a slight bit more depending on lodging selections.

I hope this helps. Congratulations on your upcoming betrothal!

Slan Beo,

Bit

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Positively agree that the West is the Best.

Bit of an old-fashioned romantic, though, I guess ...

Here's MY recommendation for 1 week ---

http://www.irishlandmark.com/RestoredProperties.aspx?propertycode=AG

Bob

Anchoress · Guru

Chicago has nothing on Irish traffic... Just take it very slow and easy... Blessings from Donegal

Michele Erdvig · Host

Future Mrs. M,

Welcome to my forum! What great advice so far. I wanted to let you know that Loch Lein House in Killarney has just renewed their special offer for my readers for 2009. The only change to it is the free bottle of wine is given for a two-night stay. Otherwise the prices remain the same as about three years ago. A real treat.

For some budgeting tips go to my Money and Tips and Tricks page. Let us know if you have any other questions. We are always hanging out here to help.

Michele

Melissa5 · Guru

For a memorable and romantic honeymoon, I also recommend flying into Shannon and exploring the west coast! Wonderful scenery, silent and lovely places, little villages with lively pubs...lots of good accomodations in Michele's book... Happy honeymoon! (We travelled to Ireland with our daughters when they were in college. My older daughter declared she wanted to get married on the Cliffs of Moher! We had a hard time getting her off the cliffs as she lay down on the ground, after all the other tourists had mostly left, at the end of the day, and stared at the sea far below and the sky...she didn't want to leave! some couples brought a picnic dinner to have on the cliffs of moher at the end of the day...what could be more romantic? (It's not the only romantic place on the west coast, but it's one of the more well-known places.) My daughter is now married...and much to her regret she wasn't able to get married on the cliffs of Moher! She's hoping to have an anniversary trip to Ireland with her new husband one day.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Melissa,

Congratulations to your daughter on her marriage. Perhaps she can do a private vow renewal at the cliffs. Next time you go you really must go south down the coast of Clare to Loop Head. It has shorter cliffs but a very different otherworldly feel.

Michele

jlsrem · Newbie

Many Thanks to all those who responded with suggestions. I have been diligently looking at all the suggestions and reading more on the forum and others... (Michelle's is still the best~) So for the sake of seeing what was available. I called a travel agent and was quoted around 1360$ for 8nights in/out of Shannon, with 5 in B&B's (using the voucher program) and one night in Dromoland Castle. This included car rental and air.... all and all, not a bad price when one thinks of a week in Ireland..

So, because I have read about the nightmares of using the vouchers(not being accepted, having to pay more upon arrival) I am still very leery of this option. Think I may just book my own flight and car rental.. then stay at some of the recommended places...

Still have a few ?'s. So Fiance is determined on seeing Dublin. I was thinking maybe we could head there during the middle of the trip via a train (leaving the rental car behind) and staying overnight and heading back.. What are my options for this? Price? What about leaving the rental car behind for the night? Also, I read about a boat tour with dolphin sightseeing.. not sure where though.. Does anyone know about this?

Thanks again for the suggestions~

Jamie

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

The dolphin is Fungie and the boat tour is had from Dingle.

Was that $1360 price for EACH of you, or BOTH. If BOTH, then I would think you are getting a steal.

Vouchers aren't ideal, but SOME of them are workable -- it would depend who they are affiliated with.

Will the package deal allow flight into SNN and out of Dublin? An overnight via train would use up two days, minimum.

If the $1360 is PER person, you can probably book your own. The variable would be time of year. For May, I would expect to see another fare sale in the next month or so, but who knows???

Dromoland has been offering some pretty impressive specials, particularly mid-week.

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur at 21:04, 2009-02-03

Michele Erdvig · Host

Future Mrs. M,

Bob's question is what would make or break the fly/drive/voucher package. Per person or for the both of you? I have a feeling it is per person.

You can work with vouchers in May but I wouldn't want to use them in July or Aug. If they are for Town & Country B&Bs and no extra money is payable that's good.

Dublin is the one fly in the ointment so to speak. It is hardly worthwhile going way out of your way just for the Guinness tour. If you concentrate on the west I think you will have a very happy and romantic honeymoon.

Michele

jlsrem · Newbie

Thanks Bob and Michele~
Yes, the offer is 1360 per person. I dont think that includes the Town and County B&Bs rather what they call the 'farmhouse" ones. The tour is through Sceptre Tours. They do have the in Shannon out Dublin option, but I have not gotten an updated price for that. The purpose of Fiance seeing Dublin, is to see a "major" city in Europe.. I know that sounds silly for a honeymoon, however with his career choice we may be moving across the pond within a year or so. So really it wouldnt be just for the Guinness tour... would it be better to drive there or take a train? I understand it may be overnight there and thats OK. Im getting so overloaded on info I just need to make my decisions and then fret over them for awhile.. Bob, you mentioned rates may go down some in a month or so for May? What about flights? I can get in/out of Shannon from Chicago for 467per person. Think it'll get any lower then that? -
Thanks again~
Jamie

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Here's the Aer Lingus site. Looks like they are offering May deals, now:

http://www.aerlingus.com/cgi-bin/obel01im1/Services/usa1.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0231312601.1233766564@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccccadeggkilgedcefecfigdffgdfkg.0&P_OID=0&Category=3

Will it go lower still???? I'm not THAT smart, as to know. Wish I WAS!!

biggrin

Anybody else have an idea?

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jamie,

Farmhouse B&Bs tend to be out in the country and many are not nearby the towns (walking distance). To go out to eay, pubbing, etc. you will have to drive. A lot of them are more basic and older residences. You will have a lot fewer to choose from if you are restricted to farmhouses. You might want to reconsider buying that package.

How about Galway for a major city? It is in the west and might suit instead of Dublin.

I think I would drive rather than take the train. That way you can make some interesting stops along the way.

$467 per person? Go for it. Sorry but my crystal ball is not working so I can't predict the future of airfares!

Michele