Having trouble getting started on planning

Fotobug · Veteran Member

Having trouble getting started on planning

Michele Erdvig · Host

Barb,

Welcome to my forum! I'm glad you finally posted your own specific questions. That's why we are here. To help with your trip to Ireland.

You are correct that you do not need (or want) a car in Dublin city. You are probably better off choosing a city center location and traveling out to Howth and the Botanical Gardens on one of your days. If you stayed in the suburbs of Dublin like Malahide, you would need a car in the evening to get to restaurants, etc.

With the voucher/car package, keep in mind that all four of you pay the same amount. Add the cost up for a total. Then add up the cost of B&Bs and your car rental to compare. Unless you get an extremely good deal, it almost always costs less to put the pieces together yourself. Also, in Dublin you would need to upgrade to hotels as there are no B&Bs in the prime downtown area. Using vouchers will restrict where you can stay. Depending on type (farmhouse, T&C, etc.) there may be extra costs associated with them. Farmhouses tend to be way out in the country many miles from towns and restaurants. Without knowing prices and type it is hard to advise you on them.

I found a website with exact measurements for a Ford Mondeo: http://www.bearstreet.co.uk/mondeo.htm Since they measure in mm you will have to go here to convert those measurements: http://www.convertunits.com/from/mm/to/inches You can likewise do similar searches to find out info like that.

Let us know what you decide on.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Barb,

Good to see that you are departing from Shannon, as that will give you more options to explore.

Since you are going over in May, you will most likely get better rates by booking your lodgings on your own. Given the economy, you might find the vouchers to be more of a hindrance than what they are worth. There are some excellent lodging deals, Loch Lein, Bunratty Lodge and Smarmore Castle, being offered through Michele's site. Check your dates with the Holdiays listed in Michele's Public Holidays section. If you are in during a Bank Holiday weekend, you will need to book your lodgings quite soon.

The American equivalent to the Mondeo is the Ford Contour or the Mercury Mystique. You might want to go take a look at one and have the tallest member of your party see how it feels.

In Dublin, utilise the Hop-on/off bus tour to visit the varied sites. There are a few excellent day tours offered to the Wicklow & Glendalough area. Over the top tours offers one and they only have 14 people in a group, which is better than most.

Looking forward to helping you plan a marvelous trip!

Slan Beo (Take Care), Bit

Fotobug · Veteran Member

Thanks Michele and Bit! It's amazing how much just that information helps!

Do you (or anybody) have a recommendation for transportation from the airport to Dublin city centre? If we can manage our own baggage (we can) are buses the most economical for 4? Is there a "favorite" company; would it depend on where we're staying?

Then should we just go back to the airport to pick up the car - or does that depend on the rental company? I was looking at Dan Dooley and it seemed to be cheaper to get it at the airport rather than in town, which was counter-intuitive to me.

I have to confess that I have looked almost all of this up on the internet - several times - but my brain flipped its overload switch and refused to process any more. Hopefully once I get Dublin sorted out, the rest will seem easy!

Barb

Michele Erdvig · Host

Barb,

I completely understand the overload experience. There is just so much out there on the Internet, sometimes it is hard to make sense of it all. There is much to be said for interacting with real humans instead of computer programs!

With four passengers I would recommend a taxi. Once you split the cost it may be equal to or less than the bus. Plus it will take you door to door without having to schlep your luggage. Then it is easy enough to taxi back to the airport if that is where you decide to rent your car from.

Don't worry about the overload. We are here to help you make sense of it all.

Michele

youngka · Guru

Have you made plans as to where you want to go and what you want to see in the S.W. part of Ireland? Youngka

Fotobug · Veteran Member

youngka wrote:

Have you made plans as to where you want to go and what you want to see in the S.W. part of Ireland? Youngka

Hi Youngka -

No, not much yet. I got "stuck" in Dublin - but it has sounded to me like, at that time of the year, we wouldn't have to book far ahead in most of the other areas. (It's May 13-27 so we miss the holidays.)

My mother's family originated in the Baltimore area (they are O'Driscolls) so I do want to see at least some of that area - maybe even go over to Sherkin Is just to say I'd been there. wink

I want to do some hiking in the Kilarney area and, of course, we will want to spend some time on the peninsulas.

How's that for vague? biggrin

I'm definitely open to suggestions. Two of our group are extremely interested in gardens and horticulture - they even joined the RHS a few years ago to get early tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show! My husband and I are day-hikers; and we all enjoy bird watching and awesome views.

Thanks!

Barb

youngka · Guru

Barb, my husband and I are making reservations in May and June, just because I have looked places up on the net that we like and the price. However, from the area near Giant's Causeway, after staying in a self catering place, we are just going to drive and stop for the night anywhere we find a place. For three years we stayed in the S.W. and loved it. This time we are taking the coastal route North from Shannon, and when we reach Dublin, we will cut across to Shannon for the end of our trip. Have a wonderful time, there is a lot to see, so you will see a lot wherever you do go. It is such a nice country!! Youngka

luckygreen · Veteran Member

The garden lovers among you may be interested in Garinish Island. It's in the southern area of Ireland in Bantry Bay. http://www.invectis.co.uk/cork/garnish.htm
Just a short boat ride to the island and a nice place to spend an afternoon.

Fotobug · Veteran Member

Bit wrote: [Given the economy, you might find the vouchers to be more of a hindrance than what they are worth. ]

Can you explain what you meant there? Are you thinking that we can perhaps get prices better than the "package" deal offers? Or is your comment related to selection? OR both?

Thanks to all of you so far! Kelly, I love the Garnish Island idea - thanks!!

Barb

Irrover · Veteran Member

I think Bit meant for both reasons. You can find out what many people think about vouchers by searching this website for info on them. They have been discussed with both pros and cons before.

I also just saw this article recently that summarizes it well also http://www.dochara.com/save/save-on-accommodation/bed-breakfast-vouchers/

I've almost always found it cheaper to buy separately but it is more work. Plus many of the best places do not accept them.

Milo

-- Edited by Irrover at 17:01, 2009-02-18

Fotobug · Veteran Member

Great article Milo - thanks! I can see both sides, particularly the convenience of not having to deal with so much cash. But I'll buckle down and do some more research.

Barb

Sidz · Guru

Unless you receive a heck of a deal from some place that has vouchers as part of a package, I would stay away from them. I've found it much easier to traverse across the country not using them. And now I think it is getting even more challenging with the economy and its struggles.

Keep it simple when you can and forget vouchers if possible would be my advice. Many places will not take them.

-- Edited by Sidz at 09:46, 2009-02-19

CowboyCraic · Guru

Barb,

There are fees associated with the vouchers which are usually deducted when the B&B host turns the vouchers into the holding company. That means that the B&B owner will get less than what their going rate is for the room. That is one reason that the vouchers come with the caveat "based on availability". Some hosts have no compunction about giving up a room held for a voucher customer should people with hold hard cash call looking for a room.

Given the current economy, I can imagine that sort of scenario being played out more, the voucher customer arriving to find that they have lost their rooms to a full paying customer. There is also the upcharge usually required when you use the vouchers in the major cities, where B&Bs aren't as prevalent and staying in hotels are most expensive.

Should you not want to book ahead, which is usually the reason people look to the vouchers, you can always check with a Tourist Information Centre in the whichever town you find appealing. Some have a B&B booking desk. They will charge a small fee but it will be well worth it for your peace of mind.

Regarding the current economy, a friend who runs a B&B recently sent me an email. She said something I thought was good enough to pass along:

"The Celtic Tiger's might roar has become but a mewling, as it has lost its teeth and claws."

As she puts it, with the state of the world economy, most are grateful that there are still tourists at all.

Slan Beo,

Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Fotobug,

The main reason that I don't use vouchers is that they greatly restrict where I can stay. There are so many wonderful places that will not accept them. I don't want to be hampered about where I can stay.

Michele