15 days in Ireland starting Sept 1.

Rusty Stumps · Veteran Member

15 days in Ireland starting Sept 1.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Walt,

Welcome to my forum. I'm glad you finally got in. Love your user name and your sense of humor.

I am not familiar with Valley View B&B, however their directions are pretty simple. "Turn right at Blue Haven Hotel continue on this street out of town. Pass hospital come to next crossroads and go straight through 1st B&B on right." the Blue Haven Hotel is smack in Kinsale town. It is on a corner at the end of the street. If facing The White House Pub that's where you turn right. Then just follow the other directions. Ireland has very few "real" addresses like we are used to.

Most towns have launderettes. Your B&B hosts will know where they are so just ask them.

It sounds like a fun trip. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Michele

Rusty Stumps · Veteran Member

Thanks, Michele. My only real questions, at this time, are about car rental. We have a reservation with Hertz which is through the booking agent.

Question 1 is: If I buy the Excess Insurance from the company you recommend will the rental agency honor that and not demand I still buy it from them or pay a fee?

Question 2 is: What is an approximate on the total of all these add-on fees over the base rental fee?

Well, I'm an Boston Irish Catholic and with that background you "must" have a sense of humor. My company is Rusty Stumps Scale Models www.rustystumps.com and the name is derived from the first product I produced which was cast resin model stumps. The first resin I got was metal filled so I joked that if they got wet they would rust. Thus "Rusty Stumps" was born. This is a business I started 8 years ago as I don't have a pension and new I'd need something to help with SS now that I'm retired. Trouble is the company keeps growing each year and we are working as hard now as ever. At least it's paying for the Ireland trip.

Walt

Michele Erdvig · Host

Walt,

What an interesting business. There must be a lot of people into model railroads.

For your car rental through Hertz. Have you already included CDW insurance in the purchase? If so, there will be a deductible and the price of it depends on the type of car you hired. Could be $500 or $2,000. That means if you damage the car that amount will be charged to you on your credit card. If you purchase excess insurance through a company like insurance4carhire you will deal directly with them (not Hertz) to have your "excess" refunded. There are rules and you must gather the info they want in a timely manner. So always read the fine print. In fact print it and bring it with you.

Only Hertz can tell you all the "add-on fees" associated with your car rental. As I said before much depends on the model car you hired and if it is a manual or automatic. I suggest you give them a call and quiz them.

Like most people you are finding the car rental the fly in the ointment when planning your trip to Ireand. Even I get caught up in their arcane rules on occasion. They are ever changing.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Hullo Walt,

I am just curious as to why the stay in Westport if your Kelleys are from Roscommon? Most of your Kelleys would have been located in the South Central part of County Roscommon around Fuerty. There are also Kelleys in the Curraghboy area which is more southern down near Dysart & Four Roads. The area around Curraghboy is where the O'Kelley Castle once stood. I believe that there may be remnants of it still.

As to car rentals...that pox on an otherwise easy trip planning, have you checked out Dooleys car rental? They usally have good rates and are up front about their charges.

Congratulations on 48 years of Marriage. My folks just celebrated their 47th anniversary by renewing their vows in a Church ceremony.

I hope you have a grand trip. It sounds like you have earned it!

Slan Beo,

Bit

-- Edited by CowboyCraic on Thursday 29th of July 2010 08:22:54 PM

Rusty Stumps · Veteran Member

Hi, Michele,

It's a fun retirement business. I get lots of calls from some of the farthest paces; South Africa, Isle of Man (a Lord), and today, Monaco of all places. yawn

We hired a automatic economy. I was warned about this in that, we Americans, are not use to shifting with the left hand and that driving on the left is enough to keep track of. biggrin

I'll have to look over what I've been sent. We are coming up on the final payment, August 1st, for the tour portion. This didn't include the air fare which I did myself. Live and learn as the saying goes.

Walt

-- Edited by Rusty Stumps on Thursday 29th of July 2010 09:10:37 PM

-- Edited by Rusty Stumps on Thursday 29th of July 2010 09:11:13 PM

Rusty Stumps · Veteran Member

Hi, Slan,

The locations of the B&B's were scheduled by the tour company. We had little say in that. I told them our basic needs and this is what they gave us. I haven't asked to change anything and don't know if they are willing or not. I need to go over the list of B&B's they gave us and see if any are in that portion of County Roscommon.

I doubt we'll find any relatives as we have no info on who to look for. It's just fun to go into the area that the grandparents came from and experience it. That's the fun part. of the trip.

Thank you on the congratulations on 48 years of marriage. We married young having met in high school (19 and 17). Of course we were the ones who weren't going to make it. Here we are still together and everyone else, and I mean EVERY one else has split, even our children. Sometimes we feel like the only married couple left. biggrin

Only kidding.

The trip is to be "laid back" with no push at all. If we miss something, so be it. Mary wants to see the country side and if she's happy so am I.

Walt

-- Edited by Rusty Stumps on Thursday 29th of July 2010 09:08:29 PM

Rusty Stumps · Veteran Member

Slan, I was just informed I had it reversed; My father's side (Gillespie) was from County Roscommon and my mother's side (Kelley) was from County Mayo. Also, all my grandparents came over from Ireland, not just three. My wife is German second generation, she keeps up on these things. [grin]

-- Edited by Rusty Stumps on Thursday 29th of July 2010 10:00:46 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Walt,

I assume that you have vouchers for accommodations from your tour company?

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Rusty,

My name is Bit, actually. "Slan" is Irish for Good Bye..or in the case of my closing ,"Slan Beo", it means "Take Care".

You should be able to make changes, depending on which tour company you went through. If they are providing vouchers, they shoudl ahve also provided a book of accomodations.

Westport puts you about two hours away from the Roscommon interior.

You are a wise man in that you are willing to acknowledge that it is all about keeping the wife smiling. I think I know how you managed to make it 48 years, in spite of the naysayers.

Slan Beo (Take Care),

Bit

Rusty Stumps · Veteran Member

Bit,

Thanks for the info. Yes, I did contact the Travel Agent and he's willing to make changes to our list of B&B's. I have two possible changes and would be interested in your, and other's comments on them.

I was thinking of changing the night in Cashel to two nights in Kilkenny as they are so close together.

Then the second change was only one night in Westport and one night in Roscommon.

I don't expect to meet up with any far flung family members but I think it would be fun to trod the soil a bit where my ancesters once did, or at least close to where the did anyway.

Take Care (Slan Beo) biggrin

Walt

Rusty Stumps · Veteran Member

Michele,

Yes, we have vouchers for our rental car and B&B stays. If I had read far enough ahead on this trip I probably would have hired two cottages. One in the north area for 7 nights and one in the south area for 7 nights and then fanned out from there to see the sights. Well, if we make it back again we'll try to bring others and do it that way.

Walt

Michele Erdvig · Host

Walt,

In Kinsale I highly recommend Rivermount House. They take vouchers and it is a pretty spectacular B&B. What are the other B&Bs you are staying at? I want you to have the time of your life and I consider that staying in nice places can make your stay.

Michele

Rusty Stumps · Veteran Member

Hi, Michele,

Our vouchers have the name of the B&B's on them so we can't shop around.

In Kinsale we are suppose to stay at the Valley-View. I had some issues with the directions as they were extremely vague. Between three of us I've narrowed it down to where I'm reasonable sure it is.

I was just figuring that Cashel and Kilkenney were rather close so why pack up and move when we could most likely see what we want in Cashel easy enough from the one location.

Walt

CowboyCraic · Guru

Walt,

I would definitely chose Kilkenny over Cashel. Do you have the names of the B&B selection in Kilkenny? That would better help us to help you.

If you are wanting to walk the land of your roots, I might even consider two nights in Roscommon instead of splitting it up. However, the music scene is better in Westport. If you get an early start, you will have most of a day and a night in Roscommon. What are your B&B choices there?

Slan Beo,

Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Walt,

Having vouchers with the name of the B&B on it really limits you. Most vouchers let you choose from many different B&Bs. Maybe buying them from Exploring Ireland was not such a good move. But time will tell.

Michele

Rusty Stumps · Veteran Member

Michele,

That might be true but the entire cost, not including spending, is still under 6K for two. I've been told that's about half what it would have cost us in more affluent times. We have settled up all our stays and are just waiting for the final vouchers to be sent. I'll post our itinerary when I get those.

We went to the airport yesterday and verified our luggage weight limit. We are allowed 50 pounds each in one checked bag each. Plus we can have one carry on piece besides a personal item like the wife's purse. I've seen so many conflicting amounts on this that I felt it was important to check. Also, our Indianapolis air terminal is new, well suppose to be. Walking in from the short term parking garage I was amaized at the amount of rust, dirt and stain streaks as it looked like it was 50 years old not two. The terminal it self is so stark and steril I found it depressing. But I'm use to Tampa International and there are few airports that meet that level. Anyway we will take a share ride limo to the airport as that's cheaper than long term parking and a lot easier as they drop you off and pick you up right at the terminal.

The wife was asking last night how much more it would have cost us to go first class and I guesstmated about triple. After reading that one fellows trip out with the babies and one getting sick I'm wondering if it would have been worth the extra. [laugh]

Walt

-- Edited by Rusty Stumps on Wednesday 4th of August 2010 10:25:22 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Walt,

Wait till you get to Dublin Airport! It is very much under construction and not friendly to passengers. Everyone on the forum hates it. The new terminal is supposed to open around November so we will have to wait and see if the situation there changes for the better.

Is your package just for B&Bs and the car? Around $3,000 each? If so, I think you could have done much better doing it yourself. B&B prices have gone down and are around 30-35 euro per person. Even bumping up to a guesthouse or hotel might put it at 50-75 each. Ack!

Michele

Rusty Stumps · Veteran Member

Michele,

That's airfare, B&B's and car for around $2,500 each 15 days/14 nights. I feel comfortable with it. We didn't want to have to start hunting around for each B&B. This way we get picked up by the limo and go!

Walt

-- Edited by Rusty Stumps on Wednesday 4th of August 2010 08:50:16 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Walt,

Thanks for clarifying. I thought that was without airfare. Since it includes the airfare that is a much better price. We just don't like to see anyone taken advantage of here on the forum. Did you ever find out the answers to your car rental questions?

Michele

Rusty Stumps · Veteran Member

Michele,

Yes, on the car rental questions. The car rental company is Hertz and it's an all inclusive package except for the Excess Insurance. They put a hold on (E)1,200 on your credit card. I'll buy that Excess insurance packaage for $70 that you recommend.

All in all we are happy with the package. There were a few missunderstandings on my part but those are now clear. We have all the new vouchers and are ready to go.

I had a friend that went over to Ireland a few years back and he didn't do any pre-scheduling of B&B's. He would stop at one and then negotiate the rate. I don't like doing that. I feel these people aren't making a killing off what they are doing and in these hard times it's got to be hard going. If I don't like the price I'll move on, I won't try to worm them down. This includes Pubs, shops, ect. I don't think it's right to haggle.

We went on a cruise to the Bahamas a number of years ago and asked a woman vendor at a market what the price was. She gave it to us and we said OK. She was so taken back as most everyone tried to get her to cut her price. She even threw in an extra item as a thank you. They make little as it is so why try to take some of it from them. [grin]

Walt

Michele Erdvig · Host

Walt,

Good news! The excess insurance from www.insurance4carhire.com has just gone down to 39.20 pounds. You need to click on "choose europe".

I think you will be happy with having made your accommodation reservations. You know where you will be each night and won't have to go on a search for lodging. That is more time to enjoy the trip itself. You have a good attitude for traveling

Michele

DeborahAnn · Veteran Member

Michele, thanks for posting this. I've been waiting to get our policy with them, it's great to be able to save some money here and there as I watch the euro climb against the dollar

Deborah

Michele Erdvig · Host

Deborah,

I hope that works for you. Their rates were lowered by almost 10 pounds. Every little bit helps.

Michele

Rusty Stumps · Veteran Member

Got the Excess insurance, thanks Michele.

I'll post an itinerary tomorrow after I get the driving distances on the spreadsheet. I plan on putting electronic copies of all documents on a memory stick and giving it to our eldest son just incase. This will include copies of the travel insurance, etc. Not that we expect any problems but we have also updated our wills, etc. It's been 30 years so it was about time. [laugh]

One question, well one for right now anyway. Our first day is to be Dublin and of course we intend to visit the Storehouse. My question has to do with parking. Is there amply parking at the Storehouse? Also how about the Temple Bar area as that will be our second stop?

If parking is a major issue, we will be in Dublin, on Thursday, most all day, then where should we park and what's the best method of getting around. Walking is limited but not totally out of the question. Afterall we are in our 60's. [smirk]

Walt

-- Edited by Rusty Stumps on Thursday 5th of August 2010 10:00:01 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Walt,

Most people prefer not to drive in Dublin. It is a crazy maze of one-way streets - and signs (if they exist) are up on the sides of buildings. There is parking for the Guinness Storehouse: http://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/GettingThere.aspx I really can't tell you if it will be full up or not. Just depends. Most people take the hopper bus around to the various sightseeing in the city.

Here is a website for Dublin parking: http://www.dublincity.ie/RoadsandTraffic/Parking/Pages/ParkinginDublin.aspx

Warning: Do not leave anything visable in your car when parking.

Are you spending your first night in Dublin or elsewhere?

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Walt,

These may help too:

http://www.thisismydublin.com/parking/

http://www.dublinks.com/dublin-parking/

http://www.aaroadwatch.ie/parking/carparks_Dublin.asp

http://www.transportfordublin.ie/maps/

Michele

Rusty Stumps · Veteran Member

Our first night is at Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel south of Bray. We could go there, park the car and take the meto back in to town I guess.

Same around here, never leave anything in the car even hidden. Granddaughter lost her purse, which was hidden under the seat, when someone broke into her car. Nothing was visible and that's all they took. Happens!

Walt

Rusty Stumps · Veteran Member

No way to delete a post that I can see.

Walt

-- Edited by Rusty Stumps on Friday 6th of August 2010 06:02:20 PM

-- Edited by Rusty Stumps on Friday 6th of August 2010 06:03:02 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Walt,

You are supposed to be able to delete your own post within 24 hours. After that I have to do it manually.

You may be better off driving to your accommodation and then taking public transportation into Dublin. It will solve the problem of driving in the city and parking.

Michele