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Post Info TOPIC: Trip to Southern cities - need suggestions by stannnseniors


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Trip to Southern cities - need suggestions by stannnseniors
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stannnseniors
Unregistered User
(8/18/03 2:41 pm)

Trip to Southern cities - need suggestions


My hubby and I are going in October with only our plane tickets and i will make the first and last night's reservations. We will fly into Shannon and make a route around the southern coast---making sure to hit Killkenny - where my family is from. I need some suggestions - we will have a car and going to town to town and getting a B&B every night---help!



DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 65
(8/18/03 3:12 pm)

Re: Trip to Southern cities - need suggestions


Can you give us a bit more info?

Are you flying out of Shannon too?

What all are you interested in? Music, shopping, Castles, Ruins, Gardens, History, Golf?

from your screen name, I am guessing either you or your hubby (or both) are seniors. Do you have any restrictions? (i.e. can't walk too far, problem on uneven paths, like to rest in the afternoon, early riser / like to take your time in the morning, etc)

How much time do you want to spend in Kilkenny? I would think that if it is your historical base, you will want at least 2 maybe 3 days in that area.

How long are you comfortable with in the car each day?

Answers to these questions will help us , help you on your trip.

Debbie



Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1741
(8/19/03 12:01 am)

Re: Trip to Southern cities - need suggestions


Hi stannnseniors,

Debbie makes some very good points. Please get back to us with a little more info and everyone here will be happy to comment on your plans. You might benefit from my book, which is very user friendly: www.irelandyes.com/book.html

Another question: Are you using vouchers?

Michele




stannseniors
Unregistered User
(8/19/03 9:52 am)

trip in october


I had to laugh about the senior thing - I'm sorry, actually I work with seniors and even though I'm "old at heart" (loving all the things they do) I'm only mid 30s. I forget that my screen name tells alot about a person. Most people think my name is stan - lol
This is new for us - we have never traveled outside the US (except for Mexico) so i have no idea what to do and what to expect. I have done a lot of research on the net and talked to a lot of people but you never know - and i have too much info and from people and places I'm unsure about. i was so pleased to find this site! We will be flying into Shannon and renting a car. I hope to have a first and last night reservation. Everyone has told me to stay at Adare Manor the last night- so we will probably do that. My family is from Kilkenny so we definetly want to do that. We would like to take some tours of castles and Kilkenny has a good one i think. The medevil villages and feasts would be great and i undersand there is some civic center that you can hear the music and hear history on stage...
We are not much on drinking but are excited to go to the pubs and at least try their brews and get to know the people as well as hear the music. we are both singers and would love to join in if we can. We want to soak up the culture and i don't even care about tourist traps. I would like to see a little of the way the Irish people really live now and lived 100s of years ago. I'm not that interested in crystal so i don't know if waterford is worth it and last, but not least a little of the breathtaking country side would be great. I'm just getting over a broken foot but i think by early October we should be okay to walk distances. I don't want too much driving but understand that has to be. I'm leaning now towards staying 2 or 3 nights in one place and driving to where we want to go...thank you for any help, suggestions, etc. I want to come back again and again so I'm trying to make this great for my hubby so he'll come too!:D



garyvol
Unregistered User
(8/19/03 10:10 am)

itinerary


You might want to list your projected itinerary now so that the Queen Michele and Princess Debby can comment on it.
Also, Michele was wondering if you are using vouchers.??

hoping your foot will completely heel for the trip in Oct.

-gary



DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 66
(8/19/03 10:30 am)

Re: itinerary


Let me guess : St. Ann Seniors? Now I get it.

Besides needing to know about the vouchers, you say you are flying into Shannon - Are you flying OUT of Shannon too?

Yes - Kilkenny has a wonderful castle tour. As well as amazing churches and architecture. The area surrounding Kilkenny is filled with craftsmen - Nicholas Mosse Pottery & Jerpoint Glass Studio were 2 that we visited.

Don't worry about seeing the beautiful countryside - it is everywhere, on every drive, so it is a bonus to whatever else you do.

Double check your flight out time - you will need to be at the airport at least 2 hrs ahead to check in. Give yourself plenty of time to get there, and to return the car and still make the 2hr check in time. You may want to do Adare Manor your 1st night? and do someplace in Bunratty your last (10 min from airport) which will be perfect for doing the medieval banquet. (Yes , you do need reservations for the banquet)

Debbie



Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1746
(8/19/03 11:58 pm)

Trip Planning


Hi stannnseniors,

I had a good laugh over the "senior" thing, too! :lol Debbie does make us all smile. I think at this point you are probably suffering from information overload. After all there is only so much anyone can absorb in a short period without feeling overwhelmed. I have had quite a few book orders lately and if you are one of them, you are on the right path. It will simplify things for you.

You will love Kilkenny. It is my favorite city in Ireland. It is a bustling place that is not too big and not too small, set on the lovely Nore River with its castle and cathedrals. A walking tour from the tourist office will give you a real insight into the history and I highly recommend it. It is not too long of a tour so I think you will be fine with your foot. There are also interesting things to see and do in the area like Jerpoint Abbey and Kells Monastic Site.

For seeing a past way of life you can't go wrong at Bunratty Folk Park and castle. And of course you will see the modern Ireland all around you as you travel.

I believe the music venue you are talking about may be Bru Boru in Cashel. Sorry, but they do not do performances in October. You might instead enjoy the Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet.

If you have no interest in crystal, then skip Waterford. There is so much more to see and history, little towns, castles and spectacular scenery is around every corner.

We are here to help with all your questions. But one that I have: Are you using vouchers for accommodations and what airport do you depart from?


Michele

Edited by: Michele Erdvig at: 8/20/03 12:01 am


stannseniors
Registered User
Posts: 3
(8/20/03 10:24 am)

Trip to Southern cities - need suggestions


Thank you and yes - i am suffereing from info overload. I had not ordered your book yet - i didn't know if i had enough time to get it - but i called the local Barnes and Noble to see if they had it - i thought i could get it quicker that way.
We plan to fly to/from Shannon. i still have not bought the tickets - i had a freind who was watching for a good deal and now is layed off from her company so I'm desperatley looking for a good agent or someway to get my own tickets now. We were not using vouchers ( i don't know much about them) we planne don just stopping at B7Bs along the way - i was going to make a list of some in each city that we would probably like in case one is filled. I just came upon this site and am so thrilled that you do this - what a help - there is so much info out there but you never know where it's coming from and if it's all true. This is like talking to good freinds who have good, honest advice!:)



j2spring
Unregistered User
(8/20/03 1:32 pm)

last night's B&B


This question is in reference to DebbyK's suggestion to "stannseniors" that perhaps she should stay in Bunratty rather than Adare Manor the night before leaving. I also thought about reserving that property (or Dromoland Castle)for the night before departure. Are they really that far away from Shannon? (Just guesstimate, if you would please.) We are going the end of September for 10 days. At that time of year is it still best to make reservations in the Connemara and Kerry areas or is it safe to "wing it" a little (here I referring to DURING the trip, not the last night). I imagine most folks reserve in advance to assure they get something close to Shannon for the night before -- any recommendations, and if so, why do you like those properties. Thanks so much to all of you for sharing your thoughts.



wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 295
(8/20/03 1:45 pm)

Re: last night's B&B


J2:

Dromoland is certainly close enough to Shannon to stay there for your last night. Adare is a further drive, and if you have an early flight out, it would require an early rise.

That said, if it were me and I were spending the big bucks on a castle stay, I would not want to race out the next morning to catch a plane.

Bill



j2spring
Unregistered User
(8/20/03 1:57 pm)

last night B&B


You make a good point about not spending alot just to have to leave early the next morning. The flight leaves at 1pm. How much time should I plan on having to return rental car and get to Shannon in time for check-in (is it 2 hours now?). Have any suggestions on a very special, less expensive lodging close to the airport for the night before departure? This is my husband's first trip to Ireland and I want the last night to be a lovely memory in terms of accommodations. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.



eyps
Registered User
Posts: 5
(8/20/03 4:25 pm)

Dromoland


j2spring -
Have you thought about staying @ Dromoland @ the begining of your trip? They occationally run specials on their website, and last year offered an upgrade if you used your AmEx card.

It's defintly worth the money. you will feel very pampered.

Have fun!
eyps



Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1756
(8/20/03 11:39 pm)

Re: Trip to Southern cities - need suggestions


Hi stannnseniors,

I am so glad you are enjoying my forum. I aimed to make it a friendly meeting place for those planning their trips and for the repeat Ireland addicts that must get their "Irish fix" between trips. All of the regulars here have such good advice and wonderful experiences to share. It is so nice to hear that you feel right at home here. It makes me think I must be doing something right! ;)

You have plenty of time to get my book. Then you will have all sorts of good B&Bs listed in one place (plus restaurants, pubs, sightseeing, etc.). Most orders go out the day after I receive them. You can find an order form here: www.irelandyes.com/orderform.html

Keep watching the fares. They should start going down soon. Be patient. And don't get vouchers unless they are part of a fly/drive trip with excellent low prices. Otherwise they are not worth it.

Meanwhile, we will be here to help out and answer any other questions you might have.

Michele




Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1757
(8/20/03 11:53 pm)

Last Night Near Shannon


Hi j2spring,

The drive from Adare Manor can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 45 minutes depending on time of day and whether you run into traffic in Limerick. I think that the reason most people here were recommending being closer was that when attending a banquet you just might have a tiny bit too much to drink and wouldn't want to be too far from your lodgings. You could certainly stay there an get to your flight in plenty of time. Check-in is currently 2 hours and filling your car, returning it and turning in VAT forms can take anywhere from 15-40 minutes. Dromoland Castle is closer to Shannon and since it is north of Limerick you will not have city traffic to contend with. The drive to the airport from Dromoland should be around 15 minutes.

You can "wing it" a bit but weekends tend to book up especially if the weather is nice. Also check to see if any festivals are on. If they are it is possible that most places could already be booked. It is always possible to find something. Just depends on how particular you are and how much time you want to devote to the B&B search each day.

Dromoland or Adare Manor would be lovely for your last night!

Michele





j2spring
Unregistered User
(8/21/03 3:40 pm)

last night B&B


Thanks much to Michele, Bill, and eyps for comments on last night's B&B -- your help is "gold." In considering what you all have shared, I still have a few questions. 1)As for paying alot for Dromoland or Adare Manor, I must consider if I will be there long enough (night before and morning of departure) to make it worthwhile. If check-in at Shannon is 2 hours, does that include the time spent to complete VAT forms (are forms completed in an area before we reach check-in or can we do that while waiting around after check-in. Also how long do the forms take to complete on the average)? 2) Are the banquets (i.e. in Bunratty) similar to the Medival Times banquets we have here in the states (a bit corny)? 3) Michele, just got your book and it's fabulous. In it you mentioned the U.S. Customs website re: duty free limits. I'm a bit confused on the "sending packages to U.S." part. I went on their website and it seems that we pay duty on packages we send if we don't want to lug around big items. Am I interpreting that correctly? (The "on your person" duty-free limit is $800/pp??) 4) I'm not sure how "sticky" Aer Lingus is with what they consider "dangerous" items in carry-ons these days. Is a make-up mirror going to be considered a "weapon" because it can be broken? Is it ok to bring candy bars in carry-on or does no food mean absolutely no food?
Thanks again your sharing your thoughts.



Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1764
(8/22/03 12:37 am)

Banquets & Customs


Hi j2spring,

I'm glad to hear my book has arrived and you are enjoying it. You can fill out your VAT forms before you even get to the airport. The stores will give them to you as you shop and you will probably collect several during your trip. There could be a line when turning them in but you can do it after check-in. If for some reason you don't have time to turn your forms in you can do so when you return home. See page 61.

I haven't been to Medieval Times here in the states. But I believe they have jousting, etc. Bunratty Castle's banquet is well done fun with excellent musicians and singers. There is no jousting since you are inside a genuine castle and such things would have taken place outside in medieval times. Many people think it will be very "touristy" and are pleasantly surprised when they attend. There are also banquets at Knappogue Castle near Quin and Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara. Traditional Irish Night Ceili is held in the corn barn at Bunratty folk park and is very enjoyable.

As for having your purchases sent to you, I have never been charged duty on anything that I had mailed to myself from Ireland (and I had a big box sent from Belleek a couple of years ago). My sister had a whole set of Wedgwood china sent to her from Harrod's in London and she did have duty imposed on her but it was a huge order. Probably a few bits and pieces won't attract attention. If you have any further questions it might be best to contact U.S. Customs with your exact question.

I wasn't aware that Aer Lingus says you can't take food onboard. I really don't think they will frisk you for a few candy bars. I always travel with snacks, just in case. Once while I was traveling the buffet door was not secured properly on take-off and all the food onboard fell on the floor. No one got food on that flight. I was glad I had a few snacks on that occasion. I would take them. The worst thing they can do is take your candy away! ;) As for a make-up mirror, I always travel with mine in my carry-on. It never crossed my mind about it being a weapon. I have never been stopped for it or my compact mirror.

Michele



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