Registered User
Posts: 1
(5/8/02 8:47 am)

Our tour with CIE 

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Just returned from a 10 day tour of Ireland with CIE tours and I can't say enough what a great adventure it was. I was hesitant about going with a tour company, but was reluctant to drive in Ireland with my son as the only support. Turned out great, especially for a first timer in awesome Ireland. The driver/guide was knowledgeable, professional, caring and funny. The coach was comfy even after a long days travel. Hotels and food were fine. We are vegetarians and had no problem with special requests. And we got to see the highlights of this wonderful country without the stress of looking for signs and directions. I am planning a return trip in October and will probably use Michele's fine guidance for an independent tour of the west coast (our favorite area), but I am still considering another tour. It was great not to drive for 12 days of my life and to have someone point out little places and facts we would have missed! Our guide even stopped several times to point out wildflowers in bloom, knew their Latin and common names, and gave us a rundown on their history. What a bonus for the gardeners on the tour!
This trip was a dream of mine for years and I was not disappointed. Thanks to Michele and all the people on this site for their great advice and comments!
Diane Donahue

GARYVOL
Unregistered User
(5/13/02 11:12 am)

ANOTHER HAPPY TOURIST

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sounds like you both had an awesome trip. Yeah, my experience with the driving did have some tricky moments. Do you have a few favorite sites to tell us.?
--gary

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 570
(5/15/02 8:27 pm)

Re: Our tour with CIE :

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Hi Diane,

I'm so glad that my forum helped you plan your trip to Ireland and that you were happy with your CIE tour. Another poster (Buck) also took one of the CIE tours and was pleased with his experience too.

It's great to hear that you are planning on going back in October. If you need more help with that trip I will be happy to help.

Michele

DRobert831
Unregistered User
(5/19/02 11:34 am)

favorite sites..

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When I think of my favorite parts of the Ireland tour, the Cliffs of Moher immediately come to mind. What an amazingly beautiful place! Patrick, my 13 year old son and travel partner, loved it there too. The winds off the Atlantic were impressive and I work in Chicago!
I loved Killarney and the surrounding area. Some lament at the touristy nature of the area, but I found the people, the sites, and the shops and pubs just wonderful. I definitely want to return to Killarney.
As far as the tour goes, it was perfect for us. If a hotel was lacking in luxury, the kind staff made it memorable. If a site was too commercial, there was always a delightful quiet spot nearby that was peaceful and awe inspiring, often pointed out by our wonderful guide.
I had been waiting to go "home" to Ireland for about 10 years. It was more wonderful than I had ever anticipated.
I do have to complain that the jet lag almost killed me the first day in Dublin though. As a nurse who has worked odd shifts for many years and as a mother of 2 who has lived without sleep for what seemed like days in the kids' early years, I thought I could handle the jet lag without so much trouble. Wrong! Net time I will have to read more about your advice for this problem.
Thanks again to Michelle and all the other posters on this site!
Diane D.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 583
(5/20/02 12:08 am)

Re: favorite sites..

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Hello Diane,

Many thanks for your posting about your trip to Ireland and your favorite places. I too like Killarney even though it's touristy. But it's touristy for a good reason - it is surounded by natural beauty and perfectly located for doing some of the most scenic day trips in Ireland. That makes it a tourist magnet.

After 36 trips to Ireland I have found the only way to conquer jet-lag is give in to it. When I arrive I take a nap for several hours and then get up and have dinner. Generally it's not too long after dinner that jet-lag sets in again and I'm off to sleep for the rest of the night to awake refreshed and ready for the rest of the trip. So just figure on writing off the first day and ease into the trip gently.

Glad you enjoyed your trip "home" to Ireland. Hope you get to return again soon.

Michele