jenmike
Unregistered User
(9/26/03 10:55 am)
 
Traveling with children

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My husband and I are going to Ireland this coming summer and taking our 2 kids (7 & 9). Any advice would be greatly appreciated, i.e., when should we start booking flights, are there kid friendly B&Bs, etc. Thanks

garyvol
Unregistered User
(9/30/03 5:49 am)

traveling

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Hi Jenmike,
I guess I'll jumpstart your question till the others hop in. You must first determine if you are getting off at Shannon airport to begin your travels or continue on to Dublin on the east coast. Typically when getting into Dublin/Shannon your B&B should be already reserved for that nite. Jet lag typically determines how much stuff you can do the first day of arrival. I.E My wife and I were a sleep by 4pm Ireland time on the first day. We just ran out of steam to continue after visiting Dublin's National Gallery museum upon arrival to Ireland .
Page 5 started by Mhuntly discussed travels with their 2 children on the west coast of Ireland. However, Your summertime travel will give you more places to visit.
Finally, Michele's book gives lots of info for traveling.
-gary

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 120
(9/30/03 10:15 am)

Re: traveling

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I won't be much help on the kid front - I travel with big kids ( my folks )

Couple of overall pointers:
When planning out your drives : you will average about 35 mph. It sounds low, but that really is what you will average. Lots of winding narrow roads to work through.

Expect that when you stop to see something / eat lunch, you will spend a minimum of 30 min - 1 hr. Some of the larger castles,gardens , etc can take 2 hrs or more.

If you are spending a weekend night in one of the "hot" spots (Galway, Kinsale, Killarney, Dingle) I would definitely book those ahead.

If you are spending any time in Dublin - I would book that ahead too.

Since you will be travelling with younger kids - I would try to base yourself for 2 - 3 nights in each town. You won't get to everything - but really , no one does ( I have been there twice, 24 days total, and haven't made it to Dublin yet ) You will enjoy your time more if you are not trying to pack the kids AND car up everyday. It will also reduce the stress on the kids - they will be able to settle down a bit.

And finally - depending on what time your flight home is - if it is before 2pm, I would plan on staying near the airport the night before. You will need to be at the airport 2 - 3 hrs before flight time to check in, and you will also need to return your rental car, and do all of your VAT stuff, as well as fill out your customs paperwork.

Good luck
Debbie

Edited by: DebbieK at: 9/30/03 10:18 am


MBARNES
Unregistered User
(9/30/03 11:11 am)

ALSO W/ 2 KIDS GOING TO IRELAND

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WE ARE ALSO PLANNING OUR FIRST TRIP TO IRELAND WITH CHILDREN AGES 8/10. WE ARE GOING END OF APRIL. I FOUND THIS WEBSITE AND ORDERED THE BOOK. GOT IT THE OTHER DAY AND HAVEN'T PUT IT DOWN. ALSO GREAT WEB SITE IS KERRYGEMS.COM. WE'VE DECIDED TO SPEND THE MAJORITY OF TIME IN CO. KERRY AS IT SEEMS THERE IS ALOT THAT THE KIDS WILL LIKE TO DO THERE. APPARENTLY YOU CAN DRIVE TO THE DINGLE P. ON A DAY TRIP FROM THERE ALSO. OUR PLANS INCLUDE HORSEBACKRIDING. GAP OF DUNLOE TOUR, KILLARNEY NAT'L PARK. WE ARE ALSO GOING TO AILWEE CAVE/ CLIFFS OF MOHER AND AARAN ISLAND(IF THE FERRIES OPEN) 1 NIGHT STOP IN BALLYBUNION AND DO THE CLIFF WALK. HOPE THE INFO HELPS.

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 121
(9/30/03 1:08 pm)

Re: ALSO W/ 2 KIDS GOING TO IRELAND

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MBARNES:
just an fyi - standard posting protocol suggests that you type in Mixed Case - not all caps.
All Caps can be hard to read, and can seem like SHOUTING.

I am sure it is not intentional, but I (and I am guessing others ) would appreciate your not using all caps , if at all possible.


One more thing - using a little whitespace , and paragraphs can also make posts easier to read and understand.


thank you.

Edited by: DebbieK at: 9/30/03 1:09 pm


jenmike
Unregistered User
(10/1/03 9:17 am)

Traveling with children

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Thanks for all the advice so far. We are so excited! Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.

We have started looking into flights and think we are flying in and out of Dublin in late June. We will be staying 2 weeks. We definitely want to go to the Northwest. Thanks again,
Jen

garvol
Unregistered User
(10/1/03 9:44 am)

different airports

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Hi,
Yep, going to the emerald isle can get exciting.
Now keep in mind that you can fly in and out of different airports. Typically folks fly in to either Shannon or Dublin and then leave form the other airport. I.E. We flew into Dublin so that we could begin out east coast touring and then head towards the west and eventually fly out of Shannon.
Let's get on with the planning.
-gary

jenmike
Unregistered User
(10/2/03 8:29 am)

Traveling with children

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Great advice about the arrival and departure cities. We will fly into Dublin and out of Shannon.

One huge question: along with the kids, my mother-in-law is also coming, which puts our party to 5. Is a renal car still feasible with 5 people and luggage? Even with packing light, 2 weeks worth of stuff and of course stuff we buy will be a lot. If the cars are anything like on the continent, 5 would be way uncomfortable unless you're a clown!

If a rental is out, how about train or bus passes? Has anyone tried this? When and where do I purchase for a June trip?

Thanks a ton.
Jen

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 125
(10/2/03 9:04 am)

Re: Traveling with children

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On my last trip , 15 days , we had 4 adults ( 1 carry on & 1 25" per person) in a station wagon, and it was barely big enough. --Actually - by the last day it was filled to capacity.

I would seriously look into renting a minivan. Some of your drives are going to be 2 , 3 or more hours , and I would not like to be stuffed 3 across in the back seat, much less be a kid stuffed in.

eyps
Registered User
Posts: 6
(10/2/03 9:48 am)

MINIVAN

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My vote, rent the minivan, (you will be cramped in a station wagon, plus luggage) and be comfortable. We rent them all the time for our party of 3, (2 adults & 1 teen-aged daughter). That way you have enough room to move around (or spread out).

This year we're going for Christmas, and we're renting a 9-passenger van, (like the old VW's) we saw them on the road last year.

-eyps

jenmike
Unregistered User
(10/2/03 11:32 am)
 
Traveling with children

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Ok, sounds like we will rent a minivan so all of us are comfortable. Now, where can I get the best prices and when should I book for June of 2004?
Thanks,
Jen

jenmike
Unregistered User
(10/2/03 12:56 pm)

Traveling with children

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Now that I know we are renting a large vehicle and flying into Dublin and out of Shannon, are there any suggestions of the neatest places to see? I'm thinking of driving North-Northwest from Dublin (Donegal and/or Sligo) and then wind down to Shannon.

I do not want to do a whirlwind, see-all-you-can-in-14-days kind of tour because the kids (and me ) would be miserable. Plus it may be our first trip to Ireland but we're really hoping it won't be the last!

Any suggestions of great places to see, stay,or eat would be extremely helpful. What are your favorites?
Thanks,
Jen

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 126
(10/2/03 1:06 pm)

Re: Traveling with children

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You will have to check out all the car rental places.
I personally like Dan Dooley, but they might not have the best Minivan prices.

Be sure to start a separate thread for your Itinerary questions. You will get more responses that way.

jenmike
Unregistered User
(10/2/03 1:22 pm)

Seperate post

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Thanks Debbie

Good advice--I posted on a new subject for itinerary!
~Jen

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1873
(10/3/03 10:00 pm)
Ireland Trip with Kids

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Hi Jen,

You have time on your side for planning your trip for next year. If you haven't thought of it before, I would suggest you think about self-catering. Renting a house or cottage can be very cost-effective for five people traveling to Ireland. Plus you will all get lots more room to spread out, areas for the kids to play and can cook some of your own meals to save money. Call Tourism Ireland to get your free copy of the Self-catering book 1-800-223-6470. Rentals usually go from Saturday to Saturday and they are very popular so planning and advance reservations are essential. You can also look at rentals online by clicking on the appropriate links on my "Links Page".

I must agree with everyone else that a mini van will probably be your best option with five people. Go to my car rental page for a listing of companies. Shop around and take a look at online sites as sometimes they have the best rates on the Internet. I just got a car rental for 94 euro per week but you will pay more for a mini van. Do your homework and be patient. Check back with the car rental sites frequently because the rates can and do change (just like airfares)!

Michele