neeysa
Unregistered User
(12/12/03 3:20 pm)

Vacation or Extended stay

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I have wanted to visit Ireland and Scotland for about as long as I can remember. My grandfather traced our roots to 16th century Scotland. My problem is not being able to do NEAR enough in a short 2 week vacation. I considered maybe moving to Ireland for 6 months to a year, thus getting a better feel of the area. My great grandfather was born in Ireland, would that make it easier for me to get a working visa? How realistic is this option?

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 323
(12/12/03 6:53 pm)

 Re: Vacation or Extended stay

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This is always tough. If you are in college, you can probably get some kind of working visa. You can only be two generations removed to apply for dual citizenship. Working in the EU without citizenship is next to impossible if you are not a student. Some places will pay people under the table, but that would only be during tourist season when they may be short on workers. It's also a little dangerous. Your best hope would be to get a job with a US company that has offices there. That is probably difficult also. If course, you could always open a business there.

You could plan a number of vacations over the years (as my wife and I have done) and that could do the trick. I would love to be assigned to Ireland for a good period of time, but my company has no offices there. Maybe in the future.

Bill

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1982
(12/13/03 2:30 am)

Re: Vacation or Extended stay

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Hi neeysa,

As Bill has said there are many complications with moving to Ireland and working there. You will have to do much research before doing it. Probably your best option is the two week vacation. If you are like many of us here on my forum, you will return to Ireland again and again.

I agree that in two weeks you can hardly do justice to the whole island. But with a good itinerary you can see quite a bit of it. On the other hand you might prefer to concentrate on a few areas and see them really well. It all depends on what type of travel you prefer. Keep in mind that on vacation your whole time is spent seeing Ireland. If you live and work there you have to explore in your spare time.

Whatever you decide, feel free to post you questions here. You will always get quick and helpful answers.

Michele

Neeysa
Unregistered User
(12/18/03 1:56 pm)
 
Vacation or Extended stay

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Thank you for your help. I figured it was rather unrealistic to consider moving. Maybe someday I'll make it there for that two week vacation. It's a goal

Thanks again for your advice. I'll definately return here if the trip looks like it's going to become a reality.

P.S. Loved Bill's trip report. I'm sure it wasn't as funny when it was happening, but it made for VERY entertaining reading.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1987
(12/18/03 5:54 pm)

You're Welcome!

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Hi Neeysa,

We are always happy to chime in with our opinions here. Keep plugging away at your trip to Ireland and it will become a reality. In fact, I invite you to stop by my forum on occasion just to read the postings (even if you don't post yourself yet). You will learn a wealth of info that will eventually be put into action when you get to Ireland.

We all loved Bill's trip report. I keep encouraging him to do a book or article. He is genuinely funny and a great member of this forum. We are still waiting to hear about his November trip.

Michele

Neeysa
Registered User
Posts: 1
(1/8/04 3:23 pm)

Finances

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I know it varies greatly, but I was wondering about how much a two week trip to Ireland would cost. I'm just looking for an approximate ballpark figure so I'd have an idea how much to save up.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2029
(1/8/04 5:30 pm)

Re: Finances

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Hi Neeysa,

Yes, costs for a trip can vary greatly depending on many things like time of year, where you fly from, the type of accommodations, type of transportation in Ireland, whether you eat at upscale restaurants or pubs. There are so many variables. This is what I recommend:

1. Call Tourism Ireland for a free vacation package: 1-800-223-6470.

2. Go to your library and check out books on Ireland. Read up on what you want to see and do, history, and look at photo books too.

3. Go to my links page and "Accommodations" to get a feel for prices and descriptions of places to stay. This will give you a general figure for lodgings.

4. Start frequenting airline web sites and check on fares to Ireland.

5. Look at some car rental web sites to see what the rates are or check on public transportation from my "Transport" page.

All of this will give you a ballpark estimate for what you trip will ultimately cost.

You might also want to set up a separate bank account for your future trip. It is just too easy to spend it and not save it if it is in with your general funds.

I hope this gets you started.

Michele

CAROL
Unregistered User
(1/9/04 10:54 am)

reply

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Just to give you my idea of a range...

My husband and I went to Ireland for 7 days in mid September. We stayed in bed and breakfasts the entire time and we rented a car. We flew from Omamha, Ne.
We tried to eat as cheap as possible becuase we were on a very low budget, so we ate at mostly pubs. The airfare, car and lodging cost approx. $2,500. This was the cheapest we were able to find. We also probably spent approx. another $500 once we got there on food, admission prices, and gifts to bring back home. This is probably the cheapest you will be able to do for that time of year.

garyvol
Unregistered User
(1/9/04 12:51 pm)

weak dollar

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The weak dollar isn't helping either. My wife and I visited just when the Euro dollar was replacing the sterling. The euro money is easy to figure out and at that time 1 euro dollar cost .80 cents.
I.E. at the ATm, 200 Euro's cost about $176.
Sad to say now, I think the exchange rate for 1 Euro dollar now cost's $1.23. .

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 340
(1/9/04 7:09 pm)

Re: weak dollar

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depending on what you look at. I saw 1.28.

Bill

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2034
(1/9/04 11:40 pm)

Re: weak dollar

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Yes, The dollar is on a downward slide. I anticipate eating sandwiches from Tesco's for dinner on my next trip!

neesya
Unregistered User
(2/16/04 10:14 am)

Thank you

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Thank you to everyone who posted. I'm sorry it's been so long since I've replied but I've been having computer issues. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. That's a good idea about the separate bank account. I'll keep that in mind.
I was just at an Irish festival in Savannah, Georgia and got some other ideas also. (and an even stronger desire to visit) I'll definately come back here if I have any more questions.

Thank you again!

Anita
Unregistered User
(2/16/04 12:37 pm)

A different approach?

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I'm one of the few Canadians who frequent this board and our costs for travel are much greater than Americans due to the value of our dollar in comparison to yours. I also live on the west coast so the price of airfare is also a lot higher. In the end the only thing I couldn't change the price on much was airfare, but there are some ways to save on even that. By flying into one city and out of another you will usually save money. If you don't mind changing airports in London you will also save money by getting a cheap connector flight with a company like Ryan air. Since you want to visit Scotland as well you may want to look into flying to Scotland, do some touring there first, then catch a ferry to Ireland. I've noticed that flights into Glasgow are often cheaper than flights to London. Then, lastly, you can save a lot on accomodation by staying in hostels, and by staying in one place for longer times as even hostels have discounts for longer stays. In the end, my three weeks cost less than $700Cdn for accomodation. Hostels all have a kitchen where you can do your own cooking so I shopped at the local grocery store instead of eating out, and made sandwiches to take with me for the day.Also, Ireland has a great train/bus pass that will get you anywhere you want to go and it is more affordable than the Britrail or Eurorail pass.There are a lot of ways to save money if you are on a budget and the best thing to do is visit a backpacking shop or search on the internet for the information. The Lonely Planet site is great as it caters to backpackers and I used the site, and the book on Ireland, to plan my trip. I you start putting money away now you will be amazed how fast it grows. Start with saving for the airfare, then the rail pass, then accomodation etc. I find if you do it in pieces like this that it doesn't look like such a difficult task. Good luck, I hope you get there soon.

stannseniors
Registered User
Posts: 81
(2/16/04 3:13 pm)

cost

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It's funny because Carol gave the exact figure that we spent. $3000 included airfare, lodging, food and gifts and attractions. We stayed 10 days - i think that's cheap considering what some people spend for a 10-14 day trip to Florida/Disney world etc. Even a cruise.

Mbarnes
Unregistered User
(2/18/04 7:09 pm)

budgeting

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I just had to put my 2 sense in. I have also been concerned because the dollar is not as strong. However, The advice in michele's book and the others on this forum have been wonderful. There are 4 of us traveling 2 adults and two children. We combined stays at farm houses/hostels/B&B/ and even a castle for about avg. of 100.00E per night. When you take into consideration that disney hotels are at 150.00 per night and the cost of breakfast in the hotel is a min. of about 40.00. A family vacation to Ireland seems all the more possible.

I plan on eating alot of pub food!!! Which by the way was our intention all along.

FYI: Traditional Irish Night at Bunratty is offering a family package: 2 adults and 2 children for 100.00. vs. the standard of $120.00