mousehunter
Unregistered User
(2/24/04 12:05 pm)

Travel Planning Software

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We are planning a trip to Ireland this Spring or Summer. When I plan a trip in the US, I use DeLorme's Map n' Go or StreetAtlas. Both programs allow me to zoom in or out to find small towns or get an overview. I can create and save routes. Then use a GPS Receiver with my laptop when we take the trip, to get turn by turn driving directions.
I haven't been able to find a similar program to use on our Irish trip. I would appreciate knowing what programs others (especially the locals) are using.

garyvol
Unregistered User
(2/24/04 1:10 pm)

trip maps

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Hi,
I'm not sure if I'm speaking for all of us,(I think a few may have the know how of what you do, Sir Bill!!), but we use the old paper map systems. However, the Viamichelin website might give you some info.
The link is www.viamichelin.co.uk

Let us know if it helps.

You can also post your itinerary here if you wish.

cheers
-gary

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2180
(2/24/04 5:34 pm)

Re: Travel Planning Software

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Hi mousehunter,

There are various online mapping sites that you can use but generally Ireland is a country where things are a little different than the rest of of the world. It has many little unmarked roads when you get off the beaten path. However, if you stick to the main roads it is pretty easy to find your way around. These are some of the map sites (most drive times are overly optomistic at these computer-generated sites):

www.map-ireland.com/route/
www.aaroadwatch.ie/routes/
www.viamichelin.com
mappy.com

I don't know of any software but perhaps someone else will have info on that.

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 372
(2/25/04 12:18 pm)

Re: Travel Planning Software

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Gary:

Are you suggesting that I have some kind of know how? I'm the original stumbler.

My suggestion is to not rely on turn by turn directions as this will REDUCE the chances of getting lost and getting lost is the best part. Seriously, I don't know of such software either but I can't imagine trying to be that careful. I prefer the "hmmmmm, I wonder where this road goes" method.

Bill

garyvol
Unregistered User
(2/25/04 1:32 pm)

stumbler???

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Het Bill,
Well, at least the jester of the Queen Michele's court tried. Yes, Mary and I were also good at getting lost, many times. I.E drivung thru Arklow's roundabout heading up to Avoca, and Glendalough. I think I misread the sign and made the turn out beyond where i should have turned. After a few miles we think we should be following a river. Since we weren't (we stopped to ask 2 girls that were playing in there yard), yes men do stop once in a while for directions. Anyway, the girls were not sure of where we were going. We turned back and got back to the roundabout, read the sign correctly and we were on out way. All this accomplished without an "hmmmmmm".

-gary

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2184
(2/26/04 2:46 am)

Re: stumbler???

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Gary & Bill,

I love getting lost in Ireland. It's such fun and you never know where you will end up. As they say in Ireland: "The road you're on will get you there!" Eventually...

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 378
(2/26/04 11:27 am)

Re: stumbler???

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I made a wrong turn at Arklow too. I think that spot must be a bit confusing. I think the value of maps in Ireland are to provide a jumping off point for getting lost.

Bill

garyvol
Unregistered User
(2/26/04 12:19 pm)

lost in Ireland

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Geee I don't think we are painting a very good picture for mousehunter concerning road travel in Ireland.

-gary

Irene
Unregistered User
(2/26/04 12:37 pm)

lost in Ireland

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When we went to Ireland 3 years ago we stayed in in co. Laois in the midlands. I had done geneology research for years and finally located my husbands ggauncle and cousins. The townland of Middlemount.

I called from Portloise I think and got these vague directions from the family--whose accent I couldn't quite understand

That's when we found out that there are no signs or house numbers or...anthing. We drove around in circles inside this tiny rural community. Everyone we asked kept saying it was just a KM over that way...we realized that the Irish have no sens of distance

We finally hunted down the postman on the bicycle and made him physically take us to "Old Jim Bolger's place".

I wouldn't be able to find that farm again if my life depended on it. Maps were completely and utterly-useless.

We had a great time and are going back again this summer.

mousehunter
Unregistered User
(2/29/04 3:05 pm)

RE:

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I appreciate all of your insight into travel in After reading your comments I am more convinced I want GPS while in Ireland. I agree that getting lost can yield interesting results. But with only 6 days, I would like to use my time wisely.
Michele, I'm amazed that you can put together the outstanding travel packages without travel planning software. I wish I could.

Irene
Unregistered User
(2/29/04 4:59 pm)

Travel Planning software

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That is kind of a short amount of time.

I would buy a map(s) of the area (Discovery Maps are great)and just put in the lon/lat of the places I wanted to go. You can set waypoints along the way.

It's a little time consuming but if you want to use a GPS it may be your only option.

I went to the Viamichelin.com site mentioned above and that does give turn by turn directions between several locations. Including estimated travel times.

Good luck and have fun!

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2204
(3/1/04 12:47 am)

Re: Travel Planning Software

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Hi Mousehunter,

You will have to clue us in as to how you used your GPS when you return from Ireland. We will be very interested in finding out. As for my software - it's in my head! I have put together many templates in my computer to make the job of planning itineraries for my clients quicker and easier.

I agree that with only six days you don't want to get too lost.

Michele

mousehunter
Unregistered User
(3/1/04 1:10 pm)

GPS

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I have found a software package called InfoMap Navigator - GB and Ireland. I hope it will do what I want to do. I'll let you know when I get a chance to try it.

The big thing I'm looking for is the ability to visualize the country on the computer screen to help me plan our trip. The Michelin site does a good job of routing if you know where you want to go and have a good map at hand. I would rather have the map on my laptop screen, with the ability to zoom in and out to see more or less detail. It also allows me to play "What If" with a route without having to be online. I can also make adjustments to our route "on the fly" while under way.
The GPS gives me the ability to see where we are on the map with about 15' accuracy. My position and direction on the onscreen map changes as we move. When I get "lost", I can atleast see if I'm going the right direction and what I need to do to get back on track. If I find something cool that is not on the map that I might want to return to, I can set a waypoint.(stored Lat & Lon)
Enough rambling, You need to see it to truely appreciate the value to travelers.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2209
(3/2/04 4:58 pm)

Re: GPS

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Hi mousehunter,

I'm happy to hear you have found your software. It all sounds very high tech. But I'm sure there are many here on my forum that will be interested in your report once you have used it. From what you have said so far it seems like an invaluable tool for your trip.

Michele