mshaikun
Registered User
Posts: 2
(6/29/05 9:50 pm)

Tipping driver/guide

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My wife and I are engaging a driver guide for three days out of Dublin. We spend our first night in Waterford and need to be there about 3:30 to make the last factory tour. The second night will be spent in Cork and the third near Bunratty castle. Two questions -- any suggestions as to what we should visit each day as we travel? At the end assuming the driver did a good job, how much should the two of us tip for the three days?

Michele Erdvig
Administrator
Posts: 3223
(6/30/05 3:04 pm)

Re: Tipping driver/guide

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mshaikun,

A tip of 10% is always appreciated for a job well-done. Can you give me more indications of what you enjoy doing and seeing? That will determine places you will want to see along the way.

Michele

eliteshooter
Registered User
Posts: 8
(6/30/05 3:19 pm)

Re: Tipping driver/guide

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Our tour guide book (Brendan) says to tip your driver, AND tour guide each 5 euro a day, per person... there are 5 of use going, that would be 200 euros for our 8 day tour! obviously we are not oing to follow this advice. A bus holding 50 people would tip 2,000 euros.... I want that job!

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mshaikun
Registered User
Posts: 3
(6/30/05 5:23 pm)

What should we see and do?

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We arranged travel through 1 2 Travel. On the 16th we arrive Dublin at 7:45 AM and will stay at the Weston. We will do the Hop on/Off bus and just recover from our flight. At 9 AM the next day we mmet are driver. Because of the 9 hour limit, by 6 each day we are on our own.

On the 17th we will drive to Waterford and overnight at the Granville Hotel. We want to explore Kilkenny and get to Waterford in plenty of time for the 4 PM tour. Our option is to get to Waterford by 6 PM and do the tour in the morning. What do you suggest we see and do.

More in next reply.

mshaikun
Registered User
Posts: 4
(6/30/05 5:32 pm)

What should we see and do -- part 2

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On the 18th we head to Cork and stay at the Imperial Hotel. Our driver is done by 6 PM and we were thinking of having him drop us in Kinsale IF getting back to Cork on our own after dinner is not too complicated or expensive. Otherwise we will do Kinsale in the afternoon and do dinner in Cork. We'd love a recommendation for a good sea food restauarnt in one of those cities. Question is what else to do as we drive over from Waterford? Is Blarney castle worth the effort?

On the 19th we will head north to the Bunratty Castle Hotel and do the castle feast at 8:45 PM. We will save the Ring and Dingle for another trip. We might do a box lunch on the lake in Killarney and shop there and in Adare. We are wide open to other ideas though.

On the 20th we need to be at the Sannon airport at 8 AM and then off to London. We do not want Ireland to be remembered as a green blur and want to make maeningful stops not try to do it all. So whatever advice anyone has will be appreciated.

eliteshooter
Registered User
Posts: 10
(6/30/05 6:50 pm)

Re: What should we see and do -- part 2

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we also arrive at Dublin at 7:45 am on the 16th. Are you flying Continental?

Edited by: eliteshooter at: 6/30/05 6:53 pm


mshaikun
Registered User
Posts: 5
(6/30/05 7:49 pm)

Re: What should we see and do -- part 2

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Yes. Will arrive Newark at 4:45 PM on 15th. CO wanted to get us there at 7:10 PM but that was too tight for me. Coming back I have a 55 minute connect time but two back-up flights if I run late.

We are cruising out of Southampton on the Golden Princess but doing 4 days in Ireland at the start. I hope you have more time in Ireland than we do. I could easily use another week or more. We will return there for a longer visit someday.

Michele Erdvig
Administrator
Posts: 3227
(6/30/05 11:07 pm)

Re: Tipping driver/guide

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mshaikun,

For the day you drive from Dublin to Kilkenny I think that I would opt for seeing the Waterford Crystal Factory on the next day. That way you won't have to rush through everything else. There is so much to see and do on the way. Corey (yesiree100 on this forum) has a free walking tour of Kilkenny. Look for his topic and contact him for it. The brochure is very well done. You must see Kilkenny Castle and St. Canice's Cathedral at a minimum. Some other things you might see along the way:

Scenic Drive R700 from Thomastown to New Ross
Jerpoint Abbey
Inistioge (Mount Sandford Walk & Woodstock)
Dunbrody Ship (New Ross)

If you are into antiquities there is Browne's Hill Dolmen near Carlow and Moone High Crosses.

You might be interested in my book, which will give you plenty of sightseeing options, restaurants, pubs, etc. It also gives you all the info you need for preparing for your trip, what to pack and more. Take a look to see if suits you: www.irelandyes.com/book.html

Michele

mshaikun
Registered User
Posts: 6
(7/1/05 6:44 am)

Re: Tipping driver/guide

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How early do they start giving tours at the factory?

eliteshooter
Registered User
Posts: 11
(7/1/05 4:08 pm)

Re: Tipping driver/guide

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If you are on the same flight s us, it's a 767-400. you have a tv screen on the back of the seat in front of you. You pick your movie, or games to play! It will be a great flight. The plane is HUGE!... i have a 4 hour lay over coming from las vegas... =(

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Michele Erdvig
Administrator
Posts: 3230
(7/1/05 11:14 pm)

Re: Tipping driver/guide

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mshaikun,

You can view the opening times of Waterford Crystal on their website: www.waterfordvisitorcentr...ices.shtml

Michele

mshaikun
Registered User
Posts: 7
(7/9/05 1:22 pm)

Re: Tipping driver/guide

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Thanks. We will likely take the 8:30 tour leaving more time to walk Kilkenny on Sunday. We still need help on days 2 and 3.

On the 18th we head to Cork and stay at the Imperial Hotel. Our driver is done by 6 PM and we were thinking of having him drop us in Kinsale IF getting back to Cork on our own after dinner is not too complicated or expensive. Is it? Otherwise we will do Kinsale in the afternoon and do dinner in Cork. We'd love a recommendation for a good sea food restauarnt in one of those cities. Question is what else to do as we drive over from Waterford? Is Blarney castle worth the effort?

On the 19th we will head north to the Bunratty Castle Hotel and do the castle feast at 8:45 PM. We will save the Ring and Dingle for another trip. We might do a box lunch on the lake in Killarney and shop there and in Adare. We are wide open to other ideas though. Any other suggestions?

Michele Erdvig
Administrator
Posts: 3245
(7/9/05 6:09 pm)

Itinerary

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mshaikun,

What do you have in mind by way of sightseeing on the days in question? I'm sure you must have done some research and read a couple of guidebooks. What are your preferences? List a few and I will tell you what I think.

As for Kinsale, see it in the afternoon and have your driver take you to Cork. Much less complicated that way. Try Fishy Fishy Cafe or Crackpots for lunch in Kinsale.

Blarney Castle has lovely grounds but kissing the stone is not easy. You must go up hundreds of tiny spiral stairs (tight fit in some areas) to the top of the castle. Then you have to lay down on your back, grab hold of the iron bars and have an Irishman hold onto you, lean back and down over the battlements to kiss the stone. I will let you decide it it is worth it.

Michele

mshaikun
Registered User
Posts: 8
(7/10/05 9:11 pm)

Re: Itinerary

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We like quaint shops, local arts and crafts, castles and the like. Museums are ok if they do more than house collections of paintings. We like lakes and sea shore.

We will do Powerscourt when our cruise docks in Dublin so we do not need to include it on the 17th. A distillery might be fun.

Wicklow's gaol and Cashel's rock have been recommended as stops.

On day two headed to Cork and Kinsale a stop in Tipperary was suggested. However, one can only do so much and Blarney Castle (I'll pass on the kiss!) will take some time. If we go to Kinsale is it worth going to Bantry House as well.

On day 3 we want time to shop in Killarney and Adare and visit the castle in Adare. Not sure what else we will have time for. Getting to Bunratty early and spending time in the Folk Park may be fun.

We were hoping for one or two don't miss suggestions. we are sure our driver will have plenty of advice.

Michele Erdvig
Administrator
Posts: 3251
(7/14/05 12:52 am)

Re: Itinerary

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mshaikun,

Certainly the Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle & the Swiss Cottage are well worth seeing, as is the Vee Drive. It depends on your routing. The coastal drive is lovely too but in that case you would not go inland to see the things mentioned above. Some other things to consider would be in Cobh: Queenstown Museum and St. Colman's Cathedral or the distillery in Midleton. If you need more info on those do a Google search.

I think Bantry House is a bit out of the way if you intend to go from Cork to Shannon. You could of course route through Killarney and see the sites there. But that would mean a longer drive and arriving later at your destination.

Your driver/guide will be able to help with choices, routes and further on your trip. It is his/her job to know all about sightseeing, travel times, etc.

Michele

mshaikun
Registered User
Posts: 9
(7/14/05 8:10 pm)

Re: Itinerary

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Michele

Thank you for for all your help and advice. We leave tomorrow and, as a result of all the help we have received, are far more at ease than we otherwise would be.

We are flying CO out of EWR direct to DUB and have allowed over 3 hours on the ground at EWR to handle unexpected delays. Our prayer is that there will be a hotel room available when we arrive, but no room is guaranteed until around 4 PM. We have threatened to bath in the lobby drinking fountain (not a pretty site!)if they cannot at least find us a changing room.

We plan to spend a few hours on the hop on hop off Dublin bus, catch a pub lunch, clean up and do an early dinner. We plan on being in bed by 10 and off bright and early the next day headed south.

We will report in on our return.

Again, my thanks.

Mike

Michele Erdvig
Administrator
Posts: 3265
(7/15/05 1:01 am)

Re: Itinerary

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Mike,

Bon voyage! I hope you have a wonderful trip to remember for a lifetime. We would enjoy hearing exactly what you did decide to see when you return. Have a safe journey.

Michele