I stumbled across your very interesting web site and thought that I would pose a question or two. My wife and I have just reserved a spot with an REI Adventures, guide-led hiking tour of Ireland (11 total days, but 2 obviously are for air travel) for late May/early June 2006. Price of trip is $2399 per person, which includes all lodging, nearly all meals, as well as transportation to and from the airports.
Question 1: To your mind, is this a reasonable price?
Question 2: Have you had any prior feedback (good/bad) regarding REI Adventures Tours?
Thanks for you comments about my website. I am not familiar with REI Tours. Without knowing all the details of your tour, everything included and where you will stay I really don't know if that is a good price or not. Does it include airfare? Perhaps you can post a link to your tour.
The trip does not include airfare. I have provided a link below that takes you to the tour description/itinerary. While cost is not our overriding concern, it seems a bit steep to us-- although the company appears to be providing a lot of services . . .) Any comments you have would be greatly appreciated. Again, thank you for your time!
It does seem expensive for what you are getting. I would think it should also include airfare (but as you said it doesn't). Also, it really doesn't mention where you are staying. I would definitely want to know that before booking. Perhaps you should look into some other tours. Call Tourism Ireland for suggestions: 1-800-223-6470.
Phil, the REI price seems pretty high even given inflation and the fact that Ireland is a fairly expensive place to visit. You might want to check out Go Irelandhttp://www.govisitireland.com. They're an Irish group located in Killorglin, County Kerry, that specialize in walking, hiking (for the serious hiker like you), and cycling tours along the west coast of Ireland. They don't include airfare either, but their prices are significantly lower than REI.
I was looking at one of their walking tours last spring. For various reasons I chose a different trip, but my email interactions with them were great: they were very warm and friendly, quick to respond, willing to answer any questions, and just generally seemed like terrific folks to work with.
Somewhere in all my web-searching I've seen other "hiking Ireland" groups, but can't recall where right now. I suppose you've already googled ......
Whatever you decide to do, it'll be a great trip. Wish I could have "done" Ireland when I was younger, stronger and healthier --- Ireland's topography was made for hiking and backpacking! Enjoy!