packing tips for fall trip

rogerandjudy · Member

packing tips for fall trip

Michele Erdvig · Host

rodgerandjudy,

My packing list is pretty complete. I would say don't forget a hat, gloves, hooded windbreaker, umbrellas (although mine was useless in May with the gales). Be careful leaving old clothes behind especially if staying at B&Bs. Your hosts might think you left them by mistake and mail them to you! If you do discard them be sure your hosts know you are disposing of them. Have some good comfortable walking shoes. Sandals will probably be useless. I like slippers for wearing in my room.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

Layers always layers, something rainproof as a topping and sensible shoes. There are a number of Charity shops grateful for decent "pre loved" clothes or clothing banks in larger towns for well used examples.

rogerandjudy · Member

Thanks so much. If I were to go the "pre-loved" route, I would definitely want to donate anything to a thrift shop. We will be departing from Dublin, and I could launder them before donating them to the shop. Speaking of departing, I read on the airline baggage info page that--when departing--Dublin will not accept bags over 50 pounds! I will have to be a careful packer. So when layering, I imagine I would need to take various shirts that are next to my body (so I can change every day) and then just a couple of the "outer" layers so I can repeat them and stay within the airline weight restrictions--and limitations of trunk size storage in rental cars? There will be four of us traveling together. Again...thanks!

CowboyCraic · Guru

Judy,

We were just there in mid-June. It was unusually chilly for that time of year. I felt that I was in September mode. I packed all I needed for two weeks in a 21" roller bag:

2 pr jeans/1 heavy sweater/3 long sleeve t-shirts/2 turtlenecks/2 shortsleeve t-shirts/pajamas/underwear & socks/hiking boots/slipper socks/and a cardigan

I carried on my light-weight, thinsulate lined, waterproof Eddie Bauer Jacket and layered a long-sleeve button up shirt over a tank top and black jeans, which gave me a dressy look for evenings, if needed

I don't usually carry an umbrella because of the winds. My cap keeps the rain out of my eyes and my hair in place.

The weather has been rather squirrely this year. Who knows what you will get in any given day!

Slan Beo,

Bit

rogerandjudy · Member

Bit,

You are fabulous! Thanks for the great detail. Bye Bye to reinventing the wheel. And thanks for your good wishes --had to Google it.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Judy,

I find that if I roll the jeans, I have more room. Most towns and villages have a drop-off laundry service where you can drop-off your clothes on your way out to explore and pick up your clean, pressed and folded laundry on your way back that evening. I also roll-up or fold up a small carry-on nylon duffle, which goes in my outside front pocket or interior lid pocket...That way I have a laundry bag for the drop-off at the launder and a carry-on for any gifts I might bring home.

Slan Beo,

Bit

rogerandjudy · Member

Hey Bit--

You just keep coming through!! I'm feeling much more confident.

Got any good personal tips for renting a car? I've read Michele's blog; noted info there for Dooley rental; and have perused the forum section. All the details are quite intimidating.

Bet you have caught on to the fact that this is our first trip to Ireland--(and only our third trip out of the US). On previous trips, I packed too much; but it didn't matter. And our transportation options were clear and easy.

Slan Beo,

Judy

Judy · Guru

Judy,

We just returned last Friday from 2 weeks in Ireland. Our car rental (group C) was from Dan Dooley. We reserved the car last February and paid for the rental two weeks before travel. We had full insurance on the rental and the cost was $867. At Shannon we were charged 100 Euro for the deductible, which was never charged to our credit card, only held in case of damage. We also paid 80 Euro for a full tank of gas which is refundable if you return the car with a full tank. Not to worry, renting from Dan Dooley is very simple.

If we had extra drivers I think it would have been $7 per day extra. We had our extra driver leave a copy of her license and told the rental company we would call them if the extra driver was needed in case of an emergency and then they could put her on and charge the extra fee. No emergencies, so we saved on that.

Gasoline is not cheap in Ireland around $7.60 per gallon when you do the liter to gallon conversion and the Euro to dollar conversion, but the cars get very good mileage.

There were 4 people in our group and we were able to fit 2 extra large and one medium suitcase in the boot (trunk).

Hope this information helps you with any car rental questions.

Judy M.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Judy,

Car rental is the 4-Ton elephant in the room that everyone hates talking about! Even for a veteran Ireland traveler, it is at best frustrating.

Dan Dooley is a good choice. They are up front with their charges and there are no surprises

We used Journey Through Ireland this time, which is a Hertz agency. You pay the rental ahead of time and the only charge on pick-up is the extra CDW. We had to make an adjustment from a small compact car to a People mover a month ahead of our trip. They were quite helpful. Picking up our rental was a breeze as was dropping it off. I would definitely use them again.

I would suggest paying the extra for an automatic and letting the smallest vehicle in which you think you would be comfortable. The roads are considerably narrower than ours in the states.

Slan Beo,

Bit

murphy · Guru

Whew! I'm glad some other folks have had equally good luck with Hertz-Journey Through Ireland. We used them in March, got a fair price, a good car, and no surprises on the credit card statement! biggrin

We did prepay, and used insurance4carhire.com for our extra insurance...about 80$ good for up to a 31 day rental period....and lasts for 1 year....instead of paying the SuperCDW.

I think one other irregular on this forum has used, or is going to use Journey Through Ireland/Hertz....but have not heard any feed back yet. I for one would use them again. since I have read a few complaints about Dooley with some issues with older cars that had break-down/ problems...otherwise Dooley is reported to give you a firm price. I haven't used them myself, but my Uncle did about 7 years ago and had no complaints. Good luck! Dan

rogerandjudy · Member

Thank you, Dan, for taking the time to share your experiences. All this input is sooooo helpful for us. I am so appreciative.

Judy

Michele Erdvig · Host

Judy,

I am working on a deal with Dooley. I will announce it on the forum when complete

Michele

rogerandjudy · Member

Thanks, Michele. We'll keep "tuned in."

Will send our completed questionnaire to you soon.

judy

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Some additional packing tips:

I am a bar soap person, whereas my wife is perfectly happy to use the Liquid Soaps (her own, or those provided). Neither of us are Wash Cloth People, though my wife MUST have her Poofy Bath Sponge, so we always pack a small bar of soap and a Travel Sized Poofy.

I also ALWAYS pack about a half a dozen of EACH size of resealable plastic bags -- Snack, Sandwich, Quart and even a couple of small, kitchen garbage bags. They weigh next to nothing and take up almost NO space.

We transport the wet soap and Poofy in the bags and I also use one to hold my Euro coins and bills while in the US and then 'Switch off' with my US money, once we are ready to head for the plane. It helps to keep those pesky coins organized and out of our pockets when passing through Security.

The pint and quart sizes make useable, impromptu 'Cold Packs' for picnic food, if you fill them less than 1/2 way with water and freeze them the night before. Bigger bags are handy for separating dirty clothes from clean and also, for wrapping up muddy, dirty shoes, or wet clothes.

I also have a collapsable duffle, which we use as an overnight bag during the trip -- and as a reserve, 'Check Bag', on our return flight.

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Friday 22nd of July 2011 09:10:06 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Right on Bob! Zip-lock bags are invaluable. You can buy them in Ireland but they are more expensive. I always have lots in my suitcase too. I take a couple of large garbage bags for dirty laundry. Since Irish stores charge for plastic bags in the stores, I take some grocery bags with me too. Only problem is I always forget to take them into the store! They are especially useful when I am self-catering and must go grocery shopping.

One thing I have great difficulty with in Ireland is finding unscented products. Most of the laundry detergents in Ireland smell horribly strong...at least to me. I have more success with unscented in No. Ireland for some reason. I tend to bring my own bar soap and shampoo.

Michele

rogerandjudy · Member

Bob, Thanks so much for the additional packing tips. Will definitely bring plastic bags now. Judy

rogerandjudy · Member

Whoa, Michele, The stores charge for plastic bags???!!!! I'll be hitting my storage and garbage bag supply in the pantry before we take off. We also have a small collapsable thermal tote. I'm thinking that might be a good option for carrying lunch items. As always, thanks!! Judy

Judy · Guru

roger and judy,

Don't panic, only the grocery stores charge for grocery bags, not shops when we buy gifts etc.

Judy M.

rogerandjudy · Member

That makes cents!

Judy

Michele Erdvig · Host

Yes, grocery stores started charging for bags as a way of cutting down on litter problems. I hear that Northern Ireland is thinking of doing the same. In gift shops they mostly have paper shopping bags, so no worries. Also, many Irish people shop with tote bags (they call them carry bags).

You can purchase most anything in Ireland. So if you forget something, no worries.

Michele

rogerandjudy · Member

Thanks, Michele. It is a good ecological idea.

We're filling out our questionnaire right now. Will double check a couple of things with our travel companions and get it off to you. Yeah!

Judy

Michele Erdvig · Host

Excellent!

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

I bring along my sunflower market cloth grocery bags. I get a lot of comments on them, as they are black with Hot Pink lettering, Handles & Trim, purchased during a Breast Cancer Awareness campaign. As soon as I unpack them, I put them under the seat so they are handy. My collapsible cooler is bright red with black trim, so it stands out, as well.

Ziploc baggies are a godsend! I, too, make ice packs with them, not just for my collapsible cooler but for Fibromyalgia aches when they rear their ugly head.

I did see unscented soaps and detergents in the Tesco we went to in Mallow. Now I will be taking more notice of that, Michelle. This time, because we stayed in self-catering for the majority of the trip, we purchased our shampoo, conditioner and body wash once we got there. Talk about sticker shock! Tresemme is quite expensive there.

-- Edited by CowboyCraic on Tuesday 26th of July 2011 12:15:17 PM

rogerandjudy · Member

As always, I am so appreciative of the feedback. I was thinking the same thing about reusable cloth grocery bags. It would be more ecologically sensitive to use some of those in addition to the plastic for the other uses.

I'll be hitting the roads like a veteran with all the great advice I'm getting.

Judy

Michele Erdvig · Host

Judy,

I use the reusable bags in Ireland. In fact my favorite one I bought at the 2 euro store. It is a large sturdy bag made out of hemp (or something like it) lined with a plastic coating. I could carry my husband in it and I'm sure it wouldn't break.

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bit,

The unscented stuff varies from store to store even within the same company. You should have seen me trying to find unscented deodorant when I ran out. That was not easy! Now I am sure to bring a full bottle.

Michele