Advice on package for new traveler

CowboyCraic · Guru

Advice on package for new traveler

Geno · Guru

Like Bit, I feel you will probably get a better rate doing it yourself and be able to select where you want to stay. Would advise you to get a car, as it is really the best way to see Ireland. The problem with packages is that while they often "include" a car, you are all paying for it. If I rent a car myself with three other people, we are splitting the rental four ways. The package approach has car charges on each person for close to the full amount. Also be aware that flying in and out of Shannon will probably cost you more than going into Dublin. Most of us would much rather use the Shannon Airport, but the options of flying in there now are not plentiful and the rates sometimes can be high.

Take a moment and do some research, run the numbers on renting a car yourself, booking the airfare yourself, and shopping around for B&Bs you like (that can be quite fun!) and then compare it to what the trip would be via the package route for you and your daughter.

It might save you some substantial funds you can use for something else on the trip!

Geno

-- Edited by Geno on Monday 11th of February 2013 12:47:10 PM

Geno · Guru

Make sure and run the numbers all the way through the search with what you want. I went to Aer Lingus site, picked the most inexpensive package date to depart in May, and when I took the insurance, GPS, automatic, etc. upgrades it came to more than $2,700. Doing the same basic thing and putting pieces together myself (using Aer Lingus for the flight, Dan Dooley for the car, and figuring on 35 euros per person sharing each night in a B&B of your choice, it comes to a little over $2,100.

I might be missing something here, as I did this real fast, but at the least I would figure you can save a few hundred doing it yourself. Not sure if this has helped or confused you. wink That was not my intent.

Like you, I enjoy the small villages of the west coast, so I am happy for you that you are able to fly out of NY and into Shannon.

Geno

-- Edited by Geno on Monday 11th of February 2013 02:20:07 PM

Geno · Guru

I always make certain and book my first and last night's stay ahead of time, but usually I prebook everything so I'm not wasting time once I get there. Michele has some great ideas on B&Bs in her book, and if you for instance are wanting to stay in Killarney or Kenmare when you do the Ring of Kerry, you can also do a B&B search on TripAdvisor that will give you rankings on the B&Bs, reviews, photos, and more. Don't actually book it on TripAdvisor (do a Google search and see if the B&B has a website, as most do) and simply email the owner and tell them when you are wishing to stay. Great thing there is that you normally will get great directions on how to get to their place, and once there they are wonderful sources of information on things to see and places to eat.

To me, this area of the planning makes the trip personal and fun. You and your daughter might have a great time researching B&Bs online. As I said, often in the small villages, 35 euros each per night per person will be close.

Plenty of nice people here to help you as you plan!

Enjoy.

-- Edited by Geno on Monday 11th of February 2013 03:06:11 PM

gnight · Veteran Member

I have never traveled abroad but I'm an independent woman and don't mind a little adventure. If I go, it will just be my daughter and I. Last year, we almost went but a family tragedy took all the wind out of our sails for awhile. Right now, Aerlingus has some great package deals. This includes vouchers which Michele seems to frown on but I also found a B&B website that books vouchers in advance. Some of Michele's book's recommendations are on the site. Anyone tried this: http://clients.reserveabandb.com/

Here's the Aerlingus link:

http://www.aerlingusvacationstore.com/vacations/ireland-independent-emerald-package-shannon

I'm a bit nervous about driving in Ireland and wonder if I will be able to find my way or if a bus tour might be better for us--I really don't like that idea but I don't want to spend my few days lost and frustrated either.. But if people are friendly, I don't mind asking for directions and I will rent a gps. My target area is the southwest and west. Being a small town country girl who does not enjoy cities, I want to fly into Shannon and prefer B & B stays, especially if they are a bit out of town and very quiet. We are not nightlife people. Places I think I want to see are:

Ring of Kerry, Adare, Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Folk Park, Muckross House and Abbey

I'm mostly interested in the "old Ireland", the farms and sheep and the scenery, historic and 'mystical' side of Ireland. If any of the places above are overly toursity in May, I'd rather go elsewhere and just soak up the beauty. The less people, the better. (I guess everyone feels that way!)

Anyone have any advice? Thoughts? Comments?

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Welcome to Michele's Forum.

Airfare and car hire packages can be good, painless ways to 'ease' into foreign travel. Accommodation vouchers CAN be problematical, as not all places accept them. If you CAN pre-book the areas you want, then it should work out. I've never used either vouchers or the listed web-site, so I can't comment much about either, specifically.

Ireland's South and West -- Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Clare have some terrific spots. In May, the 'Shoulder Season', crowds shouldn't be TOO bad -- and crowds, in Ireland, are a Relative thing -- even the usually bustling Dublin is far more sedate than Manhatten ... biggrin

If you REALLY want isolation and solitude, the North West (Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal) would be a better choice, but the SW has LOTS of that, as well.

Consider the Ring of Barra, rather than the Ring of Kerry (or, do Both!). Driving isn't as horrific as some make it out to be, but it DOES require a certain degree of 'Due Diligence'. You have a reasonable Wish List, so far and I'm sure others will chime in soon enough -- with LOTS of useful advice.

Bob

gnight · Veteran Member

Thank you, Bob. I've been following your posts for some time now and you always have terrific information. This forum is such a blessing! I will check out the Northwest. I'm a novelist and I love isolation and wild, empty places for refreshing my creativity and imagination. My ancestors are from the Northwest and Northern Ireland-Donegal and "Ulster" area, so that's interesting to me, but I didn't know if that area had much history, ruins, that kind of thing???

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I'm a semi-dedicated, semi-amateur, myself ... biggrin

You can't turn over a rock in Ireland -- and there are LOTS of rocks -- without uncovering tales from antiquity --

Check out: http://www.irelandtravelkit.com/ for some ideas ...

Bob

gnight · Veteran Member

You all are so helpful! I can't thank you enough. If you don't mind would you take a look at my numbers here and see if I've missing something??

The package I'm looking at right now runs about 1150 per person and includes airfare on Aerlingus from NYC to Shannon, car with super insurance and gps and auto. transmission, 1 hotel night in Shannon and then 5 vouchers for B & B, 3 and 4 star rating. When I've looked at airfare alone it was nearly 800 and each of the B & B places run 75-100 per night, plus the car rental. I've been researching for a long time and I've never found that doing it all seperately beats the packages, but you all are experienced at this, so I must be missing some deals somewhere. Since I'm paying for the whole trip, budget matters, but I don't want to scrimp and make a mistake either!

Cowboy, the north area sounds wonderful. I'm kind of overwhelmed with choices, it seems, so I think I'll stick to the southwest/west and hope that this is isn't the only trip I'll ever get to take.

Thank you all!!

Geno · Guru

Do you know the dates that you are wanting to travel?

gnight · Veteran Member

I'm very flexible but was looking at any time in May--only because I heard the weather was nicer, flowers in bloom, and less crowds.

gnight · Veteran Member

Geno, this is very helpful and certainly not confusing. If I can get that kind of price for both of us together by doing it separately, I would rather do that so I can be sure everything is a go. Aerlingus had a 729 special right now for May and if I just book the flight to start, then I can shop around (and get great pointers from this forum!) for the lodging and car. Is that what you're telling me?

Do you normally book your B and B in advance of your trip or wait until your there and take potluck? I'm nervous about the latter and afraid I wouldn't know how to do that but if it's the way most people do it, I'll figure it out!

Do most people fly Aerlingus or are there other airlines with good deals?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Linda,

Flying in and out of Shannon and visiting the SW will be easy. I wouldn't worry about driving or getting lost. It is an island...you can't get too lost. Eventually you'll run into the ocean! wink Plus the Irish people are super-nice and will help you with directions. Some of our best times in Ireland are when we are lost and sometimes we set out to deliberately get lost in the countryside. Here's an article about being lost: http://irishfireside.com/2011/06/07/magical-irish-roads-bunny-lane/

I have one tip about the beginning of May. The 6th is a Bank Holiday. Plus in Killarney is the Rally of the Lakes from May 3 - 5. You don't want to be in Killarney then. There will be road closures in the area for the rally. If you will be in Ireland for that long weekend wrap up some reservations soon.

There are other airlines flying to Ireland. Just depends on where you live.

I went to your link and the price for departing on April 30th with what you chose came to $2301 per person.

Doing it yourself for 6 nights:

Airfare: $800 per person

B&Bs @$50 per person per night = $300

Auto Car w/ Ins $500 ($250 per person)

Total $1350 per person (2 people)

gnight · Veteran Member

Thank you, Michele. I don't really mind getting lost as long as I can find my way to the B & B to sleep!

In fact, getting lost and winding down through unexpected roads sounds fun to me. (I read your article and loved it. You have such gorgeous photos and info on this site. Thank you so much!)

Where did you look for the car rental? When I looked at Dooley, I saw a 380 quote just for one driver (me) and it was even more at Journey Through Ireland and that was an economy automatic without the GPS or the added "super" insurance. What am I doing wrong?

If I can get the prices you mentioned, I think I'll be good to go and just forget the package deal and vouchers. I sure don't want to be turned away because of them! I have your book (and a Fodors )which is already full of sticky notes.

Oh, and thank you for the heads-up about early May. I'm actually look at mid-May to perhaps the 21st or so for departure as the airfare is still good then and I'm hoping to see a bit warmer weather by then. (My southern blood speaking. :)))

gnight · Veteran Member

Oh, forgot to say, I will be flying into NYC from Okla., a "fly-over" state that has no direct flights to Ireland or anywhere else for that matter. :/ I was going to just book that separately and spend one night with friends in NYC before the international flight. I looked at driving up to and flying out of Dallas but the price out of NY seemed better. Still checking rates, though.

Thanks for any advice.

Geno · Guru

Sort of backing up one of Michele's points about not worrying about getting lost ... some of my best moments in Ireland have been getting lost and ending up in a small village for lunch or sight-seeing I wasn't planning on that day!

You will do fine!

CowboyCraic · Guru

First rule....never say lost....say FAery-led....because that is what it becomes in Ireland...you find the best places by being "led"....

Looking at Aer Lingus out of JFK, and using arbitrary dates...May 09-May 21... I show a RT airfare of $726.59...including all fees and taxes....

That isn't a bad deal

as to Journey through Ireland, I just helped a client book their car...they chose the small compact...automatic...full package and it was just a little over $600 for twelve days...Their travel dates are in the same time frame (May 12 - 27th)

It can be a lot more fun to plan it yourself...look over websites...ask questions here in the forum...

Michele Erdvig · Host

I suppose the car rental price depends on different factors such as dates, length of rental, computer cookies, etc. I clear my cookies after each quote. I used this site: http://www.dandooley.com/ I input 6 days starting April 30, smallest car, automatic, all insurance discount code: dochara. But I did not add another driver.

As we all know here, you must be very careful when renting a car. See my car page and the "sticky" topic on this forum. Was your price in euros or dollars? Was it all-inclusive?

gnight · Veteran Member

I booked my flights today for May 21 to 28! (SQEEE!) So excited. I will be coming to you guys in the weeks ahead for advice on lodging and places to see. biggrin biggrin

Today I need to know this:

I've read the sticky note on car rental confuse Crazy business. Most of the posts are from 2009 so I'm wondering if the info is current? Most of it seems to be the discussion of insurance so to resolve that I'll just pay for it--don't want to fuss with credit cards and waivers and all that. I'll just pay it.

I checked both Dan Dooley and Journeytrhoughireland that cowboycraig recommended. They prices were about the same--at roughly $370 for 6 days all inclusive but Dan Dooley says just for one driver and the Journey places doesn't mention number of drivers at all. Is it customary to always pay extra if you want another person to occasionally drive?

Thanks all. I am SO excited to finally be planning my dream trip to the emerald isle! aww

Michele Erdvig · Host

Congratulations on booking your flights! biggrin We knew you could do it. The car info is status quo. Trying to figure out the insurance and declining CDW is the fly in the ointment. But since you will buy all insurance you don't have to worry about that. Every car company I know of charges for extra drivers. However Journey Through Ireland is a tour company so they may have some sort of deal with a company. Best to contact them and find out. My best advice is to read all the fine print and understand it.

gnight · Veteran Member

Okay. Now that I've booked the tickets to Shannon, I have to decide what I want to do that I have time for. I've read Michele's book, researched until my eyes crossed, and I still don't know! I have some thoughts but I'm totally open. My inclination is the southwest, as I've said, but even that is fluid. And I might try to squeeze out a night in a castle just for something super special--Ballynahinch looks gorgeous! Other than Adare, I don't really care about towns and shopping and all that stuff. I want to see scenery, ruins, historical things. (I'm kind of nervous about driving in Ireland but don't want to miss something gorgeous just for that reason.)

When I get down to choosing lodging, I hope to be out of town in quiet, picturesque settings. I'm sure I'll come back to you all for advice on that!

Any and all advice is very welcome!

Michele Erdvig · Host

You might be interested in my article Ireland's Real Castle Hotels. Plus my castle page.

Let the planning begin.

gnight · Veteran Member

The more I research, the more drawn I am to the north and west, although the Wicklow Mountain area looks like my kind of place. My daughter has fallen in love with photos of the forest in Northern Ireland. That said, we can't to it all in 6 days. BUT it's becoming clear to us that we like scenery with lots of green landscape, deep forests, rolling hills and valleys and vistas. Toss in a castle or ruin, a quiet, lovely village or two and we're thrilled. We saw photos of Kylemore Abbey and loved that.

My big question today is this:
The rings --Kerry and the others appear to be drives along a beach front. Is that it? Just driving and looking at the beach/ocean? Or is there more to it than that? I prefer, as I said, hills and pastures and green and woodlands. Would I be better off skipping the southwest? Where in Ireland would I find the kind of scenery/old stuff I've mentioned? (We're arriving in Shannon.)

Thanks!

tony2phones · Guru

The Ring of Kerry doesn't really run along the coast and beaches, in fact to get to some of the best parts of the Invaragh peninsula you need to get off the Ring. Dingle is the choice of many and has some nice beaches and the Slea head scenic part. Beara is more rugged and unspoiled by tourism.

Personally Connemara and north offer more. From Shannon you could work your way up to Sligo and back in a figure 8 so covering Clare west for the Coast Burren and Cliffs, Galway then the N59 through the Connemara Clifden and to Westport. From Westport to Achill island and Sligo. Back down to Galway inland and consider east Galway/Clare by Loughderg as the return route to Shannon.

That should tick your boxes of greenery and woodlands mountain passes and castles. In whichever case May is not considered High season and is an excelent time to visit.

http://ireland.activeboard.com/t50055177/n59-galway-route/ & http://goo.gl/maps/iSQcB

IrelandSean · Newbie

Kylemore Abbey is in Connemara and I have to agree that Connemara is ideal if you want the solitude of the countryside, plus the ride out through Connemara from Galway (city) to Clifden is truly beautiful and dotted with ruins as well. This is also the area (along with Cong in Mayo) where much of the Quiet Man was filmed.

gnight · Veteran Member

While still in the planning stages and changing my mind every day--everywhere in Ireland is so appealing!!--I am slowly narrowing things down. With only a week, I know I will be limited but as I will be researching for a book while there, I am leaning toward more "real Ireland" areas. However, I am also leaning toward NOT renting a car, at least the first few days while I acclimate. I've been chatting with a woman who has been to Ireland several times and never hired a car--they do day trips and hackneys and public transit and I am fine with those--but I am wondering how much of that will be available outside the touristy areas. I'm more interested in smaller towns and rural areas than large, noisy, bus-filled places. Truth is, I want my cake and want to eat it too! I want to see the touristy sights but I want to see the real Ireland too. A farmhouse B and B might be interesting. But again, transportation without a car? Possible or not?

I will almost definitely be doing the Kylemore Abbey/Connemara tour. It looks so glorious. (Have never seen the Quiet Man or heard of it until this forum, but I'll have to give it a look.)

Michele Erdvig · Host

It is fine staying in out of the way B&Bs and farmhouses. But as you might imagine the problem is being stuck in the middle of nowhere without transportation. To do such a thing I really would advise you to hire a car. Otherwise, stay at places that are walking distance of a town where you will have amenities such as restaurants, pubs, etc.

There are certain towns and cities that have tours going from them. If you are staying way out in the country, why would there be tours going from a tiny village? With no people to take a tour from there would it make business sense? They would soon be out of business.

Looks like you have to make a choice:

Rent a car and stay where you like

Use public transport and day trip tours but stay in places from which they depart.

CowboyCraic · Guru

As someone who turns every trip into a research adventure, I cannot imagine NOT having a car. In order to truly experience Ireland, in my opinion, you have to get away from the tourist path and on to the off-the-beaten track. You simply must have a car to do that.

I definitely like Tony's suggestion for the figure 8 trip, as it would get you into some truly magical areas. Lough Derg is rarely given its full due. It is a magical, beautiful place.

Journey through Ireland books your car rental through Hertz. From Journey Through Ireland's site:

Important Information

Maximum Age is 79 years. In order to rent a car to a driver over 75 years and under 79 years they will need a doctors certificate issued within the month prior to the rental and prove they have had no accidents in the last 5 years and are driving regularly. This proof must be produced at the Car Rental Desk.
Minimum Rental is 3 days
All prepaid rentals include unlimited mileage, third party liability insurance, and 13.5% VAT
You are responsible for damage to, and theft of the rental vehicle.
Credit Card CDW & Theft coverage: Some credit cards provide insurance coverage for car rentals if you charge your prepaid rental with their credit card. However, you should check with your credit card issuer and verify that they provide the coverage in Ireland. This is important.
If they do not we recommend that you select the prepaid CDW inclusive rental rate. This rate has a Deductible from 1000 1900 Euros, which can be waived by payment of an additional fee at the Hertz counter.
All drivers must produce their valid state license at the time of the rental. A license that is endorsed for a DUI conviction is not acceptable.
Additional drivers are allowed provided they meet the age requirement of the car group rented and pay a charge of 8.5 Euros per day or 60 Euros per week including VAT at 13.5%.
Baby seats and booster seats are available upon request (must be requested at time of reservation), subject to a 50 Euros one time charge.
Cars rented in the Republic of Ireland may tour Northern Ireland at no additional charge
Cars rented in the Republic of Ireland and returned to Northern Ireland will be charged a 160 Euros drop off charge.
All clients shall be allowed a 2 hour grace period. After this they will be charged an additional day at the Local Car Rental Counter Rate.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

The 'Real Ireland' that you seek is everywhere -- biggrin but, if the goal is to experience it, rather than merely glimpsing random snatches from a distance, you will need to venture beyond the tourist venues and car parks. Don't get me wrong -- I love the 'touristy' stuff as much (or more) than the Next Guy. I have inspiring memories from time spent within the milling throngs in Killarney, the Bunratty Folk Park and even, says he, with only minimal embarrassment -- Blarney Castle ... hmm

Nothing inspires ME more, though, than the quiet solitude of the wild and open spaces. Places like Healy Pass (on the Beara), the Mealagh Valley (in West Cork) or (a personal favorite) the Doo Lough Valley, just beyond the rugged lonesomeness of Connemarra. These are Off The Beaten Path kinds of places; generally only accessible via car. They are places where you might often stand alone, nearly drowning under the emense weight of the layers of time, communing with the ghosts of past, present and future.

If price is no object, guide/drivers CAN be employed, but if finances are finite, renting a car and self-touring is often the only option. It CAN seem quite daunting, but the rewards usually wildly out-weigh the negatives.

On a relatively short trip such as the one you have planned, you really could go, Either Way Self-Drive, or Hunker Down and utilize day tours, if you base yourself in either Galway, or Killarney.

Bob

gnight · Veteran Member

Just talked to my 90 year old aunt who gave me great info on my Ulster Irish ancestors, and now I know one of the actual places they lived before emmigrating. Drumboden,Kilmacrenan,Donegal Co,IRELAND. I looked this up and it appears the village is about 10km from a bigger town - Letterkenny. My question is: would it be too much for me to expect to drive all the way up into that area from Shannon? (Other family members were from Londonderry in N. Ireland.) My aunt says we still have family there but she can't remember names.

If it's too far and too much to expect in such a short time, I'm good with that. Just brainstorming.

Thank you.
Linda