ESCORTED TOUR or SELF DRIVE

credwings · Member

ESCORTED TOUR or SELF DRIVE

Date: 8:24 PM, 01/28/06

Chris,

We are also planning a trip soon and we'll be doing our own driving. I can't imagine doing it any other way with kids, but that's me. I think it will be doable in an English speaking country, but DO get some guide books if you go into Dingle, as the signs are now in Gaelic/Irish.

Irisheyes

Michele Erdvig · Host

Chris,

Since your youngest is 6, I think that doing a self-driving tour of Ireland will best suit your family. Tours can be boring for young children. Think of sitting on a bus for hours. Adults might enjoy it, the scenery and history but for a child...maybe not. If you do it yourselves you can stop and go as you please. You can plan a mix of things for the kids and the adults so that everyone is happy.

Is it difficult getting around Ireland? Depends on where you are going. In the more rural areas it is pretty easy (but slow going) as long as you have a good map and navigator. The navigator is very important. S/he must study the map ahead of time, know the names of the towns along the way (and even farther than where you are going). For instance you might not be going to Cork but you might be on the "Cork road" simply because at the end of your route is Cork! A little homework on the navigator's part is essential. It doesn't hurt for the driver to know either. On my last trip we had a digital compass which came in very handy.

June will be here before you know it. Start planning!

Michele

Melissa5 · Guru

Michelle, I want a digital compass too. I don't think I've seen one before. Where can I get one? Thanks. (I have no sense of direction

, although hubby does. I can use that digital compass right here at home too!)

Michele Erdvig · Host

Melissa,

We got our digital compass on Ebay. The links below are for the type we have, however there are other types on the market.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Digital-Compass-Thermometer-Wind-Gauge-Stopwatch_W0QQitemZ8756092674QQcategoryZ52482QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Digital-Compass-Thermometer-Wind-Gauge-Stopwatch_W0QQitemZ8756583244QQcategoryZ52482QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Digital-Compass-Thermometer-Wind-Gauge-Stopwatch_W0QQitemZ8757015639QQcategoryZ52482QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Michele

credwings · Member

Thank You

I think we decided on self drive. We will have plenty of guide books and maps (stocking up on them now). IRISHEYES, where are you and your family planning on going?

CHRIS

Irisheyes · Senior Member

Starting in Dublin, ending in Shannon. Tent. planned for Kilkenny, Killarney and Dingle in between.