Need Help Planing Itinerary

Teachmor · Newbie

Need Help Planing Itinerary

Michele Erdvig · Host

Welcome to the forum. I've written a Blog article that will be of help: Plan Your Trip to Ireland in 10 Easy Steps. Take a look as it will start you out on the right foot.

First get your dates firm and airfares in place so you will know exactly where you will be flying into and out of in Ireland. Once that is accomplished you can move on to your itinerary, then booking lodgings and reserving your car rental.

Have you read any guidebooks yet? Have you contacted Tourism Ireland for free info to be sent to you? This information will help you decide exactly what you want to see and do in Ireland.

Most castle hotels are very expensive but look at my Castle Hotel page which has some suggestions for "budget" castle experiences. Many B&Bs are excellent and give you more personal interaction than staying at hotels. Although you will want to choose a hotel for Dublin.

We are here to help you refine your itinerary as your trip progresses. Let us know if you have more specific questions.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Welcome to Michele's Forum!

Firstly, if at all possible, I recommend flying into Shannon and out of Dublin -- although either option has it's advantages. In any case, you don't need or want a car while IN Dublin -- it's generally more headache then it is worth.

Check out some of Michele's recommendations for lodgings ( and other advice) by clicking on the various links at the bottom of the main IrelandYes web page. That should get you started.

How limiting is your husband's mobility issues -- stairs / uneven ground / distances? Knowing the answer will determine the suitability of various attractions and lodging options.

What are your specific 'Wish List' or 'Must See' sites? This will guide us in recommending a route.

You still have time to make a good and memory-worthy plan!

Roy · Guru

That's a long day of flying and time differential than those of us on the east coast endure. I would think day one in Ireland carefully.

tony2phones · Guru

With 2 weeks flying open jaw on 2 airports makes little difference these days, If you had less time then it might make sense. The decision might hang on where you want to go, what you want to see and do. Something made you chose Ireland so that's a starting point. Check out a few decent guide books and read a few tour itineraries but don't try and copy them unless you have a couple of local professional drivers in tow.

Once you have locations and interest boxes ticked then flights sorted it comes down to accommodation and one thing Ireland isn't short of is accommodation.

Michele Erdvig · Host

For airfares check them online every day. Sign up for your airline's newsletters. If you have a trusted travel agent contact them...but do not buy a "package" which often includes vouchers for accommodations. Trust me. You do not want vouchers in July!

Roy · Guru

There are a lot of bad reviews about buying too good to be true air fare from third party booking agents. Also, search sites seem to be showing low fares flying with Air Canada Rouge. Check the reviews closely before buying. I always book directly from airline websites. These days caution seems to be a good idea.

Teachmor · Newbie

RE: Need Help Planning Itinerary

Green Dragon · Guru

Need Help Planing Itinerary

Michele Erdvig · Host

Without knowing what you want to accomplish with each stop makes it a little harder to determine what advice to give. For instance you will spend a good part of the day getting from Mayo to Donegal. Is it worth it for one overnight stay? Sometimes cutting out an area and seeing a little less makes for a better trip. Please share more info with us about your goals for the trip and we will be happy to give our advice.

Teachmor · Newbie

Good advice Green Dragon on all the time spent in and out of hotels. I didn't think about it in that way. Our original itinerary was only visiting from Dublin to around Shannon and not going up towards Donegal etc. but then as I read more, others suggested we could accomplish all this in 2 weeks. Our goal is to experience Ireland, the food, culture, and people. I do want it to be a relaxing vacation. We want to see the Cliffs of Moher, Waterford, Burren, Ring of Kerry, a castle, and the Aran Islands if there was time. There's so much more to see and it's hard to decide what is more worth or time then other places. I have done a lot of traveling and for some reason planning this trip has been the most difficult for me to make decisions on. So any help on giving guidance and suggestions on sights to see and towns to stay in is very appreciated.

Thanks!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Personally I would cut out Donegal and Mayo (although you might see a bit of Mayo if you do a loop through Connemara from Galway). I would then add those two nights to Kerry and Galway. That will give you three nights in each. Lots to see and do from both places.

Green Dragon · Guru

Donegal is stunning and one of my favorite places. However, you must plan your trip as if you're going back. There is no way to see it all. I've been five times, and still haven't seen it all, and many people on this forums (especially Michele) have been many, many more times than that and keep going back.

Most of your Must Sees are in the southern loop. If you do a half-circle from Dublin down to Waterford, across the southern coast to Cork/Kenmare, then up to Kerry, the Burren, and out to the Aran Islands, it could work out well. Alternatively, you could go across to Kilkenny, and either do a daytrip down to Waterford (a long day trip, I've done it but probably wouldn't again) or skip Waterford.

If you cut out Mayo and Donegal for this trip, as Michele suggests, you could easily get a nice, steady pace through Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork, Kerry, Clare, and Galway, flying out of Shannon. A day trip from Galway isn't unreasonable, to visit Connemara or Westport. And that's the best hopping off port for the Aran Islands, if you are set on those (and you should be... they are wonderful!).