Michele,

I hope you don't mind but I wanted to drop you and the others a note concerning my recent trip to Ireland. First, it was the most glorious 10 day (self drive) vacation I have ever taken. I am already trying to figure out when my next trip will be!

BUT, I can very easily see how people planning their first trip to Ireland can make NUMEROUS mistakes and come away dissatisfied. So with that I wanted to offer up a bit of advice (with the caveat that it is personal opinion and people are most definitely allowed to disagree).

First, I am terrified for all those who attempt to plan out their trip to the day like it is some sort of task to be followed - especially when they have never been there before!! I think this is the biggest mistake someone can make! I just hope that IF they plan on doing this they at least get the advice from you and others as to whether or not it is realistic! We first thought that we would do this but ultimately realized that it probably wasn't in our best interest.

My advice is that if you are ona self vacation and can make your own schedule, pick two or three places to stay during your vacation and make that your "home base." From that you can then take short day trips out and back. The other benefit of this is that you are also building familiarity with the area and can more easily navigate your way through the country (which is not necessarily the easiest of tasks!).

Also, I read all these posts about the full coverage rental car insurance and whether or not their card will cover it. I say, SUCK IT UP and JUST PAY THE EXTRA. I truely believe it is worth the peace of mind - let alone the actually insurance coverage! To me it just isn't worth the hassel. I must admit here, though, that I too was trying to figure out all sorts of ways to get it covered through the card - it's just not worth the time and hassel in my estimation!

And while we are on credit cards, I wanted to mention something that I had not read anywhere prior to my departure (I could have probably done better research, though, and found the answer). If you are planning on going to many different pubs and enjoying a few pints of Guinness, please note that in most places you CANNOT "start a tab" with your credit card as is commonplace in the U.S.!!! You are going to be disappointed when you find out that they only take cash - and you quickly run out of the euros you originally brought. Time to hit the ATM! Now, you can sometimes do this if you place a meal order in the beginning - but if you just wanted to drop by a pub for an hour or two without having a meal - get out the cash!

Oh, and regardless of however many memory cards you may have for your digital camera - it won't be enough!!!! What an absolutely gorgeous country!!

Finally, when you hang up some of your clothing in the closet at your bed and breakfast, DON'T forget to take them out and pack them prior to leaving!!! Yeah, that's right, I'm an idiot! But, as I believe is the case with most all Irish folk, the proprietor was kind enough to package and mail my clothing to the next b&b on my journey. Truely, they must be some of the kindest most enjoyable people to be around in the entire world!

Thanks, Michele, for this forrum. I hope people are able to take this for what it is - just a bit of personal advice from a now "seasoned" traveler.

Sean