First Visit

bruceswt · Newbie

First Visit

wojazz3 · Guru

You can go in either direction in October. Tourism will be faily low that time of year though not empty. With a week, you won't be able to see huge amounts of Ireland so figure on picking a few places to nest for 2-3 and a final night near the airport.

Galway is a young college town so it can be busy any time of year which is neither a good or bad statement. Weekends will be a bit more wild. Try to spend a day or two in Co. Clare also.

Bill

Michele Erdvig · Host

bruceswt,

There are no crowds in October unless you choose to go to a festival or event. You can go in whatever direction you choose with few tourists to contend with.

Michele

bruceswt · Newbie

Thanks for the information. My next question involves the vouchers vs. pay as you go.

As there are few tourists, is there any advantage in purchacing the vouchers from one of the firms that attends Irish Fest in Milwaukee...or just pay as you go. Is it less expensive either way, more restrictive.... I am at a total loss ...the deal works out to about $100 a night which includes a car...obviously no CDW. Help

wojazz3 · Guru

Hi bruceswt:

Generally, vouchers are not priced as well as going on your own and you have far more choices on your own. If that's $100 per night for two, that's a pretty good deal. If that is per person, that is not a very good deal at all and you will do much better paying as you go. You can usually fine a B&B for E30-35 per person per night which at the current exchange is about $45 (E35) pppn.

Michele lists a pretty good number of car rental agencies here and her B&B lists are all personal recommendations. Her book is a good take it with you type. No pictures, just packed with data. townandcountry.ie is a listing of a couple of thousand B&Bs, most with no rating. Any ratings that are in there are usually from AA (Automobile Association in the UK). You can certainly find good ones there but it's a bit hit or miss.

Bill

Michele Erdvig · Host

bruceswt,

Bill's advice is "spot on" as they say in Ireland. The vouchers do restrict where you can stay and there are different types. Some are good only at farmhouse B&Bs, which are usually out in the countryside and not real close to the towns and cities. Town & Country vouchers would be better since they give you access to more places and many will be closer to towns.

In October B&Bs will be giving their lower prices so you can probably get most for around 30 euro per person per night. Count the total cost of the vouchers and car versus doing it yourself.

Michele