Hi, I am back from the Best of Ireland tour and it was fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it and to those people doing the tour in July you will too. The countryside is absolutely green and lush and the food is wonderful also. I met a lovely lot of people on tour and with two others were the only Aussies, 4 were NZ's and 1 couple Canadians and the rest were Americans, a great bunch of people. Waterford,was brilliant, so was Blarney, Limerick, Galway and we also went to Donegal where the Belleck china is made, unfortunately it is like the Waterford factory, "no seconds"they get smached and reused.

That was supposed to be smashed, I think I am still on European time as I also did a 30 day European Discoverer tour and have only been back a couple of days, have yet to find my Aussie time frame

Hi Josie,

I'm going to Ireland in September and wondered if you would consider posting a tale, or perhaps listing the optionals that were offered and your opinions on them.

Thanks

Welcome back Josie L. I hope you had a great time. I'm doing the Best of Ireland tour which departs 12 July 07. I would really like to hear all about your travels in Ireland. I could use any advice you might be able to give me about the tour. Thanks.

Hi Chuck & Tulips

I had a wonderful time and the optionals were as follows: Waterford Crystal, saw how they made the different crystal and how they etched on the glass etc, then we went to Blarney Castle to kiss the stone, then we did the Ring of Kerry excursion then Bunratty Castle and folk park. We also had an Evening of Irish Entertainment which was very good. We also went on a boat trip on the Killarney Lakes, we had dinner at an Irish Pub which was fun, also Shannon Castle Banquet which was worth it, all the fun and laughter we even got to taste "Mead" which was very nice, could have drank that all evening but I did want to know what was going on so didn't. Then there was the Irish Celi Evening which was fantastic as you get to sing songs etc. We also went into Northern Ireland and visited the Belleek Pottery Factory. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I have made a couple of very good friends, from the USA, from that tour.

I suggest that you do all the optionals and have a really good time

Hi Chuck

I usggest that you go to Ireland and just enjoy yourself. Everybody's take on Ireland is different and you really need to experience it for yourself. I would have no hesitation in going back to Ireland again as the people are very friendly. I only found out a couple of days ago that the Tour Director that I had on my tour "Valerie Foley" was the same Tour Director that my sister had on her tour of Ireland in September 2000. Now that is a coincidence wouldn't you say. She was great and of course our coach driver "Sean Levin" was great too. So go and enjoy yourself.

Regards Josie

quote:

I usggest

Still on European time Josie?

Sorry to take the Michael - am glad to hear that you enjoyed your tour so very much.

Chuck and Tulips
Liz , our resident Ireland tourist has written up several tour tales on Ireland. Please read her write ups in Tour Tales. They make for fascinating reading. Belleek factory tour was interesting but we found the prices there to be more expensive than you could find the items for in southern Ireland. Waterford crystal prices were pretty standard all over Ireland. The best shop was by the Blarney Stone (biggest and best selection). If you are American, they will ship home free for you if you spend a certain amount of money. U.S. is the only country that gets the postage break. We took all of the optionals while in Ireland and enjoyed all. The Irish people are so friendly and the pubs are well worth a visit.

Mid life traveller,

I have read all of Lizv's wonderful tales on Ireland. She has also very kindly answered many questions that I have posted on this board.

Tulips & Chuck- I am happy to answer any questions that you might have.

ATIZDNANAEJ is in Ireland right now- on the Irish Experience tour and emtynest came back recently; maybe one of them will post a tale in the near future.

Thanks MIL.

Tulips & Chuck- kujhwks wrote a tale regarding her September,2006 Britain & Ireland Panorama Tour.

Specifically Days 7, 8 & 9 as well as Days 10, 11 & 12 installments address the Ireland portion of the tour.

The Ireland optionals offered ( per her day 4? installment)were:

Irish Pub Experience which kujhwks didn't do
- Killarney Jaunting Car Ride
- Irish Ceili Evening and Dinner
- Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
- Glendalough (Glen of Two Lakes)
- Dublin Dinner and Cabaret

She listed the costs in Pound Sterling which was due to the fact tour included Britian ; your strictly Ireland tour will list costs in Euro.

Hello all! I've also read the tour tales from Lizv, and have found them very helpful. Thanks Lizv for making me feel like I was on the tour with you. It's amazing how you can remember every detail. Thanks also to JosieL for the tips. I can hardly wait to get there! I have 11 more days to go. take care, and thanks to all of you for the tips and tales.

Chuck - Have a GREAT TRIP. I know many would deeply appreciate a tour tale of your experiences upon your return. Slan go foile

Thanks for the good wishes Lizv. I recently went and bought a journal to write in during my trip. I hope to have a great time. Now all I have to worry about is my flight, and my luggage getting there with me.

Chuck: Have a great trip. Your luggage will make it there. The best shopping is at the Blarney Woolen Mills at the Blarney Stone. We found Northern Ireland to be more expensive than southern part. Enjoy, the people in Ireland are incredible and make the country a joy to visit.