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Talk About Ireland / Travel in Ireland / Planning a Trip to Ireland / Itinerary travel questions April 2009
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| Posted: 05 Oct 2008 23:46 | ||
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Posts: 1 Join Date: Oct 2008 |
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| We are planning a family trip flying into Dublin Fri. morning April 3rd and flying back out of Dublin Thurs. morning April 9th. I will be traveling with my husband and our 3 kids, 2 boys 14 and 16 and an 11 year old daughter. The itinerary I'm looking at is flying into Dublin and taking a bus into the city to spend the first day and night there. Then we're thinking we'll take a bus back out to the airport Sat. morning to rent a car and head up to Newgrange, and then head down to Kilkenny to spend Sat. night. Sun. head through Cashel to Kinsale. Mon. drive to Kenmare for 2 nights, Wed. up to Moneygall (hopefully to spend one night with my sister-in-laws Aunt and then Thurs morning back to Dublin airport for our flight home. One question is what are the most economical accomodations for a family of 5, when we travel in the US we usually pile into 1 hotel room with 2 queen beds and a roll away, is that an option in Ireland are we better off with bed and breakfasts, they seem to be really expensive on a per person basis. What about our itinerary does it seem doable? Does it make sense to go back to the airport to rent the car for day 2? I know we have lots of planning time, should we really wait until we get there to work out our accomodations, except our 1st night in Dublin which I assume we should book before we get there. Any info or suggestions you can give us will be greatly appreciated, we have already learned so much from your wonderful website, Thanks, Ellen | ||
| Posted: 08 Oct 2008 04:44 | ||
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Posts: 64 Join Date: Dec 2005 |
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Ellen,
Overall I'd say that you itinerary is doable though weather may have some to do with how much you actually get to in the day. You will want to be up and ready to go on some of the longer driving days just to make sure you have the time to get in the sights you have listed. Newgrange is a wonderful place and if you go on both bus tours (Newgrange & Knowth) be prepared to spend around 3 hours at the facility. I think that so early in the season you will be fine to get from downtown Dublin to the airport, pick up your rental car and then be on your way. As long as you make it to the Sight by around noon there should still be tickets left for your family. Kilkenny to Kinsale has several places worth stopping; Cahir and the castle there are a Must See for you, the Rock of Cashel is not far away and, on the way to Kinsale (or the next day to Kenmare) you may be able to fit in Blarney Castle as well. Again, weather will have a lot to say in the matter. Many B&Bs offer Family Rooms so I would look around at the places you are heading to and see if you can't find B&Bs that offer such a room. Remember too that the entire family will get breakfast included in the price of your overnight stay - something which most hotels do not include unless specifically stated. However, having said that, you may still get the "better deal" by staying in hotels where you can all pile in together. Some investigating on your part is the best course, IMO, and I'm sure there will be plenty of Wiggle Room for you guys to get a good deal. With the Irish economy slowing, plenty of folks and hotels will be willing to give you a reduced rate. I prefer B&Bs to hotels in Ireland because you get a much more homey and friendly experience. Most hotels are just hotels (smaller, locally owned ones are the exception), I have found while in Ireland. I missed the personal attention and the exchange of culture when we have stayed in a larger hotel in the past. The exception is Dublin where you will pretty much have to stay in a hotel room to be in the downtown area. And I would definitely make a reservation before you arrive though you may want to wait a bit, early next year-ish, and see how the economy is doing. Anyway, if you decide to go (mostly) with B&Bs then you will want to make reservations for the Family Rooms you wish to stay in. Whether you make reservations well before you go or a day or two before you are due to arrive is up to you. Just make sure you have an "Alternatives List" just in case. You certainly do not need to start emailing or calling folks now, however. You do have some time. Your last night in Moneygall leaves you with a good long drive to Dublin airport the morning you are to depart. You may want to reconsider that as a) I'm not sure when you are leaving and b) do you really want to have to sit in a car for several hours before boarding a plane and having to sit for many more in a row. It's a good 2 hours from Moneygall to the airport and I'd give yourselves at least 3 in case there is poor weather &/or traffic, especially near Dublin. Add to that the need to be at the airport 3 hours before your plane leaves (to drop off your rental car, get bussed to the airport then check in, get through security (the most time consuming part) and through the Duty Free shops before waiting at the terminal for your flight. You can see that if your flight is really any time in the AM on that Thursday you will need to be up really early and on the road. Hope this helps with your planning. Post back and let us know how it goes! Safe travels, Wendy |
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