Ellen L.iebel

I am planning on taking my husband and two teenage children to Ireland in June for 2 weeks. We have never been to Europe. Any suggestions? Where do I begin my research? Any tips on books that might help. Thinking about doing some biking from inn to inn for a couple of days. Would also like to horseback ride. <BR>Overwhelmed with where to start.

Anna

You may want to check out ricksteves.com, if you like his approach to travel then get his Europe Through The Back Door book. It is very helpful in planning a first trip to Europe.

Martha

Ellen-- I think you're off to a good start already, making your first trip to Europe a focused visit to one country. Have you checked what's available in your local library? This is usually a great resource for travelers. Besides books and magazines specifically on travel, browse through books on history, music, whatever-- even novels set in Ireland. You'll probably want to visit places you read about, which are special to you, rather than just the standard "must sees." Martha

wes fowler

Ellen, <BR>Where to begin, indeed! For a historical introduction to Ireland, look for the book "Modern Ireland, 1600-1972" by R. F. Foster. It will help you understand a great deal about the history of Ireland and its relations with England. For an overview of Ireland from a tourist's standpoint, look for the "Insight Guide to Ireland". This book, and a similar title for Dublin truly give insights into the country, its traditions, customs and those things that make Ireland unique. It's written in an informal style with humor by people who are, or have been, long time residents of the country. A plus are its excellent photographs. Look for Karen Browne's book "Ireland: Charming Inns and Itineraries". <BR> <BR>Pick up a copy of the Michelin map for Ireland; it's Number 923. It is really essential in helping your trip planning. <BR> <BR>Check out the following web sites: <BR>www.ireland.travel.ie/home/index the site of the Irish National Tourist Office <BR>www.city.net/countries/ireland for links to Irish tourism sites <BR>http://www.celtic.standford.edu/pmur...sh/travel.html for additional links to tourist related sites. <BR> <BR>One final hint. Get your family, particularly the teenagers actively involved in the planning process. Have them research B&Bs, sights to see, things to do. Becoming involved in the planning will make for a far more meaningful trip for them than just being "tagalongs".

G Potvin

I always start by writing to the tourist bureaus and ask for information. Sometimes they require a few $ 3-5, but not always. If you are going to Northern Ireland, and I would encorage you to consider it, they have a separate tourist bureau. The addresses are available in travel books. We use Frommers, but there are many good ones. <BR> <BR>We always reserve cars before we go. The driving is testy at first, so I would encourage you to plan on short trips til you get used to the other side of the road. <BR> <BR>There are a lot of B&B's as you travel, and the breakfasts are usully quite subsstantial. <BR> <BR>Finally, get lots of books and read, read,read! Good luck.

PRJones

Agree with all of the previous comments and help. When contacting the Irish Tourist Office ask if they still publish their book of Bed and Bfts.they can send you. We reserved the first night then called from point to point as we drove around the country. If you do drive, you might want to get a copy of the IRISH TOURING GUIDE by Appletree Press, which has a complete atlas and suggested driving tours plus where to go, what to do, what to see. Their address is The Appletree Press <BR>7 James St. South, Belfast BT2 8DL, Norther Ireland. (The guide is for the Republic of Ireland and the North)Get an aerogram at the P.O. and send off a request for price, etc. I bought mine in England at one of the Auto Club Shops, but since you will be going directly to Ireland over the pond, you won't have this advantage. I paid 6pounds, 95 pence in 1987, so it probably costs more, but it will be worth every penny if you are planning to see the country. If you have time, try to go to Waterford and take the Waterford Crystal Factory tour. No bargains here but an amazing industry. You will love the Irish people and they seem to love Americans. If you take photographs, some advice I was given, after the fact, was to get accurate "greens", use Fuji film. Have a great time!

PRJones

Agree with all of the previous comments and help. When contacting the Irish Tourist Office ask if they still publish their book of Bed and Bfts.they can send you. We reserved the first night then called from point to point as we drove around the country. If you do drive, you might want to get a copy of the IRISH TOURING GUIDE by Appletree Press, which has a complete atlas and suggested driving tours plus where to go, what to do, what to see. Their address is The Appletree Press <BR>7 James St. South, Belfast BT2 8DL, Norther Ireland. (The guide is for the Republic of Ireland and the North)Get an aerogram at the P.O. and send off a request for price, etc. I bought mine in England at one of the Auto Club Shops, but since you will be going directly to Ireland over the pond, you won't have this advantage. I paid 6pounds, 95 pence in 1987, so it probably costs more, but it will be worth every penny if you are planning to see the country. If you have time, try to go to Waterford and take the Waterford Crystal Factory tour. No bargains here but an amazing industry. You will love the Irish people and they seem to love Americans. If you take photographs, some advice I was given, after the fact, was to get accurate "greens", use Fuji film. Have a great time!

PRJones

Agree with all of the previous comments and help. When contacting the Irish Tourist Office ask if they still publish their book of Bed and Bfts.they can send you. We reserved the first night then called from point to point as we drove around the country. If you do drive, you might want to get a copy of the IRISH TOURING GUIDE by Appletree Press, which has a complete atlas and suggested driving tours plus where to go, what to do, what to see. Their address is The Appletree Press <BR>7 James St. South, Belfast BT2 8DL, Norther Ireland. (The guide is for the Republic of Ireland and the North)Get an aerogram at the P.O. and send off a request for price, etc. I bought mine in England at one of the Auto Club Shops, but since you will be going directly to Ireland over the pond, you won't have this advantage. I paid 6pounds, 95 pence in 1987, so it probably costs more, but it will be worth every penny if you are planning to see the country. If you have time, try to go to Waterford and take the Waterford Crystal Factory tour. No bargains here but an amazing industry. You will love the Irish people and they seem to love Americans. If you take photographs, some advice I was given, after the fact, was to get accurate "greens", use Fuji film. Have a great time!

PRJones

Sorry for the duplicate replies.Guess my mouse got impatient.Meant to give you Internet contacts Irish Tour. Bd. <BR>E-Mail: "[email protected] <BR>Web:ireland.travel.ie (These are from the "Planning Your Trip to Europe" put out by the European Travel Commission. <BR>Web: www.visiteurope.com/)

Scott

Ellen, <BR>My wife and I returned last Monday from 17 wonderful days in Ireland. We went the B&B route, & family discounts are available in many. It was our first trip, but the web sites we used were very helpful, including our first nights lodging near Shannon. It did not matter what our plans were for the day, the B&B hosts were always helpful, and saved us both time and money. <BR>Here are a few of the web sites we used, and the Irish Tourist Board is excellent for help, and you can find some 1-800 phone numbers to talk to those nice people if you check their web page. <BR>IRELAND<BR> <BR>http://www.ireland.travel.ie/home/index.asp<BR> (the Irish Tourist Board) <BR>http://www.frommers.com/prep/pack/index.htm<BR> (preparations for travel) <BR>http://www.bestfares.com/<BR> <BR> (travel fares) <BR>http://www.xe.net/currency/<BR> <BR> (exchange rates) <BR>http://cityguide.lycos.com/uk/ireland/IRLGalway.html<BR> (city guide info.) <BR>http://www.holiday-ireland.com/map.html<BR> <BR>http://www.irlgov.ie/info.htm<BR> <BR>http://www.dingle-peninsula.ie/accom2.html<BR> <BR>http://www.commerce.ie/towns_and_country/clare/clare5.html#3<BR> <BR>http://www.iol.ie/be-our-guest/counties/cork/cork.html<BR> <BR>http://www.frommers.com/<BR>http://www.aerlingus.ie/usa/<BR> <BR> (air travel) <BR>http://www.traveldesk.com/kudos/news/Virgin_Atlantic.html<BR> (air travel) <BR>If this helps, please let me know. I have lots more that was useful, and made us feel very at home when we arrived in Shannon on October 8th. <BR> Scott <BR>