Report: Sceptre Tours, Aer Lingus, Dan Dooley, Adare Manor
Feb 29th, 2008, 06:41 AM
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Report: Sceptre Tours, Aer Lingus, Dan Dooley, Adare Manor
Just returned from a one-week vacation to SW Ireland and wanted to share some information.
We booked the trip through Sceptre Tours. We found their package to be a very good value, and there were no glitches with travel arrangements.
We flew Aer Lingus from Chicago to Shannon with a brief stop in Dublin. The Airbus A330-300 used on both the outbound and inbound flights seemed brand new, was very clean and had personal entertainment systems. Flight crew efficient and friendly. On our return flight, we flew from Shannon leaving the plane briefly for US customs in Dublin. This process was quick and efficient.
We rented our car from Dan Dooley at the Shannon airport, arranged through Sceptre. At the end of our first day, we noticed a grinding noise in one wheel when breaking. We were passing nearby the airport again, and stopped back for them to check. They gave us a new vehicle with no hassles. When returning the car, we had no issues with damages. We paid extra for GPS and found it very helpful and worth the cost.
Since our trip was only 6 nights, we opted to stay in one place and take day trips. We stayed at the Adare Manor Boulabally Village villas in Adare. Located on the Adare Manor property, the villas are two-story, three bedroom/den with four bathrooms. They have a full kitchen and washer and dryer. The Manor as well as the villas were just as advertised on website. Villa was very well appointed and the Manor house and grounds were beautiful. Every person we encountered from the people at the guard gate, to the concierge staff were very friendly. Everyone in our group commented that we could not remember a time where all staff at a property were so pleasant and helpful.
Villa guests have full access to the Manor, including indoor pool and exercise facility, restaurants, etc. and the several hundred acre property.
If you don't have the time to travel throughout Ireland on an extended trip, even a short break with day trips is well worth it.
We booked the trip through Sceptre Tours. We found their package to be a very good value, and there were no glitches with travel arrangements.
We flew Aer Lingus from Chicago to Shannon with a brief stop in Dublin. The Airbus A330-300 used on both the outbound and inbound flights seemed brand new, was very clean and had personal entertainment systems. Flight crew efficient and friendly. On our return flight, we flew from Shannon leaving the plane briefly for US customs in Dublin. This process was quick and efficient.
We rented our car from Dan Dooley at the Shannon airport, arranged through Sceptre. At the end of our first day, we noticed a grinding noise in one wheel when breaking. We were passing nearby the airport again, and stopped back for them to check. They gave us a new vehicle with no hassles. When returning the car, we had no issues with damages. We paid extra for GPS and found it very helpful and worth the cost.
Since our trip was only 6 nights, we opted to stay in one place and take day trips. We stayed at the Adare Manor Boulabally Village villas in Adare. Located on the Adare Manor property, the villas are two-story, three bedroom/den with four bathrooms. They have a full kitchen and washer and dryer. The Manor as well as the villas were just as advertised on website. Villa was very well appointed and the Manor house and grounds were beautiful. Every person we encountered from the people at the guard gate, to the concierge staff were very friendly. Everyone in our group commented that we could not remember a time where all staff at a property were so pleasant and helpful.
Villa guests have full access to the Manor, including indoor pool and exercise facility, restaurants, etc. and the several hundred acre property.
If you don't have the time to travel throughout Ireland on an extended trip, even a short break with day trips is well worth it.
Mar 10th, 2008, 01:38 PM
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Quick question on Aer Lingus for you.
Never having flown them on any trip to Ireland, I am curious to what they served you to eat on your flight over.
We fly from Boston to Dublin, then Dublin back through Chicago on them.
Thank you.
Never having flown them on any trip to Ireland, I am curious to what they served you to eat on your flight over.
We fly from Boston to Dublin, then Dublin back through Chicago on them.
Thank you.
Mar 20th, 2008, 06:21 PM
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The food was OK -- pretty similar to other major airlines. I never expect it to be good and always bring snacks.
On the outbound flight, we were surprised that we actually enjoyed the ravioli, salad and cheesecake dessert. They also served crackers and a Vermont cheddar cheese. Breakfast just before arrival was a pretty average croissant with ham and cheese.
On the return flight, I opted for pasta again, and it was on the bland side. The snack before landing was a raisin roll with jam and butter. Again, just average.
Have a great trip!
On the outbound flight, we were surprised that we actually enjoyed the ravioli, salad and cheesecake dessert. They also served crackers and a Vermont cheddar cheese. Breakfast just before arrival was a pretty average croissant with ham and cheese.
On the return flight, I opted for pasta again, and it was on the bland side. The snack before landing was a raisin roll with jam and butter. Again, just average.
Have a great trip!
Mar 21st, 2008, 06:15 PM
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Thanks for the practical information. I have a question about the GPS. I've seen several people mentioning that it is helpful in Ireland but haven't seen how much it costs per day. We're probably going to rent from Dan Dooley, but didn't see a GPS price on their web site.
Mar 27th, 2008, 03:36 PM
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We opted for an automatic transmission, and the GPS was included with that upgrade as part of the Sceptre package. Going with the automatic increased the cost substantially, but we decided it was worth it.
Mar 27th, 2008, 04:06 PM
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Tanner3, thanks for the info. We were there a couple of years ago for one week also but were on the move every night. When we return with family we would like to find one location as you did and do day trips but it is hard to decide where to base oneself. Just wondering where you decided to go on your day trips and if you thought Adare was a good location.
Mar 27th, 2008, 05:21 PM
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Hi Starfish-
I should give you the disclaimer that this was not our typical vacation abroad. The three of us are fairly well traveled, and usually pack a lot into every trip. We usually are in larger cities, but decided we wanted to relax a bit more on this trip.
Our day trips were:
1. Cliffs of Moher, Doolin area, Burren area on the first day after landing early at Shannon airport. Easier to go up north since we were starting in Shannon.
2. Rock of Cashel. Easy access from Adare, really a half-day trip allowing a relaxing evening back in an Adare pub.
3. Dingle Peninsula. Was very enjoyable as a day trip, but would prefer an overnight -- even 2 nights -- next trip.
4. Scenic drive along the Shannon Estuary attempting to locate a "family" castle. Actually not very scenic and would not repeat.
5. Half-day trip to Blarney Woolen Mills for shopping.
The other time was spent enjoying walks on the expansive Adare Manor property, strolling through town and enjoying an evening at a pub. Since we were there in off season, the town of Adare was quite nice. Most nights, the pubs had only locals. We heard it becomes bogged down with tourist buses in season.
If you are traveling with a family, the Adare villas are ideal with a full kitchen, three bedrooms and a den with a sofa-sleeper.
If you golf, Adare Manor would be an excellent choice as it is home of the Irish Open.
If you were there more than 6 nights, splitting your stay in two locations would probably be best allowing better access to sites.
Enjoy your travels!
I should give you the disclaimer that this was not our typical vacation abroad. The three of us are fairly well traveled, and usually pack a lot into every trip. We usually are in larger cities, but decided we wanted to relax a bit more on this trip.
Our day trips were:
1. Cliffs of Moher, Doolin area, Burren area on the first day after landing early at Shannon airport. Easier to go up north since we were starting in Shannon.
2. Rock of Cashel. Easy access from Adare, really a half-day trip allowing a relaxing evening back in an Adare pub.
3. Dingle Peninsula. Was very enjoyable as a day trip, but would prefer an overnight -- even 2 nights -- next trip.
4. Scenic drive along the Shannon Estuary attempting to locate a "family" castle. Actually not very scenic and would not repeat.
5. Half-day trip to Blarney Woolen Mills for shopping.
The other time was spent enjoying walks on the expansive Adare Manor property, strolling through town and enjoying an evening at a pub. Since we were there in off season, the town of Adare was quite nice. Most nights, the pubs had only locals. We heard it becomes bogged down with tourist buses in season.
If you are traveling with a family, the Adare villas are ideal with a full kitchen, three bedrooms and a den with a sofa-sleeper.
If you golf, Adare Manor would be an excellent choice as it is home of the Irish Open.
If you were there more than 6 nights, splitting your stay in two locations would probably be best allowing better access to sites.
Enjoy your travels!
