As anyone taken C-I-E Tours?
Jul 19th, 2006, 11:16 AM
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As anyone taken C-I-E Tours?
Was thinking about going to Ireland - and was wondering if anyone has gone thru C-I-E Tours Internation (Go as you please Ireland). Or should I try to do it on my own?
May go in October or May of next year for 10 days 8 travel time and would like to do the Southwest area....any suggestions thank again
May go in October or May of next year for 10 days 8 travel time and would like to do the Southwest area....any suggestions thank again
Jul 19th, 2006, 11:36 AM
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When my elderly Mother decided she had to see Ireland - bithplace of her parents- I booked a tour for us with CIE.
Mind you, I'm not one for bus tours and I really had serious reservations about being chained to a group of *ahem* "mature" folks but we really had a great time!
CIE took care of everything and they treated Mom like royalty. I also found them to be very cost effective. We stayed in some pretty impressive places which I doubt I could have worked into a modest travel budget had we been on our own. As for being herded along, that didn't happen at all as CIE seems to have a more relaxed attitude towards touring all the various sites. They also gave us plently of time to explore on our own. I wouldn't hesitate to book with them again.
Mind you, I'm not one for bus tours and I really had serious reservations about being chained to a group of *ahem* "mature" folks but we really had a great time!
CIE took care of everything and they treated Mom like royalty. I also found them to be very cost effective. We stayed in some pretty impressive places which I doubt I could have worked into a modest travel budget had we been on our own. As for being herded along, that didn't happen at all as CIE seems to have a more relaxed attitude towards touring all the various sites. They also gave us plently of time to explore on our own. I wouldn't hesitate to book with them again.
Jul 19th, 2006, 12:30 PM
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We were on a C-I-E trip two years ago and it was a terrific experience. The driver knew his country (his name was Tom) and he did an excellent job. He went out of his way to help those on our tour that needed special assistance and the information he provided about Ireland was stuff we would NEVER have found in a travel book. The hotels were very nice and the food was good. I wouldn't hesitate to do a C-I-E trip again!
Jul 19th, 2006, 02:17 PM
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Hi djm:
CIE is a well respected tour company and if it's a tour you want, they would be a good choice.
I will differ from the other two in suggesting that you go on your own. CIE uses large buses and their are just too many great roads that they just can't take to too many places that are spectacular. Driving is not difficult, but slow ... all the better. If you end up wanting a guided tour of a specific area, you can certainly single those out. Also, instead of staying in hotels, you cab stay in B&Bs which I find preferable.
As far as suggestions for the SW go, they are endless. Virtually any coastal area in the SW is spectacular and the countryside is dotted with ruined towerhouses, lookout towers and old churches and homesteads.
I'm a fan of May as a travel time. October would be equally quiet though May is staticically drier, there are no guarantees on weather in Ireland, take this last may for instance.
Here are my three travel journals from Ireland:
http://www.geocities.com/obeirne_ireland_2002/index.htm
http://www.geocities.com/obeirne_ireland_2003/
http://www.geocities.com/obeirne_ireland_2005_1/
With any luck, I'll have the 4th completed well before you leave. We visited the SW and SE.
Bill
CIE is a well respected tour company and if it's a tour you want, they would be a good choice.
I will differ from the other two in suggesting that you go on your own. CIE uses large buses and their are just too many great roads that they just can't take to too many places that are spectacular. Driving is not difficult, but slow ... all the better. If you end up wanting a guided tour of a specific area, you can certainly single those out. Also, instead of staying in hotels, you cab stay in B&Bs which I find preferable.
As far as suggestions for the SW go, they are endless. Virtually any coastal area in the SW is spectacular and the countryside is dotted with ruined towerhouses, lookout towers and old churches and homesteads.
I'm a fan of May as a travel time. October would be equally quiet though May is staticically drier, there are no guarantees on weather in Ireland, take this last may for instance.
Here are my three travel journals from Ireland:
http://www.geocities.com/obeirne_ireland_2002/index.htm
http://www.geocities.com/obeirne_ireland_2003/
http://www.geocities.com/obeirne_ireland_2005_1/
With any luck, I'll have the 4th completed well before you leave. We visited the SW and SE.
Bill
Jul 19th, 2006, 03:13 PM
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Go as you please is not an organized bus tour but a self-drive plan with air/car/vouchers. Most people find that they can do the same for less by doing it on their own. It does take a bit more planning to do on your own but that is a rewarding experience, as many Fodorites will attest to.
Jul 20th, 2006, 06:38 AM
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oops, missed the go as you please part. I agree with Irish Eyes. Unless you are traveling low season and someone throws out a great deal, booking independently usually is cheaper and more flexible.
Bill
Bill
