My wife and I returned from Ireland last week and wanted to caution you on a couple of things about Sceptre Tours. Dan Dooley rental car will only accept a Platinum Master card to avoid the country insurance. We only brought our Platinum Discover and Visa cards and they would not accept them. It is a $100.00 charge to insure your vehicle for the week. We couldn't take the chance so we paid their insurance. If you do, contedt it with with credit card company if you have a platinum or gold card. You are also required to return the car with an empty tank because they charge you for the initial tank ($40.00). The B & B's are limited and charge an extra 5 pounds for an ensuite. All owners were friendly but the accomodations were only acceptable. The food was awful as to be expected in Britian. The scenery was better in N. Ireland but the petrol prices lower in Ireland. Any recommendations needed on B & B's let me know.

Jim, I may be wrong, but I don't think Discover card is accepted anywhere in Europe.

Hey Jim... hate to break this to you, but the Republic of Ireland is NOT part of Britain, it is a separate country entirely and if Sceptre Tours let you visit and leave and not know that, then it is a lousy company and you were ripped off in more ways then mediocre B & B's!

Jim <BR> Don't know where you stayed, or ate, but my trip to Ireland in November (9 days) was great. I planned the whole thing myself, booked all the rooms & car via email. <BR> The B&B's I found were wonderful, and I found the food to be great. The soups especially pleased us, and the salmon was all that I expected. <BR> <BR> I did do a lot of research on what b&b's I would stay in , and I asked A LOT of questions , both here on the forum and of Dan Dooley directly , regarding the CDW waiver. ( I purposely got a platinum MC before the trip for that reason alone). <BR> <BR>I think the moral of the story here is that whether you book a tour or do it yourself, research is the key.

Hi Jim, <BR> <BR>Guess what? Just bought a septre tour and I leave on January 10!... I have been on this board the last week and I have received great advice (hello gang!). And in hind-sight I would probably not do the package deal now that i feel more comfortable with what to do and see, but it seemed a good idea for a first trip. <BR> <BR>This platinum Master Card info. is very appriciated. One was ordered last week! <BR> <BR>I have had great suggestions for b&b's and I hope to have a better experience after all this research. The finishing touches on the itenerary are being made, and I plan on calling for reservations tomorrow. We will see how that goes. Hopefully there will be room at the places we have picked with the help of my new buddies on the board. I am planning on sticking close to Shannon (Bunratty) at first to overcome the travel from the U.S. How was the flight? Did you fly into Shannon from New York like me? Over all impression of Air Lingus? <BR> <BR>After traveling in London and Scotland in previous years, I have fallin in love with "pub grub", and I tend to research then "splurge" on high-end restaurnts suggested by the board...my one big treat to myself..I think I found some good ones! (The board is full of good suggestions). <BR> <BR>This board and suggestions like yours will hopefully make for smooth sailing. <BR> <BR>What are your suggestions to make my trip the best it can be? <BR> <BR>Thanks John

Sorry to hear about this trip Jim. <BR>I have used Sceptre a few times. The price could not be beat. $499.00 for Aer Lingus, rental car and 6 nights vouchers. <BR>I wonder if this is something new with Dan Dooley. I did not have that problem. <BR>As for the B&B's. We used the Town and Country Book and Farmhouse book that Brandan Tours also use. They both have web sites. We had good luck with the B&B. There is an extra 5 or 6 pounds charge at all the B&B's, but it still worked out cheeper than anything else out there. <BR>Would you have Sceptre Tel #? I have misplaced it. They use to have a web site at sceptretours.com but I have not been able to access it. <BR>Much appreciated.

WOW!...I paid $1,900 for air fare, rental car, vouches for two people. I bid for it on-line. Sounds like I could have done better, but I am not going to worry about it now, just plan to enjoy the trip.....Jim, did you get a similar package, and if so did I pay too much? <BR> <BR>Was gonna do it on American Airlines and use miles to upgrade to the front, and stay in nice hotels, but at the time this package promotion looked so good i bit the hook! I sorta think I will end up paying less with this package than if I did it on my own, I tend to get carried away once I land, ya know that "well I am here and I am going to enjoy" attitude. I have the same attitude with septre, I will have fun, but I am going to use the vouchers and it will keep me from going hog wild!

Dan Dooley was not at fault on you CDW coverage. Most credit cards even AMX Gold have stopped providing coverage in Ireland.

John, <BR> I stayed in Bunratty my last 2 nights in November. <BR> I really enjoyed the Headley Court B&B ( not sure if they are open in Jan though.) <BR> Lots of parking and big rooms, WONDERFUL breakfasts. <BR> <BR>good luck on your trip. <BR>Debbie

Thank you!...man have i researched this. I really enjoy it. I will check and see if they are open, if so I will take your advise.

Don't forget gas is $5 a gallon!!!!!!!

WOW! <BR>I hate to share this, but in Sacramento, California, U.S.A., we are barking about $1.55 a gallon! So, I will take that to heart and feel lucky I don't pay $5.00 a gallon everyday!

We paid around 72 - 78 cents a liter (3.75 liters or so to a gallon) in the Republic ( southern) Ireland. <BR> <BR>to give you an idea - we went 630 miles in 9 days - <BR>Shannon - Galway - Kylemore - Galway - Waterford - Killarney - Cliffs of Moher - Bunratty - Shannon. <BR> <BR>We used approx $84 USD in gas - were able to use credit cards to pay for all of the fill ups ( 1 plus a top off, plus the initial tank of gas) we did end up returning the car with about 1/4 tank of gas left over. - The initial fill up that they give you from the rental place is actually the most expensive gas you will get. ($47 usd for us) <BR> <BR>It is a bit more expensive - but worth it. <BR>p.s. here in wisconsin, we are paying around $1.50 for basic unleaded too. <BR> <BR>Debbie