Hi all! <BR> <BR>I'm new to this board, but as I am in the very early stages of planning a trip to Ireland, I look forward to chatting with you and learning about this beautiful country. <BR> <BR>This tour (and I wouldn't be doing it until next year) sounds fabulous,. It's a 13 day, 12 night tour. I won't take up too much space here with everything on the itinerary, but it includes: <BR> <BR>Cliffs of Mohr and two nights at Ashford Castle <BR> <BR>Kylemore Abbey/Connemara (this is optional) <BR> <BR>Knock/Sligo/Donegal (2 nights at Sand House Hotel) <BR> <BR>Dublin (2 nights at Westbury hotel) <BR> <BR>Glendalough/Kilkenny (Mount Juliet hotel) <BR> <BR>Waterford/Cobh/Cork (1 night Hayfield Manor, in Cork) <BR> <BR>Blarney Castle, Kenmare/Killarney (Muckross house) (2 night in Aghadoe Heights hotel) <BR> <BR>Ring of Kerry <BR> <BR>Kilfinane/Dromoland (1 night Dromoland Castle) <BR> <BR>One aspect of this tour that appealed to me was the visit to an working Dairy farm, but then...everything sounds wonderful. Being a horse lover, I can't wait to ride an Irish horse.... <BR> <BR>Any comments on this itinerary? <BR> <BR>Several people have mentioned that a Tour isn't the best way to see a country, with stops often limited due to time constraints. I generally agree, so when I go to a city, I go by myself. However, I don't want to drive in a foreign country. Any alternatives? <BR> <BR>Thanks! <BR> <BR>Betsy <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

My husband and I have taken 3 Tauck tours, one more coming upin Oct. to Normandy. We took the Tauck Ireland tour a few years ago in late May, superb guide and driver, small group, weather was changeable. We loved using the tour...husband didn't have to worry about driving the narrow roads and could also enjoy the sights; Tauck gives you free time to wander on own (didn't realize that one could play golf as easily there and there was time to fit it in...check with Tauck). One advantage we hadn't thought about in advance, riding in a bus puts one ABOVE the green hedges that line the back roads, which Tauck mostly uses. If you were in a car, you wouldn't be able to see as much. And prepare yourself for eating well; Tauck doesn't stint on their meals and those Irish sure know how to use their natural foods well. Try the soups in the pubs for a hearty lunch, even though sometimes they are not on the menu, you have to ask. If you want to see more yourself, which some people did, book your flights yourself or have Tauck arrange for some extra days before or after. Some people wanted to look up ancestors in out of the way towns and Tauck aided them in the planning...

Betsy, <BR> <BR>I've been several times on my own but would suggest you take this tour. It sounds great! The accomodations are all <BR>wonderful and the next trip you can go on your own. <BR> <BR>Katherine

Just got a card two days ago from friends who are on this trip. They are thrilled with the accomodations and food and say it is first class all the way! Sounds like a great trip. I vote yes!

we have always been independent travelers, but i have been looking at some tauck tours of Italy as my husband does not feel like driving there. They all sound super. another fodorite with whom I've been corresponding is on one right now and is going to report back, but having looked over her itinerary it too sounded great. A few days at the beginning or end sound like a good idea too. I have checked numerous companies and these tours do seem the best

Tauck is one of the fine examples of that old saying: <BR> <BR>You get what you pay for. <BR> <BR>Tauck has been delivering top quality for years. Not inexpensive, but excellent value for the money you spend. <BR> <BR>I much opposed to tours in general, but most of my standard objections don't hold with tours of this caliber. <BR> <BR>twenj

September 14th we leave on The Best of Ireland Tauck tour...our 7th. We can't see how they provide all the gorgeous hotels, marvelous meals and terrific information with knowledgable guides for the price. Four sets of us from our France tour are meeting again in Ireland. My husband will definitely golf during the free times. We have driven England, Scotland and Wales many times, but this is truly a carefree holiday. If you want to, keep my e-mail and contact me at the end of September and I will give you the scoop on your tour. <BR>

Thank you all for your assurances; I almost wish I could take this trip tomorrow, for between now and then, I'll probably talk myself into a million different things. <BR> <BR>Carol, thanks for the advice; I'm glad you had a great time! Katherine, no doubt you are right. This trip does seem like a marvelous introduction to a a beautiful country. Thanks Peg! Glad your friends are having such a good time. How could they not? Jody, I know just how you feel, and Ed, Tauck is great. I just got back from their Colorado National Parks trip, and wow! What a beautiful state, and Tauck was wonderfu. <BR> <BR>Karen, have a great time! HOw wonderful that you've kept in touch with friends you made on your past trips! I will definitely e-mail you upon your return......that is, after you've caught up on your sleep!

Betsy, I don't know anything about the Tauck Tours, but we were in Ireland in May and drove with our friends. The itinerary sounds great!!! Please don't miss Kylemore Abbey/Connenara. It was one of my favorite places!! They have a good restaurant, great shopping, the Abbey is beautiful and so is the area. The Gothic church down the lane had music and it was so serene. Muckross House was just as entertaining. We rode the jaunting carts to the wonderful house and gardens. Great Fun!!! First time to Ireland, and we can't wait to return.

Hello Betsy, <BR> <BR>My daughter and I just got back from Ireland a couple of weeks ago and your trip wants me to get right back on the plane. We rented a car and loved it but I would strongly suggest a tour if you're travelling solo since you really need someone to navigate while you're driving. I would still be in Dublin looking for the M50 if it wasn't for my daughter. I second the vote on Kylemore Abby, it is a piece of heaven. Have fun planning your trip. <BR>Diana

Betsy, <BR>As an Irish person reading the schedule I am thinking I would love to do that tour. Re meeting the locals taking any of the schedule tours eg CIE, Brendan etc and staying in the various hotels you won't get to meet as many locals as you would if you were to travel independently and wander off the beaten path staying in B&Bs and guest houses etc. But those plans sound just great to me with excellent hotels, good spread through the country and no hassle re driving. <BR> <BR> <BR>Cathy

Thanks for the comments, Cathy. That makes me feel better about my choice, should I go on the Tauk. <BR> <BR>One thing I've been thinking of doing is arriving in Ireland early and staying at one of the homes listed in Hidden Ireland, for a few days. If I do this, and make a day trip to a city or village, might be the best of both worlds...or at least the best I can do this time. I have to remind myself that Ireland isn't going anywhere, and I can always go back! <BR> <BR>betsy

Betsy, <BR>That might be the best idea - either start or finish - maybe finish with renting a car and exploring some of the places not covered in the tour on your own eg the Midlands. See www.ireland.travel.ie for further ideas on the regions. Choose a Hidden ireland site eg Crookerwood House in Westmeath has an excellent restautant and is centrally located within easy reach of stables etc. <BR> <BR>Cathy

We love Ireland, and know that you will fall in love with it also. We took a Tauck Tour to Lake Louise & Banff and it was wonderful. You get what you pay for, and it is worth it! As far as tours in Ireland, we took a tour with CIE in Scotland and Ireland and had a very good time with good meals, a good tour director and well-located accommodations. I would recommend CIE, but would probably take the Tauck over the CIE, based on our Tauck trip.<BR><BR>On the other hand, we recently took a Grand European / Far&Wide trip to Italy and France and were very disappointed: www.farandwidefiasco.com<BR><BR>Safe and happy travels to you!<BR>

Hi Betsy<BR><BR>Can I come???<BR><BR>It wounds wonderful!

Betsy<BR><BR>I'm sure as tours go, this one is probably great. It better be, it seems pretty pricey. I was trying to figure out if they use samll buses as opposed to the big coaches. If the big coach is the option, I wouldn't do the tour, but find a company that used the smaller vehicles.<BR><BR>Here is my opinion of the itinerary:<BR><BR>For the most part, it is not particulary rushed. Then again....<BR><BR>The trip from Rossnowlagh to Dublin is a haul to say the least. To get to Dublin for a late lunch would suggest no stops at all in crossing the country. viamichelin puts it at about a 4 hour trip, and they are usually short by 25-50%. But who knows. Anyway, you'll miss lots in between.<BR><BR>The Killarney stop takes you on the Ring of Kerry and doesn't take you to the much more scenic Dingle peninsula and probably can't take the roads on the Beara peninsula, both of which I prefer to the Ring of Kerry.<BR><BR>The argument for self drive vs tour will rage in forever. I'm a self drive kind of guy, because I like to be at places with nobody else around. In Northern Ireland and Donegal we stayed at B&Bs where we were the only guests and had a wonderful time with the hosts, chatting into the evening and having a wonderful morning with them. We watched the sunset from the Horn Head peninsula with not a person in sight. We went out to Fanad Head and sat for hours watching the waves crash against the rocks below the lighthouse. We walked through Glendalough BEFORE breakfast and enjoyed an unbelievable sense of serenity. We took an evening drive one night along the sky road in the Connemara, another night along a peninsula outside of Ardara. We waited for the rain to stop so we could catch the Inchaquin waterfalls on the Beara peninsula in their greatest glory. The travelers we met on these trips were few and far between and each time they too enjoyed the peace of an area that many couldn't or wouldn't go. Come to think of it, maybe I should encourage everyone to take a bus and leave these places unspoilt.<BR><BR>The problem with the tours is that you get to the heavy tour spots just when all the other tours get there, so it is usually crowded. The argument that the bus is higher so you can see over the hedges is a bit weak. I've driven all over the country and rarely did I experience a serious problem with hedges....and quite frankly, if I want to see a beautiful view, I really don't want to see it from a car.<BR><BR>I couldn't tell if you were traveling alone and if you are, and you are worried about driving, a tour might be best. But with a nvigator, Ireland it not difficult at all to get around. <BR><BR>To each his/her own though.<BR><BR>Bill

I second the vote for CIE. Just took my last trip with then in May. There is a good chance with Tauck you will not get an Irish native tour guide, and that makes a big difference. Also, the value is much better. The food is excellent, the guide and drivers are so friendly, and you get to stay in the same deluxe accomodations at a much cheaper price. CIE is out of Ireland (run by the gov't actually), and that's how you get to save so much. Tauck is a good company (took them once) but for Ireland I wouldn't do it any other way! Hope this helps! Enjoy = )

Hi Betsy,<BR>Could you please tell me how to contact<BR>Tauck Tours. Do they have a website?<BR>I just tried Taucktours.com and nothing<BR>happened. I'm also going to Ireland<BR>with 2 other ladies and I'm not crazy<BR>about us renting a car.<BR>Thanks,<BR>Peggy<BR>

www.tauck.com<BR><BR>Happy travels.<BR><BR>John H.