OkieLady

Hello Solo Treker - I jumped right into this after learning of the passing of a friend who was younger than me and I thought healthier I know she had more stamina than I do. I have the tour on hold but will have to decide soon or I will loose it. I know I could get so much more for the $ if I got away from tour companies. By the way just found out the current currency exchange and it was not good. If I have $10 it's worth 7.28 euro. This is something I should have checked out B4 jumping in so fast. They say spring and fall are the best they're a little cheaper and not as crowded. Also, the most unpredictable for rain. I'll check this site occasionally to see what's going on.

OkieLady

Hello Lateday Traveler - Thank you for your thoughtful words. Were you planning an Ireland trip anytime soon.

Solotreker

Good Morning Lateday Traveler and Okie Lady. I have checked the exchange rate and knew it wasn't great. I had previously thought I would like to go in September, but after doing some additional research, I thought beginning of June seemed better. Especially with the longer daylight hours. Just not sure I could have enough planning time for that. I know it is 4 months away, but until mid-April, it is all work.

latedaytraveler

Okie Lady, I have been to Ireland four times in the distant past - 2 on tours and 2 road trips with my delightful friend/cousin (she did the driving) whose husband's family live in a remote part of Galway. Just happens that my own ancestral roots were right up the road in nearby Roscommon.

I may return some day with them. Let's put it this way, I have many more trips behind me than in front of me. Somehow I keep gravitating back to London. May go again in June.

Solotreker, no doubt the rate of exchange is not good, but somehow once you are over there it doesn't seem to matter that much. You just start thinking of euros as dollars. For one thing, I am not much of a shopper so that helps.

JamesLuke227

No problem at all SoloTreker, they are called Journey Through Ireland and their number is 1.800.828.0826 and website is www.journeythroughireland.com. You should look up some of their itineraries online and it will give you an idea of what you can fit comfortably into your time there if nothing else. I dealt with a girl called Linda and she is so helpful. They do car hire and customized self-drive itineraries for you also so it might be worth giving them a ring and seeing what your options are. You mentioned B&Bs and I find them great, you get to really immerse yourself into the Irish way of life and the owners are usually so nice and helpful. I normally get Journey Through Ire to book a mix of B&Bs and hotels for me and I love doing it that way because you have the bars & restaurants & the other facilities in the hotels but you have the personalized service and the experience with the B&Bs. There is a thing you can do where you can book B&B vouchers and just choose where you want to stay when you get there from a B&B directory, ie if you decide to spend another night in Killarney, you can just book it as soon as you decide. It is a really free way of traveling however I have never done it as I prefer to have a plan and everything booked before I go but it is another option!

OkieLady

SoloTreker - I am so glad I stumbled onto Fodor and your post. Looking through this site has indeed saved me a lot of confusion. Due to what I've learned here I have canceled my tentative trip. I didn't feel that great about it anyway. I did checkout Vagabond/Driftwood and found it much more like what I enjoy. I want to get off the beaten path and really experience Ireland. Rental car is an option. I cannot really see me driving on the wrong side of the road while reading a map and checking out unfamiliar road signs. Also considering day trips with a small tour company hopefully away from the larger populated areas. There is so much to consider. Fortunately I am already retired and have a lot to time to roam around on the puter until springtime.

Solotreker

OkieLady...I have contacted Vagabond Tours a couple weeks ago. They sent me links to some of their itineraries and it seemed like a lot of fun. I am also going to check into JamesLuke suggestion. I did "like" Vagabond on facebook and they have some pictures and information on there also. Lucky you that you are retired. I have to work at the least for the health insurance. But I realize that I need to get out and start checking off the bucket list items.

Solotreker

By the way, if I don't get to Ireland until June 2015, I am definitely heading to Colorado this summer for an adventure week.

OkieLady

Hi SoloTreker - I'm back online researching Ireland. I have reservations in CO from 6/15-9/1 in South Fork at a RV Park which also has inexpensive really rustic cabins. There will be a few singles there for the summer. There are places nearby that are gorgeous for day trips and/or hiking in the woods or Geocaching. If I find something in Ireland that will work later in the year I'll have to cancel South Fork I can't afford both. I really, really hope it's Ireland.

suze

I don't know a thing about Ireland or going with a tour group. But there's nothing inherently "scary" about traveling on your own in the UK and western Europe. I *LOVE* traveling solo. It's fun, it's easy with a bit of planning, and once you get used to the idea of being alone in a new place.