Guided or Self Drive, we're lost!
Jan 20th, 2006 | 10:20 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7
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Guided or Self Drive, we're lost!
My husband and I just started researching our trip to Ireland. We are thinking of going in October, but from what I have read the scenery and weather is better in May.
I have seen so many websites and read so much information I am in overload. I have been told if you do self drive you will see less and risk getting lost, but from what I have read you don't REALLY experience every "stop" on a guided tour.
We are only going to have 8 days and have never been out of the US. From what I have read I want to see the Ring of Kerry and probably Trinity College. We want to see the scenery and really experience Ireland. Definitely see a castle or two and feel like we really enjoyed what we see and not just flew through everything.
We are in our early 20's and while we don't need first class all the way we don't want to do the hostel thing either, we want nice places to stay. We aren't rich but we have planned for this trip, so we don't want to spend top dollar, maybe more like in the middle!
I don't even know what I'm asking besides HELP!?!?
Is it better to rent a car and schedule day tours? I'm afraid that with it being our first out of country trip we will miss out by trying to do it on our own.
From everything I have read on here I trust you guys so PLEASE let the advice flow!
I have seen so many websites and read so much information I am in overload. I have been told if you do self drive you will see less and risk getting lost, but from what I have read you don't REALLY experience every "stop" on a guided tour.
We are only going to have 8 days and have never been out of the US. From what I have read I want to see the Ring of Kerry and probably Trinity College. We want to see the scenery and really experience Ireland. Definitely see a castle or two and feel like we really enjoyed what we see and not just flew through everything.
We are in our early 20's and while we don't need first class all the way we don't want to do the hostel thing either, we want nice places to stay. We aren't rich but we have planned for this trip, so we don't want to spend top dollar, maybe more like in the middle!
I don't even know what I'm asking besides HELP!?!?
Is it better to rent a car and schedule day tours? I'm afraid that with it being our first out of country trip we will miss out by trying to do it on our own.
From everything I have read on here I trust you guys so PLEASE let the advice flow!
Jan 20th, 2006 | 10:26 AM
#2
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,000
Likes: 0
I loathe guided tours. You get to go exactly where the tour operator wants you to, when they want it.
Take the money you'll save and invest in some good navigation software and a GPS for your laptop (and a laptop if you don't have one). You'll always be able to pinpoint your position and re-compute the route to your destination p.r.n.
An excellent program is Michelin's Maps and Route Planning, which also displays each turn in your itinerary. The all-Europe edition sells for 89€. You can download the demo here:
<b>http://www.shop.viamichelin.co.uk/pr...emo_PPC_EN.zip
</b>
It's fully functional, but the only map they give you is a little patch just west of London. It will also run on a Pocket PC.
Take the money you'll save and invest in some good navigation software and a GPS for your laptop (and a laptop if you don't have one). You'll always be able to pinpoint your position and re-compute the route to your destination p.r.n.
An excellent program is Michelin's Maps and Route Planning, which also displays each turn in your itinerary. The all-Europe edition sells for 89€. You can download the demo here:
<b>http://www.shop.viamichelin.co.uk/pr...emo_PPC_EN.zip
</b>
It's fully functional, but the only map they give you is a little patch just west of London. It will also run on a Pocket PC.
Jan 20th, 2006 | 10:47 AM
#3
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,916
Likes: 0
Since you've never been out of the US, I suggest that you buy a copy of _Europe Through the Back Door_ by Rick Steves. It's a travel skills handbook. It will either give you the confidence to venture out on your own or convince you that a guided tour is best for you. You can order it from the Travelstore at www.ricksteves.com, amazon.com, or barnesandnoble.com. For a fairly comprehensive guidebook that gives both budget and mid-range options, read the Lonely Planet Ireland guidebook (www.lonelyplanet.com). Your public library might have a copy which you could skim to decide if you like it enough to buy one.
My wife, adult daughter, and I were in Ireland for six days last May. We rented a car and had no real problems. Getting lost now and then was part of the fun. If you drive, be sure to have a detailed map. I recommend the Michelin Ireland map. It's available from amazon, etc.
Ireland is magical and we'd go back in a minute! Whatever way you chose, I'm sure you'll have a fabulous time.
My wife, adult daughter, and I were in Ireland for six days last May. We rented a car and had no real problems. Getting lost now and then was part of the fun. If you drive, be sure to have a detailed map. I recommend the Michelin Ireland map. It's available from amazon, etc.
Ireland is magical and we'd go back in a minute! Whatever way you chose, I'm sure you'll have a fabulous time.
Jan 20th, 2006 | 12:07 PM
#5
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
Here's another vote for self-driving through Ireland. My husband and I did it (including Northern Ireland) and had no problems at all.
It is really fun to be out on your own adventure/road trip, stopping at whatever place takes your fancy. We arranged our trip through a Travel Agent (this was before I was a Fodorite) who booked hotels and provided us with detailed maps. This may be an option for your first time but make sure you read all the guidebooks as well (sounds like you already have).
Have fun - it's a great country!
It is really fun to be out on your own adventure/road trip, stopping at whatever place takes your fancy. We arranged our trip through a Travel Agent (this was before I was a Fodorite) who booked hotels and provided us with detailed maps. This may be an option for your first time but make sure you read all the guidebooks as well (sounds like you already have).
Have fun - it's a great country!
Jan 20th, 2006 | 12:11 PM
#6
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,916
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We concentrated on the SW. Marvelous! We flew from London to Cork and then drove to Kenmare. The next day we drove to Dingle via Killarney and Tralee and spent the night in Dingle. We toured Slea Head and then spent a second night in Dingle. We drove north, taking the Tarbert ferry across the Shannon River, and spent the night in Ennis. We then drove to the Cliffs of Moher and through the Burren in the morning and went on to Dublin in the afternoon. We only had one night--and wish it had been more--in Dublin, but in the morning we had time to go to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells before catching a plane to Nice. We had wonderful evenings in pubs listening to traditional music in Dingle and Ennis.
We loved the freedom of being able to stop anywhere and take a walk or pop into a restaurant, pub, or store just because it looked interesting. While I did all the driving, I didn't feel that I was cheated out of any scenic views. If my wife or daughter said something was especially beautiful, I pulled over or even turned around and backtracked a bit. It was great to take our time and "go with the flow."
If you want to see both the SW and Dublin, I suggest you fly "open jaw," into Shannon out of Dublin (or vice versa). That way you won't have to cross the country twice. Wherever you start or finish, do NOT drive in Dublin.
We loved the freedom of being able to stop anywhere and take a walk or pop into a restaurant, pub, or store just because it looked interesting. While I did all the driving, I didn't feel that I was cheated out of any scenic views. If my wife or daughter said something was especially beautiful, I pulled over or even turned around and backtracked a bit. It was great to take our time and "go with the flow."
If you want to see both the SW and Dublin, I suggest you fly "open jaw," into Shannon out of Dublin (or vice versa). That way you won't have to cross the country twice. Wherever you start or finish, do NOT drive in Dublin.
Jan 20th, 2006 | 01:00 PM
#7
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
I really want to dissuade of the notion that you will see less if you self drive. By planning your own trip you can avoid the touristy spots that most tours thrive on and can see what important to you on your own time. Pick four or five locations that are important to you and sit down with a map and plan a route. do not try to pack too much into the eight days. It is bothersome to pack up and move every day so plan on two night at two locations. Go to a reputable B&B site such as Towm and Country Homes and search for B&B's, they have high standards and I have never been disappointed. If you get lost for a bit so what? In nine trips to Ireland I have been lost a few times but the roads are fairly well marked and every time I have pulled over and asked somone for help they could not have been kinder or more helpful. If you really want to do the ROK use Kenmare for you base not Killarney which has become a large touristy city and I agree with previous posters that if you can arrive at Shannon and leave from Dublin or the other way around. Have fun
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Jan 20th, 2006 | 01:33 PM
#8
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,483
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Make sure you have three things with you in the car at all times and your self-driving tour will be much more enjoyable than a guided one.
1. A big overview map of Ireland. This is like the one you get free from AAA. Mark your hotels with an ink pen. Cut away any of the map you aren't going to use and then maybe even laminate this if you are anal enough. (I thought about it, but didn't have time) This will be a really good overview to know generally where you should be headed each day.
2. Get an Irish atlas, basically. You can get one at a bookstore. It is many pages of much more detailed maps. Most of the roads in Ireland are tiny and not well labeled, but we never once got lost with our maps.
3. A compass. You can get a little one at a camping store that hooks onto your purse. Just make sure you hold it far enough up that the engine doesn't interefere with the directions. Made that mistake. That way, with your big map, little map, and compass, you will never get lost, and you will have so much more fun!
Oh, and look for the little ships on your maps. There are a few car ferries that will cut many miles off your journey. You just drive onto them and pay the guy that walks around.
The SW of Ireland is wonderful. Have a great time!
Oh and one more thing, get the extra car insurance. Driving on the other side on narrow roads is pretty easy to ding something. We lost a hubcap.
1. A big overview map of Ireland. This is like the one you get free from AAA. Mark your hotels with an ink pen. Cut away any of the map you aren't going to use and then maybe even laminate this if you are anal enough. (I thought about it, but didn't have time) This will be a really good overview to know generally where you should be headed each day.
2. Get an Irish atlas, basically. You can get one at a bookstore. It is many pages of much more detailed maps. Most of the roads in Ireland are tiny and not well labeled, but we never once got lost with our maps.
3. A compass. You can get a little one at a camping store that hooks onto your purse. Just make sure you hold it far enough up that the engine doesn't interefere with the directions. Made that mistake. That way, with your big map, little map, and compass, you will never get lost, and you will have so much more fun!
Oh, and look for the little ships on your maps. There are a few car ferries that will cut many miles off your journey. You just drive onto them and pay the guy that walks around.
The SW of Ireland is wonderful. Have a great time!
Oh and one more thing, get the extra car insurance. Driving on the other side on narrow roads is pretty easy to ding something. We lost a hubcap.
Jan 20th, 2006 | 01:49 PM
#9
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,471
Likes: 0
I am another Ireland lover who says do it yourself. We have been 4 times so far, hope to go again in April if we ever book the tickets.
On our first trip with our two teenage boys, we started in Dublin, drove through Kilkenny to Blarney/Cork/Kinsale, then to Galway and Westport, and back to Dublin. We didn't spend two nights anywhere and it was just too much, although we had a blast.
Since then we have tried to choose an area and stick around for a couple of nights. Our last trip was from Shannon to Kinsale (2 nights), Kenmare (3), Killarney (1), Dingle (2) and back to Shannon for our last night. From Kenmare we drove the ROK one day and the Beara Penninsula another. There is a lot to see in just this corner of Ireland, including Blarney Castle, Ross Castle in Killarney and Bunratty Castle in Bunratty Folk Park. (We did not go to Ross Castle, though.)
It's hard to narrow down what you want to see, so you may have to go back again.
On our first trip with our two teenage boys, we started in Dublin, drove through Kilkenny to Blarney/Cork/Kinsale, then to Galway and Westport, and back to Dublin. We didn't spend two nights anywhere and it was just too much, although we had a blast.
Since then we have tried to choose an area and stick around for a couple of nights. Our last trip was from Shannon to Kinsale (2 nights), Kenmare (3), Killarney (1), Dingle (2) and back to Shannon for our last night. From Kenmare we drove the ROK one day and the Beara Penninsula another. There is a lot to see in just this corner of Ireland, including Blarney Castle, Ross Castle in Killarney and Bunratty Castle in Bunratty Folk Park. (We did not go to Ross Castle, though.)
It's hard to narrow down what you want to see, so you may have to go back again.
Jan 20th, 2006 | 08:27 PM
#10
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Dear cjDolphin83,
I love reading everyone's planning and experiences in Ireland. I vote for driving yourself. My sister and I went to Ireland on our first trip in September. We landed in Shannon. I had 15 minutes of terror trying to drive out of the parking lot at the airport. We bought a Michelen Ordnance Survey map. We NEVER got lost. We plotted our course every morning over our lovely Irish breakfast. My sister navigated/I drove - it worked out well that way. We stayed in a different location every night until we got to the "destination wedding" which was the original purpose of the trip. We went from Shannon to Bunratty on Day one. We went via Limerick to Tralee, Conor Pass, Dingle to Killarney day 2. We went from Killarney to Cashel to Athlone/Roscommon and ended at Claremorris, County Mayo day 3. We rounded the top of County Mayo from Knock to Westport, including the Ceide Fields on Day 4. We attempted Croagh Patrick (pouring rain conditions), Louisburgh, Leenane to Connemara, including Clifden Day 5. The Wedding festival started that evening, the wedding was Day 6 Saturday and I drove (with a sleeping, hungover navigator I might add) from Cashel Bay, Connemara, through Galway to Shannon at some awful early hour on a Sunday morning for our return flight. No problems, no regrets except Day 3 was too much territory to cover. Two women alone. We did all the wrong things - left all our belongings in plain view in the back of the car, went to strange remote out of the way places with no emergency plan, no cell phone, could have had a flat tire, etc, etc, etc. Can't wait to go again. Sally
I love reading everyone's planning and experiences in Ireland. I vote for driving yourself. My sister and I went to Ireland on our first trip in September. We landed in Shannon. I had 15 minutes of terror trying to drive out of the parking lot at the airport. We bought a Michelen Ordnance Survey map. We NEVER got lost. We plotted our course every morning over our lovely Irish breakfast. My sister navigated/I drove - it worked out well that way. We stayed in a different location every night until we got to the "destination wedding" which was the original purpose of the trip. We went from Shannon to Bunratty on Day one. We went via Limerick to Tralee, Conor Pass, Dingle to Killarney day 2. We went from Killarney to Cashel to Athlone/Roscommon and ended at Claremorris, County Mayo day 3. We rounded the top of County Mayo from Knock to Westport, including the Ceide Fields on Day 4. We attempted Croagh Patrick (pouring rain conditions), Louisburgh, Leenane to Connemara, including Clifden Day 5. The Wedding festival started that evening, the wedding was Day 6 Saturday and I drove (with a sleeping, hungover navigator I might add) from Cashel Bay, Connemara, through Galway to Shannon at some awful early hour on a Sunday morning for our return flight. No problems, no regrets except Day 3 was too much territory to cover. Two women alone. We did all the wrong things - left all our belongings in plain view in the back of the car, went to strange remote out of the way places with no emergency plan, no cell phone, could have had a flat tire, etc, etc, etc. Can't wait to go again. Sally
Jan 21st, 2006 | 01:21 AM
#11
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,635
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"We are in our early 20's and while we don't need first class all the way ... we want nice places to stay. "
First, you need to check what options are open to you: "early 20's" may disqualify you from car rental. If you're under 25, I think you may have problems.
May is OK; but the best weather I have had in Ireland has been mid-to-late September. And 8-days is not really enough time to do everything on your list (i.e., Trinity College (Dublin), the Ring of Kerry, Castles, etc.).
First, you need to check what options are open to you: "early 20's" may disqualify you from car rental. If you're under 25, I think you may have problems.
May is OK; but the best weather I have had in Ireland has been mid-to-late September. And 8-days is not really enough time to do everything on your list (i.e., Trinity College (Dublin), the Ring of Kerry, Castles, etc.).
Jan 21st, 2006 | 03:37 AM
#12
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,916
Likes: 0
AutoEurope is a consolidator that find you the best deal from among several agencies. (For example, in Ireland our car came from Budget and in France it was from Europcar.) Here is a quote from www.autoeurope.com: "To rent a car in Ireland, you must be at least 21 years old (age may vary by car category) and have held your license for 2 years. Drivers age 23 and under and over the age of 70 may incur an additional fee locally."
Jan 21st, 2006 | 08:14 AM
#13
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
As an Irishman born and reared in the ould sod would someone please explain to me what a 'touristy place'is.
It just bugs me to see people discribe some well known places like this.
cjDolphin83 if you want to see Ireland go to www.ireland.ie/getting_around asp and if you want a good bed to sleep in go to www.premierguesthouses.com
and I hope you enjoy your trip no matter where you go. By the way another 'touristy place' to visit would be www.irishmusicbars.com
It just bugs me to see people discribe some well known places like this.
cjDolphin83 if you want to see Ireland go to www.ireland.ie/getting_around asp and if you want a good bed to sleep in go to www.premierguesthouses.com
and I hope you enjoy your trip no matter where you go. By the way another 'touristy place' to visit would be www.irishmusicbars.com
Jan 21st, 2006 | 01:45 PM
#14
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
cj:
My wife,teenage son and I were in Ireland last year in May. It was just wonderful. We rented a car in Shannon and drove around for 12 days and it does take some getting used to. Narrow roads and left-handed shifting of 5 speed transmission. I would not take a million for the experience. We starte out in Ennis for two nights to get acclimated. We stayed one night near Cong in Craig Castle (for my son) but really for me! We're fans of "The Quiet Man" movie shot in Cong. We went to the Cliffs of Moher, three nights in Dingle was beatiful, a night in Waterford, and Kinsale, with the trip winding up in Dun Laoghaire near Dublin, where we flew back to US.
Stay in the Bed and Breakfasts, they are great for the meals and the local information. We took small gifts for our BB owners, we still stay in touch with many of them. We are planning our next trip now. We can't wait for the next adventure. I'm a bit jealous of your trip this year. Relax and have fun! You will have the time of your life.
My wife,teenage son and I were in Ireland last year in May. It was just wonderful. We rented a car in Shannon and drove around for 12 days and it does take some getting used to. Narrow roads and left-handed shifting of 5 speed transmission. I would not take a million for the experience. We starte out in Ennis for two nights to get acclimated. We stayed one night near Cong in Craig Castle (for my son) but really for me! We're fans of "The Quiet Man" movie shot in Cong. We went to the Cliffs of Moher, three nights in Dingle was beatiful, a night in Waterford, and Kinsale, with the trip winding up in Dun Laoghaire near Dublin, where we flew back to US.
Stay in the Bed and Breakfasts, they are great for the meals and the local information. We took small gifts for our BB owners, we still stay in touch with many of them. We are planning our next trip now. We can't wait for the next adventure. I'm a bit jealous of your trip this year. Relax and have fun! You will have the time of your life.
Jan 23rd, 2006 | 08:31 AM
#15
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Thank you all so much for responses, I will take them all into consideration in our planning. I think we are going to go early September and I think we are going to the southwest. If we flew in to Dublin and out of Shannon or vise versa, would that be cramming too much in to 8 days?
Thank you all so much!!!!! I am sure I will be posting for more help soon and I will post a report of our trip at the end of the year!
Thank you all so much!!!!! I am sure I will be posting for more help soon and I will post a report of our trip at the end of the year!
Jan 23rd, 2006 | 01:22 PM
#16
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 0
cjDolphin83, I had questions similar to yours when I planned our trip to Italy, which was the first major family trip I planned to Europe. I was scared and was going to book a tour when folks on-line talked me into doing it myself. (What really influenced me the most was a kindly 72-year-old gentleman who had already been to Italy with his wife a dozen times and was planning another trip at the same time as me! I figured if he could do it, so could I.
What I have learned now, after planning a very successful family trip to Italy, Costa Rica, and now I'm working on our trip to Ireland, is that the most common planning mistake when planning your first independent trip to Europe is trying to cram in too much. I have travelled with lively energetic teens and curious young adult son and daughters, and even they have voted that the perfect formula for us is to choose a very interesting destination and spend at lest 3 nights there, 4 is even better if there are enough day-trips to do in the area. WE rent a car and if we have 3 full days in an area for example, then we plan morning activities for the first 2 days and leave the afternoons as free time. We leave the entire 3rd day as free time. I also do a lot of research for the area so we have some ideas of what we'd like to do, but no firm plans besides the first 2 mornings. This allows for a wonderful trip full of spontaneous experiences, plus a couple of pre-planned activities.
Just my ideas, others will have their own ideas, but with your 8 days, I would suggest you stay in a maximum of 3 different b&bs. (I say b&bs because I am just finishing booking up our accomodations and I have found wonderful highly recommended family-run b&bs for less money than the hotels, and you mentioned a budget.) I use the terms "b&bs and "guesthouses" inter-changeably, they are similar. A b&b might only have 3 rooms for rent, while a guesthouse might be purpose-built and might have 12 rooms, but is still family-owned and family-run.
Have a wonderful trip!
Fodors guidebook is excellent for Ireland. Rick Steves Ireland guidebook doesn't have sufficient descriptions for accomodations, although for some reason his guidebook for Italy is much better and is more descriptive. Another great guidebook is Michelle Erdvig's Best Little Guide to Ireland, see her web-site www.IrelandYes.com but do come back here also and let us know how the planning is going.
The more different places you try to go, the less you will see...imagine going to a 12-screen multi-plex theatre and trying to see a little bit of all 12 movies in 2 hours... You wouldn't end up knowing what any of the movies was really about. Travel is like that too.
Generally for any country in Europe it is a good idea to choose your accomodations so that they are conveniently located for day-trips to interesting sites nearby, and it is very nice when you can walk to some shops or restaurants nearby. If you can't walk to any restaurants, try to pick an accomodation which offers meals.
What I have learned now, after planning a very successful family trip to Italy, Costa Rica, and now I'm working on our trip to Ireland, is that the most common planning mistake when planning your first independent trip to Europe is trying to cram in too much. I have travelled with lively energetic teens and curious young adult son and daughters, and even they have voted that the perfect formula for us is to choose a very interesting destination and spend at lest 3 nights there, 4 is even better if there are enough day-trips to do in the area. WE rent a car and if we have 3 full days in an area for example, then we plan morning activities for the first 2 days and leave the afternoons as free time. We leave the entire 3rd day as free time. I also do a lot of research for the area so we have some ideas of what we'd like to do, but no firm plans besides the first 2 mornings. This allows for a wonderful trip full of spontaneous experiences, plus a couple of pre-planned activities.
Just my ideas, others will have their own ideas, but with your 8 days, I would suggest you stay in a maximum of 3 different b&bs. (I say b&bs because I am just finishing booking up our accomodations and I have found wonderful highly recommended family-run b&bs for less money than the hotels, and you mentioned a budget.) I use the terms "b&bs and "guesthouses" inter-changeably, they are similar. A b&b might only have 3 rooms for rent, while a guesthouse might be purpose-built and might have 12 rooms, but is still family-owned and family-run.
Have a wonderful trip!
Fodors guidebook is excellent for Ireland. Rick Steves Ireland guidebook doesn't have sufficient descriptions for accomodations, although for some reason his guidebook for Italy is much better and is more descriptive. Another great guidebook is Michelle Erdvig's Best Little Guide to Ireland, see her web-site www.IrelandYes.com but do come back here also and let us know how the planning is going.
The more different places you try to go, the less you will see...imagine going to a 12-screen multi-plex theatre and trying to see a little bit of all 12 movies in 2 hours... You wouldn't end up knowing what any of the movies was really about. Travel is like that too.
Generally for any country in Europe it is a good idea to choose your accomodations so that they are conveniently located for day-trips to interesting sites nearby, and it is very nice when you can walk to some shops or restaurants nearby. If you can't walk to any restaurants, try to pick an accomodation which offers meals.
Jan 24th, 2006 | 09:28 AM
#18
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Thank you all so much, Melissa5 that is good advice. We are calling in reinforcements in the form of people who have traveled more and are having a pow-wow this weekend to get more details. Once I have a rough itinerary in mind I will make a new post to get everyone/s opinions.
You guys are fantastic!
You guys are fantastic!
