How does this itinerary look?
Apr 5th, 2003, 05:38 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How does this itinerary look?
We are planning a week's trip to Ireland in mid April, and here is our current itinerary. I know it looks too rushed - what would you give up? Our flight arrives and leaves from Dublin, and we are renting a car.
Wicklow (Powerscourt, Glendalough, Wicklow mountains) - 1 day
Kilkenny - 1 day
Killarney lakes - 1 day
Dingle Peninsula & town - 1 day
Galway& Cliffs of Moher - 1 day
Dublin - 2 days
As of now, we are only making a reservation for the first night, although we arrive on Easter Friday. Is that too big a risk?
Thanks!
Shari
Wicklow (Powerscourt, Glendalough, Wicklow mountains) - 1 day
Kilkenny - 1 day
Killarney lakes - 1 day
Dingle Peninsula & town - 1 day
Galway& Cliffs of Moher - 1 day
Dublin - 2 days
As of now, we are only making a reservation for the first night, although we arrive on Easter Friday. Is that too big a risk?
Thanks!
Shari
Apr 5th, 2003, 06:22 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 899
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You're right, it really is too much and you'd be spending way to much time in the car. Here's one idea:
Day 1: Dublin
Day 2&3: Galway
Day 4&5: Dingle or Killarney
Day 6: Kilkenny(this could be cut if you want an extra night in Dublin or Dingle/Killarney area)
Day 7: Dublin
This still has you in the car quite a bit, but allows you to catch your breath in a couple of places. Personal opinion, I know, but being in a different place every night is exhausting.
I don't know what Easter weekend is like in Ireland, but I'd probably want reservations in Dublin for sure.
Day 1: Dublin
Day 2&3: Galway
Day 4&5: Dingle or Killarney
Day 6: Kilkenny(this could be cut if you want an extra night in Dublin or Dingle/Killarney area)
Day 7: Dublin
This still has you in the car quite a bit, but allows you to catch your breath in a couple of places. Personal opinion, I know, but being in a different place every night is exhausting.
I don't know what Easter weekend is like in Ireland, but I'd probably want reservations in Dublin for sure.
Apr 5th, 2003, 03:26 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,873
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That is a huge holiday weekend - you will be able to find places to stay but it may take a lot of time in each place. So I'd probably book most places,
Added to the packing up and moving every day is a real hassle.
For such a short trip I think about cutting back to the main areas you want to visit - the "musts" and concentrate on those instead of trying to see so much. This itinerary has you driving hours every day and doesn't give you time to see much in each area.
Added to the packing up and moving every day is a real hassle.
For such a short trip I think about cutting back to the main areas you want to visit - the "musts" and concentrate on those instead of trying to see so much. This itinerary has you driving hours every day and doesn't give you time to see much in each area.
Apr 5th, 2003, 04:02 PM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We just returned from 2 weeks in Ireland, and with only a week I would definitely skip Dublin and concentrate on the smaller towns and countyside. Dublin is a city with too much traffic and apart from the Book of Kells, not that much to see.
If you can plan your time before you go it would be much better to make reservations before you leave, as someone else said, it takes a while to find a B&B in every town. If you can find the Tourist Info office, for a small fee they will find a B&B for you. We found this a lot easier and less time consuming than looking ourselves. We also found that staying 2 nights in one place and tripping from there was much easier. You could stay in Killarney 2 nights and see the Dingle Peninsula and the Killarney Lakes. Hope this helps. MG
If you can plan your time before you go it would be much better to make reservations before you leave, as someone else said, it takes a while to find a B&B in every town. If you can find the Tourist Info office, for a small fee they will find a B&B for you. We found this a lot easier and less time consuming than looking ourselves. We also found that staying 2 nights in one place and tripping from there was much easier. You could stay in Killarney 2 nights and see the Dingle Peninsula and the Killarney Lakes. Hope this helps. MG
Apr 5th, 2003, 05:03 PM
#5
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been in Ireland twice at Easter. Do book hotels from Friday - Sunday nites. Two reasons: great number of travellers and not wanting to inconvenience B&B families who may wish to celebrate Easter w/o hosting guests.
On that note, it's likely some B&Bs may not even be "open" that weekend.
On that note, it's likely some B&Bs may not even be "open" that weekend.
Apr 6th, 2003, 01:20 PM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for all the useful advice! I know we should make some changes in the itinerary, and I also want to reserve places to stay in advance.
Do you think we should limit Dublin to one day instead of two? I wouldn't want to miss it completely... BTW, the reason I don't want to stay in Dublin at the beginning of our stay is that I thought that Easter would be better to spend in other places, as Dublin would be crowded, and many of its attractions would be closed.Is this correct?
-Would it be reasonable to stay 2 nights in a BB in Wicklow, and make a day trip to Kilkenny instead of moving there with all our bags? Or is it too far? If it's not too far, we could maybe do:
Wicklow & Kilkenny - 2 nights
Killarney & Dingle - 2 nights
Galway & Cliffs of Moher - 2 nights
Dublin - 1 night.
Can you recommend any charming farmhouses and BBs in these areas? (not over 120 Euros)
Regards!
Shari
Do you think we should limit Dublin to one day instead of two? I wouldn't want to miss it completely... BTW, the reason I don't want to stay in Dublin at the beginning of our stay is that I thought that Easter would be better to spend in other places, as Dublin would be crowded, and many of its attractions would be closed.Is this correct?
-Would it be reasonable to stay 2 nights in a BB in Wicklow, and make a day trip to Kilkenny instead of moving there with all our bags? Or is it too far? If it's not too far, we could maybe do:
Wicklow & Kilkenny - 2 nights
Killarney & Dingle - 2 nights
Galway & Cliffs of Moher - 2 nights
Dublin - 1 night.
Can you recommend any charming farmhouses and BBs in these areas? (not over 120 Euros)
Regards!
Shari
Apr 6th, 2003, 02:43 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,873
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
smasafy: your basic premise is flawed. Most folks don't go TO Dublin over Easter, they go FROM Dublin out to the country. So Dublin would probably a good place to stay during Easter weekend. But you'll get much more bang for your buck out in the country - a Lot more to see and much cheaper accomodations.
Do consider staying only one night in Dublin at the beginning of your trip. Then pick up the car and head out. 1+ day is plenty for an overview of Dublin. (I am not a Dublin basher - I just think there is so much more to see elsewhere)
Do consider staying only one night in Dublin at the beginning of your trip. Then pick up the car and head out. 1+ day is plenty for an overview of Dublin. (I am not a Dublin basher - I just think there is so much more to see elsewhere)
Apr 6th, 2003, 03:32 PM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I completely agree with Janis. Dublin is fine, we spent a day there and it was perfect. One day allowed us to see the things in the city we wanted to, before heading out to the countryside. And yes, Dublin will not be crowded at Easter, people generally leave the city for weekend trips then if anything.
Frankly, if it were me, I would just do one day in Dublin. Are there specific things in Dublin that you want to see and do that make you feel compelled to spend two days there? That might help us to help you plan better if we knew what you were expecting.
I tend to also disagree with people who say you have too much on your itinerary, BUT, that is because we are "on the go" types of people and we only stayed one night in each area on our 2 week trip, so we were constantly driving and sightseeing. We did not feel shortchanged at all, in fact, we experienced so so much, that we felt totally blessed to be able to have our car and drive from town to town, stopping to sightsee along the way. Many people said they would have been totally exhausted when they saw our itinerary, but we were energized!
I think you have to reflect on what kind of travelers you and your companion are. Do you want to be able to really linger in one small village for a whole day, or do you like to see as much as you can? What works for some people doesn't always work for others, know what I mean?
Anyway, enjoy your trip, Ireland is just breathtaking!!
Frankly, if it were me, I would just do one day in Dublin. Are there specific things in Dublin that you want to see and do that make you feel compelled to spend two days there? That might help us to help you plan better if we knew what you were expecting.
I tend to also disagree with people who say you have too much on your itinerary, BUT, that is because we are "on the go" types of people and we only stayed one night in each area on our 2 week trip, so we were constantly driving and sightseeing. We did not feel shortchanged at all, in fact, we experienced so so much, that we felt totally blessed to be able to have our car and drive from town to town, stopping to sightsee along the way. Many people said they would have been totally exhausted when they saw our itinerary, but we were energized!
I think you have to reflect on what kind of travelers you and your companion are. Do you want to be able to really linger in one small village for a whole day, or do you like to see as much as you can? What works for some people doesn't always work for others, know what I mean?
Anyway, enjoy your trip, Ireland is just breathtaking!!
Apr 6th, 2003, 03:37 PM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 899
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think your new plan is looking interesting. The drive from Wicklow to Kilkenny is in the 2 hour range.
My favorite B&B is in Dingle. It's called Clonmara and you can find it on the www.familyhomes.ie web site.
My favorite B&B is in Dingle. It's called Clonmara and you can find it on the www.familyhomes.ie web site.
Apr 7th, 2003, 09:04 AM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi littletraveler..Totally agree with your "on the go? types of people. Husband and I tend to spend one night in each area (sometimes two, in Connemara, Sligo, Dingle)when we do Ireland. We,as you, see so much in a day, hunting out the ring forts, dolmens, megalithic monuments. So much to see, so little time! (22 days in May!). Happy and Safe Travels...Helen
Apr 7th, 2003, 01:14 PM
#12
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A very widespread choice for such a short time - you will have little time to see the real Ireland much less experience it. I would suggest concentrating on an area (i.e. Galway/Connemara, Dingle/Cork (skip Killarney - total tourist area), Dublin/Kilkenny or Donegal/Sligo/Derry)
Apr 7th, 2003, 02:19 PM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,414
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm sure I'm stating the obvious here smasafy, but I wanted to make sure you are aware that Easter is on Monday in Ireland.
The itinerary you have now will not leave you any real time in Dublin. If you are driving across the country to Dublin for your last night, you will probably arrive mid-afternoon and then somehow get your bearings to see the city. You will probably be able to say you've been to Dublin, but I don't think you will get to visit much there. My feeling is that, if you are going to see Dublin, you need to have plenty of time, and with a shorter trip, I would tend to shy away from it.
On the one vs multiple nights debate, my philosphy is pretty simple. If you end up backtrackingtwo hours over the same road to get to your B&B just so you can stay two nights, move on. If you are doing loops, stay multiple nights. You can usually manage to find loops.
I agree that the town of Killarney is touristy, but the area around it is spectacular and it shouldn't be too crowded that week.
Have fun.
Bill
The itinerary you have now will not leave you any real time in Dublin. If you are driving across the country to Dublin for your last night, you will probably arrive mid-afternoon and then somehow get your bearings to see the city. You will probably be able to say you've been to Dublin, but I don't think you will get to visit much there. My feeling is that, if you are going to see Dublin, you need to have plenty of time, and with a shorter trip, I would tend to shy away from it.
On the one vs multiple nights debate, my philosphy is pretty simple. If you end up backtrackingtwo hours over the same road to get to your B&B just so you can stay two nights, move on. If you are doing loops, stay multiple nights. You can usually manage to find loops.
I agree that the town of Killarney is touristy, but the area around it is spectacular and it shouldn't be too crowded that week.
Have fun.
Bill
Apr 11th, 2003, 01:18 PM
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for all the input... To decrease the driving, we cut out Galway/Cliffs of Moher, and currently our itinerary looks more like (in this order):
Wicklow - 1 night
Kilkenny - 1 night
Killarney - 3 nights (as a base for Killarney lakes, Dingle, Kinsale)
Dublin - 2 nights (including left-over Wicklow sights if needed)
-How does this itinerary look?
-What could be an interesting stop in the middle of the Killarney-Dublin drive?
- Any recommendations for accommodation in Kilkenny town or Killarney lakes area?
Many thanks again!
Shari
Wicklow - 1 night
Kilkenny - 1 night
Killarney - 3 nights (as a base for Killarney lakes, Dingle, Kinsale)
Dublin - 2 nights (including left-over Wicklow sights if needed)
-How does this itinerary look?
-What could be an interesting stop in the middle of the Killarney-Dublin drive?
- Any recommendations for accommodation in Kilkenny town or Killarney lakes area?
Many thanks again!
Shari
Apr 11th, 2003, 03:48 PM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi smasafy - We stayed at Celtic House B&B in Kilkenny. Great location - you can walk everywhere and leave your car in their locked lot. It is a very comfortable B&B with wonderful owners. I highly recommend it. Email [email protected]
Apr 14th, 2003, 05:33 AM
#16
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I will only say to make sure that the owners are at the Celtic House as the night I spent there some relatives were manning the ship and they were not so qualified to do so, although they were nice. With that said, it is a nice place and the location is great for touring the town as well as having a good rate. Good Luck
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LisainSA
Europe
19
Dec 27th, 2004 02:59 AM
