Hello! My husband and I are beginning to plan a trip to Ireland for this July. We plan on flying into Dublin, renting a car, and flying out of Shannon. We have a general sense of what we want to see/where we want to go, etc, but aren't sure where to go to actually book the trip. Should we book airfare, car, and accomodations seperatly? Is there a place (other than AerLingus) that we can book them all together? We'd rather not go through a travel agent and want to just get B&B vouchers and stay in a couple of castles along the way. Any info would be very helpful! Thanks!!

I really think you should avoid B&B vouchers. All B&B proprietors are happy to accept cash; only some accept vouchers; only some accept CCs. So take accommodation out of your longer-term planning. Sort your flights and car-hire, then plan your itinerary (avoiding the usual mistake of trying to do too much), then turn your attention to accommodation.

Hi, We have been to Ireland 4 x's in the past 6 years and love it. The first time we went we used CIE Tours www.cietours.com and did their "fly and drive". At that time we did the lst class and stayed in one castle and then hotels. We started in Shannon and ended in Dublin. Trips after that were to different areas as there is so much to see. One trip we did a bus tour with CIE with people from our area and that was nice but we really do hate the busses and having to have a structured trip was not for us. We like being on our own and drivng and stopping when we want. We have stayed in Kilkea Castle on two occasions, we loved it. All will depend on how long you are going to be there as to what you will "squeeze" in as you are going from one side of Ireland to the other. One thing we loved just for the fun of it is Bunratty Castle Feast, just a fun night. Do not plan on doing this on your lst night as you will be too tired to enjoy. Have a great time and look for advice from the Fodor people, they are great and I have never been steered wrong. It is also an easy trip to do and book on your own just do the research from the different sites that are available.

I've just finished booking everything for our May trip. This board is full of wonderful tips (for which I am most grateful), and using email and online booking make the whole process pretty painless.

I booked the airfare directly through the airline site after using things like kayak.com to check fares. I read lots of Ireland trip reports on this forum, and lots of reviews on TripAdvisor, and then booked each hotel / B&B / guesthouse on line (well, I did have to call my credit card in to one place). I almost booked our rental car on line before I gave up and actually called a couple of places to resolve all the extra added fees (old driver, Northern Ireland leg, etc. etc.)

You might also want to look at http://www.irelandyes.com.

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My husband & I are going back to Ireland for our 6th trip in April. Our tickets were purchased online at Aerlingus. I don't have a car yet but will also do that on line, but directly with the rental company, which we haven't decided on yet. (Search for posts about super CDW to know what coverage you will likely need.)

We used vouchers one year. They worked okay for us because we were off-season in out of the way places. In July places tend to book up faster, and a b&b will take a cash customer first over one with a voucher. Not all B&Bs will take vouchers, so your choices become more limited.

We will be winging a couple of nights on our trip , but I have been working on booking our first and last night reservations. In July you may want to book ahead, especially if a castle or two are in your plans.

Our first adventure in Ireland was back in 1995 with our two teenage boys. Back then, there was no wonderful internet to do all this research. We bought Fodors and planned our trip with that and the itinerary in a travel agency brochure, following the bus tour to hit the highlights. We covered the lower of half of Ireland from Dublin to Galway in 10 hectic days. And here we go back again to see more...

Good luck!

Just want to weigh in along with others on avoiding the B&B vouchers. Take that idea off your list and you're grand.

I've seen good Fly and Drive deals on Aer Lingus and USAirways. Unfortunately, they often appear after you've needed to book them.

I'd start looking for your biggest cost, airfare, first. Then chip away at your car, looking not only for best price but for a company that accurately accounts for the inevitable "dings" on the car BEFORE you leave the lot.

Hotels, B&B's I've found to be the least of your worries. A bit of research on this board and you're good to go.

One last rule to keep in mind: Irish roads are not the same as US roads. We're not talking the problem of driving on the left (easier to learn than you might think); we're talking the US concept of "making good time" does not exist in Ireland. Always remind yourself that it will take longer than you think, and you'll be fine.

I think your overall plan of Dublin to Shannon will be lovely.

out of habit...have booked air thru our travel agent(would probably now book on line)...everything else we booked on line without any problems. I would not get vouchers.

for this july...I would be getting reservations as soon as possible after you book air.

dublin, especially if you are looking for specific dates and lower prices...is important to book early.
also, if you are looking for a specific B&B ...best ones go quickly...if not already full.

if most of your plans are for the southwest/west...fly in and out of shannon...this seems to be the biggest mistake people make in their planning

I have an article that may help at www.greendragonartist.com/articlesEurope.htm