Insight Tour of Ireland
Jan 30th, 2003, 07:56 PM
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Insight Tour of Ireland
If you have taken an Insight tour of Ireland, please tell me your impressions of it -- good, bad, indifferent.
I am strongly considering the Focus on Ireland 6 day land portion of one of Insight's tours, and I am trying to evaluate whether to go or not.
As a general rule I am a freelancer, but for various personal considerations I am contemplating this particular tour to complement several days of freelancing in Counties Sligo and Monaghan. (Ancestor tracing.)
I am strongly considering the Focus on Ireland 6 day land portion of one of Insight's tours, and I am trying to evaluate whether to go or not.
As a general rule I am a freelancer, but for various personal considerations I am contemplating this particular tour to complement several days of freelancing in Counties Sligo and Monaghan. (Ancestor tracing.)
Jan 31st, 2003, 06:09 AM
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Bob
We have not taken the Insight tour but last September we did do a Trafalgar tour that is quite similar. Like you, we are usually free lancers and prefer to do our own trips. We dedided to give Trafalgar a try even though we did have great misgivings about it, picturing a bus full of old infirm people being herded around by a pushy guide. We were so wrong and actually enjoyed the tour. We had an excellent group, made up of a wide range of ages and everyone got along well (as I recall there were about 40 people or so, mostly couples, but a few singles, ages from mid-20s into the 70s, average probably mid to late 50s). Our guide was excellent and never pushed the optional excursions. We stayed at 4 star hotels and had plenty of free time in each place to explore on our own. Breakfast was included each day and there a few dinners as well. Lunch was always on our own. It was actually quite nice to relax and let someone else haul us around and have our bags transported to and from our rooms. We also met some wonderful people and developed some friendships that we think will last. Our group was comprised mainly of Australians and Americans, with a couple of Canadians and New Zealanders. All in all we were quite happy and pleasantly suprised that we enjoyed it as much as we did. Obviously the make up of the group and the quality of the guide will make or break a tour. If one gets unlucky and gets the "group from hell" then I suspect the week would be awful. We had a great group (even our guide commented on how easy it was to be with this group, as there was never problem with people being on time, arguing with each other, etc).
If it helps our tour started in Dublin, then down the south coast to the west doing the typical things like Waterford, Blarney, Ring of Kerry, Muckross House, Galway, etc, back to Dublin.
We have not taken the Insight tour but last September we did do a Trafalgar tour that is quite similar. Like you, we are usually free lancers and prefer to do our own trips. We dedided to give Trafalgar a try even though we did have great misgivings about it, picturing a bus full of old infirm people being herded around by a pushy guide. We were so wrong and actually enjoyed the tour. We had an excellent group, made up of a wide range of ages and everyone got along well (as I recall there were about 40 people or so, mostly couples, but a few singles, ages from mid-20s into the 70s, average probably mid to late 50s). Our guide was excellent and never pushed the optional excursions. We stayed at 4 star hotels and had plenty of free time in each place to explore on our own. Breakfast was included each day and there a few dinners as well. Lunch was always on our own. It was actually quite nice to relax and let someone else haul us around and have our bags transported to and from our rooms. We also met some wonderful people and developed some friendships that we think will last. Our group was comprised mainly of Australians and Americans, with a couple of Canadians and New Zealanders. All in all we were quite happy and pleasantly suprised that we enjoyed it as much as we did. Obviously the make up of the group and the quality of the guide will make or break a tour. If one gets unlucky and gets the "group from hell" then I suspect the week would be awful. We had a great group (even our guide commented on how easy it was to be with this group, as there was never problem with people being on time, arguing with each other, etc).
If it helps our tour started in Dublin, then down the south coast to the west doing the typical things like Waterford, Blarney, Ring of Kerry, Muckross House, Galway, etc, back to Dublin.
Jan 31st, 2003, 08:30 AM
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I know you're asking about Insight but have you considered CIE tours? They're based out of Ireland run by the gov't and IMO provide the best accomodations and food for the price. Have used them 3 times and hostly can't find any negatives. www.cietours.com Good luck whatever you choose! You'll be so happy there = )
Jan 31st, 2003, 08:50 AM
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Tir Na nOg Tours
If you are more of the packpacker type and enjoy hostels I recommend Tir Na nOg Tours. I loved it because the drivers teach you lots about the country and stop frequently. Every night a hostel is arranged for the group. Half were solo travelers. Groups of about 18 on the bus. Fun night life. I learned a Lot about Ireland. Look them up on the internet.
If you are more of the packpacker type and enjoy hostels I recommend Tir Na nOg Tours. I loved it because the drivers teach you lots about the country and stop frequently. Every night a hostel is arranged for the group. Half were solo travelers. Groups of about 18 on the bus. Fun night life. I learned a Lot about Ireland. Look them up on the internet.
Jan 31st, 2003, 10:37 AM
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Bob
Have you checked out Insights Website? They have a discussion board on their site. The URL is:
WWW.Insighttours.com
We did an insight tour (Highlights of Britain) in 2001. We were very happy with them. Encouraged us to go solo in London this past November.
We also looked at CIE tours and they looked very good also.
Have you checked out Insights Website? They have a discussion board on their site. The URL is:
WWW.Insighttours.com
We did an insight tour (Highlights of Britain) in 2001. We were very happy with them. Encouraged us to go solo in London this past November.
We also looked at CIE tours and they looked very good also.
Feb 1st, 2003, 08:54 AM
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I have a catalog of Insight tours, as well as others. That is the basis for my nit picking type questions. Before I spend a portion of my money, I wanted some independent evaluations.
We will be in Dublin after the freelance portions. Any of you have a suggestion for a hotel or B and B that is under $200 a night??
We will be in Dublin after the freelance portions. Any of you have a suggestion for a hotel or B and B that is under $200 a night??
