Just back from a 10-day Cosmos tour of Ireland. Any questions? <BR>

Hi Debbie. <BR>I'm planning a 2 wk trip to Ireland with my sister starting Sept 6. Do you have any recommendations of to do or not do highlights. We are mid-20s and like hiking, horses, culture, etc. Also wondering if we should to rent a car and if so can you recommend cheap agency? Any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>tanya

I am going to Great Britian in October with a Cosmos tour-my next trip is to Ireland also with Cosmos-did you like this tour company and would you use them again? Thanks Rose

Please let us know what you thought of the accomodations, meals, schedule, and tour guides!

Sorry for the delay in posting replies to your questions; my computer has been down for a couple of days. <BR> <BR>Tanya: If you like the natural wonders, I highly recommend the Cliffs Of Moher, the Dingle Pennisula and the Ring of Kerry. If the weather is good, the scenery is incredible! As for cultural highlights, I recommend the Irish National Folk Theatre, Siamsa Tyre, in Killarney. <BR> <BR>As for car rentals, I'm afraid I can't help you. My tour was an escorted motorcoach tour, so transportation was taken care of. You will definitely need a car, however, because you won't be able to get to all of the places you want to utilizing the bus and trains alone. Just be prepared for herds of sheep and cows to be in the middle of the road around every bend in the road! <BR> <BR>Rose: This was my first escorted motorcoach tour, and I was very pleased with it. I would definitely use Cosmos again. It is all very well organized, and our tour guide and driver were wonderful! <BR> <BR>Donna: The accommodations were very good. Nothing fancy, of course, but clean rooms with private bath. <BR> <BR>The meals were good overall; just a couple of poor menu selections on my part. I hope that you like potatoes, however, because you will be served potatoes in some shape or form at just about every meal. <BR> <BR>The schedule was manageable, although you are up early every day, and you tend to lose track of what day of the week it is. Our earliest daily departure was 8 am, and our latest was 9 am. The longest that we traveled before stopping for restroom breaks, or sightseeing was 90 minutes, and the restroom breaks always included some sight or scenery to see. <BR> <BR>Our tour guide, Helen Lee, was wonderful! Her knowledge was vast and enthusiasm sky-high. She really knew her stuff, and would educate us about a particular place that we were on our way to while we drove. She also inlcuded Ireland's history, and myths and legends, but not in a boring, classroom-like environment; it was interesting and <BR>fun. <BR> <BR>Again, I would definitely recommend Cosmos, and travel with them again. <BR> <BR>- Debbie <BR>

Hi Tanya, <BR> <BR>I went to Ireland a few years ago for a couple of weeks & did the backpacker/youth hostel thing. I second the recommendation of the Cliffs, Dingle & Kerry...I liked those so much that I'm going back there with my mother this September. As for car rentals, we've rented a car from AutoEurope. We have yet to see how it goes but their rates were reasonable and they are a large company with an informative website( http://www.autoeurope.com) Good luck.

Be very careful of renting a car through Hertz-O'Scainnlon. Auto Europe is a broker, so the car could actually be with Avis, Hertz, etc. <BR> <BR>We had a prepaid voucher clearly stating in writing AUTOMATIC station wagon. None available when we arrived to pick up the car. Put a real damper on things.

I'd like to plan a trip to Ireland for about 10 days sometime next year. I'm not sure when the best time to go would be. I would also like to get a package deal with accomidations and travel all in one. I want to travel all over Ireland if I can. Do you have any advise? Also I'm planing to go by myself is this a wise idea?