I know I could just call the RS office, but I am more curious than anything. I'm thinking of doing this tour in 2026. While reviewing the dates, I saw that August tours are $400.00 less than both July and September tours. I can't figure out why. I asked my Scouser (Liverpool) son in law and he could not think of any reason. I generally refuse summer travel, but Ireland isn't exactly hot in the summer, historically. I know with global warming, things are changing, but even with this summer's heat wave the highest temperature is listed at 77 degrees in Dublin. Does anyone have any idea why August is less expensive than July or September? Has anyone taken this tour in August, if so, was it OK?
Posted by
1570 posts
Maybe it's related to different hotels or things of that nature...email the office for details.
We took the tour in August several years ago, and it was a marvelous tour and the weather was fantastic. And we have friends who took it last August, who also raved about the tour and the time of year.
Posted by
Virginia
455 posts
Could be any number of reasons for these relatively small fluctuations in price of $200 per person, but it doesn’t appear to be particularly specific to Ireland. If you spot check some other tours (I looked at London and Paris) you see the same pattern of slightly lower prices in the heart of summer compared to late spring or early fall. As noted it could be hotel prices which can be lower in summer as there’s less business travel, and/or RS having to price summer trips a bit more attractively since their customers will likely have to pay more for their airfare then, and their customer base is mostly older people who don’t need to vacation when the kids are out of school, in fact they prefer other times with cooler weather.
Posted by
165 posts
Funny, I wondered the exact same thing as you last year. We went ahead and booked the August tour and had great weather and a fabulous time.
Posted by
OP
Cape Ann, Massachusetts
3473 posts
Hi KD, Thanks for this information. I am glad you liked the tour at that time of year. I'm kind of heat adverse, but I could tolerate 77 degrees... This is what I wanted to know. I guess I should read some of the reviews from August as well.
Hi Slate, For the ones I'm comparing, there is a $400.00 difference, which would cover more than half of my single supplement. I'm hoping it's not less expensive due to crowds or closures.
An August trip might just fit my schedule better next year. Ordinarily, I'd never think of traveling in the summer. My perfect weather is in the 50's or 60's, but winter has been fine as well. LOL. Its average weather is generally perfect for me for summer, highs in the 60's. I would not want to go to London in the summer, or worse, Paris where everyone also leaves town in August, it's average temp is 80, tourists, closures... I am hoping they don't all go to Ireland in August. LOL
I'm just heat adverse, but I can survive the 70's, but would love the 60's.
Posted by
OP
Cape Ann, Massachusetts
3473 posts
Thanks, Lisuza. Were you in short sleeves or did it become jacket weather in the evening?
Posted by
Chicago
3804 posts
I'm kind of heat adverse, but I could tolerate 77 degrees.
The temps always feel a lot warmer to me in Europe. I was in Ireland this past May and had many sunny days in the 60s. The sun felt so warm (comparable to 80s maybe back home) and I came home with a sunburn. So, be mindful that a 77 could feel a lot warmer.
Posted by
OP
Cape Ann, Massachusetts
3473 posts
Oh, Carrie. I guess I'll study this some more...