Trip Consultants?

Are you looking for something you can't find on the internet (Tripadvisor and other sources, etc.) or a book? Do you suspect that folks on the ground (Irish tourist office) could be able to guide you once you get there? I guess the answer to whether it's worth it is the opportunity cost of your time to do this research yourself (I think the info should be easy to find - Ireland is not exactly off-the-radar kind of destination).

Hi Agnes-
My problem is that I'm just overwhelmed by the huge amount of information out there. Yes, I've checked out TripAdvisor and many other sites but I sometimes question whether the folks that create these sites get "kickbacks" if they list a particular place as a top-rated place to visit. I just want to know where to go and how much is too much for us to accomplish in 7-8 days.

Per Agnes, why not look at the "things to do" section on Trip Advisor first? We've found it to be a terrific resource in helping us to organize our own excursions.

As Rick himself said in one of the travel talks, Tripadvisor is a good source to get a more or less comprehensive listing of what's out there, but you do have to cull and choose between all the options (I think he called it "uncurated" or something to that effect). So I guess it's the difference between "expert advice" via a consultation or winnowing the stuff down yourself and just taking a chance on what a bunch of people independently said is "great" (most of the time, that's good enough). I appreciate the input of lots of people but of course there's something to be said about a single expert advice. What about what you can dig up in an RS book/ Lonely Planet on Ireland? Shouldn't that do the trick? They often list an itinerary for a set number of days, say between 2-5, or 5 or more, etc. Best of all you can get it free at the library.

I can try that but I wondered if an "expert" might be more familiar with what places might be on the route to each hotel stop. For example, what are the best places to visit between dublin and Galway or Galway and Kerry....

Thanks, Agnes. I'm going to visit the library this weekend and perhaps look for a RS Ireland book. What i really need is a detailed map that shows attactions; that way I can determine if they are on or near the route we will be driving to each hotel. do you know if something like that exists anywhere?

Re: detailed map - I'm sure there will be no problem finding a number of different map types on Amazon (or even at a Barnes and Noble). I found hard-copy driving maps to be incredibly helpful in judging distances and being comfortable with setting a (feasible) itinerary. See if maps in the various library books are detailed enough first - then use Amazon as a backup for a more detailed map, if you need it. Also, there are a bunch of random blogs out there on the internet (just have to google the correct phrase you're looking for) - and Thorn Tree travel forums that can give you ideas of how other people made the trip.

We used Rick's Ireland guidebook for the most part. I did a lot of reading on TripAdvisor and other sites beforehand to help inform us on choices, but really relied on the book when we were there. Given your route, you'll have far too many choices than you'll have time to do, even if you only use Rick's book.

Keep in mind that it is going to get dark pretty early in February. We went to Ireland twice in February (2002 and 2005) for 10 days each time, and it was awesome because not many tourists that time of year, but it was rainy, cold, and some things were not open or closed early. We stayed exclusively in B&Bs and many were not open in February. It could be that more things are open in the off season now but please check opening times so you're not disappointed. If you are driving, please plan to be to your next destination before it gets too late since the combination of the wrong side of the road and the weather can be very difficult. Driving from east coast to west coast and back again is going to eat up a lot of time.

If you enjoy pub grub, music and the fine art of craic, you're in luck. You can partake of lots of that after dark, and it can be found easily in the smallest crossroad or largest city.

Dang, now I want to go back to Ireland. Too many places on this good Earth that I haven't yet seen.

Maybe this map would help?
http://www.amazon.com/Ireland-National-Geographic-Adventure-Map/dp/1566955351/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=51qcJXRYI9L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1419DRJJDNKQ5RC1M7WB

ruggierm,

You see that lots of people on this Helpline have plenty of experience in Ireland.

You aren't going for a long trip and you already have your hotels so don't need help there.

I bet you could get most or all your answers here and in the books.

If it makes you more relaxed to speak to a person rather than using the interwebs and you don't mind spending the money, that might be a good choice for you.

I got a Nat Geo map for the UK like the one Agnes linked for Ireland. I've found mine indispensable for my planning because it does show where things you might like to see are. You'll have to rely on other sources for pub grub and shopping, though.

If the Ireland one is as good as the one I got, you can't go wrong with it. I got mine at Barnes &Noble and chose it over many other options because of the sights, both natural and human made, shown and because it is coated or made with tear-resistant material.

I see Google Maps thinks all your drives are under 4 hours, so you could have time to lolligag along the way, keeping in mind the weather might slow you down and the short days.

All-
thanks so much for the good advice! I think I'll save my $75 and do the planning on my own. Maybe if I take one day at a time it wont seem so overwhelming. I'm a perfectionist so that's why I stress. I just want this to be a great trip for my mom and I. I don't foresee being able to make a trip like this again anytime soon.

Lo, I will definitely look for that map you mentioned!! sounds like just what I'm looking for. Also for everyone else, I found a really neat website that appears to be free...its called "tripomatic.com"...here you can build your own custom itenerary by adding tourist sights that you find via their search engine. It also calculates time needed to see each site, the cost, etc...I completed our first day/Dublin and it works like a charm. It can be downloaded to a device or you can print it also.

However, considering the thousands your trip will be costing you, $75 is a reasonable price to pay for sage advice. Your call, though.

A few thoughts about guide books. While I usually find the RS guides to be really helpful, the guide book on Ireland is particularly spotty in what it covers. Consequently, if you use it, I would supplement it with at least one other guidebook. I found Frommer's guide book to short sightseeing drives to be amazingly helpful in finding what's along the way as you drive; I don't remember the exact name, but Google it, it's easy to find. If your mother is Interested in history, art, or architecture, the blue guide is the best source you can possibly use.

Also, I assume there's a reason your mother wants to go to Ireland. How about getting one of the photo based guides – like the DK Eyewitness guide – and spending some time with your mother and that guidebook. She probably knows what types of things she wants to visit.

I have not traveled there in February, but Ireland tends to be wet and chilly even in the late spring and early fall – the times I've been there. So planning a fair number indoor activities would be a good idea. Scenic drives are also a good option, provided it's not too foggy or raining too hard. Things like Muckross House or maybe even one of the banquets in a castle occur to me. But if you do visit one of the castles , make sure your mother will be able to Handle the stairs. Daylight will be short at that time of year, so after dark plans will be important. Also, off season, tourist attractions in some rural areas are likely to be shut down.

To return to your original question – the paid advisers at RS – I've used them twice. One time the person was well prepared and it was very, very helpful. The next time the suggestions were broad, the person didn't seem very prepared, and it was much less helpful. However, it occurs to me that $75 isn't much compared with the cost of your entire trip, and since you're going at a less than optimal time (regarding weather and daylight hours), with an elderly parent, some expert advice might be good. If you plan drives out of the major cities on day trips, I would particularly want guidance on what Will be closed for the season.

A couple of other thoughts. Once you get off the main highways, driving in Ireland will take a lot longer than you expect, so don't try to pack too much into a day. Also, based on my experience traveling with my mother when she was that age, doing fewer activities allowed her to enjoy them more.

Have a wonderful trip!

I'm an American now living in Ireland - in Waterville on the Ring of Kerry.

Congratulations on planning to spend two consecutive nights in the same places!! So many tourists spend their entire trip driving driving driving - you'll be able to see and enjoy MORE!!

What "hotel in Kerry" will you use? or actually what I really want to know is where... that would allow me to give you a suggestion of itineraries for at least the Kerry section of the trip!!

As far as "is $75 worth it" i'd say - if you're driving around frustrated because you're making plans to see things or places that are closed in February or no longer in business - than $75 is a bargain to save you from that!! In Ireland that's the cost of one really nice meal for the two of you. You decide! ;-)

Susan

I advise spending the $23 (or less) for Rick's guidebook, which has detailed but efficient info for all three of your destinations. Do take it a day at a time. If you just sit down to read a chapter, the information will be much more cohesive than bouncing around the internet. Of course, you can also ask locals for their favorites as you travel.