Two gals checking Ireland off our bucket list in April

No advice on your Ireland trip, but just wanted to invite you to our informal Rick Steves Meet-up in Moscow on the 3rd Sat of each month at 1030 at One World coffee shop (Main and 6th).

Darcy and I visit Paris frequently (not MY fault...Darcy got me hooked!) so we may be able to help you with some of your Paris questions. I will tell you with just 5 nights in Paris/4 full days I would not spend a day traveling to Normandy. I LOVE Normandy - it's SO interesting but it's a very long day and there is plenty to do IN Paris for a first trip. If you do 2 days trips, then you've only got 2 days to see the big sights within the city.

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Agree about not spending time going to Normandy if you only have 5 nights in Paris. There is so-o-o much to see and enjoy in Paris! Your side trip to Versailles can be a half day or, if you want more immersion in the chateau w/gardens and/or the small-town feel of Versailles itself, then spend a full day and return to Paris in the evening.

After being on a guided tour of Ireland (there's no "Southern Ireland" BTW), I can tell you a couple of things about driving -

Once you are off the highway, which is most of the time, roads are slow - often two lanes without being able to pass, so it's easy to get stuck behind a slow vehicle, or just stopped by a herd of animals, or maybe just one or two meandering along the road. Don't underestimate the time it takes to drive from place to place. Driving on the left can be confusing, especially in roundabouts. Take your time to get used to driving!! Get full insurance - it's all too easy to scrape the side of the car or bang an outside mirror on those narrow roads, many of which are bordered by stone walls.

Curious, if your flights aren't set, why not fly home directly from Paris? Seems like it would save you a lot of travel rigamarole if you are able to do that.

Though there isn't a "Southern Ireland" there is the Southern Peninsulas region. This would be Dingle Peninsula, Iveragh Peninsula (Ring of Kerry region) and Bear Peninsula's (part Kerry, part Cork).

I live in the Ring of Kerry area, and believe there is more to see and do here than the Dingle peninsula. But some people just want to see Dingle! If that's the case, take driving Ring of Kerry OFF this itinerary -- you're cramming too much into that time frame and I'd say spend the 2 nights in Dingle and enjoy it instead of adding 200 miles driving from Dingle, off the peninsula, around the Ring, back down the peninsula to Dingle....

That said, if you change Dingle to Skellig region, you have lots to fill the days, there (history, culture, pubs, ring forts, stone circles, the Kerry Cliffs, Valentia Island).... but then you don't see Dingle.

Susan
Expat living in Waterville, Ring of Kerry/Skellig Coast

Agree with Susan about taking off the ROKerry. Or, taking off Dingle. Otherwise, too much driving!

Thank you all for your input. Much appreciated! Yes I did mean the southern area of Ireland. I was afraid we might be overdoing with the driving. We will take your advice and rethink that! Our tickets are purchased to and from Dublin . Next trip I'll do that differently. Linda