We are planning to be in Ireland August 19th (before noon) to August 26th (about noon). We are planning to rent a car and spend the first night at Trim. After that, my wife Kathy would like to simply ramble, without reservations (and I'd like to be with her). We know this is pretty much the height of the tourist season and we are wondering if this plan is at all practical? Thanks for any info ~
Gordon
Posted by
NC, United States
970 posts
Nothing's worse than driving around in strange territory, in the dark, looking for a place to stay. How about booking one day ahead? I've done that and it allows a lot of freedom for just rambling around. Otherwise, I'd need to be willing to take the risk of staying in the place no one else wants to. Don't forget, too, that looking around for a place to stay eats up hours that you won't lose if you've booked.
Posted by
Philadelphia
655 posts
Reservations are not necessary but they are a very good idea - especially in August. As the poster above points out, you'll waste time and still get the room that others didn't want. You have some 9 months to come up with a plan - that should be plenty of time.
Posted by
OP
Colorado Springs, CO, USA
2 posts
Thanks for the info, JC & George. The thing that worries me is the "height of the season" aspect. I believe that the calling a day ahead should work for us, and give Kathy the flexibility she wants.....she does have a "whim of iron." The next questions is, call from what? Our previous lodgings? We are not currently cell phone or i-pad or tablet savvy. Neither of us owns a mobile device of any kind. So far our travelling has been in the US, cruising in a sailboat in the Bahamas for a year, and rail travel a la Rick through the Netherlands, Belgium & Germany. We've never needed a cell phone, but perhaps it is time. My German friends generally buy a Trac Phone or equivalent when they visit here. More ideas? Viele dank'
Gordon
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
In August you don't need to worry about driving around in the dark looking for a place to stay. It doesn't get dark until around 10:00 pm. On two trips we carried a directory of B&Bs (you can get one from the Tourist Information at the airport when you arrive). We just stopped at ones that met our needs and asked if they had room. On one trip, we called a couple from payphones at convenience stores, but you might want to just pick up a cheap pay-as-you-go phone when you arrive. They are inexpensive (like Tracphones here), and come loaded with some minutes to start out with, which might be all you will need during your trip.