Need help on Ireland trip

I would add Paris to the agenda.

Well, I could personally spend just about forever in Ireland. But if you've been to Europe that many times and have never seen Paris, you owe yourself a visit to that incredible city. So I agree with the above post, add Paris.

First, April in Ireland is wonderful. And March wouldn't be "a lot colder". Because of the Gulf Stream, Ireland doesn't get all that cold even in the depths of winter. (Though you might not expect it, parts of Ireland even have palm trees.) April would be preferable, though, since things that closed over the winter are open again by then. And who wouldn't want to spend three whole weeks in Ireland?? There is so much to see and do there! I've been several times on shorter trips and can't wait to go back again.

I would definitely add a good bit of time in Paris since you've never been. I think a few weeks in Ireland is perfect, though, and you shouldn't run out of things to do.

The return flight from Shannon would make sense as it would allow you to spend some time on Ireland's gorgeous west coast before heading home.

If you let us know what types of sites and activities interest you, then we can give you recs for how to spend your time.

Enjoy your trip!

3 weeks in Ireland would be a dream come true to most of us! I just spent 2 weeks there this past summer and easily wished for 2-3 weeks MORE! There are just so many things to see and do. With that kind of time, you could do the B&B in a few different towns route for a week, stay in one area for a week and self cater while doing day trips, then the last week do B&B's again. That would give you the best of all things.

Since you apparently travel to Europe fequently , I would save the Paris trip for another time. This time immerse yourself in all thing Irish! You will get plenty of ideas here on how to spend your time.

John, with three weeks to spend and given the fact that you've been to Ireland previously, I would probably consider 4-5 days in Paris. I haven't checked, but there should be flights available with RyanAir or others?

Given the circumstances you mentioned, I'd choose the April 17 direct flight option, to allow yourself a bit more time. Place the Paris portion either at the beginning or end of your trip. I would probably plan this at the end, flying back to Dublin in time for your flight home. You might need to allot one night in a Hotel close to the airport, as you want to ensure that you allow enough time not to miss your flight back to the U.S.

In choosing a flight to Paris, try to find a flight that uses CDG rather than Beauvais (it's a bit further out).

If you do decide to add Paris to your holiday, you might consider a Paris Museum Pass (depending on what you want to see of course?). The two-day version might be a good fit? If you want to visit the Louvre, don't try to see all three wings in such a short time frame - choose one (perhaps the Denon wing?). The Musee d'Orsay is beautiful and one of my favourites!

I chuckled a bit when reading your comment about "she who must be obeyed". I can vaguely remember what that was like.

Happy travels!

You could fly Dublin-CDG on Aer Lingus or Dublin-Beauvais on Ryanair. When you return to Ireland you could fly CDG-Cork on Aer Lingus or Beauvais-Shannon on Ryanair.

However, I agree that unless Ryanair gives you a discount fare too low to pass up, avoid Beauvais. It's a LONG way from Paris.

Little known fact: April is the driest month in Ireland. 3 weeks would be a dream, Paris would be nice too.

I also would suggest 4-5 days in Paris.If you arranged it during the trip from a city and stayed in a hotel or B&B before leaving and then returning to the same place and staying again you could leave much of your luggage there and travel very light to Paris.This makes it easier and also necessary because the airlines have very strict luaggage limits.

Booked a trip. Flying to Paris with a return from Shannon.

Would like to see Paris, then take ferry from Cherbourg. Suggestions on the ferry thing? We've already done the Chunnel and planes are no fun. We leave on March 24th, arriving on the 25th with a return on April 15. I figure a week to 10 days in France mostly in Paris then on to Ireland. We've been to Lyon - the only part of France we have seen.

We haven't got the Rick books yet but suggestions on travel are appreciated. I strongly dislike renting cars so we figure train and ferry to Dublin then train mostly to see outlying areas with some buses and the possibility of car rental.

John,

It sounds like you've got a plan.

My only comment would be that it is difficult to really experience the Irish countryside without a car. Not impossible, but much less enjoyable.

Enjoy your trip!