Does this work:
Fly into Dublin (stay 2 nights)
Day 1 - around Dublin
Day 2 - Trim
Day 3 - drive to Galway (stay 2 nights)/Clonmacnoise on the way
Day 4 - Aran Islands
Day 5 - Burren/Cliffs of Moher/drive to Adare(stay 3 nights)
Day 6 - Bunratty Castle
Day 7 - day trip to Cork/Blarney
day 8 - Killarney/Muckross/drive to Tralee (stay 2 nights)
Day 9 - Dingle Peninsula
Day 10 - Ring of Kerry/drive to Shannon (stay overnight
Day 11 - Fly home from Shannon
Posted by
OP
Colorado Springs, CO, USA
16 posts
Forgot to add, looking to travel the beginning of Sept. 2010. Also, how much should airfare cost from Colorado that time of year?
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
That actually looks like a really workable itinerary - congrats! I think I'd skip the Ring of Kerry, though, since it doesn't really fit into your plan without backtracking. Spend the extra time in the Dingle area instead.
As for the airfare question, I can't even predict what it will be from Chicago at that time. The best you can do is get signed up with newsletters from various travel sites (Travelzoo, Smarter Travel, etc.) and start watching the fares for the flight you want so that you get an idea of what a "normal" cost is. Then when a good deal comes along, you'll know it.
Posted by
New York, NY
319 posts
Leslie,
A few thoughts:
Day 10 is WAY too long. Starting the Ring from Tralee means that you'd be ending in Kenmare, which is a very long drive from Shannon.
It'd really be a shame to drive all the way out to Dingle just for a whirlwind drive around the peninsula. Staying the night would really enhance your Dingle experience.
My first suggestion would be to cut the Cork/Blarney day to add a night in Dingle. If this is not desirable, then I would do the following: spend Night 8 in Kenmare, drive the Ring on Day 9 and spend Night 9 in Dingle, then drive the Dingle peninsula on Day 10 before heading for Shannon.
Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1819 posts
Kenmare to Shannon takes 3-4 hours. We have driven it in the opposite direction, so my time estimate is accurate.
Posted by
OP
Colorado Springs, CO, USA
16 posts
Thanks for the input...I finally got Rick's book yesterday, so I will probably be changing/tweaking things! How far ahead should I book rooms/airfare?