VOLCANO! cancel of April Ireland trip. So now??? August or fall reschedule

Mid September is still a lovely time here, not as green and colour change is not spectacular ..but prices will be good and you still will have more daylight hours then in the states.

August, as you mentioned, is more expensive, but does not mean it will be better weather..other then the amount of daylight.

Go with your budget...if that is how you need to view things...just do not stress. Keep enjoying the planning process :)

Debe makes great points as always.

I'd vote for early September. August can be crowded (thought hasn't been last couple of years, I hear), and definitely more expensive for everything. Flight, hotel, car, etc, and doesn't gaurantee you nice weather.

Traveling outside summer, things are bit more relaxed, and you can meet more locals than tourists.

Sorry to hear about your trip, Buffy! Hope the new plan goes well!

Fall is lovely too! Go for it!

How long will the volcano disrupt travel?

I've got a May trip planned but this thing could go on for awhile. Did you get any cancellation charges? One B&B I signed up with has a 30 day cancellation policy. I'm wondering if they would waive it on Acts of God?

Those of us in the US are out of luck but the Brits and other Europeans are trapped there. I'm sure the volcano is affecting peoples plans and international travel may be way down this summer.

I am facing the same thing. We are booked for May 5th to Ireland. I looked at United Web site and they seem to be accomidating rebooking even though it is an act of nature. We will just have to make the best choices at the time if it happens. I always like the fall in Europe. But just remember this thing will be on going for months so the same thing could happen in September when the beautiful high presure system sets in.

I just read that they are lifting the ban on flights for the London area tomorrow, 20 Apr, so your trip will probably not be affected. I am also planning on flying into London 05 May so I share your concern!!

Darin, good point,, volcano could "calm down" you could get over to Europe and then it could start up again,, its so uncertain.

September. I was there this past September and it was wonderful! Of course, it was an unusually warm and sunny September, but who knows. You might be as lucky!

Actually, the ban is a minute to minute issue. Just because we hear that the airlines are flying again....it might not happen. Just this morning the news announced that a new plume from the volcano is heading towards England, so the window that opened may close again!

We have to watch, call the airlines, and keep our fingers crossed. I have friends that have been trying to fly to England since last Thursday, they are gone to the airport yet again today, hoping to fly out for a 3 week trip.

We have travel plans for September and October to Europe, I can only hope all this has calmed down. Our first trip is to London, the second to Switzerland, both affected right now.

Ken,
The B&Bs have all cancelled without penalty b/c of this. I had a "nonrefundable" prepaid car with Avis that they are refunding to me b/c of the volcanic eruption, as it wasn't my choice to cancel but something out of my control. Orbitz said the airline Ok'd my refund for flight, but we'll see. I'll believe it when I see the money back on my credit card.

Not to alarm anyone, but this COULD be a longer term issue. The same volcano erupted in 1821 and sputtered on and off for 13 months (per The Wall Street Journal, April 20 edition). Obviously we should all stay informed and stay very nimble.

(In September) you still will have more daylight hours then in the states. <<

On ~September 21 the days are 12 hours long everywhere on earth...

I think September would be very nice in Ireland.