Ireland: Driving, Escorted Tour or Private Driver?
(390 Reviews)
98% Recommended
Pam MacIntyre
Maple Grove, MN
Australia & New Zealand Specialist
New Zealand
In all my years as a Travel Professional, with curiosity I've asked several the question "What are your must see countries?" I was hard pressed to find one that did not list New Zealand! I mean who wouldn't wa...
New Zealand
In all my years as a Travel Professional, with curiosity I've asked several the question "What are your must see countries?" I was hard pressed to find one that did not list New Zealand! I mean who wouldn't want to experience this majestic part of the world?
Recently I was able to explore several areas of this amazing country, being fortunate in visiting both the North & South Island. What I love is New Zealand can be mellow or action-packed, yet it will still always be epic!
From the endless national parks, dynamic Maori culture, to experiencing the sounds aboard a yacht while gazing upon dolphins. And let’s not forget about laying witness to the majestic beauty of a sperm whale off the coast of Kaikoura.
Wait, did you say you enjoy wine? They have some of THE best in the world....how do I know? Because how could I go all the way to New Zealand and not visit a winery or two. New Zealand offers the deliciousness of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnays, Pinot Noir, Merlot and many more!
I really could go on and on, but no need if you're reading this you already KNOW you want to explore this part of the world. I would love to help you create the best version of New Zealand for you!
Australia
Let me start by saying, I have been wanting to go to Australia since I was a child. Why you ask? Well to pet a kangaroo of course! And I did! Not only did I pet kangaroos, but I fed 4 simultaneously! It was a childhood dream come true, and I cannot wait to go back and repeat the experience.
I was in Sydney during the spectacular International lights and music festival, Vivid Sydney. It was their 10th year, and all I've got to say is WOW! Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought Australia would be so perfect to visit during their winter season. Although being from Minnesota it was more like our fall temperatures. So again, perfect! It was extra special to experience VIVID Sydney and see the iconic Sydney Opera House light up. If you travel during this time of year, it truly is a must see.
The Blue Mountains region of Australia was truly lovely to walk amongst. Then headed to Hunter Valley (to locals known as "The Hunter") where wine in this region was flowing plentifully and was quite delicious!
After making a visit to Australia I now understand why many choose to go there for 2 - 4 weeks on a vacation. It's truly hard to grasp the sheer size of Australia until you have been there yourself. To give you an idea, think about the USA. Sydney would be in Florida; Cairns (Great Barrier Reef) would be in Maine; Uluru (Ayers Rock) would be in Kansas; Melbourne would be New Orleans; and Perth would be Los Angeles.
If you're looking to visit the world's largest Great Barrier Reef, immerse yourself in Aboriginal communities, swim with whale sharks or gaze upon the Uluru (Ayers Rock) the possibilities really are endless in Australia!
Together we'll create your dream trip to Australia that you'll remember for the rest of your days!
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Discover the Magic of the Irish Countryside
Ireland is calling and you answered. The question is ... Should you drive? Head on an escorted tour? Or hire a private driver? I'll outline some of the pros & cons to help you decide which sounds like the style right for you.
Let's start with—Driving:
This was our preferred way to check out Ireland. You can create your own schedule which is very relaxing. A great option for visiting the lush countryside.
Renting a car from Hertz in Dublin was perfect! They showed us how to easily to jump on the highway to head to Galway. The half-way stop was Athlone, which is home to THE oldest pub in the world, Sean's Bar. if you're driving we felt it was worth the stop for a quick pint. This bar opened 1100 years ago … how cool! A great example of how you can customize your trip to your interests.
We stayed at a B&B in Galway. We both were still rather jetlagged so instead of hitting the road to Cliffs of Mohr first thing, we decided to grab a bite and take a nap. We certainly enjoyed the cliffs after a much needed nap.
Self-drive trip sounds good to you? A few things to consider …
- The vehicles are much smaller than you may be used to.
- The roads though are also going to be more narrow often times without shoulders.
- If you'd like you can get a GPS, or you'll want to have someone who can help navigate the driver.
- You will be driving on the left side, and the driver is also located on the ride side of the vehicle. We only went on the wrong side twice, and there was no traffic coming so it was an easy correction.
With self-drive, we will build your itinerary to avoid you driving in Dublin. The bigger cities such as Dublin and Belfast are much busier. We can discuss these details further if you opt to go with the self-drive.
Next up—Escorted Tour:
Escorted Tours really have come a long way from when I first got into the industry 20+ years ago. They no longer feel like what some described as a “School Field Trip.” Over the years they’ve really listened to their customers to build not only itineraries people sought, but a tailored experience.
An escorted tour will be less of a hit on your budget than independent travel. Escorted tours cater to different activity levels, age demographics, wellness or foodie travelers. There is a wide-range of excellent companies & itineraries to choose from it's a great value choice to consider.
It's important you review the itinerary to ensure you're choosing one with most areas of interest to you. If there are some things you don't want to partake in, you may be able to skip and opt for free time. If you mention this to me during the planning process, I can further inquire on possible alternatives.
With an escorted tour you'll typically see & do more than you'd ever do on your own.
Lastly—Private Driver:
Sit back, relax and allow yourself to be immersed within Ireland, without having to worry about navigating directions or focus on driving on the right side. I'd say the major draw for those who go with a chauffeur experience, is that you BOTH get to enjoy the scenic countryside along your drive. The chauffeur's are very knowledgeable and brimming with pride to share stories and historic facts about Ireland. You will learn so much more than you would have on your own.
You completely customize your own itinerary setting your own time, pace and interests that are important to you. I had one client who said it was very nice not to have to question … "Should I have another Black n' Black or that last shot of whiskey?" Go for it! Just another added bonus of having a driver waiting. You can dance the night away without a care in the world!
Now you have a better understanding of the different ways to travel Ireland. Are you ready to acquaint yourself with the captivating beauty of Ireland? I am here to help!