SPECIAL NOTE: If you don't wish to plan the itinerary yourself and would like to get personalized advice from Conn O'Scannlain CTC DS on how to go about it, what to see, what to do, give you advice on itinerary planning or have him go over what you have planned, please get in touch with Conn at 253 752 0448 or Email: Conn@ConnsIreland.com. He charges for the advice but it will be WELL WORTH IT - Money well spent - as he will save you money, you'll experience more and you will have a great vacation, if you follow his advice. Get 46 years of Ireland itinerary planning advice for a nominal charge. Your initial consultation is FREE.

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The best way to make sure you have an enjoyable vacation is to do your research and follow these simple steps and you will enjoy your vacation more.

If Ireland is in your vacation future then let start the planning.

First step is to purchase some resource materials. Go to Amazon.com and order:
DK Eyewitness Ireland Travel Guide
Collins Ireland Road Atlas. Purchase the spiral bound version.

Optional Reading List:
The Story of Ireland: A History of the Irish People - Neil Hegarty
How the Irish Saved Civilization - Thomas Cahill
101 Things You Didn't Know About Irish History - Ryan Hackney

Decide what time of year you can travel to Ireland.

Most of the tourists travel to Ireland between May and October. Although Ireland is considered seasonal it can be considered a year around destination. Touring Ireland in April & October can not only be a quieter time but costs can be less for accommodation, car rental, tours, and air fares.

If you travel between November and March you can enjoy the peace and quiet, better prices for accommodation not only in Dublin but around the countryside. Although quite a few rurl accommodation close for this period, those that are open will give you a very warm welcome! You enjoy more warm turf fires burning in hotel, B&B and pub fireplaces. Central heating in not a concern anymore. The daylight hours will limit your driiving but that provides you more time for socializing with the locals, sampling local restaurant fare, and enjoying some off-season celebrations such as St. Patrick's Day!

Go to any of the websites for major air carriers that fly into Ireland Check the air fares for different travel dates, say one date each month from April through October. Try different return dates to see what the cost would be for a 7 day trip or a 14 day trip.

The day of the week used to matter but not so much anymore. Usually what matters is the domestic leg of the itinerary as you may be flying on a connecting flight when a major event is happening at the gateway city:

Here are the NON-STOP flight gatweways and the airlines:

ATL - Atlanta - Delta Airlines
BOS - Boston - Aer Lingus
ORD - Chicago - Aer Lingus, American Airlines, United Airlines
CLT - Charlotte - North Carolina - US Airways
JFK - New York - Aer Lingus, Delta Air Lines - American Airlines
EWR - Newwark, NJ - United Airlines
MCO - Orlando - Aer Lingus
PHL - Philadelphia - US Airways
SFO - San Francisco - Aer Lingus
IAD - Washington - Dulles - United Airlines

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, US Airways, and United Airlines all have connections flights from interior US cities and through airfares.

Now that you have sample air fares for different time of the year then see how that fits in with your vacation schedule. If you can save a few hundred dollars by flying in April versus June that may be a good reason to choose April

Ask yourself what comfort level you wish to experience.

When you travel to other destinations what was the comfort level. Did you stay in budget accommodation, moderate comfort level or full service hotel or resort accommodation?

Ask yourself are you an independent traveller or would you prefer to travel with others?

An independent traveler could consider a based vacation or a self-drive vacation. This would allow you to custom design each day’s touring.

Based Touring
Based in one or more cities and take local day tours

For example: Base in Dublin and enjoy bus tours to the Boyne Valley Center and Glendalough in addition to a Hop-On Hop-Off Dublin Sightseeing Tour.

Self-Drive Touring
Total freedom to design what you want and when you want.

You can use the Heritage Card to visit over 100 sites and plan your itinerary around that. You can mix up the accommodation if you wish and spend your nights is accommodation from B&Bs, Guesthouses, Hotels, Manor Houses and Castles!

Itinerary Design
Once you have determined the answers for number 1 through 4 then you can start to design your itinerary.

Conn's Design rules: For Independent touring

Design the touring itinerary BEFORE you buy your airline ticket
Don't take on too much for the number of days you have
If Dublin is part of your itinerary then do that first
Do not drive more than 75 to 100 miles per day
Plan to make TWO visit per day to historic sites that offer a guided tour
Assume you will depart at 9:30A and arrive at or return to by 5:30P
You will be making stops for photos, toilets, lunch, site visits, etc.
Plan your evening entertainment in advance or local sightseeing

Motoroach Touring:
Escorted Tours from 4 to 14 days available from many tour companies

You could consider joining a scheduled motorcoach tour operated by a trusted tour operator. You would follow the itinerary that was designed and tour with other like people. This option provides some security for you as you rely on the tour operator to include some meals, site admissions and a tour guide to interpret the country for you.

Conn's Selection rules: For Motorcoach touring

Choose the touring itinerary BEFORE you buy your airline ticket
Decide how many days you would like to tour
Plan to spend at least two days in Dublin before your tour starts - See Dublin Stay on itineraries page

SPECIAL NOTE: If you don't wish to plan the itinerary yourself and would like to get personalized advice from Conn O'Scannlain CTC DS on how to go about it, what to see, what to do, give you advice on itinerary planning or have him go over what you have planned, please get in touch with Conn at 253 752 0448 or Email: Conn@ConnsIreland.com. He charges for the advice but it will be WELL WORTH IT - Money well spent - as he will save you money, you'll experience more and you will have a great vacation, if you follow his advice. Get 43 years of Ireland itinerary planning advice for a nominal charge. Your initial consultation is FREE.