About Ireland and Your Journey
Basic Facts about the Republic of Ireland
Ireland is an island covering approximately 32,600 square miles. It is 300
miles long and 190 miles wide. This may sound small, but traveling through
so many wonderful villages and back roads takes time. There is no place
in Ireland that is more than 70 miles from the sea. The Republic of Ireland
(where we will be) consists of 26 counties, and is a parliamentary democracy
headed by the President of the country, who is based in Dublin, the capital
city. The entire country boasts a population of 5.5 million. Approximately
3.8 million live in the Republic.
What’s New in Ireland
On March 1, 2004, the Republic of Ireland voted in Legislation to ban cigarette
smoking from all public buildings including restaurants, pubs, hotels, etc.
About Your Baggage and Check In
Before departure, contact the particular airline for check-in times (usually
3 hours for international flights), baggage and carry-on requirements. All
airlines continue to update and change the requirements for check-in and
added security or exit fees. NOTE: As of this writing, Aer Lingus (the Irish
Airlines) allows passengers to lock their baggage and they are not charging
for over-sized or overweight luggage. American carriers will charge a fee
for over weight baggage and require a two-level security check before you
can lock your luggage. Although there will be plenty of storage in the luggage
compartment of the bus, our coach in Ireland recommend bringing no more
than two checked bags per person (preferably one) and a carry-on. Traveling
light is always a better way to experience traveling. (Do not use me as
an example…. the tour guide always has to pack more than you do!)
Tips for Jet Lag and Staying Healthy
Several days before departure do your best to start accumulating extra sleep
and drink plenty of water. Watch your intake of caffeine, alcohol and sugar.
While airborne, avoid salty foods and alcohol. Set your watch to Irish time
and go to sleep! Use your own sleeping aids. Use your eyeshades and earplugs.
Drink lots of water even if you typically do not! There is a product called
NO-JET-LAG. It is a series of white tablets you chew. Purchase at any pharmacy
or travel store. Some people say they work, others use melatonin and that
helps them adjust to the time difference. There are websites that have a
whole roster of what to do weeks before if you really have the time to explore.
One website that specializes in jet lag is: www.stopjetlag.com. The most
natural way for your body clock to adjust is to have exposure to natural
light at the right time to resynchronize your body clock. On the morning
of arrival, we will keep active and be outdoors. To overcome jetlag faster,
it is suggested that you do not nap when adjusting to the time difference.
In-flight exercises will help to keep the body from aching too much. It
is good to stretch as much as you can. Right before landing, I take a packet
of EMER GEN-C (you can find in any drug store or health food store) in a
glass of water. This gives your system a boost and balances your electrolytes.
Travel can cause constipation or the reverse. I recommend you increase your
intake of water and to ease into the Irish Breakfasts, which can overload
the system too soon. If you know in advance that you have a propensity to
constipation, bring a laxative. Do not wait. Keep your system regular and
take a bowel aid the first few nights of the journey.
Weather
It is possible to experience many climate changes in one day. Rain can occur
at any time. September temperatures average in the 60’s – sometimes mid
70’s during September.
About Our Coach Travel
We will be traveling in a large comfortable coach that is hired exclusively
for our group. There will be plenty of room in the outside compartment for
luggage. You will be able to have any carry on with you inside the coach.
If you are prone to motion sickness please bring non-drowsy aids to keep
you from getting ill on the windy roads that are part of traveling in Ireland.
PLEASE request to sit closer to the front of the bus at all times. NOTE:
As the Journey Organizer, I will always need to occupy the first seat to
have access to the microphone. Our coach is equipped with a cassette player.
Bring your favorite Irish music. We make plenty of stops for restrooms,
tea, Irish coffee and shopping.
Electrical Currency (For converting small appliances)
Hotels and B&B’s provide hairdryers in the rooms. If you choose to bring
your own you will need the proper transformer and adapter. The standard
electricity is 220 Volts AC. To use small appliances such as hairdryer,
electric shaver, curling iron, you will need a plug adapter (which changes
the shape of the plug) that will fit the flat three-pin or round two-pin
sockets and a converter (which changes the voltage). This is necessary otherwise;
you will be disappointed on your first day when you blow up your appliance.
A good travel supply store should be able to provide the correct adapter.
Charging/Conversion for Digital and Video Cameras, Mobile
Phones
I recommend you consult your local Radio Shack or the company where you
purchased your camera. Each camera depending on the memory card, etc. may
require a different preferred transformer for charging equipment overnight.
Former travelers suggest that you purchase the BEST transformer you can
buy so that you do not risk damaging your equipment. Here’s what my resources
tell me: charging digital or video cameras require trickle charge and will
only work with low amperage conversion, which can be the most expensive
converter. There is a specific website that can guide you what to purchase.
www.buytravelconverter.com Just click on Ireland and it will give you loads
of information. Again, ask a good electronics person when in doubt.
Phone Calls and Internet
Mobile phones will only work if you have the digital/satellite technology
in your phone to work in Ireland. NOTE: Margarita, along with the coach
driver will each have a mobile phone available for emergencies and Ireland
calls only. Phone cards and pre-paid international calling cards are ample,
convenient and a cost effective way to call back to US. Check your own calling
card to understand how the surcharges work for calls to US. There is usually
an internet cafe in the larger towns. I buy MCI cards that are sold at Costco.
Money Exchange and Currency
The Euro is the currency in the Republic of Ireland. At the Shannon Airport,
you can purchase Euros. There are banks, ATMs, and a money exchange office
at the airport. There are ATM machines close to our hotel if you decide to
wait and use a debit card. The EURO is a currency shared by a growing number
of European Union countries. The EURO is very similar to our US Dollar and
consists of 100 cents. Paper Notes are: 5,10,20,50,100,200, and 500. The coins
are: 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, one and 2. A convenient way to exchange money
is with an ATM Bank Card. Check the back of your bank card to see if it is
a PLUS or CIRRUS Card. This symbol is compatible with bank ATM machines in
Ireland. Visa, MasterCard are more widely accepted than American Express.
If you prefer you can bring Travelers Checks and cash. There are many items
in Ireland for a dollar (like bottled water) and our dollars generally are
accepted for small purchases. I generally us the ATM machines. Important Credit
Card Note: Recently banks have started to add an additional fee for using
credit cards internationally. The range is between 1-3% and is added to the
exchange rate. Contact your bank and investigate this business practice. It
will save you the unfortunate surprise upon your return home. Sometimes it
is the same as the commission charged at Banks for dollars and travelers checks.
This is always changing.
Shopping and Value Added VAT
We will discuss this in more detail on the journey. There is a 17% value added
tax on most goods and services in Ireland. Books and Children’s clothing is
exempt. Upon making a purchase of $10.00 or more at a gift store that has
an agreement with the VAT authorities, you should fill out a form at the store
and have it stamped. You will be eligible, upon presenting the form for a
17% refund at the airport before your departure home.
Budgeting for Other Expenses and Tipping
Additional meals can range from pub meals costing $7-$15 to casual restaurants
with full course meals, $25-$50. You will be responsible for your own alcohol,
gifts and other activities not included in the itinerary. If you engage extra
services from a wait staff during the course of your stay, it is always nice
to show your appreciation with a little extra. You can post all incidental
hotel charges to your own credit card. All retail stores generally accept
credit cards. (MC and Visa preferred.)
Tips to Coach Driver/Staff
Tips to hotel staff, and any in-country guides are not required but a nice
gesture if you feel satisfied with the service. However, at the end of our
journey, tipping is a customary way to acknowledge the services of our Driver/Guide
that will be with us throughout all the excursions.