My Giant Irish Adventure

Hi everyone!

This summer I decided to do my first ever tour organized by a someone else from start to finish.  Anyone who has read my blog before knows that I usually do all of my own research & planning, either by myself or with my best travel buddy, Cathy.   Cathy & I have traveled together for years and are in sync in terms of what we like to do when on the road - which is go-go-go! This year our schedules for vacation didn't match up, so we each were doing our own thing.  

I had wanted to travel to Ireland for some time, but it never worked out with Cathy, so I figured this was the year to go. (she's been before) I have had a bunch of personal changes going on his year and really hadn't had time to do the research that I normally do for a trip.  That is why I decided to do a planned tour.  As I begun to search for the right company, I knew there were a few things I wanted: 

1. Small group tour.  No more that 14 people at the max
2. Active tour with lots of opportunity to hike & walk
3. Driving distances kept to a minimum. No all day drives
4. Good selection on optional activities 
5. Company with a stellar reputation

I Googled 'small group tours' first to come up with a list of possibilities.  I narrowed my list  to the top 3 that caught my eye , then began to research each.  After reading countless reviews on many different sites, Vagabond Small Group Tours of Ireland (https://vagabondtoursofireland.com) the most positive responses from guest that had taken there tours. In fact I only found one less that positive review.   

Vagabond offers two types of tours, Vagabond tours which is very active & Driftwood tours which are more relaxed with less active options.  The Vagabond tours fit my 5 requirements - especially activities, which they offered a ton of options.  Once I read about each of the tours they offered, I selected the 12-day Giant Irish Adventure tour.   I had made my decision, I was ready to book, which I did online.  I did not see the date I was looking for as being available online, so I sent a quick email to Vagabond asking if their was any availability for a single traveler on a couple of dates that would work for me.  I received a email back from Gillian Webster with a affirmative on both dates that I was hoping for.  I replied with my 1st choice date and shortly thereafter got confirmation from Vagabond with all details, links to their site, Facebook page and lots of helpful info.   Gillian was super nice to communicate with.  

Vagabond requires a deposit at the time of booking as follows:

DEPOSIT REQUIRED TO SECURE THE BOOKING:
15% - If more than sixty days prior to arrival date.
100% -If less than sixty days prior to arrival date. 

Also be aware that their is a single supplement if you are a solo traveler like me.

Once I had my dates confirmed, I booked my flights, arrival & departure hotel and I was done!  Easy!  

I booked this trip at the end of March, for a June 19th tour.  This gave me about 2 1/2 months to prepare.  Since I didn't have to figure out a route, book multiple hotels, figure out  transportation, I was able to read the planned itinerary and figure out what I wanted to do where there was 'free time' as well as get more familiar with our stops.  I have to say it was a pleasure not having to book a bunch of hotels on my own!  Did I spend more booking an organized tour?  Yes, but it was so worth it!!  Here is the itinerary for the 12-day tour:

Day 1 - June 19 - start in Dublin at 8:00 am.  We travel from Dublin to Antrim.  stop at Belfast.  

Day 2 - June 20 - Antrim to Derry.  

Day 3 - June 21 - Derry to Ardara.  

Day 4 - June 22 -Ardara to Enniscrone.

Day 5 - June 23 -Enniscrone to Clifden.  

Day 6 - June 24 - Clifton to Clare via the Aran Islands

Day 7 - June 25 - Clare to Dingle

Day 8 - June 26 - All day in Dingle

Day 9 - June 27 - Dingle to Portmagee (Following the Ring of Kerry scenic route) 

Day 10 - June 28 - Portmagee to Kenmare

Day 11 - June 29 - Kenmare to Gougane Barra 

Day 12 - June 30 - Gougane Barra to Dublin - tour ends approximately 6 pm.  

My next few Blog posts will describe each days location & activities, I hope you will join me on this Grand Irish Trip!

Susan