There's never been a better time to consider a vacation in Ireland. Prices are low, flights are frequent and world famous Irish hospitality will be there to welcome you.
Brian Moore Tours (tel. 800/982-2299; www.bmit.com) has an independent fly/drive Ireland package that is probably the cheapest on offer at the moment. The "Amazing Ireland Special" includes round-trip airfare out of New York, six-nights accommodation in bed and breakfasts and a rental car starting from a base price of $499 plus taxes. It's $20 more out of Boston, $68 from Chicago, and travelers can upgrade to castle stays for another $36 per night or extend your stay for additional cost. Travel is valid from November 1, 2005 until March 11, 2006 with blackout dates between December 15, 2005 and January 2, 2006. The same deal starts at $699 plus taxes per person for departures from September 6 to October 31, 2005. To take advantage of these low prices, bookings must be completed by June 15, 2005
Irish Tourism (tel. 877/298-7205; www.irishtourism.com) features several different escorted coach tours of Ireland to suit every budget. The eight-day "Irish Pub and Folk Tour" is priced at $1,010 plus taxes per person from New York or Boston for Friday departures on December 2 and 9, 2005, or for $40 more, any Friday during the month of November. Add $22 for departures from Chicago. The tour includes round-trip airfare, sightseeing by luxury coach, a professional Irish driver/guide, first class hotels for six-nights, full Irish breakfast daily, all dinners except one evening in Dublin, a traditional Irish dinner with entertainment at the Abbey Tavern, a Dublin city tour, whiskey tasting and tour at the Old Jameson Distillery, tour and a pint at the Guinness Storehouse, walking tour of Kinsale, tour and tasting at the Kinsale Brewing Company, a ferry ride across the River Shannon, visits and admissions to Dublin Castle, Cobh Heritage Centre, Blarney Castle, Muckross House and the Cliffs of Moher plus all local taxes and hotel service charges.
Its "Taste of Ireland Tour" is a short tour that takes in many of Ireland's most popular destinations. During December 2005 and February 2006, this five-day tour is priced at $598 per person (land-only). The tour includes sightseeing by luxury coach, a professional Irish driver/guide, superior and first class hotels for four-nights, full Irish breakfast daily, Doyle's Irish Caberet and dinner, a Medieval banquet and entertainment at Bunratty Castle, two table d'hote dinners in Killarney, a Dublin sightseeing tour, tea and scones at an Irish sheep farm, horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney, tour and a pint at the Guinness Storehouse, ferry ride across the Shannon river and admissions to Dublin Castle, Blarney Castle, Muckross House and Cliffs of Moher.
12 Travel (tel. 800/255-9303; www.12travel.com) are certified Ireland travel specialists. Their "Magical Ireland" package is a flexible fly/drive tour giving you a week in a selection of 2,000 different Irish bed and breakfasts. You can pre book your entire itinerary or go as you please and stay wherever the road takes you. This vacation includes round-trip airfare, six-nights accommodation in traditional Irish bed and breakfasts, seven-days car rental including CDW, all car taxes, theft protection and location service charge. Prices start at $549 plus taxes from New York or Boston, $589 from Chicago and $689 from Los Angeles. Upgrade to the "Castles and Family Homes" package, which includes the same as above, but two of the nights are in castles (Glin Castle in Shannon and Kilkea Castle outside Dublin). This package is $169 more per person from each departure city. Both deals are valid for departures from October 31 to December 12, 2005.
Gate 1 Travel (tel. 800/682-3333; www.gate1travel.com) has a seven-day Ireland package including visits to Dublin, Waterford, Killarney and Limerick starting at $949 plus taxes per person. The tour includes flights from New York to Dublin and Shannon back to New York, five-nights accommodation (one-night each in Dublin, Waterford and Limerick and two-nights in Killarney), all transfers, seven meals (five Irish breakfasts and two dinners), sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach, a tour escort/driver and all entrance fees. Tour highlights are Trinity College, Waterford Crystal Factory, Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry and Bunratty Castle. The $949 price is for departure on November 5, 2005 and February 18, 2006. November 19, 2005 and March 4 & 18, 2006 departures are an additional $50.
Go-Today (tel. 800/227-3235; www.go-today.com) also has a number of different Ireland packages from walking tours to river cruises, city stays to biking adventures. Travel between September 1 and October 31, 2005 and enjoy round-trip airfare, six-nights accommodation in Dublin staying at the Jackson Court Hotel with continental breakfast daily from $749 per person plus taxes. Their London and Dublin Special offers the traveler round-trip airfare from New York, round-trip airfare between the cities and three nights accommodation in each city with breakfast for $789 per person plus taxes. For both deals add $20 from Boston or Philadelphia, $30 from Washington DC, $100 from Chicago or Miami and $130 from Dallas or Detroit. Eight-day land-only biking tours taking in Dingle Peninsula or the Kerry Way start at $829 per person at any time of the year in 2005. The packages include seven-nights on approved guesthouses or bed and breakfast properties, seven Irish breakfasts, luggage transfers between hotels, bicycle rental, route notes and maps and a local contact for support and emergencies. All Ireland packages must be booked by June 16, 2005.
Aer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) the national airline of Ireland makes it easier and less expensive for you to get to the Emerald Isle with discounted New York to Ireland fares from $233 plus taxes one-way for travel between June 1 and 20, 2005 to either Shannon or Dublin.
1800Fly Europe (tel. 800/359-3876; www.1800flyeurope.com) has budget priced round-trip airfares to Dublin, starting as low as $306 plus taxes from New York from October 27 to December 15, 2005.
Summer airfares are usually a lot more expensive, but US Airways (tel. 800/622-1015; www.usairways.com) is having a sale on fares to Ireland during the month of August. Travel to Ireland from cities throughout the United States starting at $598 plus taxes round-trip from Philadelphia to Shannon. Other sample prices include Philadelphia or Washington DC to Shannon for $598 and Pittsburgh to Dublin for $638. Other departure cities are available. Taxes additional.
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