Updated June 29, 2004 -- Sure as a blessing at an Irish family gathering comes the wave of early booking specials for fall travel to the Emerald Isle, and a fair treat they are, indeed. While the early summer booking deadlines could be extended, we wouldn't bet on it. So, take a little time now to check your calendars and your budgets, then consider these offers - some are good for travel all the way into next spring.
Brian Moore International Tours has four kinds of air-inclusive packages for the entire period of Fall 2004 through Spring 2005, starting with the incredibly low price of only $299 for its weeklong air and car rental combo. The firm says you can save an additional $50 off the package price by booking no later than June 30 July 31. The four kinds of packages, valid for travel from November 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005, are:
- Ireland Fly & Drive, from $299
- Friendly B&Bs, from $549
- Pub Tour, from $599
- Select Hotels, from $649
In the $299 Fly & Drive package, you get an economy 2-door manual shift car from Hertz with no CDW coverage -- if you want an automatic shift, the prices start at $359 - including taxes and unlimited mileage. The $299 price is out of Boston or New York, with small add-ons, such as $14 from Baltimore, $48 from Chicago and $158 from Los Angeles, for instance. Contact information for BMIT: www.bmit.com or 800/982-2299.
Aer Lingus
The Irish international airline is offering four different vacation packages for travel later this year, costs start at $599 per person. Each deal includes lodging, roundtrip on Aer Lingus (out of Baltimore, Boston or New York for this starter price) and rental car or other transportation. Packages include:
- Fly, Drive and Stay in farmhouses, castles and hotels across the country
- City Stays in a Jurys hotel in Dublin, Limerick, Cork or Galway
- Escorted Tours
- Build your Own
The fly and drive options include your airfare to Ireland; eight nights in a farmhouse B&B or six nights divided between hotels, B&Bs and a five-star castle; and unlimited use of a rental car.
The trips are valid midweek between November 1, 2004 and February 28, 2005, and you have to stay over a Saturday night. (Weekend departures are OK, but with a surcharge.) You have only until June 15 until July 31 to book these bargains, and the blackout dates are December 17-23, 2004. Book on www.aerpackages.com or at 800/495-1632, where you ask for the "$599 Choices Special" and pay an extra $25 if you actually book on the phone.
CIE Tours
The CIE Tours International (www.cietours.com) people haven't yet publicized fall rates on their website, but you could fly over to Ireland for as little as $525 in their "Go As You Please" trip, which is a fly/drive opportunity for seven days. In the meantime, they are offering three types of discounts:
- They're taking $55 off for seniors (55 and over) of selected tours and departures. The deal is limited to the first 15 seats for these tours and dates so you should book early.
- Young people (over 8 and under 21) can get a $75 discount on coach tours if they are traveling with at least one full-fare-paying passenger. This is valid anytime in 2004.
- Should you want to book two coach tours back to back for a long vacation, anyone can save $50, applicable to the second tour, and also valid throughout 2004.
Have a question about these tours or some tips of your own to offer? Visit our Ireland Message Boards to see what others are saying.