| Even
if you are an independent traveler there are
times group tours can make sense; for example, a
day excursion from a major city or traveling with
friends and family, or if you think driving on
the left side of the road is going to be too
stressful. Topics I
discuss on this page: (Note - I origanlly wrote
this page for the Spain
bus tours page, it will be a
while before I can track down resources for
booking Ireland custom tours and chauffeur tours)
The Pros and Cons:
I like to have control of my
schedule. I do not like being rushed through
major attraction, or when I am ready to leave,
having to wait for others. Of course, traveling
with family or a friend, means some compromise,
traveling with a group requires a little more
compromise.
The advantages of bus
tours are numerous; Someone else does the
navigation and driving, it can be a super way to
connect socially with others, and if you will be
traveling by yourself, the group provides a
feeling of security.
Planning your own
Group Tour puts you in control:
Putting together ones own travel
group is perhaps one of the most over looked
options for bus travel.
Traveling with your
friends and/or family can be a much different
experience than traveling with a group of
strangers. Family Reunions, as part of a
tour, not only allow the sharing of old memories
but the formation of new-shared experiences.
Clubs, such as, Photography Clubs, Sewing Clubs,
or trade associations can plan special excursions
to address their area of focus.
When putting together
your own tour you can also customize it to your
preferences. Maybe, you just want a driver
to take your group from city to city, or maybe,
you will want a guide to inform you about all the
sights. Designed properly, planning your own tour
can provide you with much of the benefits of independent
travel while sharing your travel with others.
Private
Chauffeured tours:
Perhaps one of the more expensive options a
traveler could select, the Private
Chauffeured tour is for the independent traveler
that wants someone else to do the driving.
Private Chauffeur tours can be for just a few
days or weeks. Of course the more people
traveling together the more economical this
option becomes. Of course, the driver and vehicle
can be contracted for just a part of the trip,
not all of it. A great way to learn about
Ireland, its people and culture.
1/2 day
and 1 day excursions
These large group, local tours, only last for
a few hours (example: The
Coast and Garden Tour visiting Powerscourt Estate),
providing ground transportation and a guide.
Local bus excursions can be
arranged through your hotel on arrival. It is
best to
make reservations for
these tours at least one day in advance (internet
booking requires 48 hours notice) but in
person, same day reservation, is sometimes
possible.
Suggested Booking
Resource for day escursions and short term bus
tours, Viator
Fixed
date tours can be Large or Small:
Large group tours are often
the least expensive option. By
booking hotel rooms in bulk and packing as many
tourists as possible into the tour, Tour
Operators are able to lower their cost. As an
independent traveler, I am not attracted to this
type of travel unless it is just for a day trip
excursion. Many people enjoy this type of travel
immensely. They like the comfort of being part of
the large group and they like having a variety of
people to meet. With Large Tours do not expect
hotel accommodations of local character. While
hotels can be luxurious (even a castle), the
hotels used by Large Tour Operators must be
massive enough to
accommodate the fleets of tourist busses that
arrive daily.
Booking Resource, Viator -
Five Days "To The Edge of
The World"
Four Days "West by North
West"
Small group
tours are a good balance for tour travel.
You are still part of a group but when the guide
speaks you might actually be able to hear every
thing that is said. Waiting times for almost
everything (bus loading, viewing an attraction,
entering an attraction, etc) should be less than
with a large group tour. The best small group
tours use hotels of character.
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