Countryside of the Emerald Isle

We had an a wonderful experience with Collette and April was a goldmine of information and extremely knowledgable. She was entertaining and very detailed and I know we ALL had good things to say about her! The downside was not good for my husband who took the garden tour with four other people. There were NO gardens, three miles of walking to get to the boat and the tour guide had very little knowledge of the area. We were rushed to get to the boat and he lost the money that April gave him for the taxi back. He and the others felt it was a waste of a day! Such a shame!!!

We absolutely loved the Stud Farm and Japanese gardens which were absolutely wonderful!

I thought the tour was well thought out and well laid out. The accommodations were good, especially the castle, the stops very interesting. The tour guide, Chris Thomson needed to be more of a leader getting the people going and on the bus.

The Celtic, New Grange, and the old castles and churches. The night's stay at a B&B was a nice change.

Accommodations were very nice. The pace of the trip was very relaxed. Two night in each area gives guest time to explore the area and schedule side trip if one chooses to go elsewhere and meet up with the group later. Our Tour Manager< Jeff Thomason was very friendly. He was very efficient and willing to help. I did NOT like staying in a residents house overnight. I do not like going on a trip to get away and spend my evening listening to the proprietor give their views of what the think is wrong with the US. I might agree but it is just rude to look forward to a political debate. And I paid for this? Also I am not comfortable staying in the house of strangers. This was not a bed and breakfast like I am used to.

Jeff was really a great sport and up for anything. I lived the landscape. as I said I was impressed with our hotels and the boutique castle. I am a landscaper, so loved the tours of the countryside. Also enjoyed the Stud Farm visit, which I did not think I would be interested in.

we enjoyed the trip our tour guide was the best Fiona was very knowledgable, fun all around friendly we learned a lot saw a lot of course ate and drank a lot too

everything was great including he weather

everything was great...from the tour leader and bus driver to the hotels and tour as a whole.

Hard to say...probably seeing so much of the countryside.

Trip was done very well, tour director and driver we're courteous, attentive and well informed

Collette's long experience in the tour business provides knowledge of what travelers want and expect. They have been first-rate dealing with life experiences when I traveled with them.

Too many favorite experiences! From lodging in a B&B to a castle to first-rate hotels, then to great cities and lovely villages encompassed with storybook landscapes. Every day was a favorite!

As usual, excellent accommodations, particularly Bellingham Castle. Proper balance of bus/sightseeing/free time. Hit tourist and many cultural highlights within the limited time frame. Could have used a bit more time available for museums in Dublin. Seeing the beauty of countryside was a confirmation of the comments received prior to trip. Would definitely make sure that other events did not conflict with seeing Rock of Cashell, as it did for us.

OK.

Advertised as small group tour. That implies more personal service by the tour leader. - It felt like a standard, huge bus (which is what we had for 14 participants) tour where city tours are conducted and points of interest pointed out so you can look out the window. The farm stay was nothing special. Visits to some old castles were from afar during a nearby lunch stop. The tour leader made no effort to introduce participants to each other at the "welcome dinner". Lots of city tours and standard tours of museums, Jameson whiskey, Titanic museum and Guinness beer plant and tower tasting room, but little cultural interaction and NO Irish music or dancing. Felt like the tour leader was just going through the motions. The hotel stays were reasonably high class. The best, and practically only, interactions were with other tourists and a couple of locals at places where we were left on our own. Thankfully there were only a couple stops at specialty shops or factories, and none where we were subjected to sales pitches.

Flawlessl

It was such an educational experience. Even though the castle was grand, I certainly enjoyed the experience, the farmhouse was just amazing.