Luxury Ireland Land Tour- the Countdown Begins

Here's what's happening in April!

Can you believe we are only a bit over 2 months away from our 10-day tour of Ireland?

For my Florida friends, I will be holding a "document party" Tuesday, 16 April from 3-5pm. You will receive your documents AND luggage tags at this event at my home, and my Celtic Tours Business Manager Greg will join me to answer any of your questions.  He's just returned from a week in Ireland!

If you are not in attendance, your tour documents will be mailed to you via Priority Mail.

For those of you OUTSIDE of Florida, or if you cannot attend the document party, I will hold a WEBINAR where you will be able to review your mailed documents with us as we go over each piece included in the package.  Greg and I will both be present on this webinar.  Allowing for time for me to forward these documents to you, we are planning to hold the Webinar on Tuesday, 23 April at NOON.

CELEBRITY STALKING ALERT
Here's an exciting tidbit:
Our last two nights on the tour are at Fitzpatrick Castle, which although it boasts a Dublin address is actually on the water overlooking Dublin, and just uphill of the village of Dalkey.  And do you know who lives in Dalkey?  None other than Bono.  So, if you have the energy after our fun-filled days, we may wish to venture a walk to the Queens Bar in Dalkey, where Bono has been known to walk in and perform.

Queens Bar and Steakhouse

I'm thrilled to be sharing this journey with you.
Karen

Afternoon Tea and Irish Coffee Recap

Florida Irish Coffee & Tea            

Recap for British Isles Cruise & Ireland Tour

this review will have multiple postings so please scroll down

Thanks to the 16 local clients who joined Grant and me for afternoon tea and Irish coffee on Friday, January 25, 2019 at 3pm.  Here’s my recap for everyone! 

1.     How to find Karen’s blog:  www.cruisetravelbling.blogspot.com  type this address into your internet browser.  No password required to view the blog.

Look at the right column of my blog page to see the history of my monthly postings. Click on the 2018 date/arrow to expand for all months.

·        Click on “April 2018” to find the first posting!

·        Lots of exciting details in the “May” postings.

·        You’ll find packing tips and weather info at “June” postings, plus a link with a video of our ship Crown Princess. (video shown at tea)

·        On the “July” postings will be info about booking flights.

o   PS> You can find your flight info on your Princess reservation page as well if you are cruising with us.

·        The “August” postings include photos of the cabin accommodations for the cruise AND the hotel for overnight in Cork.

·       

See the detailed “September” posting about SHORE Excursions.  It’s time to pick yours out now!  I can walk you thru the steps while you are at your computer and I am at mine.  Just call for a one on one appointment! 

·        In “December” I listed the 1^st and 2^nd ports to show you an example of the Shore Excursion choices (Belfast & Liverpool)

o   I am arranging a PRIVATE tour on the Magical Mystery Bus: just for our group when we are docked in Liverpool.  I will be confirming your sign-up request this month (February) in order to finalize pricing.  You will have extra time in Liverpool to explore the Beatles Museum and shops at Albert Dock, and/or the city centre of Liverpool. So far, everyone I have heard from is a YES for this tour.  This tour will be at least half the cost of the Princess tour, half the passengers, and more fun!  Don't miss it.

Please CONTINUE to review each month’s postings to view new photos and review my land tour and cruise updates.

One Evening in Cork

The Kingsley in Cork is a contemporary design hotel with touches of opulence.  It sits alongside the Lee River.  This is the only hotel where our stay is just one night.  All others are 2 night stays.

Guest Room

The hotel boasts a casual bistro, an elegant dining room, and a lobby lounge overlooking the river banks.  At Fishers Bar you'll be able to try an assortment of Corkonian stouts and beers, Irish ciders, or whiskey.

Dining

More British Isles Cruise News

A short break from the Luxury Land tour news to share some Cruise News!

I am posting today to share a bit about life on board the Crown Princess and during our touring of Ireland.

These helpful tips will surely make your packing and planning easier for our 12 day cruise on the Crown Princess, whether you are beginning your journey or transferring from the Dazzling Ireland Luxury Land tour.

Click here to watch a 3 minute video of the Crown Princess.

1. How do you pack for a 10 day land tour AND a 12 day cruise? 

A. We have 2 special dinners in Ireland, and 2 formal nights on the Crown Princess.  Ladies might bring 2 outfits and wear them in Ireland and then again on the ship. A cocktail dress, a fancy top/palazzo pants, or a maxi-dress will work for your special evenings, along with your "faux" jewels, a wrap & shoes.  Remember we are sailing quite north of Dublin, so this won't be your Caribbean style bare shoulder outfit, but rather plan for a cool spring environment.  

Men will need a sport jacket, dress shirt & tie (roll tie up and put it in a pair of shoes; pick a dark color if only bringing one jacket and it will work for the ship as well. 

B. Ireland is casual, so feel free to bring denim jeans, khakis, yoga pants, or leggings, for daytrips and shore excursions. Layers is always key, as we may experience warm to cool in the same day.  You should have 2 pairs of shoes to switch between on shore excursions or on our Ireland itinerary.  At least one pair needs to be waterproof.  If you want to bring athletic shoes bring any color BUT white. Don't stand out as a tourist.  Be sure shoes are well broken in and comfortable for cobblestones and uneven surfaces.

Here are some casual wear photo ideas to get you started. A blazer is the perfect piece to wear on the plane, just in case there's a chance for an upgrade you'll look the part. Carry-on your trench coat. And wear shoes that come off easily for security screening.

 Decide on which items you will wear more than once and coordinate accent colors for variety.  Any color can be your neutral color.  On my trip to Ireland, navy was my base color and green was my accent color

AFTER the Land Tour:

• Day 10, experience NO extra checked baggage fees! Use the Princess laundry.
• For your convenience, Princess vessels have self-service launderettes where washers, dryers and laundry products are available for a negligible charge. Please note that irons/ironing boards are available in the self-service laundry rooms. Ironing and using personal clothes steamers are not permitted in any stateroom. Although rare, on certain itineraries environmental regulations relating to the consumption of water may impact the operating hours of the launderettes. These restrictions, when applicable will be posted in the Princess Patter (your evening newspaper).
• The price is subject to change, but expect to pay about $3 per washer and $3 per dryer load.
• Detergents and Softeners are available for approximately $1.25 a box. 

Dublin Weather May 2018 History

The following is a chart of the temperatures in Dublin this past month, for same the dates we will be in Ireland 2019.

Even though the temps can vary from one side of the country to the other, this will give you a good rule of thumb for your packing requirements.  Always pack for wearing layers in Ireland.  And though there was no recorded rain in Dublin, you can be sure there was rain elsewhere in Ireland.

Packing tips will appear later in the year.

Date	Hi/Lo	Precip			Avg. HI / L

Fri 5/18	62°/35°		0 in		59°/42°
Sat 5/19	68°/38°		0 in		59°/43°
Sun 5/20	64°/53°		0 in		59°/43°
Mon 5/21	62°/44°		0 in		60°/43°
Tue 5/22	58°/41°		0 in		60°/43°
Wed 5/23	59°/40°		0 in		60°/43°
Thu 5/24	58°/39°		0 in		60°/43°
Fri 5/25	70°/49°		0 in		60°/44°
Sat 5/26	64°/53°		0 in		61°/44°
Sun 5/27	62°/51°		0 in		61°/44°
Mon 5/28	67°/45°		0 in		61°/44°

Weather you like it or not?

It's a four season country....maybe all in one day!

I noticed everyone likes to talk about the weather in Ireland.

The daily temps are highly unpredictable from morning to night, day to day,

all across this tiny island

and you'll find that's a BIG DEAL in Ireland.

Ireland's climate is influenced most by the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, it doesn’t have the extreme temperatures that other countries at similar latitude would have. The average temperature is a mild 50°F.

In spring (February to April), the average highest temperatures range from 46 to 54°F, with April considered particularly pleasant. In summer (May to July), the averages for highest temperatures are between 64 and 68°F.

This isn't Florida....and isn't that some of the beauty of exploring new places?

Click here for a weather tutorial of Ireland.

It's exactly ONE year until we depart the USA,

but nonetheless the next question is "what do I pack?"

And you'll be glad to know casual clothes are in order,

and yes, you will normally not hear me say it,

but jeans are okay for day to day activities and touring in Ireland.

ONE Exception, where NOT to wear jeans:

* Your tour does include one 5 star dining experience on the Orient Express,

so a cocktail hour blouse & slacks or dress for women, with a sport coat for men is required.

Packing tips from Discover Ireland Tourism: Click Here.

You'll need to be adaptable. Take layers you can put on or take off as the temperature changes. Bring a sweater, even in summer; waterproof jacket, shoes & umbrella to accompany all outdoor activities; sunglasses; comfortable walking shoes always. No white athletic shoes (it shouts, "I am an American").

Don't be fooled into thinking you won't need sunscreen – during summer the sun shines in Ireland quite strong, so wear it and bring a sunhat.

Click here to Discover more of Ireland.

Gone to Galway

Our 5 Star Estate Manor is Glenlo Abbey

Ready to book? Call Karen 

or email me and ask for the credit card authorization form.

In 1740 a wealthy merchant built his country home 2 miles from the city of Galway.

The 2 story house was built with a grand foyer, 9 bed chambers, offices, & servants quarters.

The adjacent abbey was built in 1790 for the family but never consecrated.

In 1846 the house and 138 acre estate was put up for sale;

then again sold to a family who owned it for 90 years.

In 1980, another sale, with the owner restoring the manor and turning it into a hotel.

Glenlo Abbey Estate: golf course, driving range, falconry

Reception Room

Oak Cellar Bar

Maps of our Itinerary - Oh the Sights you will See!

We'll be following a counter-clockwise route on our

Dazzling Ireland itinerary round trip from Dublin.

"Who can say where the road goes?"

Click here for inspiring music by Irish artist Enya!

I have circled our featured stop locations.

And here's our beginning and ending locations on a map of Dublin.

The Grand Hotel in Malahide is just north of the airport

and Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel overlooks Dublin Bay.