Experts on Ireland: Tour Operators
Where there is travel there are tour operators. These companies work as on-the-ground liaisons to help you decide which itinerary might be best. Based on numerous factors, these tailored trips are perfect for a myriad of people.
Most vacationers who use a tour operator do so because they do not have enough time for planning or they simply want help in making all the arrangements. The various types of tours that might involve an operator include:
Coach or Package Tours
Tours involving a group on a large bus are coach tours. These package tours might include flight arrangements, entrance fees to monuments, an accompanying guide, some meals, and accommodations. These trips can be composed of groups who know each other or who do not. Irish Tourism (069 77 686 or 1 877 298 7205 U.S.,
Small Group Tours and Adventures
Itineraries composed with a limited number of seats (usually a max of twelve to sixteen) in which the group obtains a more intimate view of a country's people, traditions, and customs are considered small group tours. Some of these groups come together for a certain activity or event like hiking, rafting, cycling, photography, bird watching, or language training. Discover Ireland Tours (021 437 3624,
Alert
When traveling in Ireland, be sure to have travel insurance. Especially with adventure-tour operators, you will be required to show proof that you are covered before setting out on any excursions. This insurance can also cover airplane ticket cancellations, lost gear or luggage, and rescue services. Some of these matters are covered more thoroughly in Chapter 5.
Regional-or Activity-Specific Tour Operators
Regional tour operators are those who may not cover the entire country, but perhaps a specific tourist destination. In Killarney, for example, you will find both small and large companies bringing groups around the Ring of Kerry. This hotspot lends itself to these types of outfitters. In other areas, small activity-specific operators might run horseback riding or hill-walking excursions. In each chapter of this book, you will find recommended operators arranging various trips.
Private, Custom, Self-Guided or Independent, and Specialty Tours
All of these types of tours are related and might be mixed, yet distinct enough to mention. A private trip is set up for one or more people who want to travel together. It might be fully guided (or not) and with or without a driver. Along the same lines, a custom trip is usually private and designed and coordinated with an agency.
Self-guided or independent trips are ones in which an itinerary has been established with an operator (and accommodations reserved), but might include a rental car so that you can still explore on your own. Companies like Authentic Ireland (
Finally, specialty tours tend to be activity based and can be geared for a certain audience. Some examples include gardening, golf, fishing, historical, folklore, ecological, and archaeological tours. A Celtic music, craft, and history operator such as Celtica Tours (
Essential
While Ireland is on the forefront of making itself totally accessible, it still has much work to do. You can find specialty tours geared for travelers with various mobility issues. These types of tours utilize disability friendly establishments, restaurants, and frequent monuments easily accessible by everyone. One operator offering such tours is Undiscovered Britain and Ireland (
Eco-Friendly Tours
Eco-tours tend to be ecologically friendly, nature-based, sustainable excursions encompassing a greener type of travel. Appealing on a variety of levels, eco-friendly travel does not mean amenities are spared. In fact, eco-friendly accommodations in Ireland often constitute luxurious comfort. Described in various listings of this travel guide, great effort has been made to search out, detail, and give preference to eco-friendly activities and accommodations.
Fact
Known as a low-impact, culturally sensitive, and oftentimes educative initiative, green travel is gaining prominence worldwide. And Ireland is on the forefront of this movement. Guesthouses, castles, manors, and even small B&Bs are coming up with innovative ways to save energy without sacrificing service or comfort. Operators offering eco-tour packages focus on slow travel rather than overstuffing a trip with sights.
Green Box (071 985 6898,
