Best of Ireland South

There were a few things that I thought were to be included that were not.

Great trip

Great trip. The tour as very cool

Since I had never done a big coach tour and knew nothing about CIE, I read dozens of reviews before my 2018 Best of Ireland South 7-day tour at the end of July. Most reviews were wonderful, but still I worried and also wondered how anyone could be so enthusiastic about a tour. My tour exceeded all expectations. From the moment I found the CIE booth at Dublin Airport (and was handed a coupon for free coffee/tea at an airport cafe while we waited for others to arrive) until I was dropped at Dublin Airport at the end, CIE Tours provided a wonderful experience. I was completely impressed with their professionalism, care, and meticulous attention to detail, as well as their great choice of places to visit. We started and ended in Dublin (Talbot Hotel and Ballsbridge Hotel) and also stayed overnight in Killarney (Scotts Hotel) and Newmarket-on-Fergus (The Inn at Dromoland). All the hotels were great. I had wondered if my single rooms might not be as good--but no need to worry, since I was given great rooms that would have been just as good for couples. I can't praise our guide/driver, John, enough. He was not only an expert driver (amazing how he handled the bus on these small roads, didn't worry for a second) but also full of stories, charm, information, history, and entertaining trivia. He couldn't have been more knowledgeable and helpful. I recorded a few minutes of his tale of fairy rings and whitethorn bushes, and I can't tell you how nostalgic I am to listen again and look at the video of the amazing scenery out the window as he spoke. The guide is essential to a great tour, and from the reviews it appears that CIE has a lot of wonderful guides. Our group was friendly and welcoming (also a relief to me traveling alone). I really have no criticisms. Funnily, some of the stops that I had thought might not be great turned out to be the best. Despite having no interest in kissing the Blarney Stone (although others did!), I had a relaxing and wonderful time at Blarney Castle walking around the extensive beautiful grounds; truly, I could have spent days there! I thought Taylor's Three Rock Pub and the Medieval Castle Banquet might be silly tourist things--but in fact the entertainment at both places was fantastic and the food was great. CIE knows what they are doing! We saw incredible scenery throughout and learned so much about the Irish people and culture (thanks to John, we are now all avid fans of the amazing Irish sport of hurling)--and also just had fun! My only caveat is, if you have specific ideas of places you wish to visit and lengths of time you wish to spend there, a tour might not work for you. There was time to wander around in some places and time to explore after dinner, but we did keep to a definite schedule/itinerary. For me this worked fine, since I was happy to surrender to CIE's great plan and expertise. We all kept saying that CIE took us to great places we never would have gone on our own--and how relaxing to feel that we were under their protective umbrella so that we could just relax and take it all in. Someone mentioned that from now on she would pick only CIE destinations so that she could travel with them; this might seem extreme but perfectly understandable to me now. As for Ireland, I totally loved it. The people were extremely open, friendly, and welcoming. It is such a beautiful country, and I loved learning more of its history. Before we left, CIE provided us with ponchos and backpacks, among other items. I think Dublin Airport is now my favorite airport, professional but welcoming and relatively low-key. I can hardly wait to return, and it definitely will be with CIE.

Well organised comprehensive itinerary

Brilliant way to see Ireland

Friendly and helpful.

Hotels were great. Bus driver was fun to listen too. Food was good..