“Irish Explorer” tour with CIE Tours International

I would highly recommend the 10-day “Irish Explorer” coach tour from CIE Tours International (Morristown, NJ). The overall tour, Sept. 1-10, 2007, was excellent and a good value for the money. It cost $1,568 per person plus $867 air from Los Angeles.

We had a direct flight to Dublin. Kudos to Aer Lingus, as the toilets were cleaned several times during the long flight and at each visit the facilities were as clean as at the start of the flight.

Except for the first and last nights, we stayed two nights at each of three locations. Full breakfasts and excellent dinners were included each day.

Taking a CIE tour is a great alternative to the very high cost of living in Ireland added to the loss of value of the dollar versus the euro. If you still have to drive yourself, and we did for the six days before the tour, be aware of the following: gas is over $7.50 a gallon; Ireland does not accept your credit card liability insurance; car rental rates are very high and they add 25% to any driver over 70; the roads are very narrow with numerous roundabouts, and many of the car rental maps have errors. Be smart; take a bus tour.

DAVID REEVES

Banning, CA