6 independent reviews for Ireland vacation by train
Reviews for Ireland vacation by train
Sharon (Shari) HAMMAN review 29 Jun 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Using trains to go long distance. We do not live where train travel is available so the trains were exciting. We were able to see countryside and meet local people. Aran Islands tour was unique, it was small enough group to really see and hear everything.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Avoid Belfast part of tour and spend extra days in Dublin. Limit luggage because trains have limited space and bags can be too heavy to put in over head shelves.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Locally sourced foods, local guides and use of small hotels provided each area with tourist money. We were able to walk most towns which cut fuel use. Trains provided long distance transport.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentChrysa Cullather review 31 May 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The ease with which we could travel. Everything was seamless. Hotels, train tickets, and tours were all booked for us an readily available in an app on our phones.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The tour operator worked with us to customize our trip to include an additional city with a foodie tour. If you want to make changes to an existing tour, just ask!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes! All of our guides were locals. One tour in particular was of a very rural and remote area. The guide mentioned that not many young people stay on the island any more, but here was a young person supporting his family by giving tours of his farmland. Also, train travel was much more environmentally friendly than car.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Superb!Bobby Philips review 28 Jun 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Visit to Galway and Aran islands, plus the trip to Giant's Causeway on the Antrim coast.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Ireland is a beautiful place with all the amenities that you would expect in a First World country. It's possible to navigate the island easily, so it can be beneficial to be flexible to change the travel itinerary on the hoof instead of locking oneself into a rigid plan.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Local people benefited in terms of the money we spent there. We traveled by train everywhere, so there was reduced environmental impact.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The operator did a great job in arranging our travel program. However, there were some mild problems that were entirely avoidable (which they ascribed to human error). Nevertheless, my wife and I had a truly fabulous time in Ireland. In terms of how much we enjoyed, I'd rate the vacation 5 stars, but the operator could have done a better job (so 3 stars for them). Overall, it's 4 stars.Susan DeWitt review 31 Jul 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We enjoyed the walking tour of Dublin and the black taxi tour of Belfast because we learned so much from the knowledgeable guides.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Walk rather than take taxis when you can because you see so much of the cities and sites when you walk.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I guess it reduced environmental impact by having us ride public transportation rather than renting a car.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We were very happy with the vacation. The accommodations were quite nice and the tours that were arranged were excellent and all ran on time and as expected. The app the tour company provides is helpful in providing all documents and other travel information online.Dwight McCann review 27 Apr 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The overwhelming beauty of grassy green hills blocked into rectangles by stone walls capturing white fluffy sheep! [I am quite the romantic.] Next to that, the stunning quantity of stone works: walls, round lookout towers, castles and forts with craftsmanship to make my head spin. Fortunately the wet weather chased but didn't catch me until the last night in Dublin ... I took a wrong turning coming out of a pub, it started raining, harder and harder but I was stubborn and wouldn't look at my phone until I was drenched. Lucky that I did as I was walking at a fast clip directly away from Ariel House. I need to work in here that the accommodations provided, mostly B&Bs, where utterly magnificent, from poster beds to giant bear-clawed bathtubs ... hugely romantic.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be ready to hit the ground running on your free days/times as one day isn't enough anywhere. Do the research, know what you want to do, don't hesitate to jump on the Hop-on/Hop-off buses. And bring layers with rain gear so nothing can get in your way. Be ready for some sore muscles and wonderful dining! :-)3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Everywhere it is clear that Ireland is a tourist destination particularly for Americans. The hospitality industry in Ireland is first class and everyone just wants you to have a terribly good time. We all benefit.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I am both a McCann and a Mayo and this was a grand visit to the 'Mother Country'. My only complaint is that my girlfriend was in Greece and Italy rather than with me ... long story but she planned/paid for her trip before we were together.Michael Worthley review 28 Aug 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Traveling by bike on Inis Mór. No real plans on the island. We just biked around and stopped at anything we found interesting. Great relaxing day.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Go to some of the local pubs, like Garavn's in Galway. Sit at the bar, and have a chat with some of the locals. Much of Ireland has rapidly changed in the lest 10- 15 years, and a great way to understand that is to hear how from the locals. Belfast has some of the best restaurants I've ever been to at such a reasonable price. Both the Barking Dog and the Ginger house do not disappoint.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Where we went was heavily depends on tourism as it's industry. By going to independent tours in Belfast) or visiting local shops (like the sweater market on Inis Mór) we were supporting the people of the area.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
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