Q: What will the weather be like?
A: Depending on the time of year, it could be warmer or cooler, rainier or drier, but typically you should plan for a combination of rain and shine (often on the same day) and temperatures ranging from warm during the day (shorts and tank top) to slightly cold (sweater and jacket) in the evening. That was certainly the case for us in late June 2023.
Q: How much walking is involved / how physically fit do I need to be?
A: There is a good amount of walking and hiking, and some stairways in one of the hotels and some of the attractions where there aren’t necessarily working elevators. The intensity/amount of walking can usually be adapted to accommodate less able hikers, but you should plan to get a decent workout on a couple of the days. There is also potentially a kayak trip; for that, less athletic folks may be paired up with more athletic folks so that no-one has to miss out on the activity.
Q: Are kids allowed?
A: Typically, this is an adults-only vacation. Mature minors may be considered if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian, but you would be responsible for looking after any kid who accompanies you. Remember, we want this to be a fun vacation for everyone and we want everyone to feel like part of the group, so if your kid is cool with hanging out with a bunch of older adults, then it should be OK!
Q: Do I need to come with a roommate / partner / friend?
A: Nope! You’re welcome to come by yourself or with a friend; you’ll end up making many new friends in our tour group. The rate for double-occupancy rooms is slightly less than for singles, and there are fewer single rooms available, but either way is good. If you are interested in having a double-occupancy room but don’t have a roommate, we can try to put you in touch with another person who is interested, but there’s no guarantee we’ll find someone, so worst-case scenario, you might end up having to pay the balance for a single room.
Q: Do I have to play music?
A: Of course not! This excursion provides an opportunity for you to participate in Irish music-making in many ways, including as the audience. That being said, singing, clapping and dancing are often encouraged. However, If you are comfortable making music with a group, there will also be opportunities for you to sing or play in various settings.
Q: Can I bring an instrument? Will it be safe?
A: Absolutely! I wouldn’t recommend bringing your five-thousand dollar heirloom antique Gibson, but bringing an instrument is a great idea and Aer Lingus did a great job. If you have a small ukulele, you can even pack it in your suitcase to avoid having an extra item -- just be sure to loosen the strings first. Travel guitars are also a great idea. The airline is required to allow you to carry on any small instrument that will fit on the airplane on a first-come, first-serve basis. Read this page for more information, and be sure to arrive early, and speak politely with the gate crew so everything goes smoothly. It is recommended that you print out the document and carry it with you just in case. Likewise, on our bus, there should be room in the luggage compartment for guitars in cases. You may be able to bring your ukulele on board the bus if it fits underneath the seat.
Q: Will you be able to accommodate my dietary restrictions?
A: Vegetarian meals are readily available in Ireland. We found that most places were able to provide food for vegan, dairy-restricted, and gluten-free diners, but as with any travel experience, a bit of patience may be required if you have very particular needs. In other words, people will do their best and you won’t starve, but there may not always be a huge selection of options.
Q: Is it OK if I drink / smoke? Or if I don’t drink?
A: Drinking is totally fine; it’s a fun and acceptable part of Irish culture and there are so many good beverages to taste! We recommend that you avoid over-indulging, of course. And if you don’t drink alcohol, no problem! As for smoking: If you can keep it to yourself, there’s no issue. Some of our travelers can be highly sensitive to scents, so we would ask that you avoid smoking near the bus, and to avoid having the smell of cigarettes on your person when we are in an enclosed space (such as the bus).
Q: I’m allergic to a lot of stuff. Will I be OK?
A: Actually, I’m allergic to a lot of stuff, too! My seasonal allergies weren’t too bad in Ireland, despite being around all manner of plants. We probably won’t get close enough to any animals for them to be an issue. The hotels are all reasonably clean, and food allergies are addressed above with dietary restrictions. Lastly, for chemical allergies, I request that all guests avoid wearing perfume or heavily-scented products on this trip (scented shampoos and most deodorants don’t seem to bother me. Of course, be sure to bring along any allergy medication you use regularly or seasonally.
Q: Do I need travel insurance?
A: Yes, it is highly recommended. Janet’s Planet recommends you purchase the OneTrip Emergency Medical plan from TravelGuard.
Q: What happens if I get sick / injured?
A: See the above note on travel insurance. For minor injuries requiring first aid and/or conditions treatable with over-the-counter supplies, there were pharmacies in all the towns we visited. I would also recommend packing a small kit of OTC medicine such as painkillers, sleep aids, antacid, and motion sickness tablets.
Q: What should I pack?
A: I’m working on a packing guide... Stay tuned!
If you have further questions beyond what I’ve answered here, please drop me a line! I will be editing this document as I think of more information that should be added / amended. Thanks!
A: Depending on the time of year, it could be warmer or cooler, rainier or drier, but typically you should plan for a combination of rain and shine (often on the same day) and temperatures ranging from warm during the day (shorts and tank top) to slightly cold (sweater and jacket) in the evening. That was certainly the case for us in late June 2023.
Q: How much walking is involved / how physically fit do I need to be?
A: There is a good amount of walking and hiking, and some stairways in one of the hotels and some of the attractions where there aren’t necessarily working elevators. The intensity/amount of walking can usually be adapted to accommodate less able hikers, but you should plan to get a decent workout on a couple of the days. There is also potentially a kayak trip; for that, less athletic folks may be paired up with more athletic folks so that no-one has to miss out on the activity.
Q: Are kids allowed?
A: Typically, this is an adults-only vacation. Mature minors may be considered if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian, but you would be responsible for looking after any kid who accompanies you. Remember, we want this to be a fun vacation for everyone and we want everyone to feel like part of the group, so if your kid is cool with hanging out with a bunch of older adults, then it should be OK!
Q: Do I need to come with a roommate / partner / friend?
A: Nope! You’re welcome to come by yourself or with a friend; you’ll end up making many new friends in our tour group. The rate for double-occupancy rooms is slightly less than for singles, and there are fewer single rooms available, but either way is good. If you are interested in having a double-occupancy room but don’t have a roommate, we can try to put you in touch with another person who is interested, but there’s no guarantee we’ll find someone, so worst-case scenario, you might end up having to pay the balance for a single room.
Q: Do I have to play music?
A: Of course not! This excursion provides an opportunity for you to participate in Irish music-making in many ways, including as the audience. That being said, singing, clapping and dancing are often encouraged. However, If you are comfortable making music with a group, there will also be opportunities for you to sing or play in various settings.
Q: Can I bring an instrument? Will it be safe?
A: Absolutely! I wouldn’t recommend bringing your five-thousand dollar heirloom antique Gibson, but bringing an instrument is a great idea and Aer Lingus did a great job. If you have a small ukulele, you can even pack it in your suitcase to avoid having an extra item -- just be sure to loosen the strings first. Travel guitars are also a great idea. The airline is required to allow you to carry on any small instrument that will fit on the airplane on a first-come, first-serve basis. Read this page for more information, and be sure to arrive early, and speak politely with the gate crew so everything goes smoothly. It is recommended that you print out the document and carry it with you just in case. Likewise, on our bus, there should be room in the luggage compartment for guitars in cases. You may be able to bring your ukulele on board the bus if it fits underneath the seat.
Q: Will you be able to accommodate my dietary restrictions?
A: Vegetarian meals are readily available in Ireland. We found that most places were able to provide food for vegan, dairy-restricted, and gluten-free diners, but as with any travel experience, a bit of patience may be required if you have very particular needs. In other words, people will do their best and you won’t starve, but there may not always be a huge selection of options.
Q: Is it OK if I drink / smoke? Or if I don’t drink?
A: Drinking is totally fine; it’s a fun and acceptable part of Irish culture and there are so many good beverages to taste! We recommend that you avoid over-indulging, of course. And if you don’t drink alcohol, no problem! As for smoking: If you can keep it to yourself, there’s no issue. Some of our travelers can be highly sensitive to scents, so we would ask that you avoid smoking near the bus, and to avoid having the smell of cigarettes on your person when we are in an enclosed space (such as the bus).
Q: I’m allergic to a lot of stuff. Will I be OK?
A: Actually, I’m allergic to a lot of stuff, too! My seasonal allergies weren’t too bad in Ireland, despite being around all manner of plants. We probably won’t get close enough to any animals for them to be an issue. The hotels are all reasonably clean, and food allergies are addressed above with dietary restrictions. Lastly, for chemical allergies, I request that all guests avoid wearing perfume or heavily-scented products on this trip (scented shampoos and most deodorants don’t seem to bother me. Of course, be sure to bring along any allergy medication you use regularly or seasonally.
Q: Do I need travel insurance?
A: Yes, it is highly recommended. Janet’s Planet recommends you purchase the OneTrip Emergency Medical plan from TravelGuard.
Q: What happens if I get sick / injured?
A: See the above note on travel insurance. For minor injuries requiring first aid and/or conditions treatable with over-the-counter supplies, there were pharmacies in all the towns we visited. I would also recommend packing a small kit of OTC medicine such as painkillers, sleep aids, antacid, and motion sickness tablets.
Q: What should I pack?
A: I’m working on a packing guide... Stay tuned!
If you have further questions beyond what I’ve answered here, please drop me a line! I will be editing this document as I think of more information that should be added / amended. Thanks!
