Well what a magnificent experience we have had over the past few weeks, my husband I did the Country Roads of Scotland, followed by the country Roads of Ireland, and I must admit it was the most magnificent experience for us both. It is very obvious that your tour can be a wonderful freindly experience or somthing that becomes a situation where you tend to mix with just those that might be from home. this occured on our Scotland tour, and also was contributed too by our tour director at times. Unfortunately we had a gentleman that had some incappacities that had certainoy been give the incorrect information, where he was told by his booking agent, he would have a carer and as far as we could see the only carer figure on the tour was some of the passenger that were concerned. Robert our tour director certainly did not feel it was his responsibility to take any action to assist this person, so thank goodness for some of us on the trip. Having said this, the tour itself was a magnificent one, with wonderful sites to be seen dn enjoyed. the pace was moderate, most days we had a reasonably early start, but managed quite well. Our driver Dave was just tops and we thank him for his wonderful expertise, patience at times, and his ever caring nature toward us all. He really does have a huge responsibility with some of thoses very challenging spots that we certainly came across.

Our meals were quite good, and the hotel accomodation on the main was very comfortable. One had to get used to the terminology in Scotland of a "Double room" this often was twin beds, not a double bed as such, so we learnt to manage that and accept. the Isle os Sky was just something to be seen and very special to us, and unique within its self. the "Extra" Tours provided were tops and certainly good value for money. Individual tour guides were also of a very high standard, and extremely knowldgeable in their own field. Lots of friendship were created, and invitiation of accomodation offered. goodness knows where we are off to next.

The Irland tour however was something so very very special. Our tour director Marie Lucey was an absolute gem to one and all our "Irish Mamma" and so caring and helpful. She also had a wonderful personality and we had so many warm laughs. [Roger say thanks for the hugs Marie.] Friends a plenty on that tour with a group that mixed so very well together. The itinary was not quite so fast a pace, and we certainly had some free time to have a look around or just take a break if necessary. Once again the "extras" were of the highest quality, our coach driver Michael was just unbelievable I simply do not know how you cope with the challenges that you face, narrow roads, traffic hastles and buses passing within millimetres of each other frequently, oh and of course the sheep on the road! Our coaches were very confortable, clean and well maintained by our drivers, seat rotation was well managed, making it fair to one and all. Meals in Ireland were of the larger variety to say the least, breakfast likewise with plenty available. One certainly did not need a great deal for your lunch.
Accomodation was overall quite satisfactory, only Galway accomodation beind a challenge for some of us, but we believe that that Hotel is going to be demolished. It seems at times they do not understand the concept of "Double Rooms" either but once we made a querie with Marie, things were very quickly sorted out.
Overall a specatcular place to visit, the weather was perfect, and we were very lucky with our photographic opportunities, lots that had not been very clearly available just become so perfect... Overall a top tour, which we thoroughly could recomend to anyone

Hoping to do the CR of Ireland in May '07, would love to hear more details of the options you took. We are thinking of adding a few days at the end to really do Dublin in detail, would you recommend or did you feel the day or two covered everything?

Dear Temery,

We actually had 2 days in Dublin before we started our Ireland tour, but that was predominantley for us to catch up with laundry and have a little break after our Scotland tour. You could certainly find plenty to do and there is the famous On Off buss which would give you a great introduction . You can get on the bus and off when you wish for a 24 hours period. Have you any knowledge of who your tour director will be If you are Lucky enough to get Marie Lucey you will be guaranteed a wonderful time.

The extra's we did were the Sheep dog display, thoroughly enjoy it, the evening entertainment that was offered, and that was really good as well. the Medieval Dinner was tops, but watch out for that Irish Mead Drink. We could not get into the walking tour at Waterford Due to too large a numbers, and not being great historians, we opted out of going through some of the castles, but I do know those that did like that enjoyed. In general the extras were well chosen, and done by the majority on the tour at all times. You certainly were not under any pressure to book if you did not feel you wanted too though. It was a toru that I would highly recommend, we had lots of giggles and a great group. I do beleive your tour director can make or break a tour and we had a real gem. You go ahead adn book you will enjoy I just hope the weather is as kind to you as it was to us, we had it perfect in September. regards Laurene.