Ireland: Traditions of the Emerald Isle With Joy Bingman

In order to enter Ireland, U.S. and Canadian citizensneed a valid passport. The expiration datemust extend at least six months beyond the dateof your return home. No visa is required for U.S. orCanadian citizens. If you are not a U.S. or Canadiancitizen, you must contact each country’s consulatefor your specific entry requirements.

All airport and departure taxes for this tourare included in the total trip cost printed onyour invoice.

Airlines have varying weight restrictions on luggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline’s checked baggage policies. Bear in mind that your luggage will probably weigh more on your return trip due to souvenir shopping. We allow only one suitcase per person. One carry-on bag is also permitted, provided that it does not exceed 45 inches (length + width + height). There may be times when you will have to handle your own bags, and you’ll find that lightweight luggage provides a distinct advantage. Make sure you label your baggage and carry valuables, medication and documents in your carry-on luggage.

To ensure you’re comfortable while out exploring, we recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered. For sightseeing, we suggest bringing a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers, as well as a lightweight jacket or rainwear. If you’re planning a visit to a high-end restaurant or performance, you may also want to bring dressier attire. Also, please remember that it’s preferable to avoid showing bare legs or shoulders during visits to churches or other religious sites (entrance may be denied on this basis).

There are no major health risks associated with traveling on this tour. However, it’s always advisable to check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates.

Traditional Irish cooking is simple, relying heavily on meat-based dishes. Traditional Irish stew,bacon and boiled cabbage are always popular choices. Soda bread is delicious and very filling, as are Irish cakes, such as scones and Barm Brack. The thick black stout known as Guinness is anational institution in its own right. In recent years, Dublin has seen something of a culinary revolution, and the city now boasts an impressive array of new restaurants offering exciting and sometimes unexpected cuisine.

On 2014 departures, round-trip flights arrive in Dublin and depart from Shannon (or Belfast on the extension).On 2015 departures, round-trip flights arrive in and depart from Dublin (or Belfast on the extension). Included transportation is by private motor coach. Most of the destinations are easily walkable, but you may want to spend your free time exploring Dublin by a combination of walking and public transportation. The city is serviced by numerous buses, and if you wish to take excursions on your own outside of Dublin, use the very efficient Dublin Area Rapid Transport (DART) trains, which hit most locations on the coast.

Ireland operates on the European standard 220volts. For those on the post-tour extension trip,Belfast operates on 220-240 volts.

Ireland falls on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT),which is five hours ahead of Eastern StandardTime (EST).

The euro is the currency you’ll be using on your tour (and the British pound on the extension). Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks, as needed. You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currencyexchange rates in mind when tipping.