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O'Flaherty Tours
About Ireland How much extra traveling money should I bring? With most everything included in your ticket price, we recommend about 250 - 300 Euros per person. You really only need money for lunches, special beverages, tips, and small purchases. It’s better to use your credit card for larger shopping items because you usually get a better exchange rate. Will we be able to do laundry? When we're staying in a hotel for more than one night, you should be able to send it out to be done unless it is the weekend.What is the currency? The Euro is used for the Republic of Ireland. Will you be making bank stops along the way? You should plan ahead to avoid having to use the more expensive currency exchange services but whenever we can, we will try and stop at a bank along the way. ATMs are often available in stores, service stations, and bars, etc. What is the time difference? Ireland is five hours ahead of Eastern Time (New York City) and is on Greenwich Mean Time. What is the weather like? Ireland has a mild, temperate climate with summer temperatures ranging from 60-70 degrees, but can get quite cool with light rain common. We've worn both jackets and shorts on some trips. I always suggest the "layered" approach. Slacks, long sleeved cotton blouses and shirts, a sweater and lightweight jacket work well. Light rainwear and suntan lotion come in handy. How fancy should I pack? Though we sometimes like to get dressed up a little for dinner, gentlemen do not have to bring a sports coat or tie, unless you'd like to. Ladies, if you would like to bring a dress or skirt, that's fine, too. This is a pretty casual trip and you can wear slacks just about anywhere. Comfort is the most important consideration, especially in shoes. Are all major credit cards accepted in Ireland? Generally, yes. All major credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and larger stores. Bed and Breakfast locations generally do not accept credit cards. So if you're staying over and traveling, you may want to check that out with the places you plan to stay. What is the VAT and why should I collect VAT forms? The VAT is the Value Added Tax and most consumer products are subject to the VAT. Most American travelers are unaware that they are entitled to VAT refunds on their European purchases which they bring home. When you make a purchase of over ten Euros, ask for the VAT form. Most items under that amount are not worth doing as a service fee might be as much as the refund. Some clerks will fill in the form and others expect you to do it. After making your first purchase, note the type of form that was given to you. Other clerks may offer you a different form for the VAT. Try and stick to just one type of form, if you can, as it will be easier when you go to the refund desk. Just ask the clerk for the same form but don't worry if you receive a different one. Some places you make a purchase may deduct the VAT right there in the store. What do I need to bring to use my hair dryer or to recharge my camera batteries? Irish electrical current is 220 volts (50 cycles) AC vs. our 110 (60 cycles) current. Many hotels have a hair dryer in each room and a 220/110v socket for electric razors only (although we've successfully recharged camera batters using the plug). The plugs most commonly used in Ireland are 3-pin flat and 2-pin round. For hair dryers, curling irons, travel irons, etc. you'll need an adapter plug and voltage converter and can be bought at a good electrical or travel supply store as well as in shops at the airport. I've heard that the hotels do not give washcloths? Washcloths are not always available in hotel rooms. I recommend either bringing small, baby washcloths, which are light weight and dry quickly or bring Olay or Ponds Daily Facial cleansing cloths, which you can use and then throw away. What about tipping in bars and restaurants? Tipping is not expected in the bars for drinks but tipping is always appreciated where appropriate. The tips for the meals that are part of the tour are taken care of for you. About the tour group Will I get a list of everyone who is going on the trip? Yes, a list of names and home cities will be included in your final information package.How do I get my luggage from the motor coach to my hotel room? The driver will unload the bags. Your should bring your small (carry-on) suitcase to your room. A bellman will bring your larger suitcase to your room in each hotel. O'Flaherty Tours has prepaid the Bellman's gratuity so there is no need for you to give another tip. If you prefer not to wait for your larger suitcase to be delivered, you are welcome to take it to your room along with your smaller bag. What is the standard for tipping our motor coach driver? We recommend about 5-7 Euros per day per person. If you feel you would like to give more to expresss your appreciation for something special the driver did of course you are welcome to do so. About getting there Do I need a passport or visa? You will need a passport, but you do not need a Visa to visit Ireland. When will I receive my airline ticket? You will be issued an E-ticket with a confirmation number in your departure packet which we will send a week or so before departure. You won't have to worry about losing a paper ticket! Check any add-on flight departure times as well to be sure everything is in order. If you have a Frequent Flyer number with the airline, please give it to the agent when you check in. How many suitcases can I bring? IMPORTANT Because storage underneath the motor coach is limited, we must ask you to NOT to bring more than one full size suitcase (not the mega suitcases) person and one carry-on suitcase that fits the airline guidelines. Also, motor coach drivers throughout Europe have voiced their concerns about the heavy bags that they have to lift on and off the coach. Please be considerate when you start packing your things. If you’re planning on bringing back gifts, we would suggest that if you can’t fit them into your suitcase then it would be better to have them shipped especially any large, heavy or fragile items. What about carry-on bags and checked baggage on the airplane?Generally, airlines allow you to check one piece of luggage per person and carry on to the plane one bag plus one personal item per passenger. Airlines have become very strict on the weight and size of a suitcase. Airlines are charging $25 or more for a 2nd checked bag. Please check with your airline for their requirements. If you have an excess number of bags or your bag is overweight, you will be charged an excess baggage fee each time you go over any one of the free allowances. For example: if you have an extra piece of baggage that goes over the weight limit and the size limit, then you will be charged 3 times: once for the extra bag, once for going over the size limit and once for going over the weight limit. The fees are for each additional bag, each way. You should check with your airline about their requirements as things are changing very fast and the allowances are affected. Could the flight times change? Absolutely, the airlines are changing a lot of things and the times of when a flight is leaving can change. Please check with your airline a day or two before you leave to see if there have been any changes. You don’t want to be running late. And if you’re connecting with a flight it’s even more important.Will meals be served on the overseas flight? Airlines seem to be offering for purchase via cash or credit card a dinner meal going over and a lunch served coming back. Of course, you can always purchase snacks or a sandwich to bring with you on the plane once you’ve gone through customsI'm traveling to JFK to meet the group, when should I arrive? We recommend you be at the airport no later than four hours before an international flight. Consider giving yourself extra time if you thing the weather is questionable, if you have to change planes enroot or your direct flight stops in another city along the way. Some people may want to travel the day before our flight to ensure a timely, hassle-free arrival and reduce the time zone changes enroot to Ireland. With security lines becoming longer, you may want to take that into consideration in deciding when to arrive at the airport. I'm traveling to Shannon to meet the group, when should I arrive?We recommend you be at the airport before the flight arrives. You should check to be sure that the flight from JFK is on time. You can meet the group right outside the doors from Customs. We'll gather at a central place right there to make sure we have everyone before going to the motor coach. I'm going with the group from Rochester, when do I need to be there? If you are traveling from Rochester with the group, Carol Dady will have all the information on the price, times, and where to meet. After you arrive in Buffalo, you'll make your way to the Delta International ticket counter to check in. I'm meeting the group in Buffalo for the flight to JFK, when do I need to be there? We suggest you be there at least two hours ahead of time. You will met everyone at the ticket counter for your flight to JFK. What do I need to do when flying from Buffalo to JFK? When you go to the ticket counter to check in tell them you have an E-ticket. You'll have a confirmation number to give them. Check the information that they have for you and be sure everything is ok. Ask that your luggage be checked through to Shannon airport. If for some reason you have a problem, call Bobbie Petreikis at 504-838-7500 extension 6227 or her cell at 504-844-0727. What should I carry on with me on the plane? We recommend:
About getting back home How much can I bring back through Customs? Visitors to Ireland are allowed to bring back to the U.S. up to $400 worth of goods per person, including $200 in cigarettes and one liter of spirits or wine. What do I do with the VAT forms for purchases I've made in Ireland? After checking in for your flight home, follow the signs to the Customs/Tax Refund desks. You will need to visit the Customs officer only if you have any individual receipts that are for 200 euro or more...such receipts have to be stamped by the Customs Officer. If you have no individual invoice for more than 200 euros, then go straight to one or more of the other desks (Global Refund, TaxBack, Dutifree) depending on which forms you have collected). If you've done a lot of shoppi9ng you might have to go to all 3 desdks (that'w why, when you make your purchases, you want to try to get the same type of VAT form for each purchase). Make sure you have filled out all the required information on each form and have your passport and airline boarding card ready to show. Although reclaiming VAT does take a little effort, it is definitely worth doing! What do I do at the airport before leaving Ireland? Ireland is the only country in Europe with full U.S. Immigration pre-clearance capabilities. Those of us flying back to North America from Shannon or Dublin will not have to clear immigration once they arrive at the port of entry in the US (i.e., JFK). What's do I have to do when we arrive back in the U.S.? If you are changing planes to continue your travel to home, you will need to pick up your luggage and check it in again for the next flight. There will be a simple customs form to fill out and hand in as you leave the baggage area. About O'Flaherty Tours What does the Irish logo on O'Flaherty Tours letterhead mean? O'Flaherty Tours is a member of the Shamrock Club of Tourism Ireland, hwich requires passing courses of study about Ireland, its history, culture, and geography. That training, coupled with more than 10 years experience traveling throughout Ireland enables us to offer you the very best in personalized custom travel in Ireland in the hope that you, along with so many others, will want to continue traveling with us. O'Flaherty Tours is also a member of CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association). We host periodic 'Celtic Nations World' cruises.
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