Be There

Being There

So you’ve put together your plan for your trip to Ireland, decided when you’ll go, how you’ll get there, route you intend to take etcetera. You might think that it’s all done, but there are still quite a few additional things you’ll need to consider beyond these matters though. For instance, it’s good to get some appreciation for the things you’ll face upon arrival, such as:

• What to consider when picking up your car (some things that can save you considerable amounts of money)
• More about driving in Ireland (not just the fact that for many people they’ll be driving on the wrong side of the road!). The road signs (in English and Gaelic) are different as are road rules. Driving conditions generally can be vastly different to what you are used to
• Where to get the best tourist information
• Making accommodation bookings when in Ireland
• Shopping, entertainment and great places to eat (and the unique places and food styles that you can experience along your journey!)

All of these topics and much more are included in the book, ‘Cruising Ireland – Your Definitive Guide to Enjoying the Ultimate Road Trip to the Emerald Isle’

There’s a number of other matters to consider such as:

Tipping

Many people have asked us about what the protocols are in relation to tipping in restaurants and for other services that you might obtain in Ireland. From my experience, there is not a strong tipping culture in Ireland. It’s not common in Ireland to see, as you might in other European countries, the term ‘Service Fee’ added to your restaurant or hotel bill. Mostly there is not a strong culture or expectation that service providers will receive a tip. Having said all that though, in my opinion it is always good form to provide some form of gratuity when receiving good service. If you go to a restaurant in Ireland and the wait staff give you very good service, then by all means provide them with a tip. 10-15% of the bill charge would be about right in most cases.

Tax Refunds

You can often reclaim the sales tax or ‘Value-added Tax’ (VAT) for goods you’ve purchased in Ireland. In some countries it can be quite difficult to arrange this, but in Ireland, there aren’t ‘too many hoops to jump through’! Just remember to ask for documentation at the time of purchase. You might be asked to show your passport. Then, all you need to do is make your claim at the airport or ferry terminal before you leave the country.

Accommodation

There are lots of options when considering accommodation in Ireland. There are a range of quality Hotels, Resorts, Motels, Bed and Breakfasts – right through to caravan parks and camping grounds. Whether or not to book accommodation in advance is always a question asked by those looking to travel to Ireland. Of course, it depends upon your circumstances and when you are travelling and what events may be on at the time you are wishing to stay. This topic is covered extensively in ‘Cruising Ireland – Your Definitive Guide to Enjoying the Ultimate Road Trip to the Emerald Isle’. For now though, rest assured there are numerous options and with a bit of pre-planning you shouldn’t face any major issues.

Power Sockets

As many would know, the size, voltage and plug configuration can vary from country to country so you’ll need to ensure you have adaptors for any electrical items (hair dryers, shavers etc) that you might have. Many travel and luggage provider stores will sell adaptors for use in the UK and Ireland. Electricity in Ireland is 220 volts AC.