Thin Places Tour Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Occupancy Mean?
Double occupancy means the cost is based on two people sharing a room.  It’s half the cost of a double room.  So, if the tour cost is $2099 and you are traveling with a spouse or partner, each of you pays $2099 and you stay together in one room.  If you are traveling along and staying in a single room there is a single supplement charged.  This runs about $500.  Single rooms are limited due to how hotels in Europe charge for occupancy. They typically limit the number of single rooms available, so book early if you plan on traveling solo.  We will try to pair singles if each interested in sharing a room to keep the cost lower.

What is the primary mode of land transportation?

The tour will move through the itinerary transporting guests on a motorcoach. The size of the coach will be determined by the number of guests on the trip – which is limited to 25.  The coaches are roomy and deluxe as far as coaches go.  All land transportation is included to the sites listed on the tour itinerary. Since we focus our tours on one region, our goal is to see many sites and travel less on the bus, so our times on the bus are rarely longer than one hour to an hour and a half at a stretch.  Our goal is to have our guests “in” the Irish landscape for as much time as possible.

How long are guests on the bus?
Unlike most Ireland tours, we do not try to cover the whole country in 10 days having our guests spend 2 to 3 hours between destinations.  We gear our tours for lots of sites in a regional locality.  Most bus rides to and from sites are under an hour.  Our goal is short bus trips and lots of sites.  There are the occasional longer rides when we’re traveling to a new city, but that is typically once or twice per tour.  Our coach partner provides roomy, comfy coaches.

Is Northern Ireland safe? As most know, Northern Ireland is part of the UK and is a separate country from the Republic of Ireland.  Northern Ireland consists of six counties – Armagh, Down, Tyrone, Derry, Antrim, and Fermanagh.  In the past (prior to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, there have been conflicts that involved violence.  Today Northern Ireland is as safe as any European country with the vast majority of citizens committed to peace and economic growth together.  Belfast is a vibrant city full of culture, shopping, history, and fantastic museums.  Derry is becoming one of the most attractive European cities with a significant focus on the Arts.  The countryside of Northern Ireland is gorgeous and much less developed than in the more-traveled south.

What is the weather like in Ireland?
The weather is much like the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.  Because Ireland lies in the path of the jet stream, the climate is temperate.  However, it rains often in Ireland, but the rain tends to come and go.  Plan for rainy weather because it will happen.  Part of the reason Ireland has such a lush, green landscape is due to the frequent rains.  Most days typically have Puffy clouds, which offer fewer shadows (for pictures), more rainbows, spectacular light and the occasional shower.  We expect rain.  So pack a light rain jacket with hood, rain shoes and a collapsible umbrella.   Remember …
There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.
~Scandinavian Proverb

How fit should I be? How much walking is involved?
The Thin Places tours focus on the Irish landscape.  Walking is part of every stop.  Guests must be able to walk over uneven surfaces, such as rocky fields, cemeteries, and grasslands; and up hills – sometimes steep hills.  Sometimes sites are well off the road a mile or more.  Guests always have the option of staying on the bus or walking only as far as they are comfortably able, but walking is a big part of traveling in Ireland.  In addition, guests should be able to carry their own bags up two flights of stairs (not always necessary, but possible in hotels in rural areas). If you are healthy and able to walk two miles with no stops, you should be fit enough for all of the walking done on our tours.  However, with our tours, guests are able to pace themselves and decline some of the activities if they choose.

What if a guest wants to take a side trip to visit friends or relatives?
The itinerary is flexible for guests, so if they want to leave the group and stay behind for a day or two, that’s fine – so long as they can make arrangements to catch up to the group in one of its next locations at their own expense.  Additionally, it’s relatively easy to do when the group stays more than one night at a single hotel.  A guest could opt out of one day’s group activities on the day of the second night’s stay.
NOTE: The registration fee does not waiver or decrease if a guest wants to divert from the itinerary.  All diversions and transportation away from the group are at the guests’ expense.

Is there any quiet time or personal time for guests away from the group?
Our itineraries are planned so that guests stay mostly in vibrant towns – and stay more than one night.  This makes travel less stressful and allows guests to get out in the evening, talk to the Irish people, visit the pubs, listen to traditional Irish music or simply walk and take in the historic surroundings.  Also, if a guest decides to stay back at the hotel instead of attend that day’s tour, he or she is in a town so there will be things to do and easy access to public transportation.    This was deliberately planned so that guests could forgo a day’s trip with the group.  They can choose to stay in town if they preferred relaxation away from the group or another diversion, and still be able to resume group activities the next day.

What if I have more Questions?
Feel free to post your questions in the comment section below, email mindie @ thinplacestour.com or call us at 1-443-735-2433.

LINKS for more information

• Reservations and Tour Specifics
• Why Thin Places tours are different
• Tour FAQs
• What our Guests say
• Books to read before traveling to Ireland