A: Yes. On the Dingle Peninsula trip, once you settle into your comfortable accommodations there will be no need to pack and unpack every day as you trundle from place to place. But it would be a mistake to think that the trip will therefore be a confined experience. Far from it. This relatively small area (a rectangle approximately ten by thirty miles in size) is so full of spectacular scenery, interesting people, and compelling historical sites that it would be impossible to see and experience everything in a year, much less ten days. I am often told by guests who have been to Ireland previously that they learned vastly more about the country, the people, and the culture on the Celtic Traveler trip than on their former visits where they went "everywhere." Another interesting point is that some folks, before the trip, say that they plan to break off for a few days and explore other spots in Ireland. Most of them change their mind once they are there, not being able to bear the thought of leaving the place.
Q: How strenuous is the walking involved in the trip?
A: As strenuous—or leisurely—as you choose to make it. We will be exploring ruined castles, abandoned villages, ancient bee-hive huts, mountain lakes and waterfalls, pre-Christian stone forts, medieval cemeteries, old churches, harbors and beaches, druidic sites, 6th Century monastic settlements, and other spots. Many of these sites are very easily reached, but some involve what past groups have called "moderately strenuous" walking. But even if you were to choose to sit out the more difficult sites you would still have more than enough to do and see. Of course, not all our activities involve hiking— among our more sedentary pursuits are pub music evenings, storytelling sessions, and leisurely evening meals with local residents. Experienced hikers will probably find none of our walking excursions challenging enough for them. For these hardy souls there is always Mount Brandon, the Cró on Great Blasket Island, and dozens of other destinations that I will be happy to point out. (The Dingle Peninsula is one of the great walker's destinations in Europe.) There is no compulsion whatsoever with regard to the on-foot activities. Those who wish to exert themselves can always make arrangements to meet their colleagues who may not choose to do so "at the pub" after their excursion.
Q: Can we break off from the group and go off on our own for a while if we want to?
A: Of course you can. If you do not have your own car, rail and bus transportation in Ireland is excellent. (Also, unlike in the U.S., hitchhiking is a common means of getting from place to place and bears none of the stigma—nor yet the danger—of hitching here at home.) Guests may choose to take sidetrips (one day or more) to Cork, Killarney, Dublin, Galway and other easily reached destinations. Bear in mind, however, that most of my travelers who make stateside plans for sidetrips change their minds once they are out at the tip of the Peninsula and see what it is like there. It seems that no one wants to leave, even when the trip is over.
Q: What about our accommodations— and the food?
A: On a Celtic Traveler trip you will stay in an Irish home operated as a B&B, but with the difference that you are welcomed as a special guest. It's unlikely that you will have much time for the TV or fireplace in the parlor, but you should feel free to avail yourself of them whenever you like. Early reservations are assured double-occupancy rooms with private baths. Guests desiring single rooms will be assessed a single supplement which varies according to the accommodations available. Guests travelling as singles but wishing to share accommodations will be assisted, where possible, in finding a roommate. And if you expect the food on the Dingle Peninsula to be bland and unappetizing, you are in for a very pleasant surprise. From fresh-off-the-boat local seafood and unsurpassed soups and breads to Spanish paellas and tapas, you will find the food both delightful and plentiful. The usual daily schedule will find us lingering over the sumptuous Irish breakfast of your choice of juice, coffee, tea, porridge, cold cereal, milk, brown bread, toast, marmalade, eggs, bacon, and sausage. With such a start, few will want more than a snack for a late lunch, but these are available in plentiful variety along the way in pubs and cafes known to your host. Evening meals will be enjoyed in local establishments that combine genuine Irish ambience with excellent food. Included in the Celtic Traveler experience are a number of evening meals, usually shared with local experts on particular aspects of Irish culture. Conversation and fellowship (called craic there) is a rich Irish art-form in itself and our dinner topics swerve and ramble delightfully among traditional Irish music, folklore, ecology, history, geology, botany, commerce, education, and the peculiar charms of the wide variety of brewed beverages available locally. These lovely evenings of good food and good fellowship will be some of your most cherished memories of Ireland.
One of the
houses we often use for Celtic Traveler
trips.
