Essence of Ireland

Ireland Itinerary (Note that this itinerary may change depending on participants’ interests, weather and so on–last year we made several changes))

May 12: Fly from your home base to

May 13 Shannon – Westport
You will be met at Ireland’s Shannon International Airport and driven north to Westport, on the shores of Clew Bay. Depending on the time of year there may be an opportunity for the group to photograph the sunset over Clew Bay.

May 14-16 Shannon – Western Ireland
Each day you will visit some of these typical areas from your home base. There is no possible way to visit all of them, so your tour leader and guide will plan each day considering the interests of the group and the weather. The evenings can be spent over photographic discussions in the hotel, or walk to town (about a mile from the hotel) and enjoy the sights and sounds of the many Irish pubs in Westport. They abound with traditional Irish music every evening of the week.

Visit Ballintubber Abbey, —in Irish, Baile Tobair Padraig. It is one of the oldest Abbeys in Ireland dating back to the twelfth century, named for the natural spring nearby, where St. Patrick baptized his first Irish converts. After working for a few hours in and around the Abbey and lunch you can photograph the ruins of Moore Hall, a Georgian mansion destroyed during the war of independence. Afterward, photograph Castle Bourke, on the shores of Lough Carra.

Westport and the Village of Newport, both capture the flavor of true Irish towns with their tree-lined canals and colorful shops. Both capture the flavor of true Irish towns with their tree-lined canals and colorful shops. We may drive to nearby Murrisk Abbey, at the foot of Ireland’s Holy Mountain, Croagh Patrick. Later in the day, depending on interests, you will be at the ocean on the west coast of Mayo at a remote rocky shore called Barnabawn Point.

On another day, we might visit the Wild Atlantic Way. This rugged coastline resembles Big Sur in California. After lunch on Achill Island, continue photographing along the ocean, and perhaps wind up at the deserted famine village at Keel. Achill Island, wrought by wind and water, is an arrangement of rock, cloud, and cliffs falling into the sea. Another day, photograph in the morning along the photo-worthy shores of Doo Lough, visiting two locations, perhaps including a sheep farm with amazingly trained dogs. After lunch in the town of Louisburgh, we might spend a bit of spend a bit of time photographing in the Sheeffrey Hills, a place where you must be careful not to disturb the leprechauns who inhabit the forest. (Breakfast each day)

May 17-20 Westport to the Dingle Peninsula
Driving to Dingle today you will have photographic stops along the way. The peninsula thrusts out in the Atlantic, claiming Ireland’s most westerly point. Here, majestic hills soar over vast bowls of unspoiled valleys, glittering mountain streams tumble down to lakes, and soft, golden beaches stretch for miles.

The region boasts of some 2000 prehistoric and early Christian remains. We make our way along the lovely Slea Head Drive, looking out onto the resplendent Blasket Islands, offering us a grand land and seascape. There will be photographic opportunities, as we will be overwhelmed with Iron Age and early Christian rocks and ruins. Clustered on the hillsides over the cliffs are beehive-shaped stone huts built by monks as places of worship. The Town of Dingle has a lovely harbor and painted storefronts that will delight your senses. You will be overnighting in a much quieter town working hard to retain their Gaelic culture and language (B, D; B; B, D; B)

May 21 Dingle-Shannon
Leaving Dingle early this morning, driving to County Clare, where you spend the evening not far from Shannon Airport. You will have photographic stops along the way, taking into account the interests of the group. You will then be taken to your hotel for the eveing and enjoy your farewell dinner. (B,D)

May 22 Shannon-Home

You can depart at any time today as the airport is a give -minute walk, and there are luggage carts for your use. Overnight Shannon Airport Hotel (B)

Covid-19 Update
Strabo Tours is committed to continuing the wonderful photography/cultural programs that we have offered for almost 20 years. We are very committed to providing you with a safe journey and therefore have adopted new protocols for Strabo and our partners. We need each of our guests to understand and commit to adopting these protocols as well. What we have all learned in 2020 is that we know how to better protect ourselves and those around us, whether we are at home or abroad. The new protocols will discuss the issues that have the greatest impact on reducing the transmission of illnesses. In order to have the broadest protection for Strabo, our partners, and guests, we will all need to follow these guidelines to protect the health of each other. Please note that several resources have been reviewed to develop these new protocols including the CDC, WHO and WTTC. We suggest avoiding crowds for a few days before your trip, and masking up in airline terminals and on eastbound flights.
Please contact Strabo Tours if you have any questions or concerns. We are here to help and guide you
through your journey.

Land cost: $4395* per person, based upon minimum of 9 paying passengers, maximum of 12. All our program prices are based on double occupancy. There is a small group surcharge of $400 if 6 paying passengers or less.

Please Note: Waterfront rooms have been included, if you prefer a discount of $230 per room without water view, please contact Strabo Tours. Single room supplement: $845, Single rooms are subject to availability and are not guaranteed.
*Note: The trip cost is based upon the current exchange rate between the Euro and U.S. Dollar. Although the rate has been relatively stable, should it change, there may need to be an adjustment in the trip price.
The land cost includes:
• Group transportation for tour events in the tour van.
• Accommodations based on two people sharing a room.
• Services of driver guide during the tour.
• Meals as listed in the itinerary. You will be responsible for all lunches (usually in a pub, and costs vary from seven to 12 Euros.). Breakfasts come with the hotels. You will also be responsible for some of the dinners.

• Extensive pre-departure information and services.

The land cost does not include: International air fare; air fare tax; airport transfers; additional transfers or accommodations that may be required by those not traveling with the group; meals not listed in the itinerary; activities listed as optional, or those taken on your own; passport expenses; personal medical or travel insurance; any expenses of a personal nature or those not listed in what is included; tips to guides and service staff.
Please contact Strabo Tours if you would like assistance with your International Airfare.

Deposits, Cancellations & Refunds
A deposit of $750 ($500 on domestic tours) per person is required. Specific tours may require an additional deposit due to accommodation
bookings or transportation requirements. If applicable these will be noted on your invoice. Payment in full is required when bookings are
made less than 120 days before the departure date. Space is subject to cancellation by Strabo if payment is not received when due. If a passenger wishes to cancel they must send notification in writing to: Strabo International Tour, Co., P.O. Box 580, Dryden, NY 13053;

At the time we receive your notification, the following per person charges apply:
• 121 days or more before departure: $300 cancellation fee ($150 fee on domestic tours), plus Strabo’s costs, as well as fees that are charged by the suppliers providing the services included in your tour, and/or the airlines providing the air transportation.
• 90-120 days before departure: $500 ($250 on domestic tours) minimum cancellation fee, plus Strabo’s costs, as well as fees that are charged by the suppliers providing the services included in your tour, and/or the airlines providing the air transportation. Fees may range from 25% to
100% of tour costs.
• 90 days or less before departure or anytime after departure: NO REFUND.
Refunds for services that are voluntarily not used by you cannot be made.

Fitness and Health

The trip is not strenuous and anyone who is reasonably fit should be able to take part in most of the activities. You may experience general fatigue due to the long flights and the change in time zones. For this reason, you may wish to arrive a day early. You will need to be sufficiently agile to climb in and out of the tour van and should be able to carry and manage your own equipment. Will will sometimes hike trails ranging from easy to moderate. Some hotels do not have elevators.

INSURANCE
Each participant must be covered by medical insurance that is valid overseas. We strongly urge you to evaluate your risk and to take out insurance on your trip. It is vital for you to realize that if you experience a delay or find it necessary to cancel or cut short your trip for any reason, you will lose part or the entire sum you’ve invested in it (see the section above: “Deposits, Cancellations and Refunds”). Your tour could also be cancelled or cut shot due to reasons out of Strabo’s control (pandemic, outbreak, or natural disaster are just some examples) and Strabo cannot be held responsible.

Travel insurance helps to minimize the risk of monetary losses you would incur in the event of a delay of your departure due to weather, airline strike, missed connection, etc., your inability to travel for reasons such as illness injury, unforeseen financial complications and other personal circumstances., or if you were required to cut your trip short for medical or any other reasons.  There are restrictions and limitations on any insurance program. For this reason, please read carefully the pamphlets that will be provided, which outlines their programs of trip cancellation, baggage and medical insurance. There are various levels of coverage you should be aware of before making your purchase. Trained agents are available to answer your questions, so don’t hesitate to call the toll-free number in their brochure. It is to your advantage to apply for insurance at the earliest possible time, so don’t delay.

Think comfort. We have a fairly easygoing schedule, often not leaving the hotel until 9:30 a.m., returning by 5 p.m. It does rain a lot in Ireland, so bring raingear and warm clothing. The itinerary varies. If the weather is bad, it’s a day for museums, woolen mills and great pub food. Otherwise expect to explore the nooks and crannies of ancient abbeys or peer from cliffs at the wild Atlantic coastline. Ireland is a clean place with friendly people who are willing to help out. Food is similar to what you would find in the United States—perhaps better (don’t expect to lose weight on this trip!). We can accommodate allergies and food preferences. Hotel accommodations are excellent. If you have mobility issues, don’t fear. Seldom will you have to climb any stairs, except occasionally in historic buildings. We will be traveling in a 12-passenger van with driver and local Irish guide, and you’ll need to climb up and down a couple of steps for entry/exit in the vehicle. Because the van is larger than a tiny automobile, that somewhat limits the spontaneity of stopping for random photo ops, as safety is the number one priority. We cannot accommodate wheelchairs, unfortunately.

If you have any special needs or any physical condition that you feel might prevent you from fully participating, please contact Strabo Tours with your concerns (607-756-8676).