GENERAL QUESTIONS
Q. What is included in the package price?
A. Generally, our packages include the following:
Luxury vehicle plus all associated costs including fuel, tolls, carparks etc.
Experienced, approved and qualified driver guide and driver guide costs
Complimentary in-vehicle WiFi.
Complimentary chilled bottled water.
All local taxes.
Q. Do we book flights?
A. While we are happy to advise on possible incoming airports to suit your particular itinerary, we do not book air travel. Contact your local travel agent to book flights.
Q. Once we have received a price, for how long is the price valid?
A. The quotation is valid for 14 days from being first received.
Q. What is the minimum number of people required to take part in a tour?
A. Tours can be arranged for any amount of people from 1 upwards.
Q. Do you arrange tours for families with young children?
A. We welcome family groups. When booking your accommodation, please ensure that you have specified the type of room(s) required and if you require extra beds/cots. Under European regulations any children that are younger than twelve, but shorter than 4’5″ or 135cm must use a child seat or a booster cushion to travel in a vehicle. Please advise us on booking if you require this facility.
Q. Do you arrange accommodation?
A. We do not book accommodation. We will however be happy to advise you on the best accommodation to suit your itinerary. We will liase with you in the planning process of the itinerary and lay out the options that will most suit depending on your budget (5* castles and manor houses down to B&B farmhouses) and your chosen itinerary.
Q. Will we have access to the internet at our hotels?
A. This varies. Most accommodation now has complimentary WiFi but some rural ones in secluded regions don’t. Be sure to check prior to booking if it’s necessary.
Q. Where do tours start from?
A. Tours usually start at either airport arrivals or your hotel, depending on your itinerary. Tours can start anywhere on the island of Ireland.
Q. How many attractions are included per day?
A. The number of attractions included in your personal itinerary will depend upon the pace you specify, the time you wish to start and end each day, whether you like to stop for lunch and the distances between locations. On average, 3 attractions can be done each day, 2 before lunch and 1 after.
Q. Ireland is a small country, why are travelling times so long?
A. Many roads in Ireland especially the picturesque areas are very windy and narrow and often have just one lane for two way traffic. Also, traffic can be an issue in certain urban areas in morning and evening commuter rush periods.
Q. We wish to extend our stay before or after the tour. Is this possible?
A. We will endeavour to make any arrangements possible to make this happen.
Q. What language will our driver be speaking?
A. Unless otherwise arranged, your driver will be english speaking. Drivers fluent in other languages may be arranged by prior notice.
Q. How much luggage do I bring?
A. Most clients bring one large suitcase and one piece of hand luggage. Clients are asked to bear in mind the size of their group and therefore the size of the vehicle used. Most hotels in Ireland do have elevators, if they don’t, luggage may have to be taken to room via staircases (your driver will assist you should the porters or concierge be unavailable).
Q. What clothes should I bring?
A. Clients are advised to bring a waterproof coat and several layers of clothing as the weather can be very changeable at anytime of the year, even in the summer. It is also advisable to bring sturdy footwear as many of the attractions will require walking on uneven ground. Most restaurants and hotels will accept casual clothing. Some fine dining establishments may require gentlemen to wear a jacket and tie.
Q. Will I be able to charge my phone and camera in Ireland?
A. In Ireland the electrical supply is at 240V and an appropriate adaptor will be required to charge your electrical appliances. Your driver may have in-vehicle charging options for day time charging.
Check prior to travelling to organise this if necessary.
Q. When do the tours start?
A. Tours may start or finish on any day to suit your requirement, this is your private tour, your private driver, your private vehicle. Our tours have no set arrival or departure dates and are planned around your individual requirements. When planning your tour we will do our best to ensure that your itinerary reflects the opening times of attractions.
Q. Do we need travel insurance?
A. We recommend that clients take out travel insurance before paying their deposit to cover all circumstances if they need to cancel their tour, or for any illness which may occur during their time in Ireland. Very occasionally departures from airports may be disrupted by unforeseen circumstances such as heavy snow, airport closures etc. We recommend that our clients take out appropriate travel insurance to cover all events.
Q. What precautions should I take when travelling in Ireland?
A. Ireland is a safe country to visit with a low crime rate. In large cities you need to take the same precautions as you would in any other city in the world.
Q. How long is a typical days touring?
A. The length of each day may vary according to our clients wishes. Generally our driver guides work from 9.00am to 6.00pm although there is flexibility as some days will involve large distances and later arrival at your hotel, while other days you may prefer shorter hours to avail of shopping or hotel leisure facilities.
Q. What time will we be picked up from our hotel each day?
A. You should arrange this with your driver at the end of each day.
Q. What is the cost of lunch and dinner and where do we eat?
A. Your guide will be able to inform you of the best options for lunch and dinner at any location. You will need to discuss your preferences with the guide so that he/she knows whether you like a quick snack or a fine restaurant. The cost of a meal in a pub is usually around 10-15 euro per person for a main course. Dinner in a fine restaurant can vary from €40.00-€65.00 per person.
Q. What if we need some free time to shop or relax?
A. Free time can be built into your itinerary. Our guides are very flexible and if you decide you need free time during the tour, you should let them know.
Q. What if we change our plans during the tour?
A. Your driver will do all they can to ensure that you enjoy your vacation so each day can, and will be amended if required, this is your private tour, itineraries are not set in stone they are flexible to suit your requirements.
MONEY QUESTIONS
Q. What and how much cash should I bring?
A. The currency in Ireland is Euro, if your tour goes into Northern Ireland it is Sterling. ATMs are very widely available throughout Ireland there is no need to bring large quantities of currency.
Q. Should I bring traveller’s cheques?
A. Travellers cheques are difficult to cash and not advised. Also, exchange rate for travellers cheques is not as good as using an ATM.
Q. Will our Credit Cards be accepted in Ireland?
A. Most major credit cards are accepted in hotels and shops in Ireland. (Some may not accept American Express Cards). Some pubs and small restaurants only deal in cash and may not accept credit cards.
PASSPORTS & VISA QUESTIONS
Q. Do I need a passport/visa?
A. Passports are required by all foreign nationals visiting Ireland. Passports do not need to be shown if you are entering Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland. It is advised to contact your Embassy or travel advisor before travel regarding passports/visas required before travelling.
PAYMENT QUESTIONS
Q. When should we pay the deposit and final payment for our tour?
A. On booking we ask for a 20% deposit. Your balance is due 6 weeks before arrival. If you are booking within 6 weeks of the start of the holiday full payment for your tour is required. The deposit is non-refundable.
Q. What if we need to cancel our booking?
A. The deposit and any money received within 6 weeks of tour commencement is non-refundable. Full terms and conditions will be discussed and given in writing to customers by email prior to deposit. Where possible, goodwill will always be exercised by Crowe Tours.
Q. What forms of payment do you accept?
A. We can accept all major credit cards. All credit card transactions are subject to a 5% charge.
Q. Are your prices in Euro or dollars?
A. We are based in Ireland and accept payments from countries throughout the world so prices and payments are in our local currency Euro.
Q. How will we receive confirmation of our booking?
A. Bookings will be confirmed by email on receipt of deposit
WEATHER & CLIMATE QUESTIONS
Q. What weather should I expect during my tour?
A. Autumn (September – November) – In Autumn there can be very warm days, but equally there can be very cold ones too! Temperatures fluctuate around the 7 to 14 degrees Centigrade (45F to 60F) mark but are likely to be much warmer in September than November. Winter (December – early March) – Winter sees Ireland’s shortest and coldest days (about 7-8 hours of daylight) but these can be crisp and bright. Temperatures fluctuate from around 1 to 5 degrees Centigrade (33F to 40F). Spring (March – May) – In Spring, you might enjoy wonderful sunny weather but then, it might equally be cold and wet. Temperatures fluctuate from around 6 to 11 degrees Centigrade. (42F to 54F). May can have very warm days – up to about 18 degrees Centigrade. Summer (June – August) – Most days in summer are warm, evenings can be cool, but don’t forget Murphy’s Law – it is Ireland expect rain at anytime. Temperatures average around 14 – 20 degrees Centigrade, (58F – 70F) although it can be up to around 28 degrees Centigrade ( 82F) on some days. Temperatures higher than this are very unusual.