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Walking Tours FAQ
Q. What will the weather be like in Ireland?
A. Irish weather is difficult to predict, our climate is very mild and is ideal for any type of activity holiday. We advise people to come prepared for showers and sun so bring the sun block if you are going to spend a lot of time outdoors and don’t forget a light weight rain jacket/coat.
The Irish Climate is influenced by the relatively warm waters of the Gulf Stream, and with the prevailing south-westerly winds coming from the Atlantic, the climate of Ireland is equable and temperatures are fairly uniform over the whole country.
In July and August it can be surprisingly warm in Ireland with average temperatures of around 15ºC -18ºC, occasionally as high as 30ºC. It can become humid as the temperature rises and sudden and heavy, though usually short, thunder storms are not uncommon.
In winter clouds and rain are more common with the occasional warm sunny days. Heavy snow falls are rare although the tops of mountains may be covered with snow for much of the winter. Average temperatures in Ireland in January and February (usually the coldest months) are about 5ºC.
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Q. Do I have to go to the bank to change my traveller’s cheques?
A. Yes you will need formal identification also when you go, some hotels may offer to change your cheques but as a rule the bank is the best option. We should mention though that credit cards are accepted by the majority of shops and restaurants.
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Q. Are ATM machines available in all the towns?
A. All towns and most villages will have an ATM machine. Some B&B’s do not take credit cards for evening meals or packed lunches so make sure you have some cash with you.
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Q. I am vegetarian/vegan; will my diet be catered for?
A. All restaurants will have a vegetarian option. B&B accommodations are also happy to facilitate you but we advise you to let us know in advance as some of the B&B’s we use would be in remoter areas where specialist products may not be as readily available as in bigger towns.
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Q. Is it expensive to eat out in Ireland?
A. There is a great variety of cafes and restaurants in Ireland. Some of these are small with home baking being a specialty; others are larger with a variety of Irish and European foods. Prices vary and you can have a light lunch for approx €8 - €10 with dinner costing from about €15 upwards depending on where you go. You will find that many restaurants offer an ‘early bird’ menu which is great value and usually includes 3 courses from about €18.
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Q. Will I be able to access the internet to read my emails whilst on tour?
A. Most of the bigger towns have ‘Internet Café’s’ where you can pay a fee for the internet on an hourly basis or similar. If you need urgent access to the internet then our accommodation provider will be able to advise you on where to go.
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Q. Where will I meet the driver?
A. The meeting point is always at The Information Point in the Arrivals hall. If you arrive early please wait here and the driver will identify himself holding the ‘GoIreland’ sign. In the event of a delay in flight arrival please phone the GoIreland emergency number 00353 – 872355293
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Q. Is travel insurance necessary?
A. Absolutely, it is most essential that you are insured prior to coming to Ireland. Your insurance should cover cancellation (in the event of you having to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances), loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money. It should also cover medical expenses and hospitalisation in the unlikely event of an accident. As most people now have multi-trip (annual) insurance, check on its validity for your dates and the type of holiday you are undertaking.
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Q. I am traveling alone - can I join up with a group on arrival?
A. Yes, of course. We welcome lone travelers on all our guided tours and in fact on our ‘Kerry Gems’ tours we have dates on which you do not have to pay a single supplement. For the remaining guided tours you may indicate that you will share if you wish to avoid the supplement.
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Q. Are you expected to tip in Ireland?
A. This is up to each individual but yes in restaurants it is expected that you do “tip”. Some may include service charge and if this is the case then you are not expected to “tip”. Tips are not expected in bars unless you are served at the table. The general guideline is 10%. On guided tours it is also the norm. Your guide is at your disposal for the week and gratuities are at each individual’s discretion.
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Q. Do I need to be very fit to walk with one of the tours?
A. Besides the activity and the destination the most important thing about choosing your trip is making sure it suits your physical abilities. To help you select the right trip we have classified our treks into ‘Boot grades’:
One Boot – Easy/Mild. Up to 4 hours of physical activity each day distance of 3-6 miles. Generally flat ground.
Two Boots - Moderate, Up to 5 hours of physical activity each day and 8-11 miles. Ascents up to 1300 ft.
Three Boots – Challenging up to 6 hours of physical activity with distances up to 11 miles and ascents up to 1800ft. However it is also essential to inform our guide if you have a medical condition in the event of an emergency arising, all information is treated in the strictest confidence.
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Q. Do we have to carry our own luggage?
A. No, your luggage is transferred by us to the next accommodation daily and we would advise that you bring one piece of luggage + a carry on bag which you can use during your daily walks.
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Q. Do I need to be a proficient map reader?
A. Not for our guided tours but if you choose to do an independent tour then we recommend that you can map read and compass navigate. However for all our walks we provide comprehensive walking notes and maps which are easy to follow.
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Q. What size are the Groups?
A. We limit the size of our groups to 16 walkers; however we will operate tours with the minimum requirement which is 6. Also some of our tours require limitations due to the accommodations available in the region.
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Q. Who will be guiding the Guided Tours?
A. We have a super pool of guides many of them have been working with us since 1994. They are a unique breed of people who know and love the land and ensure that you get a chance to discover the hidden and untouched spots on this fabulous island. They will keep you entertained with their many stories on folklore, history and introduce you to the flora and fauna of this great land. More importantly they are at your service for the duration of your holiday and will make it stress free for you.
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Q. What will the accommodations be like?
A. We take great care choosing all the accommodations. Most of our tours are based in family run Guesthouses and B&B’s. We want to ensure that you get the highest level of comfort and good food after a hard days walking. We inspect all of these and they meet the standards set down by the Irish Tourist Board. All rooms would have en suite facilities and most would have tea/coffee making facilities in the rooms. Also and most importantly these premises owners love caring for walkers and cyclist and are familiar with your needs. We do on some of our tours use Hotel accommodation and these are chosen with the specific requirements of that tour.
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