Promised 33-Passenger Bus for Private Tour, Delivered Two Small Buses Instead…read more We booked a private tour with Elegant Irish Tours for a family reunion in June 2026, and unfortunately the experience left us frustrated and let down. We'd originally booked with Butler Tours and paid a deposit but had to cancel (and eat a penalty) when they couldn't provide a single bus for our group of 28. Elegant Irish Tours stepped in and assured us they could accommodate our group with a bus capable of accommodating 33 passengers, plus coolers for refreshments. We were relieved and excited -- this was a family reunion, and being together as one group mattered a lot to us. On the actual day, two smaller buses showed up instead of the one we were promised. This split our group and was a real disappointment for an event centered on togetherness. We called the office right away and got no support or concern in return. With no alternative offered, we had no choice but to continue with our day as best we could. The bigger issue came after we returned home. I called twice and got nowhere, and I emailed Wendy, the supervisor, directly -- I never received so much as a reply. During the sales process, it was all yes, yes, yes. Once something actually went wrong, there was silence. If you're considering this company, be aware that the follow-through doesn't match the sales pitch.

Terrible customer service! Pricey and you do not get as advertised vehicles. 10 people bumpy bus…read morefor three people. Drivers/guides take you to places they get commission that you did not ask to go and meanwhile time at arranged destinations is shortened. Find another company!

I had this mad idea to do the canadian rockies and the grand canyon and the yosemite park all in 3…read moreweeks...thought it was going to cost me a fortune and all but I discovered their website which is very very well designed. I basically bought 3 multi city flights for less than the price that you'd get your Aer Lingus return to SF AND I was able to book hotels for whichever days I wanted in the areas I was flying too (and you have this clever map that gives you not only the location of each hotel but their rates for these nights and their rating...brilliant!) AND I was able to book from a large selection of activities which was even more fantastic, cheap and so handy ! Just a note of warning that their cookies are very sticky and I actually spent hours to book the whole lot because I chose a wrong day on one activity, had to start the reservation all over again because it wouldn't change, and that activity came coming back at the wrong day even with an empty cache and another browser...very weird but hey, I spent twice less that I imagined I would (there's an online discount) and I saved time on google'ing activities around each locations ! I rang their office a couple of times and the girls were lovely and helpful too.

If you are looking to book a family trip to Disneyland, a week's skiing package in Boston, or an…read moreall-inclusive weekend in New York, American Holidays off Grafton Street might be a good place to start. As I have never once been on a package holiday, and have spent just 12 hours altogether in the United States, I obviously have little experience or, lets be honest, interest in a travel agency offering packages to the US. However, I must admit that I was drawn to the special offers advertised in the window when I passed here over the weekend. €587 per person for 3 nights in New York, including hotel and flights? Bargain!

I truly enjoy the Stena Line service, which I suppose I've used 3 times now, either to or from the…read moreUK. For my last trip, I decided to take advantage of a recent promotion to go from Dublin to Holyhead (Wales) with a same-day return for only €5 (I had membership credit for a total cost of €1 round-trip). I was in the middle of a big writing project, and so I took advantage of the deal as a day out with scenery and WiFi to get work done. In the middle, I enjoyed a little visit to Holyhead, which previously, I'd only seen through doors as I walked to the train. Honestly, it was a lovely day, and I enjoyed seeing the lanes of cars and caravans packed with kayaks and bicycles as people went on their August holidays. It was nice, too, that Stena provided activities onboard for children, including crafts, some kind of mini-play, and family-friendly films. I wouldn't mind if Stena cleaned and upgraded their seating areas and provided more spots to "plug in." Even in the Stena-plus lounge (which features unlimited snacks & beverages), it's seats along the periphery that have plugs, and those mostly have little side cafe tables. Upgrading their WiFi and providing some work stations would make a big difference. Still, it's pretty terrific to have a stress-free, comfortable, and inexpensive transportation to London with gorgeous views from the ship and from the train, if you choose to take advantage of that option.

I tend to avoid flying when I can, ok, there's the thing about if I stand on solid ground and start…read moreflapping my little stubby arms, do I take flight? ... no, then why trust Michael O'Learys el cheapo lets cut corners aircraft ... somethings gotta give there some day and I will avoid being the flotsam over the Irish Sea when it does! Ok Stena line - I do a bit of travelling to the UK and its honestly cheaper to bring the car when you have a few places to visit and they're not all based around London and da tube! Irish Ferries, Mmmm ... whatever it is about IF, I can't put my finger on it - they do try hard, but it just feels cheap, it just feels like I'm getting taken for a ride (which I am, on water...), it feels wrong, in fact the last time I went Irish Ferries the craft was over crowded, smelly and the staff just not very pleasant ... so, back to Stena! ... I like them, apart from the website which needs to be brought into the 20th century, they actually do offer a good service. They do actually listen, really listen! if you have questions / problems and do I honestly feel provide a better service than IF. The trick with Stena, especially when driving, is to spend an extra few quid and go for premium - it makes a world of a difference. You get access to the premium lounge, which may not sound something amazing, but trust me, its worth a lot when you are tired, potentially have children with you and want to know that your seat will still be there when you come back from the loo or general ambling about (whilst trying to keep upright!). The premium lounge is situated in a particularly good position and even if the sea is a tad rough (which its generally not), its quite comfortable ... not that the same can be said if you've baggsed a seat along the side of the ship! Top tip - if its not midsummer and very good weather is almost guaranteed, do NOT travel on the smallest ship with afair is called "the lynx" ... its a tiny little thing and is tossed around like a rubber-ducky in a 3year olds bathtub ... splash, splash, splash!! (oh and no point in buying premium on that wee tub, there's SFA difference between premium and normal on that craft) ps: update - a few days after travelling with Stena for the final time this year, first, new top tip, JOIN COMPASS POINTS!!!! ... I normally avoid these frequent flyer jobbies, my information is more valuable than the return they generally give back (Tesco take note!) ... anyway, I went to pay for my trip this time and it asked me if I wanted to use my points in part payment - Yep! says me.. why not? ... Ohhhh, nice shiney nice, they gave me almost €120 off the total fare!!! ... now THATS SWEET! pps: Stena, if you're reading this I DONT like your new style premium lounge - the chairs dont have high enough headrests, making it difficult to get a comfortable position on hte midnight ferry when one is trying to grab a wee snooze! .... change them for the comfy old ones, or the puppy gets it....