FAQ

Question 1

Passport & visa requirements

Accepted Answer

*   In order to enter Ireland, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
*   We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
*   There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
*   If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Question 2

Tour pace

Accepted Answer

* You will walk for at least 2 hours daily across uneven terrain, including dirt paths and unpaved trails, with some hills and steep stairs.
* Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
* You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of boats.
* Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
* If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Question 3

Walks on this tour

Accepted Answer

*   _Depending on local weather conditions, seasons and trail closures, the activities and sequence of your included walks may change._
*   The Burren – 1.5 miles / 1 hour. A challenging yet beautiful climb up limestone hills with a local guide, including views of the Cliffs of Moher (weather permitting).
*   Connemara National Park – 4 miles / 3.5 hours. Loose gravel paths and boardwalks give way to sweeping mountain views. You may opt for an easier route of 2 miles / 1.5 hours.
*   Killarney National Park – 4 miles / 3 hours. A flat path circles Muckross Lake in view of Torc Waterfall.
*   Dingle Peninsula – 2 miles / 1.5-2 hours. This muddy coastal area boasts some of the most dramatic views in the country—just wear your waterproof boots.
*   Garnish Island – 1.5 miles / 1 hour. Take an easy stroll through the island's charming gardens. Path includes a stone staircase.
*   Gougane Barra Walk – 1.8 miles / 3 hours. Moderate walk with some steep steps along path with views of surrounding conifer woodlands, mountains and Lake Gougane Barra.

Question 4

Transportation & arrival information

Accepted Answer

*   Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Shannon and depart from Shannon (or Dublin on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
*   Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
*   All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Question 5

Baggage allowance

Accepted Answer

* Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
* Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
* Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
* Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Question 6

Clothing & packing tips

Accepted Answer

*   We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
*   Light hiking boots or sturdy sneakers are recommended for the cobbled stones and uneven terrain.
*   You may want to consider packing a collapsible walking stick for more challenging walks.
*   You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
*   It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Question 7

Health

Accepted Answer

* There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Ireland.
* At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at **[cdc.gov](https://www.cdc.gov/)**.
* If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
* If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Question 8

Cuisine

Accepted Answer

* Irish pubs serve up hearty lunches, such as the traditional stew of bacon and boiled cabbage. Soda bread is delicious, very filling and served with many meals. Nibble a scone at afternoon tea with a pat of high-quality butter from County Kerry. Guinness stout is an international sensation, but locals might favor Murphy's, depending on where you are.
* Dublin, on the tour extension, has seen something of a culinary revolution, and the city now boasts an impressive array of new restaurants offering exciting cuisine with continental Europe, Asian, and even American influences.

Question 9

Electricity & air conditioning

Accepted Answer

*   Ireland operates within 230-240 volts and use a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
*   We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other electrical device without a built-in converter.
*   The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
*   Hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances, but these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Question 10

Connectivity

Accepted Answer

*   Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
*   There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
*   Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Question 11

Time zones

Accepted Answer

* Ireland is on Greenwich Mean Time Zone (GMT), which is five hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
* When it’s noon in New York, it's 5pm on tour.

Question 12

Currency

Accepted Answer

* You will use the euro on tour.
* Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, but you may choose to order some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
* We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
* You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
* Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
* International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Question 13

Tipping

Accepted Answer

*   At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
*   We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
*   If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
*   Tips can only be paid in cash.

Question 14

Purchasing excursions on tour

Accepted Answer

* Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
* Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
* Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
* Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

Ireland Walking Tour

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