This trip is open to Field Trips R Us Homeschooling, the Trussville Travel Club, and the General Public. All participants must book through our travel agency located in Trussville (Birmingham), AL.

WHO: I only have 44 spots! This will provide us our own coach bus.

WHAT: Six -day, 5 night land trip in Ireland.

WHEN: Flights will leave on Oct 14, 2023.

WHERE: Dublin Tour, Dingle Peninsula, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Blarney Castle, Killarney, Adare, Limerick, Shannon.

COST: $1695 per person, sharing twin accommodations

Q: What discounts can I receive?

A: You can book by March 1, 2023 for a 5% discount on land.

Q: What is included in the price of this trip?

A: All itinerary tours, hotels, bus transportation, and ten meals per person. Local Trussville host Clarissa Ojeda-Winchester, and CIE tour guides are also included. Fanny packs and packing lists are also included.

Q: What is not included?

A: Travel insurance (must be purchased through us), spending money, gratuities, extra meals, and airfare. Group trip tees are also not included. We will have both general TTC tees for sale, as well as tees for each individual trip that we take. These will act as souvenirs, support our local graphic design shop, in destination photo opp, and hopefully collectible items as we run this travel club over the long haul. These will be passed out on the trip. Design will be shared in our trip fb group once they are completed and will have the date of each trip. Think soro/frat tees!

Q: Do you offer financing for this trip?

A: Yes, we do!

Q: What will I be required to sign to attend this trip?

A: A representative from every family will be required to sign a risk of Covid Waiver, Credit/Debit Card Authorization Form, and a Code of Conduct Form. This is a family-style trip. We look forward to wholesome fellowship, and making new friends.

Q: What does your travel insurance policy cover and is it required that I purchase travel insurance?

A: We have two policies available and the policies are backed by Allianz. This is the same company that Delta Airlines, Ticket Master, and Cruise Planners offer their customers. Travel insurance is required to travel with our group.

Q: How long is the flight to Dublin and the return flight from Shannon?

A: The flight time from Atlanta, GA to Dublin is approximately 9.5 hours. The approximate flight time from Shannon to Atlanta, GA is 12 hours.

Q: What if I need to cancel?

A: The cancellation policy is as follows per our signed group contract with our vendor:

99-69 days prior to departure: Forfeit of all deposit for everyone in your party.

65-16 days prior to departure: 30% per person

15-8 days prior to departure: 50% per person

7 – 1 day prior to departure: 90% per person

On day of departure: 100% of monies per person

Q: How will my credit / bank charge read?

A: Your statement will read the name of our tour operator vendor, (CIE Tours). They are located inside the US, have been operating tours in Ireland since 1932, and are members of USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association), and the Ireland Tourism Board.

Q: Are you licensed and insured? How can I vet you and read your reviews? How long have you been a travel advisor?

A: Yes. We are licensed in the city of Trussville, AL and also insured.

I have been a travel advisor for seven years, and owned my Cruise Planners franchise since summer of 2020. You can read our reviews here. https://www.cooltravelmemories.com/ClientTestimonials

Our agency website is located here: http://www.cooltravelmemories.com

Our travel homeschool ministry website is located here (under construction): http://www.fieldtripsrushomeschooling.com

Q: Who are your affiliations?

A: We are a Cruise Planners Franchise. All CP franchises are independently owned and operated. Cruise Planners is affiliated with CLIA, Cruise Lines International Association and the Signature Travel Network Consortia. Our franchise is also a member of ASTA, the American Society of Travel Advisors and are involved in the Alabama Chapter. We are also members of the Greater Irondale Chamber, Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce, Trussville Downtown Merchant’s Association, The Trussville Area Lions Club, the Trussville Daybreak Rotary Club, as well as Field Trips R Us Homeschooling.

Q: How will transportation work for this trip?

A: Before we meet up, you will need to book flights. Our transfers to the hotel will be included. For the rest of the trip, we will be on our coach bus. If you need assistance with your flights, please contact me at 205-873-8621 and I will be happy to assist.

Q: What are the Covid restrictions?

A: There are none at the time of this writing in Feb of 2023.

Q: Will we have any time on our own?

A: Yes, there is built in time for your own leisure.

Q: How will we communicate during the trip?

A: Since we will be traveling internationally, we will use internet. We will communicate via What’s App with myself directly at 205-873-8621, and our Ireland FB group for group communication. Feel free to share your photos in the group! Once you are deposited, you can have access to the trip FB group to get to know everyone else attending.

Q: Is a Single Supplement an option?

A: Yes, our group has a maximum of three single rooms available per request at an additional cost of $260, and are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Q: What travel documentation do I need to attend this trip?

A: To fly internationally, everyone needs a Passport BOOK.

If you need a passport, start here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

Q: What is the payment schedule for this trip?

A: This is not required, but HEAVILY SUGGESTED!! Final Payments are Due on August 1, 2023. Deposits are due at time of booking.

Feb 2023 NON-REFUNDABLE PER PERSON Deposit Due of $250 for each traveler in your party. It is a good idea to budget your passports (if you don’t have them already), and travel insurance this month as well.

March 15, 2023 1/6th of your family’s total is due.

April 15, 2023 1/6th of your family’s total is due.

May 15, 2023 1/6th of your family’s total is due. PROOF OF PASSPORT BOOKS SENT TO CLARISSA VIA EMAIL ARE DUE.

June 15, 2023 1/6th of your family’s total is due.

July 15, 2023 1/6th of your family’s total is due.

August 1, 2023 ALL FINAL PAYMENTS DUE

Q: We are ready to book! What next?

A: Call Travel Agency Owner, Clarissa with and your credit/debit card of $250 per person and legal names as they will / do read on Passport. You may also bring in a check to our office located in Suite 108 in the Cahaba Building at the corner of Main Street, and North Chalkville Mountain Road. Please allow for three business days for your check to clear before we can proceed with making a payment to the vendor on your behalf.

Q: What is our itinerary?

A: See the following.

ITINERARY:

Key: (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D=Dinner)

Trip Itinerary
Saturday, Oct 14, 2023 Fly overnight to Dublin. Arrive the next morning on Sunday, Oct 15 to start tour.

Sunday, Oct 15, 2023: Day 1 Dublin Tour | Teeling Whiskey Distillery
Our tour departs at 2:30 PM from the hotel lobby and sets off on a panoramic tour of Dublin city center. We will visit the award-winning Teeling Distillery. This new distillery is in the heart of the city, and was Dublin’s first distillery to open in 125 years. We will return to our hotel for a welcome drink and dinner with our group. (B, D)

Monday, Oct 16, 2023: Day 2- Sheepdog Demonstration | Blarney Castle | Killarney

Today we will relax and enjoy the farmlands of the picturesque midlands. We will have an opportunity to savor farm life as we visit a traditional farm; enjoy homemade scones with tea, and watch trained dogs show off their skills herding sheep. Next up, we will visit the world-famous Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” and explore the tranquil gardens. We will then travel through Macroom and into County Kerry where the scenery becomes more mountainous. We will arrive in the
charming town of Killarney. (B, D)

Tuesday, Oct 17, 2023: Day 3- Dingle Peninsula | Traditional Irish Dinner at Muckross Schoolhouse.

Today we will discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula, made famous in the movies “Ryan’s Daughter” and “Far & Away,” which showcased the wonderful scenery found here. We will travel to Slea Head at the westernmost tip of the peninsula for awesome views of the Atlantic Ocean. Lastly, we will enjoy an evening of traditional Irish entertainment over dinner at Muckross Schoolhouse. (B, D)

Wednesday, Oct 18: Day 4- Jaunting Car Ride | Adare | Limerick Panoramic Tour

On this day, we will take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car through the Killarney National Park to Ross Castle and Kenmare Estate. Here we will visit Moriarty’s in the Gap of Dunloe. Stopping in the picturesque village of Adare is next. We will have the opportunity to take photos and admire the thatched cottages and colorful gardens, before proceeding to Limerick for a panoramic tour. Lastly, we will dine at a medieval-style feast, where lords and ladies will serenade us with songs and music from days of yore! (B, D) (I am personally most excited about this, ha!)

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023: Day 5- Cliffs of Moher | Galway
Let’s travel along the coast of County Clare to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the churning Atlantic. Trust me, it is breathtaking if you have never been before! We will drive through the austerely beautiful landscape of the Burren on our way to Galway. We will join our local guide in Galway for a walking tour of this thriving historic city; see its charming medieval streetscape, filled with small local shops and cafes, and many street musicians. Lastly, we will return to our hotel in Clare for dinner.
(B, D)

(Photo courtesy Clarissa Ojeda-Winchester)

Friday, Oct 20, 2023: Day 6- Tour Ends in Shannon
Our tour ends today in Shannon after breakfast.

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Thank you so much for reading and we look forward to hosting you on a trip soon! We also book groups for others, as well as cruises, all-inclusives, river, and ocean cruises, honeymoons, destination weddings, theme parks, and domestic locations. Lastly, we are hosting this presentation event in March, so feel free to put this on your calendar! Text/Phone call is the best way to reach us for initial contact due to the heavy volume of email. However, we can be reached at both c.winchester@cruiseplanners.com, and 205-873-8621.