Ireland experienced a healthy rise in tourism in 2011 due in part to its appeal as an affordable vacation destination, and recognition from popular travel advisory sources such as Arthur Frommer’s BudgetTravel, whose voters named the Emerald Isle the “Top Tourist Destination” for the second consecutive year. Coinciding with a Frommer’s report showing that Ireland tour prices have become increasingly attractive for travelers from North America, CIE Tours International has seen a significant rise in demand for both its range of motor coach vacations and self-drive programs to Ireland.
Celebrating 80 years in business, CIE Tours has earned its place as standard-bearer for delivering quality, affordable vacations to Ireland and Britain . In addition to its escorted coach vacations, CIE Tours offers its very popular Go-As-You-Please Ireland tour, a self-drive program offering great flexibility for exploring every part of Ireland.
According to CIE Tours’ President Brian W. Stack, “We have seen a strong increase in reservations for our entire product range, especially our Go-As-You-Please Ireland self-drive vacations, which allow our clients to experience the charm of the country at their own pace with open vouchers at a choice of over 1,000 private homes all around the country.”
With land-only rates beginning at $384 per person for a 6-day/6-night self-drive vacation, Go-As-You-Please Ireland travelers enjoy numerous clearly-defined amenities including:
· Open vouchers for use at the travelers’ choice of accommodation from The Definitive Irish Bed & Breakfast Guide, featuring over 1,000 B & B’s located in towns or in the countryside in every part of Ireland , including many working farms
· A Hertz self-drive car for six days or longer with unlimited mileage, based on two or four people traveling together. The rental includes Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), theft protection (TP), and government tax (VAT). Other cars and minibuses are available, as well as standard or automatic transmission
· Pick-up and drop-off in Shannon or Dublin
· Full Irish breakfast daily
· Rooms with private bath/shower
· 100-page Guide to Ireland with map
“The best part of Go-As-You-Please Ireland is that our clients have the freedom to decide where to stay and visit,” added Mr. Stack. “Staying in a private home with a welcoming family creates a life-style experience. There is simply no finer way of getting to know the wonderful people, culture and region, and learning firsthand about local Irish traditions.”
For those wishing to visit Dublin – a popular destination and a UNESCO City of Literature with a heritage stretching over hundreds of years – CIE Tours recommends that clients book one of their A La Carte hotels, a selection of deluxe, superior or first class hotel accommodation for any number of nights (with nightly rates beginning at $55 per person). Amenities include full Irish breakfast daily, hotel service charges and all local taxes. CIE Tours also suggests that public transportation around Dublin is a better option than driving, and with clients collecting their vehicles as they depart the bustling city. An open-top sightseeing bus tour, a visit to Guinness Storehouse and airport transfers are available.
CIE Tours International, 800-243-8687, www.cietours.com