Sitting in Tralee on my last full day in Ireland, I continue to marvel at the incredible weather. Bright and sunny with temperatures in the upper 50's, rain is forecast for the upcoming week, so I suppose we are coming home at the right time.
After golfing on Thursday, we drove into Ballyheigue and drove up to the house where my father was born. We also stopped at the old cemetery and visited the Hurley family plot. Then we walked along the beach of Ballyheigue Bay at low tide. It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. We then went went to my cousin Nora's house and enjoyed an outstanding dinner of lamb, mashed potatoes and "veg". The food was excellent and the company even better. It is always nice to hear about things from a local perspective. We really had a great evening.
Friday we traveled out the Ring of Kerry to Valentia Island, where my cousin Philomena spent part of her childhood. It was a beautiful ride and the views were stunning, though a bit obscured by the haze in the air. There were many sheep and heads of cattle grazing in the fields and the newborn lambs and calves were closely following their mothers. We first stopped in the village of Portmagee and enjoyed coffee and some GREAT baked goods at Skellig Mist Coffee Shop. The pastries were outstanding, as was the brown bread (a loaf of which we bought and had this morning with breakfast). We then drove across the bridge to Valentia Island and visited Fogher Cliffs, Knightstown and the Grotto at the Valentia Slate Quarry.
We then drove back to Tralee and had a nice Italian dinner at Il Pomo Doro. The pizza and pasta dishes we shared were great and reasonably priced and my wife really liked the bruschetta.
Today we spent time shopping in Tralee and Philomena will make us a nice dinner of bacon and cabbage after which we hope to head to Ardfert to watch Nora's grandsons play in 16U Gaelic football match. Then, we will drive the two hours to Shannon and spend the night at the Park Inn Hotel right at the airport.
We have been blessed to have such a great time here---great weather, great hospitality and great sightseeing!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Great Irish Weather Continues!
I am writing from Tralee, in County Kerry after just having completed 18 holes of golf in shirtsleeves in March! We have been told that we have "brought the weather" and people are asking us to stay through the end of September. We really have been lucky.
Yesterday, we made a quick morning visit back in beautiful Kinsale and then headed down to Blarney. Enroute, we met up with my cousin Mike and his mom, Ella for a coffee at the Anglers Rest Pub, just outside Cork City. We had a great visit outside on the patio, catching up.
From there we headed over to Blarney Castle led by my cousin Ella (we would have been able to find it ourselves, but, in true Irish fashion, they wanted us to have no trouble so she led us there). After paying our entrance fee (10 euros apiece), we made the walk to the castle through the lovely grounds. The castle was built nearly 600 years ago and the keep still remains standing. We walked the 100 steps to the top of the castle (it gets a bit tight and narrow towards the top) and made our way to the famous Blarney Stone. Now, to kiss the Stone, you have to lay flat on your back, grab two rails that protrude from the wall, and lean backwards. My wife and I both did it and now will be blessed with the "gift of eloquence", according to the legend. We then walked around the small garden there (the Poison Garden) and the Rock Close, a walking path highlighting an number of natural features on the castle grounds.
After our Castle tour, we enjoyed a nice lunch at the cafe' attached to the Blarney Woolen Mills and then browsed through the store. There are tons of woolen goods for evryone on your shopping list and the prices seemed reasonable enough (later verified by one of my cousins!) We wrapped up things there and headed back for Tralee, driving through the scenic Cork & Kerry mountains. We arrived in Tralee, picked up my cousin and had a fantastic dinner at the Oyster Tavern just outside Tralee in the village of Spa. I had a great dish of linguine with a mixture of locally caught shellfish and whitefish that was fantastic! I have eaten here before and would highly recommend this restaurant.
I will be visiting another cousin and her family tonight for dinner and then tomorrow we plan a trip to Valentia Island on the Rink of Kerry. It looks like the weather will hold through until the end of our trip on Sunday. Let's hope so! Slainte'!
Yesterday, we made a quick morning visit back in beautiful Kinsale and then headed down to Blarney. Enroute, we met up with my cousin Mike and his mom, Ella for a coffee at the Anglers Rest Pub, just outside Cork City. We had a great visit outside on the patio, catching up.
From there we headed over to Blarney Castle led by my cousin Ella (we would have been able to find it ourselves, but, in true Irish fashion, they wanted us to have no trouble so she led us there). After paying our entrance fee (10 euros apiece), we made the walk to the castle through the lovely grounds. The castle was built nearly 600 years ago and the keep still remains standing. We walked the 100 steps to the top of the castle (it gets a bit tight and narrow towards the top) and made our way to the famous Blarney Stone. Now, to kiss the Stone, you have to lay flat on your back, grab two rails that protrude from the wall, and lean backwards. My wife and I both did it and now will be blessed with the "gift of eloquence", according to the legend. We then walked around the small garden there (the Poison Garden) and the Rock Close, a walking path highlighting an number of natural features on the castle grounds.
After our Castle tour, we enjoyed a nice lunch at the cafe' attached to the Blarney Woolen Mills and then browsed through the store. There are tons of woolen goods for evryone on your shopping list and the prices seemed reasonable enough (later verified by one of my cousins!) We wrapped up things there and headed back for Tralee, driving through the scenic Cork & Kerry mountains. We arrived in Tralee, picked up my cousin and had a fantastic dinner at the Oyster Tavern just outside Tralee in the village of Spa. I had a great dish of linguine with a mixture of locally caught shellfish and whitefish that was fantastic! I have eaten here before and would highly recommend this restaurant.
I will be visiting another cousin and her family tonight for dinner and then tomorrow we plan a trip to Valentia Island on the Rink of Kerry. It looks like the weather will hold through until the end of our trip on Sunday. Let's hope so! Slainte'!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Greetings from Kinsale, Co. Cork
Another beautiful day here in Ireland. Bright sunshine with a temperature around 60 degrees. This morning, we drove from Waterford City down to Cobh to visit that seaside town. From the 1848 through 1950, more than 6 million people emigrated from Ireland, with 2.5 million departing from Cobh (including my grandparents, aunt and father). Most went to America, with many more going to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and in some cases, South America. This exodus was largely a result of poverty, crop failures, the land system and a lack of opportunity. And the Cobh Heritage Centre, tells the sad story of this mass departure of so many Irish from their homeland.
Cobh is also known as the last stop for the fabled Titanic. The Titanic sailed from Cobh (then known as Queenstown) at 1:30 PM on April 11, 1912. As we all know, the grand ship sunk in the North Atlantic on April 15, 1912, killing 1,517 passengers and crew.
On May 7, 1915, the Cunard liner Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-Boat. The incident took place 10 miles of the Old Head of Kinsale in Co. Cork, not too far from Cobh. A flotilla of rescue boats was launched and 761 people were saved. Of the 1,198 passengers who died, most were never recovered. the survivors were taken to Cobh after their rescue.
You can learn all about these events at the Cobh Heritage Centre, which is located in the old Cobh railroad station. In addition, there is an information desk, where, for 10 euros for 30 minutes, an individual can help you trace your Irish heritage with any information you can provide. We gave her some information about my wife's family that left Ireland in the 1850's. Though we were not able to pinpoint any specific information, we now know where to go for further information when we return home.
We also enjoyed a great bowl of soup and some good coffee and scones in the cafe' at the center. All in all, our journey to Cobh was a phenomenal experience.
Next, a short drive down to Cork and then heading due east brought us to the lovely town of Kinsale. Known as a "foodie" town, we spent the afternoon walking the narrow streets browsing in various shops. We also laid out our plan of attack for this night's dinner. Unfortunately, our first choice (and the restaurant that was most highly recommended from a number of sources) Fishy Fishy Cafe', was only open from noon to 4:00 PM. We decided to check in to our hotel and then re-strategizing.
A short drive out of town (about 2 miles) brought us to the Carlton Hotel and Spa. A modern hotel with a beautiful view of Oysterhaven Bay and the farm fields beyond, the Carlton offers a full spa, indoor pool and exercise facility. There is also a nice bar and restaurant, both offering tables that look over the stunning landscape.
After checking out the property, we made the short drive back into Kinsale (there is also a shuttle van that will take you back and forth from the hotel into Kinsale). We found our next choice for dinner, Crackpots Ceramic Restaurant on Cork Street. It was hard to find at fist because the entrance was blocked by a lift that was being used by a painter freshening up the front of the establishment. Unfortunately for us, this meant that Crackpots was closed. 0 for 2!
So, based on a recommendation from my cousin Michael, we settled into Jim Edwards place on Short Quay. There is a bar and restaurant and you can't go wrong with either menu. We grabbed a small table in a corner of the bar and ordered off that menu, which is plentiful and a lot cheaper than the restaurant menu (though you can order off that menu in the bar, as well.)
Starting out with a great pint of Guinness (it always taste better over here!), I enjoyed the broiled salmon, while my wife had the baked cod "Mornay" (a great sauce made of white wine and cheese). Our dinners came with mixed vegetables, scalloped potatoes and fries, all served family style. We finished it off with a fantastic piece of banoffi pie and Kinsale lived up to it's reputation.
Tomorrow morning it's back into Kinsale and then off to Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone.
Cobh is also known as the last stop for the fabled Titanic. The Titanic sailed from Cobh (then known as Queenstown) at 1:30 PM on April 11, 1912. As we all know, the grand ship sunk in the North Atlantic on April 15, 1912, killing 1,517 passengers and crew.
On May 7, 1915, the Cunard liner Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-Boat. The incident took place 10 miles of the Old Head of Kinsale in Co. Cork, not too far from Cobh. A flotilla of rescue boats was launched and 761 people were saved. Of the 1,198 passengers who died, most were never recovered. the survivors were taken to Cobh after their rescue.
You can learn all about these events at the Cobh Heritage Centre, which is located in the old Cobh railroad station. In addition, there is an information desk, where, for 10 euros for 30 minutes, an individual can help you trace your Irish heritage with any information you can provide. We gave her some information about my wife's family that left Ireland in the 1850's. Though we were not able to pinpoint any specific information, we now know where to go for further information when we return home.
We also enjoyed a great bowl of soup and some good coffee and scones in the cafe' at the center. All in all, our journey to Cobh was a phenomenal experience.
Next, a short drive down to Cork and then heading due east brought us to the lovely town of Kinsale. Known as a "foodie" town, we spent the afternoon walking the narrow streets browsing in various shops. We also laid out our plan of attack for this night's dinner. Unfortunately, our first choice (and the restaurant that was most highly recommended from a number of sources) Fishy Fishy Cafe', was only open from noon to 4:00 PM. We decided to check in to our hotel and then re-strategizing.
A short drive out of town (about 2 miles) brought us to the Carlton Hotel and Spa. A modern hotel with a beautiful view of Oysterhaven Bay and the farm fields beyond, the Carlton offers a full spa, indoor pool and exercise facility. There is also a nice bar and restaurant, both offering tables that look over the stunning landscape.
After checking out the property, we made the short drive back into Kinsale (there is also a shuttle van that will take you back and forth from the hotel into Kinsale). We found our next choice for dinner, Crackpots Ceramic Restaurant on Cork Street. It was hard to find at fist because the entrance was blocked by a lift that was being used by a painter freshening up the front of the establishment. Unfortunately for us, this meant that Crackpots was closed. 0 for 2!
So, based on a recommendation from my cousin Michael, we settled into Jim Edwards place on Short Quay. There is a bar and restaurant and you can't go wrong with either menu. We grabbed a small table in a corner of the bar and ordered off that menu, which is plentiful and a lot cheaper than the restaurant menu (though you can order off that menu in the bar, as well.)
Starting out with a great pint of Guinness (it always taste better over here!), I enjoyed the broiled salmon, while my wife had the baked cod "Mornay" (a great sauce made of white wine and cheese). Our dinners came with mixed vegetables, scalloped potatoes and fries, all served family style. We finished it off with a fantastic piece of banoffi pie and Kinsale lived up to it's reputation.
Tomorrow morning it's back into Kinsale and then off to Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Hello from Ireland
I arrived in Ireland early Friday morning (the day after St. Patrick's Day). After getting my rental car, I quickly became re-acquainted with driving on the left side of the road. After a beautiful drive along the Shannon River, we stopped at a favorite restaurant (Kirby's Brogue Inn in Tarbert, Co. Clare) for the full Irish breakfast---eggs, bacon (ham), various sausage, a broiled tomato and toast.
Afterwards, we headed to Tralee in County Kerry. We visited with my cousin and then settled in for brief nap. We then enjoyed an early dinner at O'Donnell's restaurant in the Mount Hawk section of Tralee. On Saturday, we enjoyed a long visit with another cousin and her family and experienced firsthand Irish hospitality. When you are offered something (food or drink), answering "no" is not an option!
Later that evening, we went to the Siamsa Tire, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, for an amateur production of Michael Collins. This musical production, put on by the Tralee Musical Society, recreates the life story of one of Ireland’s most legendary political figures, Michael Collins. The story begins with Collins’ involvement in the Easter Rising of 1916, questions his controversial involvement with the War of Independence and the signing of the Treaty which subsequently led to the Irish Civil War….and ultimately, Collins death at the age of 31.
This was an extremely well done production that was rewarded with a well deserved standing ovation. The show is directed and produced by a cousin, Oliver Hurley. I am not sure what the plans for the show are, but if it ever tours anywhere near you, I would highly recommend the show!
Sunday began with Mass in the church where my grandparents were married and my Dad was baptized. After a scenic drive around beautiful Kerry Head, we were off to another cousin's house for dinner. Again, hospitality is everywhere when you visit with the Irish and it's always nice to be treated with so well (though the scale might not be too happy when I get back!).
We left Tralee this morning, driving through numerous towns in County Cork and County Waterford, passing through quaint villages and small towns. We saw numerous old churches and ruins of castles and abbeys, etc. I wish we had more time to investigate everything we saw.
We are in Waterford tonight after spending the afternoon touring the Waterford Crystal factory. The tour allows you to get up close with the process of making the world-famous crystal. We saw the craftsmen blowing and molding the glass, then smoothing it, cutting it by hand (from memory) and then doing intricate engraving. It was very impressive and when the tour is over, you have the opportunity to browse a large retail center where you can purchase any number of patterns, both new and archived.
I am staying tonight at the Waterford Marina Hotel, a nice hotel along the River Suir. Check back tomorrow, for more information about my trip.
Afterwards, we headed to Tralee in County Kerry. We visited with my cousin and then settled in for brief nap. We then enjoyed an early dinner at O'Donnell's restaurant in the Mount Hawk section of Tralee. On Saturday, we enjoyed a long visit with another cousin and her family and experienced firsthand Irish hospitality. When you are offered something (food or drink), answering "no" is not an option!
Later that evening, we went to the Siamsa Tire, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, for an amateur production of Michael Collins. This musical production, put on by the Tralee Musical Society, recreates the life story of one of Ireland’s most legendary political figures, Michael Collins. The story begins with Collins’ involvement in the Easter Rising of 1916, questions his controversial involvement with the War of Independence and the signing of the Treaty which subsequently led to the Irish Civil War….and ultimately, Collins death at the age of 31.
This was an extremely well done production that was rewarded with a well deserved standing ovation. The show is directed and produced by a cousin, Oliver Hurley. I am not sure what the plans for the show are, but if it ever tours anywhere near you, I would highly recommend the show!
Sunday began with Mass in the church where my grandparents were married and my Dad was baptized. After a scenic drive around beautiful Kerry Head, we were off to another cousin's house for dinner. Again, hospitality is everywhere when you visit with the Irish and it's always nice to be treated with so well (though the scale might not be too happy when I get back!).
We left Tralee this morning, driving through numerous towns in County Cork and County Waterford, passing through quaint villages and small towns. We saw numerous old churches and ruins of castles and abbeys, etc. I wish we had more time to investigate everything we saw.
We are in Waterford tonight after spending the afternoon touring the Waterford Crystal factory. The tour allows you to get up close with the process of making the world-famous crystal. We saw the craftsmen blowing and molding the glass, then smoothing it, cutting it by hand (from memory) and then doing intricate engraving. It was very impressive and when the tour is over, you have the opportunity to browse a large retail center where you can purchase any number of patterns, both new and archived.
I am staying tonight at the Waterford Marina Hotel, a nice hotel along the River Suir. Check back tomorrow, for more information about my trip.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Off to Ireland
I am heading over to Ireland tomorrow evening for about 10 days. I will try to check in periodically so I can share some pictures and impressions of Ireland with you. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Frequently Asked Questions about Disney World
Over the years I have helped families and couples plan their Disney World vacations and a number of questions have arisen over time. Here are a few of those questions and some (hopefully) helpful answers.
“Is it better to stay within Disney World or stay at an “off-site” property?"
The answer to this question depends on a couple of factors; size of your party, budget and how much you are willing to be inconvenienced by staying off-site. If you have a large family and want to spread out, a local rental property might suit you just fine. There are many rental homes in the area that offer 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a private pool, your own full kitchen and usually, a game room. These homes tend to be a bit cheaper than getting multiple hotel rooms. However, you would then have the added responsibility of driving to and from the parks every day. This makes it difficult to get back to your accommodation should you need to take a break from your daily treks through the parks.
I feel that for the average family of four, staying within Disney World is the best way to go. You have access to Disney’s transportation system (sometimes right outside your door) and the flexibility to get back and forth from your accommodation without a lot of hassle.
"What do we do if it rains during our Disney trip?"
If you are going in the summer, it is invariably going to rain. It usually rains at some point every day. I remember being there in September one year and as the evening wore down, a tremendous downpour started. Luckily, we were already waiting for our bus back to our resort and were under cover. Some of the later arriving bus passengers were not so lucky.
So, I would recommend buying rain ponchos before you get to the park and pack them in a backpack or bag; you can buy them in the parks but they will probably cost double or triple. If it rains, just put them on keep on going! The downside is you won't get to see fireworks or parades due to inclement weather. But, a big plus is that the crowds tend to disappear when it rains, lines are much shorter, and getting into restaurants is much easier.
"What character meal would you recommend for young girls?"
The most popular character meals (and the most expensive) are the meals at Cinderella’s Royal Table, within Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom. It is frequently booked months in advance and difficult to get a reservation. As an alternative, we took our four-year-old granddaughter to the Askerhus Royal Banquet in Epcot for breakfast one morning and she loved it. She got her picture taken with Belle (dressed in her ball gown….which shockingly was included in the price!) when we first went in. During breakfast, which consists of a cold buffet as well as hot breakfast food served family style, each child was visited by each princess; Snow White, Belle, Cinderella and Ariel. She was in heaven. The experience concluded with a parade around the banquet hall led by the princesses, who led the children around the room. For another review, click here.
"What age is the best for a child's first trip to Disney World?"
Disney World offers something for everyone of every age. I am always amazed to see couples visiting Disney with infants, so whatever age your children are, I would consider taking a Disney trip. Again, having spent six days there with a four-year-old was a great experience. With one that young, you don’t feel the need to do everything. You find out which attractions they like and which ones they don’t and you plan accordingly. For example, we went through “It’s a Small World” at least six times. However, with other attractions, we were “one and done”.
We did two things that I felt made our trip extremely enjoyable. The first was renting a stroller. Although our little one hasn’t used a stroller at home for well over a year, it is just too much to expect those little legs to withstand miles and miles of walking every day. So, either bring your own stroller or rent one from Disney.
The second thing we did that proved to be a great idea was to schedule a break every day at midday (or thereabouts). We all went back to our room and relaxed, checked email, swam, etc. while the grandchild rested. After 90 minutes or so, we were all raring to go. It worked out GREAT!
“When is the best time to visit Disney World?”
The best answer to that question is, “Can you stand large crowds?” The busiest times of the year at Disney World are just what you would expect; the summer months, Thanksgiving, Christmas Week, and periods of February, March and April, when schools have Easter and spring breaks. In other words, whenever kids are out of school, attendance at Disney World goes through the roof. This means longer lines, longer waits for restaurants and greater difficulty getting reservations for character dining.
I was just there in mid-November and it was great; weather was great (70’s and 80’s) and lines were short. Some of the bigger attractions had some longer waiting times, but for the most part, it was very relaxed and easy to get around. Late September, October and November (up until Thanksgiving) promise good weather and smaller crowds (though September tends to be warmer and more humid than October and November). Also, if your children go back to school after Labor Day, crowds tend to drop in late August, after Florida schools re-open.
"Do we need to make restaurant reservations at Disney?"
Disney offers pre-paid plans that offer various dining options. That coupled with tens of thousands of daily visitors, makes sit-down restaurants very popular. These restaurants (table service dining in Disney lingo) can be booked 180 days in advance of your vacation. Character dining falls into this category. We were not able to get a reservation at Cinderella’s table two months out, but I made a reservation for the Askerhus Royal Banquet while we were on vacation. So, if you have a favorite restaurant that you just can’t miss out on, call Disney NOW for a reservation!
I hope you learned a little bit more about Disney. It can be a great experience with some planning, patience and a positive approach!
“Is it better to stay within Disney World or stay at an “off-site” property?"
The answer to this question depends on a couple of factors; size of your party, budget and how much you are willing to be inconvenienced by staying off-site. If you have a large family and want to spread out, a local rental property might suit you just fine. There are many rental homes in the area that offer 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a private pool, your own full kitchen and usually, a game room. These homes tend to be a bit cheaper than getting multiple hotel rooms. However, you would then have the added responsibility of driving to and from the parks every day. This makes it difficult to get back to your accommodation should you need to take a break from your daily treks through the parks.
I feel that for the average family of four, staying within Disney World is the best way to go. You have access to Disney’s transportation system (sometimes right outside your door) and the flexibility to get back and forth from your accommodation without a lot of hassle.
"What do we do if it rains during our Disney trip?"
If you are going in the summer, it is invariably going to rain. It usually rains at some point every day. I remember being there in September one year and as the evening wore down, a tremendous downpour started. Luckily, we were already waiting for our bus back to our resort and were under cover. Some of the later arriving bus passengers were not so lucky.
So, I would recommend buying rain ponchos before you get to the park and pack them in a backpack or bag; you can buy them in the parks but they will probably cost double or triple. If it rains, just put them on keep on going! The downside is you won't get to see fireworks or parades due to inclement weather. But, a big plus is that the crowds tend to disappear when it rains, lines are much shorter, and getting into restaurants is much easier.
"What character meal would you recommend for young girls?"
The most popular character meals (and the most expensive) are the meals at Cinderella’s Royal Table, within Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom. It is frequently booked months in advance and difficult to get a reservation. As an alternative, we took our four-year-old granddaughter to the Askerhus Royal Banquet in Epcot for breakfast one morning and she loved it. She got her picture taken with Belle (dressed in her ball gown….which shockingly was included in the price!) when we first went in. During breakfast, which consists of a cold buffet as well as hot breakfast food served family style, each child was visited by each princess; Snow White, Belle, Cinderella and Ariel. She was in heaven. The experience concluded with a parade around the banquet hall led by the princesses, who led the children around the room. For another review, click here.
"What age is the best for a child's first trip to Disney World?"
Disney World offers something for everyone of every age. I am always amazed to see couples visiting Disney with infants, so whatever age your children are, I would consider taking a Disney trip. Again, having spent six days there with a four-year-old was a great experience. With one that young, you don’t feel the need to do everything. You find out which attractions they like and which ones they don’t and you plan accordingly. For example, we went through “It’s a Small World” at least six times. However, with other attractions, we were “one and done”.
We did two things that I felt made our trip extremely enjoyable. The first was renting a stroller. Although our little one hasn’t used a stroller at home for well over a year, it is just too much to expect those little legs to withstand miles and miles of walking every day. So, either bring your own stroller or rent one from Disney.
The second thing we did that proved to be a great idea was to schedule a break every day at midday (or thereabouts). We all went back to our room and relaxed, checked email, swam, etc. while the grandchild rested. After 90 minutes or so, we were all raring to go. It worked out GREAT!
“When is the best time to visit Disney World?”
The best answer to that question is, “Can you stand large crowds?” The busiest times of the year at Disney World are just what you would expect; the summer months, Thanksgiving, Christmas Week, and periods of February, March and April, when schools have Easter and spring breaks. In other words, whenever kids are out of school, attendance at Disney World goes through the roof. This means longer lines, longer waits for restaurants and greater difficulty getting reservations for character dining.
I was just there in mid-November and it was great; weather was great (70’s and 80’s) and lines were short. Some of the bigger attractions had some longer waiting times, but for the most part, it was very relaxed and easy to get around. Late September, October and November (up until Thanksgiving) promise good weather and smaller crowds (though September tends to be warmer and more humid than October and November). Also, if your children go back to school after Labor Day, crowds tend to drop in late August, after Florida schools re-open.
"Do we need to make restaurant reservations at Disney?"
Disney offers pre-paid plans that offer various dining options. That coupled with tens of thousands of daily visitors, makes sit-down restaurants very popular. These restaurants (table service dining in Disney lingo) can be booked 180 days in advance of your vacation. Character dining falls into this category. We were not able to get a reservation at Cinderella’s table two months out, but I made a reservation for the Askerhus Royal Banquet while we were on vacation. So, if you have a favorite restaurant that you just can’t miss out on, call Disney NOW for a reservation!
I hope you learned a little bit more about Disney. It can be a great experience with some planning, patience and a positive approach!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Airfares on the Rise!!
If you've bought an airline ticket lately, you already know – airfares continue to rise. In fact, so far this year there have been five broad-based airfare hikes. In all of 2010, there were just four! This year is shaping up to mirror 2007 into early 2008 when oil prices jumped over $90 per barrel. There is one difference today, though: airlines also have bag fees and widespread "peak travel day" surcharges that add to passenger ticket totals.
Prices on average, cheapest roundtrip airfare (including taxes and fees) between top U.S. cities is around $318, compared to $319 in July of ’08. If you think it's bad on flights in the U.S., take a look at trans-Atlantic travel. Some long-haul flights are as expensive as they've been in a decade. For example, we have fuel surcharges to Europe right now averaging $360 roundtrip, not to mention the taxes on those flights that average another $120. Bottom line: you'll pay $480 for a trip to Europe before adding in any of the actual airfare! I can vouch for this…..I just paid $769.00 for a roundtrip ticket from Newark to Shannon, Ireland. The airfare was $399, with an additional $370.00 in taxes and fees!
So, what's going to happen? The airlines will see how much you are willing to pay, and that means more airfare hikes are on the way. If the planes stay full, the hikes will continue until enough passengers decide to stay home and not travel. That'll drop prices in a hurry.
So what does this mean for you? Be smart. Here are some do's and don'ts for airfare shopping:
• Don't be tempted to buy too early. In 2008, when airfare prices seemed to rise on a daily basis, people bought airline tickets for Thanksgiving in the summer to lock in prices, then were stunned when oil crashed and last minute holiday shoppers got incredible bargains. So shop early, but not too early: expect airfare for June travel to drop by mid-March.
• Be as flexible as possible. Of course, that's not always possible. Unless of course, your cousin in Chicago is willing to change her wedding date to accommodate your cheaper airfare.
• When flexibility is not an option, try this: shop Tuesday afternoons to find the cheapest flights.
If you can be flexible, even in little ways, you can save more. Ask yourself these questions:
• Are you willing to fly domestic red-eyes and sacrifice sleep?
• Are you OK with connecting flights?
• Can you fly to Europe before school lets out in May or early June?
• Can you travel for two weeks with just a carry on bag?
• Can you vacation in late August, early September or even after Labor Day?
• Finally, can you pack up and go at a moment's notice?
If the answer to any or all of these questions is yes, ask your travel agent to keep you informed of the best deals he can find. Remember this: don't wait for the same airfare prices you paid last year; you will pay more this summer. Simply look for the best of the "not-so-great deals".
Prices on average, cheapest roundtrip airfare (including taxes and fees) between top U.S. cities is around $318, compared to $319 in July of ’08. If you think it's bad on flights in the U.S., take a look at trans-Atlantic travel. Some long-haul flights are as expensive as they've been in a decade. For example, we have fuel surcharges to Europe right now averaging $360 roundtrip, not to mention the taxes on those flights that average another $120. Bottom line: you'll pay $480 for a trip to Europe before adding in any of the actual airfare! I can vouch for this…..I just paid $769.00 for a roundtrip ticket from Newark to Shannon, Ireland. The airfare was $399, with an additional $370.00 in taxes and fees!
So, what's going to happen? The airlines will see how much you are willing to pay, and that means more airfare hikes are on the way. If the planes stay full, the hikes will continue until enough passengers decide to stay home and not travel. That'll drop prices in a hurry.
So what does this mean for you? Be smart. Here are some do's and don'ts for airfare shopping:
• Don't be tempted to buy too early. In 2008, when airfare prices seemed to rise on a daily basis, people bought airline tickets for Thanksgiving in the summer to lock in prices, then were stunned when oil crashed and last minute holiday shoppers got incredible bargains. So shop early, but not too early: expect airfare for June travel to drop by mid-March.
• Be as flexible as possible. Of course, that's not always possible. Unless of course, your cousin in Chicago is willing to change her wedding date to accommodate your cheaper airfare.
• When flexibility is not an option, try this: shop Tuesday afternoons to find the cheapest flights.
If you can be flexible, even in little ways, you can save more. Ask yourself these questions:
• Are you willing to fly domestic red-eyes and sacrifice sleep?
• Are you OK with connecting flights?
• Can you fly to Europe before school lets out in May or early June?
• Can you travel for two weeks with just a carry on bag?
• Can you vacation in late August, early September or even after Labor Day?
• Finally, can you pack up and go at a moment's notice?
If the answer to any or all of these questions is yes, ask your travel agent to keep you informed of the best deals he can find. Remember this: don't wait for the same airfare prices you paid last year; you will pay more this summer. Simply look for the best of the "not-so-great deals".
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