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IMPORTANT
TRAVEL INFORMATION -- IRELAND
The
following information will assist you in preparing for
your trip.
CLIMATE
Although Ireland lies at roughly the same
northerly latitude as Newfoundland, it has a mild, moist
climate, because of the prevailing southwesterly winds
and the influence of the warm Gulf Stream along its
western coast. As no part of the island is more than 70
miles from the sea, temperatures are fairly uniform over
the whole country. May to mid-September is by far the
warmest (highs in the 60's) and generally the driest time
of year, relatively speaking (it's always cool and damp).
CLOTHING
Dress throughout your golfing tour for evening should be
smart and casual. Given the climate, it follows that one
should never be without a raincoat or a warm sweater.
Neither, in summer, should you be without light clothes.
TIME
Ireland, like the rest of the UK, follows Greenwich Mean
Time. During the summer months, it can be light until
after 10:00 PM. Ireland is 8 hours ahead of Pacific Coast
time.
ELECTRICAL CURRENT INFORMATION
220 Volts standard. Hotels usually have dual 220/110 volt
sockets for razors. It would be advisable to purchase a
converter or adapter prior to departure. Most superior hotels offer in-room internet services.
MONEY
Legal tender in the Republic of Ireland is the Euro, approx. $1-$2 to 1 Euro. We suggest that you
take a small amount of currency in addition to your
travelers' checks. Banks generally have the best exchange
rates. Banks in Ireland are usually open Monday to Friday
9am-4pm. All major credit cards are accepted. Outside the
Customs area at the airport, there is a bank where you
can exchange your money before departing the airport.
TRAVEL AND HEALTH INSURANCE
Please contact your health insurance agent to verify that
your coverage is valid when traveling outside the United
States, specifically in European countries. We highly
recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect against
any unforeseen cancellation. Through a special
arrangement with Travel Insured International, clients of
Classic Golf & Leisure can purchase a travel
insurance policy which waives all pre-existing conditions
if the policy is purchased within 7 days of the initial
trip deposit.
TRANSPORTATION
Mini Vans and cars in Europe are generally smaller than
in the U.S. It is important that you select the correct
vehicle for the number in the party traveling, and more
specifically the number of golfers, so that equipment can
be accommodated. If you are driving yourself throughout
Europe we will always price into the programs the type of
vehicle that will best accommodate you. It is important
to have the correct vehicle before you arrive at your
destination, as it is almost impossible to upgrade a
vehicle on your arrival because of limited availability
of the larger vehicles.
Private driver arrangements can be quoted based on the
following: Be sure that your driver and vehicle are
registered with the Ministry of Transport. You need to
make sure that both your driver and vehicle are insured
for your protection. Many companies will to keep the cost
down when a client wants a driver simply by renting a van
and having an employee drive the vehicle. This says the
company you are utilizing saves money because they will
not have the vehicle properly registered or insured. We
guarantee that all our drivers and vehicles are properly
registered and insured. Your security and safety are our
main concern.
1. Mercedes mini-deluxe motorcoach seats up to 12
2. Mini Van with travel trailer to accommodate 4
For larger groups, the following equipment would be used:
1. Small Motorcoach to accommodate 12-20
2. Large motorcoach to accommodate 14 to 30
HOTELS
Hotels that are utilized by Classic Golf & Leisure
clients all have en suite facilities. Irish hotels are
divided into various categories from First Class to
Deluxe. First class hotels provide comfortable
accommodations with a good level of service. Deluxe
hotels provide the highest standards available in the
area with the level of service that meets the
requirements of the most discerning traveler. The rooms
within the hotel categorized by location within the
hotel. Most rooms have twin beds, however we can request
double accommodations (Queen Size) and in a few hotels
King sized beds can be requested. These requests are
handled by the hotel on an availability basis. Hotel
rooms for single occupants tend to be smaller size en
suite bedrooms.
HANDICAPS
The better known golf courses in the Europe have official
handicap limits for play. We accept no responsibility for
clients being refused golf if they do not meet the
requirements. In addition, you will be required to carry
a handicap certificate or a letter from a club
professional verifying your handicap. In some cases you
may be required to show proof of your current handicap to
the starter.
CADDIES & CARTS
Golf carts: Motorized cars are generally not available on
links courses in the UK. A few courses may have carts
available with a medical certificate, but these are very
limited and not the better known courses. Some of the UK
parkland courses have carts available. Pull carts are
available at most courses, although some have restricted
times pull carts are allowed on the course.
Caddies: All major courses have a limited number of full
time Caddies, controlled by a Caddiemaster. However,
Caddies are self-employed and cannot be 100% guaranteed.
Supply and demand varies from day to day.
Caddies can be requested and in the majority of cases,
Classic Golf & Leisure has been 100% successful in
obtaining the number requested. It is advisable to
request caddies through Classic Golf & Leisure well
in advance of your tour. Caddies may refuse to carry
extra large or unreasonably heavy golf bags.
At some courses where caddies have been booked in advance
and are not used, you will be liable for a cancellation
charge. It is important that we have your requests for
caddies as early as possible so that we can do our best
to fulfill your needs. In Ireland it is customary for caddies to carry two bags.
SEASONS
The best times for Americans to golf in Europe are the
following:
SCOTLAND: May to mid September
IRELAND: May to mid October
NON GOLFERS
We welcome non-golfers, and are delighted to create an
itinerary to run alongside a golf tour which would
include visits to local attractions, castles, museums,
famous country houses and city tours to name a few.
CUSTOMS
Customs allows travelers to bring home $400 worth of
goods free from any duty. Goods are considered duty-free
if they are for personal or household use (this includes
gifts) and cannot include more than 1 liter of liquor or
wine and 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars. Customs then
places a 10% flat rate on the next $1000 worth of goods.
The most one would pay for importing $1400 worth of
purchases would be $100. You must declare all purchases,
so have your sales slips ready.
For example, if you bring $2,200 worth of goods home, you
will get $400 of that tax free, the next $1000 at 10%,
and the last $800 at varying rates of duty. If it's
jewelry, the rate is 6.5% or $52.00. The total duty would
be $152. If the goods are antiques more than 100 years
old, they are duty-free.
Contrary to popular belief, Customs does take a personal
check for the exact amount if it's drawn on a U.S. bank.
Customs cashiers also honor U.S. (but not foreign)
currency and travelers' checks if they don't exceed the
amount of duty by more than $50.00. Many Customs stations
will also accept Discover credit cards. Please check for updated customs allowances prior to travel.
GENERAL INFORMATION - IRELAND
The vivid green landscape which prompts the title
"the Emerald Isle" is produced by the high
humidity. Ireland has a mild damp climate, owing to the
presence of the Gulf Stream, and a high incidence of
rainfall, particularly on the west coast, due to its
exposed position facing the Atlantic Ocean.
As beautiful as Ireland is, the country's main attraction
is its people -- their hospitality, their pleasant use of
the language and their marvelous sense of humor ensure a
warm welcome. Enter a pub in Ireland on a rainy day, and
you'll find a room full of friends. In between time spent
getting to know the Irish, travelers will be enchanted by
the emerald-green countryside, scattered with towers,
ruins, castles and dolmens.
WHAT TO BUY
Shop for hand-cut crystal, Irish whiskey and liqueurs,
handmade sweaters and other woolens, beautiful linens,
Beleek china, silver and golf jewelry with fabulous
Gaelic and early Christian designs, blackthorn walking
sticks, peat carvings, pottery, lace, Donegal tweed, tin
whistles, books of Irish poetry and locally produced
handicrafts. Prices are also good on eiderdowns and
copper kitchenware. Records and tapes of Irish music
(from traditional to rock) make wonderful souvenirs.
There are also great book and antique shops.
Shopping Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:00am-5:30pm. Hours may
be longer on one day of the week.
VAT
Ireland charges a value-added tax (VAT), a national sales
tax on most goods and some services. The VAT ranges from
0% on most food and clothing to 12% in restaurants to 21%
on other items, such as jewelry, cameras, and appliances.
The British rate (applicable to Northern Ireland and the
Isle of Man) is 17.5% on many services (such as
hairdressers, hotels, restaurants, and car rental
agencies) and on all goods (except books, medicine and
food). In Ireland, VAT refunds are available on goods
purchased in stores displaying a "Cashback"
sticker (ask if you don't see one). You will receive a
voucher with your purchase which you must fill out and
present at the Cashback service desk in Dublin or Shannon
airports. Purchases greater than 200 pounds must be approved at the customs desk first. Your money can also
be refunded by mail, which takes six to eight weeks. VAT rates do change so please check price to travel.
 See Sample Itineraries for
Ireland
Back to Ireland Page
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