ABD for Ireland or Tauck Bridges?

[kaseyC]

I'm trying to make a decision whether to do Ireland through ABD or Tauck. It will be me and my 2 youngest DDs (14 and 12). After spending time comparing both itineraries (which are very similar)it seems on paper at least that Tauck offers a greater variety of activities. But from lurking on the ABD board it seems Disney provides some surprises. I would love to have some input from the folks on this board. TIA

This will be our first time doing an escorted trip even though we are not new to traveling through out Europe.

 

[Calfan]

I am also interested in responses to this question. We plan to do Ireland within the next couple of years and, like the OP, I have been leaning toward Tauck based on a comparison of the Tauck and ABD trip descriptions. We have done two ABDs, but no Tauck trips yet.

 

[Bobo912]

I have taken multiple trips with both companies and they are similar in just about every way, including the surprises. My DS (14) and I took the Ireland ABD this past July. I went through the same process you are going through now. I compared the itinerary day by day, and a lot of the activities were the same. One of the main differences was the Rock of Cashel stop with ABD and the train to Kinsale with TB. I liked the idea of taking the train, but the activity in Kinsale was making jewelry, which I thought I might like. But DS isn’t a fan of doing crafts, so I thought he might prefer the Rock of Cashel visit. But now that I’ve taken the trip, I regret that decision. On the Rock of Cashel day, that was our only scheduled activity, and it was something I wouldn’t have minded missing. The rest of the day was on our own. There was a lot of free time on this trip and a lot of additional expense for activities and food. Other than a few little gifts here and there, the only “surprise” was a short stop at Abbeyliex for tea and scones. The other main difference is that ABD spends more nights at Dromoland Castle, which is actually a manor house and not a castle. It’s nice, but I wouldn’t make a decision based on that. Overall, I was rather disappointed in the itinerary. There really wasn’t any VIP access to anything, which is one of the main perks that ABD claims to offer. No special access to Blarney Castle, for instance – we just got up really early to beat the crowd. The guides (who were great) bought our tickets to see the Book of Kells so we didn’t have to stand in line, but we had to squeeze in with the rest of the crowd, which was not pleasant at all. I could have bought tickets online and skipped the line anyway. DS and I both agreed that our favorite activities on this trip were the ones that I planned on my own for our free time. There was a lot of time on the bus and not enough time at some of the attractions (Cliffs of Moher for instance). If I had to choose a tour, I would choose TB. I am not a particularly confident overseas traveler, but knowing what I know now, I would do this trip on my own instead of taking a tour.

 

[carpenta]

I (we) have done 4 ABD trips as well as 2 TB trips. Both are top notch but a little different. ABD has two guides as opposed to TB has one guide (river cruises have 3) that travels with the group. Both were perfect and added to the trip. Disney of course is "Disney centric" and IMO sometimes detracts from the trip's focus. TB uses local guides at each stop and usually divides the groups into 2 groups. These guides are some of the best we have ever had touring. Very, very well prepared and informative. They were experts on all the places we visited. TB uses a little higher hotels IMO as in Italy we stayed in Florence a hotel where you looked out your room window and stared at the Duomo and this hotel was rated as one of the top 50 hotels in the world. Food is subjective but I found that TB lets you order off the menu most times. ABD is more "fun" in the focus on the kids as TB is more focused on family education on the sites in an easy fun exposure. My daughter loved both companies evenly but I agree with Bobo in the end. One thing to look for TB sometimes offers a free pre-night hotel room on some trips. Also TB is pay one price where the tips are included.

 

[kaseyC]

Thanks all for your responses. It sounds like either would be a great experience. I guess I have a decision to make.

 

[Calfan]

I have taken multiple trips with both companies and they are similar in just about every way, including the surprises. My DS (14) and I took the Ireland ABD this past July. I went through the same process you are going through now. I compared the itinerary day by day, and a lot of the activities were the same. One of the main differences was the Rock of Cashel stop with ABD and the train to Kinsale with TB. I liked the idea of taking the train, but the activity in Kinsale was making jewelry, which I thought I might like. But DS isn’t a fan of doing crafts, so I thought he might prefer the Rock of Cashel visit. But now that I’ve taken the trip, I regret that decision. On the Rock of Cashel day, that was our only scheduled activity, and it was something I wouldn’t have minded missing. The rest of the day was on our own. There was a lot of free time on this trip and a lot of additional expense for activities and food. Other than a few little gifts here and there, the only “surprise” was a short stop at Abbeyliex for tea and scones. The other main difference is that ABD spends more nights at Dromoland Castle, which is actually a manor house and not a castle. It’s nice, but I wouldn’t make a decision based on that. Overall, I was rather disappointed in the itinerary. There really wasn’t any VIP access to anything, which is one of the main perks that ABD claims to offer. No special access to Blarney Castle, for instance – we just got up really early to beat the crowd. The guides (who were great) bought our tickets to see the Book of Kells so we didn’t have to stand in line, but we had to squeeze in with the rest of the crowd, which was not pleasant at all. I could have bought tickets online and skipped the line anyway. DS and I both agreed that our favorite activities on this trip were the ones that I planned on my own for our free time. There was a lot of time on the bus and not enough time at some of the attractions (Cliffs of Moher for instance). If I had to choose a tour, I would choose TB. I am not a particularly confident overseas traveler, but knowing what I know now, I would do this trip on my own instead of taking a tour.

Very helpful, Bobo912. Thanks!

 

[kaseyC]

The one thing that is making me hesitant about booking the ABD trip is amount of free time. From studying the itineraries of both, the TB tour seems to offer fuller days with more planned/included activities. I usually plan every little detail of our vacations myself, find the best tour guides and look for unique experiences. I've done that for the past few summers for our trips to Europe. This time I'm looking for a more of a "just add water" type of experience for this part of our trip.

Maybe I'm making this harder than it has to be.

 

[Calfan]

The one thing that is making me hesitant about booking the ABD trip is amount of free time. From studying the itineraries of both, the TB tour seems to offer fuller days with more planned/included activities. I usually plan every little detail of our vacations myself, find the best tour guides and look for unique experiences. I've done that for the past few summers for our trips to Europe. This time I'm looking for a more of a "just add water" type of experience for this part of our trip.

Maybe I'm making this harder than it has to be.

kaseyC, your concern is one of the things that is making me lean toward the Tauck trip over the ABD for Ireland. Of our two ABDs, Scotland and Central Europe, Central Europe had much more free time, particularly in Vienna. While I enjoyed the Central Europe ABD, have no regrets about taking it and would certainly recommend it to others, I found that I did not care for the significant amount of on-your-own time on that trip. I much preferred the full days and pacing of the Scotland ABD. I am definitely going to think twice about selecting another ABD with a lot of down time (or will go into it with my eyes open and having done significant research about what to do during the free time).

 

[Woodview]

To Bobo912,

I would like to point out that there is No Train to Kinsale.

Maybe it was Cobh ( pronounced COVE ) or Middleton ( Jameson Whiskey )

which have trains to Cork.

I live in Cork & I was in Kinsale tonight ( 20 miles away ) & I lived in Kinsale

for 12 years .

Why would you think that there would be special treatment for ABD Tours

at Blarney Castle ?

It is first come .... first served .

The Rock of Cashel is being restored ... but still worth a few hours visit

before going somewhere else.

I looked at a previous ABD tour Itinerary and I was baffled.

Why would one drive from Dublin to Killarney & next trip drive back to Cork

& on up to Cashel & Back down to Dromoland Castle .

When it should be Dublin , Rock of Cashel ... Cork & Blarney .onto

Killarney & then onto Limerick & Dromoland Castle.

You can do these trips yourselves

 

[Bobo912]

To Bobo912,

I would like to point out that there is No Train to Kinsale.

Maybe it was Cobh ( pronounced COVE ) or Middleton ( Jameson Whiskey )

which have trains to Cork.

As I said, I took the ABD trip instead of Tauck so I didn't take the train and do not know it's final destination. Tauck simply describes it as taking the train to the Irish countryside. The activity which swayed my decision was in Kinsale, which was the only point I was trying to make.

Why would you think that there would be special treatment for ABD Tours

at Blarney Castle ?

It is first come .... first served .

Because ABD's principle selling point is that they provide VIP and behind-the-scenes access that you cannot get on your own. That is the main reason why people are willing to pay the high prices that ABD charges.

I looked at a previous ABD tour Itinerary and I was baffled.

Why would one drive from Dublin to Killarney & next trip drive back to Cork

& on up to Cashel & Back down to Dromoland Castle .

We stopped at Cashel on the drive from Dublin to Killarney. I believe that is the way it is described in the itinerary, as well.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Thanks for the great comparisons. I'm also often in the Tauck v. ABD decision boat. There's a great sounding Tauck trip in the alps http://www.tauck.com/tours/europe-t...ern-europe-tours/alpine-vacation-yj-2015.aspx that I'd love to do, but I've been pretty ABD centric. This might encourage me to branch out I've done the Ireland ABD (way back in 2007) and it was great. Looking back on it though after having done Scotland, it's true--there weren't very many "surprises" or VIP selling points, and there was quite a bit of "on your own" time. With the extremely high price point of ABD, IMO there should be very little of that. Like Calfan, I prefer the busier days. The more and more I think about it, that Scotland trip is going to be hard to top!

 

[sayhello]

The more and more I think about it, that Scotland trip is going to be hard to top!

Check out the Greece trip!

Sayhello

 

[kristilew]

As I said, I took the ABD trip instead of Tauck so I didn't take the train and do not know it's final destination. Tauck simply describes it as taking the train to the Irish countryside. The activity which swayed my decision was in Kinsale, which was the only point I was trying to make.



Because ABD's principle selling point is that they provide VIP and behind-the-scenes access that you cannot get on your own. That is the main reason why people are willing to pay the high prices that ABD charges.



We stopped at Cashel on the drive from Dublin to Killarney. I believe that is the way it is described in the itinerary, as well.

Aaaaaand, Bobo wins the super polite response award!

 

[kaseyC]

Thanks for the great comparisons. I'm also often in the Tauck v. ABD decision boat. There's a great sounding Tauck trip in the alps http://www.tauck.com/tours/europe-t...ern-europe-tours/alpine-vacation-yj-2015.aspx that I'd love to do, but I've been pretty ABD centric. This might encourage me to branch out I've done the Ireland ABD (way back in 2007) and it was great. Looking back on it though after having done Scotland, it's true--there weren't very many "surprises" or VIP selling points, and there was quite a bit of "on your own" time. With the extremely high price point of ABD, IMO there should be very little of that. Like Calfan, I prefer the busier days. The more and more I think about it, that Scotland trip is going to be hard to top!

That's the main reason I want to book and pay a premium price for an escorted tour. I want the busy, fuller touring days planned by someone else.

Thanks everyone, I'm leaning towards booking the TB tour for Ireland and maybe booking ABD for another destination at another time.

 

[sayhello]

Aaaaaand, Bobo wins the super polite response award!

You are correct!

For Bobo912:

Sayhello

 

[Rapunzellover]

I struggled greatly with this myself before I booked. I'm solo so I didn't want to do TB. I got the impression talking to Tauck that they encourage solos to do their other trips. Thought about their other trips, but mostly older people do those.

So I went with ABD. I know they'll be good to soloers and it won't skew to an older age (I'm 34).

But this discussion is making me think a little more.

 

[Bobo912]

Aaaaaand, Bobo wins the super polite response award!

 

[Bobo912]

I struggled greatly with this myself before I booked. I'm solo so I didn't want to do TB. I got the impression talking to Tauck that they encourage solos to do their other trips. Thought about their other trips, but mostly older people do those.

So I went with ABD. I know they'll be good to soloers and it won't skew to an older age (I'm 34).

But this discussion is making me think a little more.

I think Tauck is good for solo travelers. Sometimes they even offer incentives for soloers. I know some younger people have have taken the regular Tauck trips, and some folks who have taken their kids on the regular trips as well. But I think you are right that there would be a good chance that you would be the youngest by far. If you plan to do any other tours in the future, you might check out the Tauck Culturious tours, since they cater to younger adults. Unfortunately, they don't offer a Culturious trip to Ireland. Don't worry. You will have a good time on the ABD trip.

 

[Rapunzellover]

I think Tauck is good for solo travelers. Sometimes they even offer incentives for soloers. I know some younger people have have taken the regular Tauck trips, and some folks who have taken their kids on the regular trips as well. But I think you are right that there would be a good chance that you would be the youngest by far. If you plan to do any other tours in the future, you might check out the Tauck Culturious tours, since they cater to younger adults. Unfortunately, they don't offer a Culturious trip to Ireland. Don't worry. You will have a good time on the ABD trip.

Well, I still have time to cancel the ABD. It was booked less than two weeks ago. But I booked air too through disney. I could rearrange and it might be worth it. It's a lot cheaper. Even if I had to pay to change the air it'd save me money. I really like both iteneraries, and was very upset that tauck quoted a much lower rate for an extra day at dromoland than abd. Shame on abd for not having more competitive rates. . But the tauck booker I talked to said she'd reccomend someone my age not do this tour because it skews so much older.

Still pondering. Anyone have any advice?

 

[Bobo912]

Well, I still have time to cancel the ABD. It was booked less than two weeks ago. But I booked air too through disney. I could rearrange and it might be worth it. It's a lot cheaper. Even if I had to pay to change the air it'd save me money. I really like both iteneraries, and was very upset that tauck quoted a much lower rate for an extra day at dromoland than abd. Shame on abd for not having more competitive rates. . But the tauck booker I talked to said she'd reccomend someone my age not do this tour because it skews so much older.

Still pondering. Anyone have any advice?

Tauck is very good about telling you how many kids are booked on TB trips and what their ages are, so they would probably let you know if there are any younger people in the regular trip you are considering. Since the Tauck rep didn't recommend the trip, I imagine that indicates that the people booked so far must be much older than you, but you could still ask. I don't recall any solo travelers on our TB trips but there have been adult couples and a mom with her adult daughter and daughter-in-law, so it's not necessarily all families with children. I think either company will take good care of you.