ABD for Ireland or Tauck Bridges?

[Woodview]

I have taken multiple trips with both companies and they are similar in just about every way, including the surprises. 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.
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.

In the above Quote


I just wished to point out that there is NO trains to Kinsale (.Railway lines

Have been Removed .)

In the summer season a small jeep type locomotive pulling a few wagons

goes around the town showing the sights.

 

[kaseyC]

I placed a courtesy hold on a June TB Ireland tour. I'm pretty sure I will be booking it on Monday. We are planning to arrive a day early so I will add the extra night on. The price for the extra night was quite reasonable for the 3 of us and included transfers and breakfast the next morning. The total price of the tour was only about $70 less than the price I was quoted for ABD. The TA I'm using does not discount the TB but gives "cash back" of $150 pp in a gift card and I have a choice of many major retailers -she had me as soon as she mentioned Nordstrom! LOL

Thank you all once again for your honest feedback. It was very helpful. I'm sure we will be booking ABD someday, just not next summer.

 

[cheshire girlz]

Our family did the TB Ireland tours the first year it was offered. From what I remember, we boarded the train in Dublin and took it to Cork. Probably about a 2ish hour trip. Sat in the nice section, with unlimited snacks. Very scenic, and a better long ride than the bus. Our trip had a lot of pre-teen boys. I had girls so was not so concerned about Kinsale. All in our family did pottery, and so did the pre-teen boys. Probably the most quiet and engaged during the whole trip. The instructors had them so busy that the kids were the last to lunch. If it is at the same location, it was a very big piece of property with animals next door to engage the kids, if they got bored. This was our third TB, and not our last. The food is what has driven up to TB over ABD. We(including kids), prefer to eat the local food, which TB seems to be better at providing.