Many travelers are surprised to learn that there is no official licensing or educational requirements for people who offer guided tours of Ireland. People can start them up by simply naming their company, developing a brochure, and getting clients to pay them. This strikes up a great amount of fear for those looking for a quality tour from an educated guide. These are a few tips that can help you find the quality tours instead of non-quality tours.
Look for longevity. How long have the guided tours of Ireland been in operation? Of course, years in the business alone do not guarantee quality. However, typically speaking, the more time a tour company has under their belt, the more likely you are to have a fantastic experience. A few Ireland tour companies have been continuously running trips from the States to Ireland for two generations!
Be aware of background. Where is the tour leader from and where were they born? What is his or her education? The quality of guided tours of Ireland obviously depends on the guide. Look for a guide who has lived in Ireland—and preferably studied there, too. Not only is such a guide more likely to be well versed in Irish history and culture, but he or she will also know about the little treasures that are off the beaten path.
Consider the itinerary. There are guided tours that focus mainly on a specific city or region. Others look exclusively at one aspect of Irish life, such as the culture, history, art, music, or food. While these can be wonderful—if they correspond with your interests—you may have a richer experience if you opt for one of the guided tours of Ireland that offer more variety. The top Ireland tours give you a great feel for what life is like in the big cities, small villages, and everything between.
Don't jump the gun and pick a tour before investigating. There are plenty of fantastic tours throughout Ireland are available - but there are also a great number of mediocre tours. You need to investigate, since there are so many tours out there and it is very difficult to tell whether or not any given tour is one of quality.
There are plenty of guided tours of Ireland that you can choose between. By doing a little research into your guide—and the history of his or her company—you're likely to make a more informed choice and have a more rewarding vacation.
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