#1 BE A CONSIDERATE TRAVELER
Remember you are traveling as a group and should always consider the comfort and well-being of the entire group. If you are late getting on the motorcoach everyone loses valuable time.
You should settle any personal incidental charges you may have (such as laundry, telephone, etc.) directly with the hotel the night before you checkout. This way you will not hold up the group at the last moment while you settle your personal bills.
If you must be absent from a day of touring for any reason, please notify your tour host or guide as soon as possible.
Please be prepared to rotate your seat on the motorcoach daily.
No smoking is allowed in hotel rooms, the dining rooms or on the motorcoach.
PHYSICAL EXERCISE
In you will find that there are many hills and valleys and uneven pavements. You will be walking a lot on the tour and if you begin walking regularly now, you won’t have any trouble on the tour. Be sure you have comfortable walking shoes.
Don’t buy new shoes just before the tour- get the shoes early and wear them now so they will be “broken in” ahead of time.
ILLNESS
If you need immediate medical attention while abroad, contact the reception area of the hotel. A doctor or an emergency service will be called for you. You will find that most medical personnel speak English well. Your tour host/guide should also be notified. You are responsible for any /all expenses incurred (medical treatment, transportation, quarantine accommodations, flight arrangements, etc.) due to illness or injury. It is recommended that you begin an insurance claim when seeking medical treatment, as most insurance companies will assist directly with logistics should you be required to separate from the group.
GOMEGA Travel & Tours will not provide reimbursement for any expenses or missed portions of the tour.
Reimbursement requests should be directed to your travel insurance company. GOMEGA Travel & Tours will be happy to assist you with any tour- related documentation to support your claim.
PREPARING FOR TRAVEL
Passport Requirements: An original, signed passport valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond your intended return date is required to enter and depart . Please ensure that your name on your passport matches all travel documents we have issued. If this is not the case, please contact us immediately. Please note that as the passenger, you are responsible for observing regulations and that non-compliance may result in travel being rejected. Tip: Keep a photocopy of your passport’s identification page stored separately from your passport. You should also keep a digital copy on your mobile device, and a copy with your emergency contact at home.
Visas: American citizens do not require an entry visa to enter the Republic of or Northern and can visit for up to 90 days without a visa. Citizens from other countries may require a valid visa. These requirements change often, and therefore it is best to check with the Embassy of or the British Embassy for the most up-to-date visa information.
Medications: Please remember to fill any prescriptions you may require and ensure you pack them in their original packaging.
Money: Make sure that your ATM and credit card(s) are active. Also, it is a good idea to alert your bank(s) and/or credit card companies about where and when you’ll be traveling to ensure your foreign transactions are not flagged for suspicious activity.
Luggage: We assume you will be traveling with 1 checked and 1carry-on piece of luggage. Please attach the GOMEGA Travel & Tours luggage tag(s)on the handle of the suitcase(s) you will check. Please inform GOMEGA Travel & Tours if you will be traveling with additional luggage.
Lanyard: You need to wear your name tag each day of the tour as it will identify you at airports, hotels, and sites, as well as help us get to know one another.
ON ARRIVAL
Our aim is to ensure that you experience fast, responsive and 24/7 support throughout your trip. As such, you will find all pertinent contact telephone numbers contained in your final travel documents. Please feel free to call our team should you have any questions or concerns.
If you booked a private airport transfer, you will be met by your driver, who will be holding up a sign with your name on it. If your flight is delayed or you miss a connection, please use the contact numbers provided in your final travel documents to alert us so that you will be met at your new arrival time.
Of course, if you have any questions about our in-destination support to your journey, please don’t hesitate to contact GOMEGA Travel & Tours.
INTERNATIONAL GROUP AIRFARE
You should arrive at the airport about 3 hours ahead of the departure time, to check-in. Group reservations do not allow passengers to access their booking via the airline website-this is due to confidential information of the other group passengers in the booking. Therefore, you must check in at the airport for your international flight. The airline is required to check your passport, visas (if needed), and other documents to board the plane. Some airlines now do this online, by asking you to upload proper documentation, but most still require checking-in at the airport especially for group reservations.
If your flights have not been booked through the GOMEGA Travel & Tours Air team, it is important that you let us know about any changes in your flight itinerary.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
If you have purchased a travel insurance policy through GOMEGA Travel & Tours, you will find documentation in an email from the travel insurance provider. You will need to print the policy and include it in your travel documents. For those passengers that did not purchase a travel insurance policy through GOMEGA Travel & Tours, please make sure to include your Confirmation of Coverage or Declaration of Coverage in your travel documents.
SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT
Depending on your citizenship, your government may offer a free travel registration service. American citizens can submit their travel plans online and in the event of a natural disaster or civil unrest, your government can provide you with necessary information or assistance. Here is the American link: https://step.state.gov/step/
TRAVEL LIKE A LOCAL
Payment Methods and Currency
The Republic of and Northern use two distinct currencies. The local currency in the Republic of is the euro, while Northern uses its own pound sterling, a version of the British pound sterling. While some vendors in Northern are happy to accept euro as payment, the pound sterling is not accepted in the Republic. It’s best to have both currencies on hand if your journey takes you to the Republic and Northern . Debit and major credit cards are widely accepted, but please note that small transactions by card may incur a transaction fee. Some shops, restaurants, and vendors may not accept payment by card, so having cash on hand is recommended, especially for small transactions. ATMs are easy to find in most major cities, towns, and villages to withdraw cash should you need it, though we suggest bringing some cash with you on arrival.
Electricity and Voltage
In and Northern , the standard voltage is 220-240 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz. The plug is Type G, which has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. We suggest a multi-adaptor with different plug configurations. Also, ensure that you have a power converter for any appliances like a hair dryer or curling iron, as the voltage may not be compatible.
Cell Phones and Internet
Always check with your cell phone provider to find out about roaming plans before you travel. If your smartphone is unlocked, you can also purchase a pre-paid SIM card upon arrival in , which you can find at the airport or local supermarkets and mobile phone shops. Many public spaces like the airport, restaurants, and cafes will offer free Wi-Fi which you can log on to use. In most populated areas you will be able to connect to either 3G, 4G, or 5G networks, though in more remote areas your cell phone signal may be limited. Tip: The country code for the Republic of is +353, and for Northern , it’s +44.
CUSTOMS & CULTURAL NORMS
is a country well-known for making everyone feel welcome, and North Americans can feel at ease when traveling through the island. With that said, there are some cultural norms that may be useful to know a little bit about before your trip.
Accent – Every region of has its own accent, and while it may be enticing to try to replicate them, it’s often frowned upon to do so.
Politics – Politics is always a hot topic in . Like most places, it’s best to avoid discussing politics. With that said, if you are in Northern and wish to learn more, people are generally quite happy to discuss their experiences when politely asked to do so.
Pubs – Often, Irish life centers around the local pub. Music, dance, and merriment can be found in most pubs. If someone starts singing in a pub, it is customary for everyone to be quiet until the singer finishes the song.
Thanking the bus driver – Nobody gets off a bus in without personally thanking the bus driver!
Driving – In , driving is on the left side of the road. A road only needs to be wide enough for two cars to pass each other (with their wing mirrors tucked in) to be a road. You will find you have many close encounters on Irish roads, either with other vehicles, farm vehicles, or even sheep. It is customary to wave at other vehicles as you drive past them on country roads.
WEATHER
The weather in can change on a whim, and as the saying goes, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” Truer words could not be spoken when considering what to pack for .
Irish weather tends to be quite mild in the summer months but cooler and can be wet in the spring, autumn, and winter months. With that in mind, it is best to pack clothing that you can easily layer as well as a warm rain jacket and waterproof footwear. Some sights are in remote areas with uneven ground, so comfortable walking or hiking shoes are a good idea. People tend to get fairly dressed up for evenings out in , so don’t be afraid to pack your Sunday best for a night out.
LUGGAGE
Since you may be on the move quite frequently during your trip, our advice is to pack as lightly as possible and choose durable luggage that can withstand rigorous use. We recommend limiting your luggage to 1 piece of checked baggage and 1 piece of carry-on baggage per traveler. Please always consult with your airline carrier for detailed luggage requirements and luggage restrictions specific to your international and internal flights.
VALUABLES
No matter how safe a destination may be, tourists can be easily targeted for theft. As a result, and even with being a safe country, we strongly urge you to leave your valuable belongings, including excess cash and jewelry, at home. Please review your personal insurance policy to make sure you are adequately covered for the belongings you do plan to take with you. We assume no responsibility for personal belongings left behind, although we will always do our best to help you recover them. Additionally, hotels will not compensate their travelers for theft from the hotel premises.
USEFUL APPS FOR YOUR TRIP
With growing technology comes an increase in user-friendly mobile apps to assist on your journey. Here are some apps we think you might find useful:
XE Currency Exchange App is a trusted resource for daily currency exchange rates around the globe. is a trusted resource for daily currency exchange rates around the globe.
The Google Translate App is always handy to help with new words and pronunciation.
The Weather Channel App is an excellent way to stay up to date with the weather forecast all over the world.
If you need more details or have any questions, please contact us.
