Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read our general FAQs, where you can find essential information that applies to all of our programs.

Resources to Learn & Teach about Ireland

Visit our recommended reading page to see the list of books GEEO recommends reading before your program (this is not required reading). We also have lesson plans and Pinterest boards that may be useful for you as you learn about your destination and prepare to bring lessons back to your classroom.

Terms and Conditions

It is very important for you to visit our Terms and Conditions page before signing up for this program.

GEEO Program Confirmation Process

We require a minimum of 6 participants for most GEEO programs. We officially confirm that a program will run once at least 8 people have signed up, which provides a margin for individual cancellations. Nearly all GEEO programs ultimately meet this enrollment quota, and in the rare event that a program does not meet the minimum requirement and GEEO cancels the program, we will work with you to find a suitable alternative or provide a refund of your deposit if you prefer. We encourage you to sign up for any program that interests you, and we will notify the entire group once 6 people are booked and again once 8 people are booked. We always emphasize the importance of exercising caution when making non-refundable travel arrangements, especially given the unpredictable nature of travel. For example, we typically recommend booking flights with flexible change/cancellation policies.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted to GEEO in written form by emailing your request for cancellation to travel@geeo.org. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your written cancellation request, please call us at 1-877-600-0105. Verbal cancellation requests will not be honored.

• If you cancel 60 days or more prior to the start of your program, all payments will be refunded excluding your $350 deposit, which is kept on file for future use and never expires. (Exception for participants who receive grants from our university partners: To address disruption caused by cancellation from grant recipients, deposits paid by grant recipients are forfeited upon cancellation.)
• If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to the start of your program, you will receive a 50% refund and your deposit will be kept on file for future use and will never expire.
• If you cancel within 30 days prior to the start of your program, you will receive no refund, but your deposit will be kept on file for future use and will never expire.

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Trip Notes & Expectations

Before you decide to travel with GEEO, it is important that you read all of the information about the program contained on this page. Our programs are quite adventurous, and we find that clients who read the trip details in full are happier with their experiences.

1. ACCOMMODATION: The purpose of the accommodation is to provide a safe, well-located place for you to sleep. On this trip you will primarily stay in small family-run hotels or pensions, which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators or air-conditioning, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. Important: Single room accommodations in European hotels are often smaller, and may not be to the same service level as double-occupancy rooms.
2. LUGGAGE/PACKING: You must be able to easily carry or roll your luggage, so do not over-pack.
3. ACTIVITY LEVEL & PACE: This trip includes light walking and optional moderate hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels. The hike on the Cliffs of Moher can be difficult for some people, but you don't have to do the whole hike if you let your tour leader know in advance. It also can be muddy, so boots are handy there. We recommend always carrying snacks with you. Meals can sometimes be far apart.
4. GROUP LEADER: Please make sure you understand the role of your tour leader on this trip. All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure's group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. Our itineraries often have plenty of free time to explore on your own. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.

Single Travelers

Half of GEEO’s participants travel by themselves, so please don’t worry if you do not have a travel companion for your trip. Our program fee is for one traveler in double-occupancy accommodation, and GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender if you do not have a travel companion. Most of our programs have a “My Own Room” option, also known as a “Single Supplement,” which is an extra fee that you can pay to have a room to yourself. You will only incur an additional charge if you specifically request a single room. To see the price for the “My Own Room” option, please find your program on our extra services page. If you want to room alone, please email travel@geeo.org to request a single room.

Emergency Contacts

Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local G Adventures office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS G Adventures UK office (9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.): +44 20 7243 9870 For absolute emergencies after office hours, please contact +44 1858378000 If you are unable for any reason to contact the local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with the 24-hour Sales team, who will happily assist you. Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100 Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000 Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000 Calls from Australia: 1300 796 618 Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307 Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Packing List

Please read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. No XXL bags please! A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person plus a daypack per person. Suggested Checklist

• Raincoat/waterproof shell jacket – Ireland gets a lot of rain
• Umbrella
• Warm fleece top or packable down jacket
• Personal clothing for mild weather (50's and 60's F) that fluctuates throughout the day – we recommend packing 8 outfits so you don't have to do laundry
• Sturdy walking, hiking, or running shoes
• Daypack
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Water bottle
• Watch or alarm clock (or use your phone)
• Toiletries – important: some hotels do not give you soap and shampoo
• Camera (or use your phone)
• Insect repellent
• First-aid kit, including lip salve, Aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking

Optional Checklist

• Travel pillow
• Money belt
• Phone/tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
• Chargers for electronics as well as converters/adapters, if needed
• AirTags or Tile trackers
• Packing cubes
• Earplugs
• Snacks – packing a few granola bars is a good idea; you can buy snacks when you get there too, so don't go crazy here
• Ziplock bags
• Reading/writing material
• Hand sanitizer/baby wipes

Document Checklist

• Passport (with photocopies)
• Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
• Travel insurance ID card
• Flight itinerary/boarding pass(es)
• USD/EUR cash
• Credit/debit card
• G Adventures vouchers
• GEEO Classroom action plans for your group – this is sent a few days before departure

Laundry

We recommend bringing enough clothes so you don't have to do laundry during the trip. You won't be sweating much, so it should be pretty easy. Laundry facilities may be offered by some hotels for a fee. You can also use a local laundromat, if necessary.

Passports and Visas

All GEEO programs require that the participant have a valid passport. Please see our general FAQ for information on obtaining a passport. As with all of our trips, we try to provide the most accurate information we can, but governments sometimes change visa rules. It is your responsibility to double check the information we provide below by searching the U.S. State Department's International Travel Guidance. U.S. citizens do not need a visa to travel to Ireland or Northern Ireland (the UK). Non-American participants should check with their government and local Irish Embassy and British Embassy to find out if they need a visa.

Money Exchange

Ireland is part of the Eurozone and uses the common currency, the euro (EUR), while Northern Ireland uses the British pound (GBP). As currency exchange rates fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com. We recommend that you obtain cash from ATMs while traveling; they will dispense the local currency. We do, however, recommend that you bring at least $200 USD in cash for emergency use or in case you have trouble with the ATMs. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, but you may be charged an international transaction fee; ask your financial institution about their international fees. Please note that if you are carrying U.S. dollars, the bills should be in good condition (i.e., not torn, wrinkled, or marked on in any way) and dated recently.

Tipping

It is customary in Europe to leave a small tip for service providers, such as waiters, if you are pleased with the service (€1-2 EUR for snacks or 10% of a meal bill). Tipping is an expected, though not compulsory, component of this program and an expression of satisfaction with the people who assist you on your trip. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There will be opportunities during the trip to tip your local guides or drivers. You may do this individually, or your tour leader may offer to collect the money and give a tip on behalf of the group. Recommendations for tipping local guides and drivers range from €3-5 EUR per person per day, depending on the quality and length of the service. Ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and expectations. Also, at the end of your program, if you felt your G Adventures tour leader did an outstanding job, a tip would be appreciated. The amount is entirely your personal preference, but as a guideline, €30-40 EUR per person per week would be appropriate.

Flights

We find the best prices for flights are often available around 90-120 days before departure, but of course this varies greatly from route to route and year to year. You should wait until this trip is confirmed before you book non-refundable flights. GEEO and G Adventures bear no responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed. This program begins in Dublin and ends in Belfast. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Dublin, which usually means departing the U.S. one days prior. You may want to arrive in Ireland one or more days early in case you have flight disruptions. You can arrive at any time you choose, but try to make it in time for our 6:00 p.m. Welcome Meeting on Day 1. You can depart from Belfast at any time on the final day of the trip, or stay later to see more of the city. If you booked a round-trip flight to Dublin, there are convenient and affordable transfer options from Belfast to Dublin, including direct trains to Dublin Connolly station with Irish Rail (2-2.25 hrs) or buses with DublinExpress, Aircoach, and Translink.

Plugs and Converters

There are two components to provide external power to your device: adapters and transformers (also called electrical converters). The adapter is for your device's plug, adapting the prongs on a standard U.S. two- to three-pronged power cord to fit the local outlets. The transformer/converter changes the local voltage to the voltage used in the U.S. Ireland and Northern Ireland use British-style Type G outlets with three square prongs, and the voltage is 220-240V. (Standard U.S. electrical outlets are 120V.) Most new devices, including phones and laptops, are made to work with the different voltage rates, but some devices, like hair dryers, may only work on the U.S. standard of 120V. Check your device's plug or manual to see what voltage range it requires. Most transformer blocks will have an “Input” line that defines its voltage capacity; for example, “Input: 100-240V” means that it will work with voltages between 100V to 240V. If your device can’t handle the higher voltage, you’ll need to purchase a transformer/converter. You can find world transformers/converters online or at many retail stores in the travel section.

Weather

Irish weather can be unpredictable, so the Irish like to discuss it. The warmest months of the year are July and August, when you will get about 18 hrs of daylight and it gets dark only after 11:00 p.m. Hence the well-worn phrase in Ireland: "Sure, there's a grand stretch in the evenings." Even at the peak of summer, it is still quite mild, with highs typically in the 60s F and lows in the 50s F. You will almost surely get some rain showers during your trip, but they don't tend to last too long.

🗣️ Advice From Past Participants

"The weather is unpredictable. Dress in layers. Bring a coat so you won't get sick. You'll probably wear it every day. Always carry an umbrella and/or a waterproof jacket. It's definitely worth hiking the Cliffs of Moher. Irish pub music is fun!" "In Ireland, they like CASH, especially for food, and many places were reluctant to take credit cards. Most people came expecting to use credit cards for their meals. Also, most purchases had a value-added tax of about 20%, which you could try and recoup later if you asked the merchant for a form (a big pain)." "Most travelers brought very small suitcases or duffel bags. I had a medium/large suitcase, which was not a problem since we did not need to carry it often. However, I don't think several suitcases of that size would have fit on our bus. "This was made pretty clear on your website, but you need sturdy shoes most days. The Cliffs of Moher path is slippery when wet, and there were some hills to walk up during stops along the Ring of Kerry." "All but one hotel had soap provided and all but one had a blow dryer provided."