Rachel planned a memorable trip for us recently in Ireland and Northern Wales. One of the best parts of our trip was having a private driver while visiting Wales. Peter was professional but definitely had a fun side. He showed us places in Snowdonia that we would never have found on our own.
Our next private driver, Patrick, took us from Galway to Killarney with a stop at the Cliffs of Moher! He even did a quick detour to Limerick, which was much appreciated!
We had a few questions...
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Rachel planned a memorable trip for us recently in Ireland and Northern Wales. One of the best parts of our trip was having a private driver while visiting Wales. Peter was professional but definitely had a fun side. He showed us places in Snowdonia that we would never have found on our own.
Our next private driver, Patrick, took us from Galway to Killarney with a stop at the Cliffs of Moher! He even did a quick detour to Limerick, which was much appreciated!
We had a few questions during our trip and tour pick-up locations that needed to be clarified/confirmed, and the KimKim team was readily available to assist.
Hotel Reviews
Maldron Hotel Belfast City
Belfast
The Maldron Hotel Belfast City was located in a great location for restaurants and catching our day tour to the Giants Causeway. The bed was comfortable and the breakfast was good. We would stay here again.
Authenticity & Character
I would consider this more of a business hotel.
Location
Close to restaurants and the Crown Liquor Saloon (1820's pub) was a hoot!
Staff
Polite and helpful with a city map
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bed was comfortable and their scone with clotted cream and jam in the bar was heaven!!
Belmont Llandudno
Llandudno
This was probably the least liked hotel of our trip. Our room was toward the back of the hotel and was very small. It also had no ceiling fan or window that one could open wide so the room was uncomfortably warm. Thoughtfully the hotel provides a small fan (which should have been a clue) which helped a little, but not enough. There was a tiny space in which to put our small suit cases, with one being on the floor,
The hotel was close to restaurants and the boardwalk.
On the plus side, the breakfast was delicious and they had menu items you could order freshly made (i.e., avocado toast, Irish breakfast).
Authenticity & Character
It's an old building, so probably not much can be done.
Location
Close to restaurants and the boardwalk
Staff
The staff was pleasant and we felt welcomed.
Cleanliness & Comfort
A ceiling fan and/or air conditioner would be helpful.
The Castle Hotel is set within nine elegantly restored Georgian townhouses with rooms full of period pieces.
We had a fairly large room with a four poster bed and a nice sized bathroom. We had a choice between the full Irish breakfast or a ala carte selection.
Authenticity & Character
Size of the bedroom and that it was a 4 poster bed!!
Location
Depending on your interests, the location was fine for some cultural sites, but almost a 30 minute walk to Christ Church orTrinity College.
Staff
Front desk staff was pleasant and helpful with a city map
Cleanliness & Comfort
Comfortable bed, clean room
The Galmont Hotel & Spa
Galway
Business class hotel with nice sized room and comfortable bed. Delicious breakfast!
Authenticity & Character
Nice business hotel
Location
The location was excellent - short walking distance to Eyre Square and the Quay pedestrian street.
Staff
Staff was pleasant and provided city map
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean and comfortable
Killarney Plaza Hotel (O‘Donaghue Group)
Killarney
One of our favorite hotels on our trip Comfortable quiet room with enough room for side chairs and small table. Breakfast was delicious with good selection. The location was central for walking around town, the Jaunting cars and good restaurants!
Authenticity & Character
Well maintained older hotel.
Location
Perfect location for walking around town, the Jaunting cars and good restaurants!
Staff
Very helpful in storing our bags and providing directions to the train station (very walkable!)
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean and comfortable bed/room
Maldron Hotel South Mall Cork City
Cork Co. Cork
Business class hotel with attached restaurant (which was actually good) and typical ala carte breakfast. The room was comfortable but not outstanding. Location was walking distance from the train station and central shopping area.
Authenticity & Character
Typical business hotel
Location
It was walking distance from the train station and central shopping area
Staff
it was fine for a typical business type hotel.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bed was comfortable and room was clean
Quirky hotel in the central part of Dublin. Room was mid-sized but comfortable. The breakfast was typical ala carte fare.
Authenticity & Character
The hotel was long and narrow, with the rooms extending back from the main street. You could take the elevator up to what you thought was your floor, only to find that you needed to carry your bags up and down a few more steps to get to your room.
Location
Loved the location - this hotel was close to Trinity College, Christ Church, the Dublinia, Viking and Medieval Dublin museum as well as Temple Bar and restaurants.
Staff
They were pleasant but we didn't interact with them other than checking in/out.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bed was comfortable and clean room.
Activity Reviews
So nice to have a driver ready and on-time to take us from the hotel to the airport!
Belfast Political Taxi Tour
Belfast
We weren't really sure what to expect on this tour, but came away with a much clearer picture of "The Troubles" from 1968-1998. We made several short stops around both the Protestant and Catholic sections of Belfast with our guide explaining the significance of each location - often with graphic photos.
Our guide, Paul, was passionate about the conflict that is still going on today, and that I don't think people outside Belfast are aware.
Quality of Experience
This was a very moving tour and not for everyone.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Paul, our guide was very passionate about "The Troubles" He had friends who were killed and to this day, there are bars in the areas we drove through, where he would not enter for fear he would be beaten.
Transport
Comfortable van for this tour.
Giants Causeway Day tour (small group)
Belfast
This was a small group (~30) tour to the Giant's Causeway. The driver/guide was personable and pointed out many sights along the way!
Full day Exploring Castles with a Driver Guide
Llandudno
We were so fortunate to have Peter Vale as our driver for our time in Wales! After stopping at Caernarfon Castle, Peter took us to see Plas Mawr - one of the finest examples of an Elizabethan town house from the late 1500. Along the way, Peter stopped at several sights we would never have know about unless we were shown!
Quality of Experience
Northern Wales is so beautiful - more so when you have someone who knows the area as in depth as Peter does, to guide you!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Peter is the perfect guide and travel companion! He took into consideration what we might like to see and sprinkled in must see areas!
Transport
We were driven around in a Mercedes luxury van that was perfect for these day trips!
Private transfer
Liverpool
Our driver/guide, Peter Vale, picked us up from the airport when we arrived in Liverpool. We made stops to see Penney Lane and the club where the Beatles played.
On the way to Llandudno, we stopped at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct which was impressive! The view was incredible and walking across the bridge gave us a chance to stretch our legs and enjoy the scenary!
Peter also transported us back to the Liverpool airport.
Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center tickets
Wales
We were picked up in Galway by a private driver, Patrick, to take us to Killarney via Cliffs of Moher. Patrick was very informative and told us a lot about the area we were traveling through.
At the Cliff's of Moher, we spent a good hour hiking up to the different vantage points.
Afterwards, Patrick dropped us off at our hotel in Killarney.
Quality of Experience
The countryside around the Cliff's of Moher are beautiful!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Patrick was personable and very knowledgeable!
Transport
Patrick picked us up in a comfortable car.
Entry into Caernarfon Castle
Caernarfon
Caernarfon Castle is a very impressive structure to explore. It's worth a visit.
We've been on many food tours across Europe and we wanted to like this one, but it fell a bit short. Our first stop was a bar where we were served what the guide said was a dish that everyone eats in Galway - white bread with potato chips made into a sandwich. I could have done without this.
None of the other stops to me really showcased the food of Galway.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was nice but this tour just missed the mark
Ring of Kerry (small group day tour)
Killarney
We took a small group tour of Ring of Kerry. The countryside along the Ring is beautiful and our guide/driver was very knowledgeable.
Quality of Experience
Always good to see more of the beautiful countryside!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide/driver was full of information!
Transport
The mid-sized van/bus was comfortable.
Full day Exploring in Snowdonia with a Driver Guide
Wales
Our guide/driver, Peter Vale, was fantastic! He has intimate knowledge of the Snowdonia area in Northern Wales, and took us to his favorite sights, some of which aren't even in the guide book!!
Quality of Experience
I didn't know or realize how beautiful this part of Wales is!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
As always, Peter was the best companion/guide/driver for this day trip!
Transport
Mercedes luxury van - need I say more?
Killarney Combination Tour - Boat + Jaunting Car
Wales
We took the Jaunting car from right outside our hotel to Ross Castle. We didn't realize, but each Jaunting car is for just your group (in our case, just the two of us!). The driver was knowledgeable about the route and pointed out deer in the fields.
The boat part of the tour took us out around the lake where we could view a former monastery and enjoy the view of the countryside from the lake!
Trinity College Library : The Book of Kells Experience
Dublin
The Book of Kells is a one of a kind experience! We could easily have spent half a day just soaking up the information that was presented on the Book of Kells as well as the Trinity Library.
Free time in Dublin
Dublin
Nice to have free time to wander down the side streets of Dublin!
Local specialist: Rachel Long