[Travelandtourism] I have to share with you my clients tripto Ireland

[sharon howerton]

I was part of a choir pilgrimage to Ireland in March of this year and had 
many of the same feelings. My friend and I were the only ones who are blind 
among this group of 43, but our group included our director's son who was 
then 21 months old to our oldest singer who was 83. Most of us are 60 or 
over. This was our choir's third trip to Europe and, by far, the most 
accessible. Even the Blarney Castle had good hand rails! We visited many of 
these same places, sang at many. I'd go back in about 30 seconds!
Sharon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Susan Tabor" <souljourner at sbcglobal.net>
To: "'NFB Travel and Tourism Division List'" <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 3:24 PM
Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] I have to share with you my clients tripto 
Ireland


> This is wonderful, Cheryl! Thanks for your post!
> Susan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of cheryl 
> echevarria
> Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 1:05 PM
> To: cheryl echevarria
> Subject: [Travelandtourism] I have to share with you my clients trip to
> Ireland
>
> Good afternoon all:
>
> I had a couple just return from Ireland yesterday, they were over there 
> from
> August 4-14, 2011
>
> Just got off the phone with them and they had an awesome time. She is 
> blind,
> he uses a manual wheelchair, but kept it under the bus so he had it if he
> needed it.
>
> They were in Dublin (which they both couldn't say enough about), so
> accessible wheelchair cuts, everywhere, talking or beeping lights, all
> hotels had talking elevators and braille, as well as she said that the 
> hotel
> key cards had special holes so you knew which way the key went into.
>
> The were in Dublin, Sligo, Galway, Limerick and Killarney
>
> Everyone there was wonderful. Even in the smaller towns.
>
> They went on an escorted tour, not an accessible tour with other blind or
> disabled people
>
> She said that Ireland put the US to shame on how they treat people with
> disabilities there.
>
> There were even handicapped bathrooms in some of the older museums and
> castles they went to.
>
> Some places she said you cannot see, or feel or touch, but the food, and
> entertainment and the people made it all enjoyable.
>
> Here is what they did on the tour.
>
> Your trip begins in Dublin, Ireland's capital. First, see the famous 
> sights
> of Dublin and take an excursion to the fascinating passage graves in the
> Boyne Valley. An orientation tour of Dublin includes a visit to Oscar
> Wilde's Trinity College, famous for the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells. Then
> visit Strokestown House for a guided tour of the restored 1740s mansion.
> Learn about the Great Famine of the 1840s at the Famine Museum. Experience
> beautiful Donegal on the Atlantic Coast and visit Kylemore Abbey, a 
> massive
> yet graceful castle acquired by Benedictine nuns as a precious heirloom 
> for
> Ireland. At Rathbaun Farm, hear all about sheep shearing and dog 
> whistling.
> For another unique experience, take a short ferry ride to the
> Gaelic-speaking Aran Islands to hear from your Local Guide about island
> community life. At the Cliffs of Moher, rising 668 feet above the Atlantic
> Ocean, savor breathtaking views of the Clare Coast. In Limerick, enjoy a
> city tour and visit King John's Castle. Then travel to Killarney and enjoy
> sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses,
> winding lanes, and breathtaking views of the Lakes of Killarney on the
> scenic Ring of Kerry drive. Travel to Blarney, known for its castle and
> magical Kissing Stone, and Waterford, where you visit the Waterford 
> Crystal
> Factory. Visit Powerscourt, Ireland's most famous house and gardens, 
> before
> returning to Dublin, where your Ireland vacation ends. Due to the
> adventurous style of the Aran Islands excursion, we recommend you bring
> suitable outdoor wear and comfortable shoes
>
> So I hope you will take a chance and enjoy a wonderful trip to Ireland one
> day!
>
> Remember to contact me to make your reservations as well.
>
> Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
>
> Cheryl Echevarria
> http://www.echevarriatravel.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.com/>
> 631-456-5394
> reservations at echevarriatravel.com<mailto:reservations at echevarriatravel.com>
> _______________________________________________
> Travelandtourism mailing list
> Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Travelandtourism:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/souljourne
> r%40sbcglobal.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Travelandtourism mailing list
> Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> Travelandtourism:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/shrnhow%40att.net