Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Dublin Hop On, Hop Off Tour














Read about our intern's trip around Dublin on the Hop On - Hop Off Bus Tour.

Exploring all there is to see in a new city can sometimes seem daunting, especially if you’re visiting for just a short period of time, but in Dublin it’s not a problem at all with the City Sightseeing Dublin Hop On – Hop Off Bus Tour. This affordable tour (2 kids under 14 free with every fare paying adult!) allows you two days of sightseeing to Dublin’s biggest attractions! The tour is guided by the driver who provides helpful information, tips and laughs. The greatest part of it all is that as soon as you come across something you would like to explore you can get off at your leisure, do what you want and catch the next tour bus coming by. With a new bus every fifteen minutes it’s a breeze! Imagine, “front door service” to Trinity College, Grafton Street, Christ Church, Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin Zoo, the Jameson Distillery and more! No paying for taxis or figuring out what buses to take. Hop on the tour at any of its 24 stops at any time that suits you. It is completely at your convenience! And to top it off your tour ticket will also get you discounts at certain attractions.

For my tour I chose a seat in the lower level of the bus since it was early and still a little cold. However, any warmer and I would have been in the open-air top level basking in the sun. The driver was exceptionally kind and helpful (even at 9:30am!) and during the tour I was particularly intrigued by the deer we spotted in Phoenix Park, the Dublin Zoo (also in Phoenix Park) and Kilmainham Gaol, all amazing ways to spend a day or two in Dublin. Overall the Dublin Hop On-Hop Off tour offers you the biggest bang for your buck and is the best and only way to see all that Dublin City has to offer.

Tickets for the tour can be purchased at Sandymount Hotel's Reception, where we can also give you advice on tourist sights to visit and things to do during your stay.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Viking Splash Tour




Our intern has been out and about seeing the sights of Dublin again, this time with Viking Splash Tours.

Learn To Roar Like A Viking!

Having been on a few walking tours of Dublin I found the Viking Splash Tour to be a refreshing take on touring the city. I climbed aboard the big yellow boat on wheels and was sure to put on a signature Viking helmet, horns and all! A group of children celebrating a tenth birthday anxiously awaited the start of the tour, the parents accompanying them just as happy and excited to be there. Our tour guide, dressed in his Viking costume, immediately started in with plenty of humour and kept it coming throughout the entire tour. For the full hour and fifteen minutes I did not stop laughing and the best part was that I walked away with new knowledge too! For instance, did you know that the Dawson Lounge is the smallest pub in Dublin and it can only hold 36 people? Or that the “urban forest” in front of the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre cost 8 million dollars to complete? Plenty more bits of information about the city were shared throughout the journey but you’ll have to take the tour yourself to find out!

The absolute best part of the tour was roaring at people on the streets. Before departing, your tour guide is sure to teach you the best and loudest way to do it. The goal is to get the most unsuspecting travellers. Only until you do so will you understand the real fun of it! The length of the tour (one hour and fifteen minutes) was perfect, not too long, not too short and worth every cent! And yes, the boat on wheels does actually go into the water. After the boat is transformed by yellow floats and you make a quick switch into life jackets it’s time for the switch from land to water. Explore the Docklands and even see U2’s recording studio! Circle the water and make the climb back on land for the trip back. The humour, sights and sounds make this adventure enjoyable for adults and children alike.