As someone who has traveled extensively, I thoroughly enjoyed my recent tour of Ireland provided by Collette Tours, in partnership with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Johns Hopkins University. I’ve been an Osher at JHU member since 2014.
(Osher member, Emily Demske, visits and learns in Ireland.)
Enrolling in the “Shades of Ireland” trip was easy, and Collette Tours delivered on its advertised features. Most of my fellow travelers had enrolled through other organizations, so this trip might not have been available to an independent tourist. Although there was only one other Osher member in our group of 42, there was a genuine camaraderie within the group, comprising a wide range of ages and places of origin (all within the U.S.). Our tour guide, Conor, and our bus driver, Keith, were both extraordinarily knowledgeable about their homeland and kept the group informed, entertained, and on schedule in a professional, friendly manner.
The country itself is dramatically beautiful, with the Irish Sea, rolling green hills, staggering cliffs, grazing sheep, and ancient castles studding the landscape. The cities and towns were charming, with many pubs, and flower boxes in the windows of the old, stone structures. We saw a performance of Irish dancing, a sheep dog demonstration (there’s more to herding than one would think!), went to a castle for a medieval banquet (including musical entertainment), visited the Guinness brewery, and toured a whiskey distillery. We also had plenty of opportunities to shop for Irish woolen goods and other local products. Our final night was spent in the magnificent Cabra Castle, built in the 17th century, and now a luxury hotel. I would highly recommend Collette Tours and hope to sign on for a future adventure.
Learn more about travel opportunities with Osher at JHU.