Guess what day it is?

That's right - for most of us it is the day before we depart the US of A for Ireland.  I am so happy this day is finally here!  Yip Yip Hurray

Ok here are the two final checklists - I won't be posting tomorrow and I will see most of you Saturday!!  Bonjour my friends!

 

Day of Travel

Check flight status!!

Make sure you have all your paperwork:

              Passport

              Boarding Passes

              Copy of passport

              Credit card bank info

              Driver’s license in case you need to rent a car

             

Make sure you have your credit and debit cards

 

Check your list of items that still need packed

 

Weigh your luggage to insure it is a little under regulation weight

 

Put luggage scale in carry-on

 

Make sure the fridge is empty

 

Run the dishwasher for the last time

 

Take all trash out

 

Dress comfortably and don’t wear jewelry – put your jewelry in your carry-on until you are on the plane

 

Separate you liquids you plan to carry-on in a quart size baggie and place on top of your carry-on

 

Leave for the airport with enough time to arrive 3 hours early

 

Once on the plane set your watch to the time of the country where you will arrive

 

 

Arriving in Dublin

1)      First stretch and smile the long flight is over and you have arrived in Ireland – the Emerald Isle.

 

2)      If an arrival form is needed it will be distributed sometime during the flight by the flight attendants.  Most forms are per family and only one is required for an entire immediate family.  Complete the form while on the plane so that you can proceed to passport control immediately.

 

3)      Once you land and deplane you will go to Passport Control.  You really do not even have to worry about signs – just follow the crowd.  Pay attention and go in the line specified.  There will be one line for European Union passports and another for all others. Don’t go to the bathroom on the way because you will end up at the end of the line.  When asked why you are traveling to Ireland you can tell them you are on Holiday.  No one in Ireland calls it a vacation.  In fact I cannot name one country I have been to that calls it vacation.  Everyone says they are on Holiday.   Most countries will allow the entire immediate family to approach the passport control booth.  Don’t be nervous. 

 

4)      Once through Passport Control you will claim any luggage that was checked.  Most airports have boards that display luggage carousel information by flight.  Collect your luggage and head to Customs.

 

5)      You must go through customs.  This is quite easy in Ireland since you are coming into the country with nothing to declare.  Well unless you are carrying 10 thousand dollars in currency, firearms, or expensive jewelry.  That has never been an issue for us.  J  You will go through the Customs line that says “nothing to declare” (green channel).  This will take you outside of the restricted area to the arrivals hall.

 

6)      At this point we normally look for an ATM so that we can withdraw our first Euro. 

 

7)      The Hotel will provide transportation.  I have already emailed everyone concerning this.