“Hi, it’s me, Sean.  I went onto your site and I just have to say thank you to you guys!  I had the best time in Ireland, and I don’t think I could have said the same with any other tour group!  Not only did you deal with us, (a bunch of middle schoolers), but you let us experience Ireland in an intimate fashion that was suitable for our age group.  The places we went and stayed were fantastic!  I don’t know if anyone else could have picked better spots!  I would recommend you to anyone, and I hope to see you soon, (maybe my senior trip).  Well thanks so much for everything!”

Sean Forester  (Drake Middle School)

“We just got back from Ireland late last night… Wow…What a great trip!  Thank you, thank you, thank you for the best experience of our life time!  My wife was elated with the horses, riding in carriages over to Leap Castle, which was tremendous.  She drove the carriage as well as I and what a great time.  Then we met Sean Ryan and his family, what gracious people.  They opened up their home, (castle) and treated us like family.  We spent the afternoon as well as lunch with them.  We toured the castle and had a chance to just sit around the dining room table and just visit.  We heard all about the castle as well as seeing the top floor which had not been opened in over 400 years.  What a difference between over there and here, our country hasn’t even been in existence that long!  We learned so much and experienced so much that I couldn’t possibly detail it all.  I am anxious to get our pictures back.  We feel we have life long friends!  John took us on another fantastic day up in the mountains on horseback.  He matched the horses to riders perfectly.  My wife loved her horse and mine fit me perfectly.  We had the ride of our lives and as you know we have ridden horses several years.  Our ride was more than ever anticipated.  We climbed hills, posted, trotted, galloped, and my wife thinks that she was in a dead run for a couple of times when she rode beside John!  The scenery was just magnificent and beyond words.  The castle stay and food was superb, our room was on the very top, in the middle looking out the front, we loved it!  It was hard to leave yesterday morning.  I want to end this by offering references, testimonials, anything you might need.  We know we will return someday and there are several individuals who we are telling about Ireland and the horses, which we know will someday result in a call to you.  In closing, to you we are grateful for the fantastic way you set this up and your attention to detail.  It would never have been possible without you!  The best vacation we have ever taken.”

Rod & Karen Landrum

“You guys were wonderful. You helped us have a great trip through her knowledge.  You were always available to re-assure us of any of our concerns night or day.”

Kerry Mellin

“Allen was excellent.  He returned all calls promptly, listened to my needs and wants, and matched this trip perfectly.”

Susan Sibert

“We wanted to tell you that you made a very good choice.  Thank you for an excellent vacation!  In having us stay at Kinnitty Castle and also having John for our riding guide.  He couldn’t have been more personable.  He was a joy to be around.  I appreciated his patience with both of our riding skills and also his belief in us that we could do some of the things we didn’t think we could.  Ireland is a beautiful country with wonderful, hospitable people.”

Dawn Renner

“Thank you so much for taking us, I loved it.  There are tons of great memories and I loved everywhere that we stayed.  Kinnitty Castle was so cool and I would definitely stay there again.  I liked how we got to experience the culture of Ireland and not just going to touristy places.  It was all really fun!  If anyone asks me if they think I should go, I would say yes, without a doubt.  I think that every hour that I worked and babysat was worth every second of it.  I could not have asked for a better trip and I am really glad that I did save the money to go.  I think it was probably one of the best things I will ever do in my life and I could not have asked for any more.  We all felt like family and that was really important.” 

Ireland Student Participant

“When it comes to vacation specialists, there are none better than the group at BTC.  They introduced me, my daughter, sister-in-law, and family friend to the grandeur of Ireland-FIRST CLASS!  We stayed at high end castles, ate delicious food, met friendly people, and enjoyed our adventure to the fullest.  From carriage rides, castles, churches, Leap Castle dinner and entertainment (private parties only) thanks to them.  Phone home cards were made available and because they have traveled to Ireland some 30 or more times, we felt like guests in their private castles!  We have been ready to return there since our toes touched back on American soil.  We had plenty of free time too—to enjoy our own favorite things.  The heritage of my relatives made me appreciate more of my lineage.  We had beautiful weather, an intimate group of 13, and friendships that will last forever—and photos galore to remind us of our explorations of the Emerald Isle.”

Jane, Deb, Marlene and Pat

“My favorite part was staying in castles and kissing the Blarney Stone.  Even though the itinerary was busy, we had the opportunity to do so many things we never thought we could do.  It was spectacular!  I would recommend this trip because it’s a chance to travel and feel a different culture.  It can really open you eyes to what is out there.  You are learning a lot, but at the same time, you are having a great time.  I thought the chaperones all did a wonderful job.  What I thought was nice was that it didn’t feel like you were with teachers.  It felt more like you were with friends/family.”

Katie

“ I liked the first night of Washington D.C. the best because there weren’t a lot of people at the memorials and they were beautiful!  That night I made new friends.  This trip is something I will always remember. I would recommend the trip and would like to travel with you to Ireland now.”

Dani

I liked getting to see all of the different places and definitely the people.  My favorite place that we visited was Williamsburg. The ghost tour was awesome!  I would definitely recommend this trip to my friends because it’s an opportunity to travel without your parents and see tons of different stuff.”

Nicole