Ballymaloe & Cork Traveller Reviews

An excellent holiday, in every way

First class

Stayed at the lovely Ballymaloe House Hotel. Very comfortable and delicious food. Helpful and polite staff . Days quite long due to the traveling needed. But worth it. All arrangements very efficient and helpful with good information about all arrangements.

Tom was very knowledgable with a good sense of humour. He gave us History of the country and people. Also of the Houses and Gardens and owners that we visited. He had entrees to places that others might not get. Many friends and very personable. He had an extremely good and amusing delivery of all his extensive knowledge . Very much enjoyed his company.

An interesting house and garden tour, based on the outstanding Ballymaloe country house hotel. We were blessed with perfect weather.

We have travelled with Cicerroni many times and their service is always first class.

Travel arrangements were efficient. The Ballymaloe Hotel was excellent, much of the food produced in the vegetable garden , delicious gooseberries cooked with elderflower. Meals well balanced, good choice each evening so one could have a different meat/fish each night over five nights, bread was delicious; breakfast had a wide range of fruit and cereal and a good cooked breakfast. Our trips and visits were all excellent, two unique gardens where we were shown around by the creators and owners whose enthusiasm was wonderful - one had begun to create his 2 acre garden when he retired - everyone learnt something, many a lot. The Georgian houses were all different and the visits both inside and out were full of gems and information. Our journey to each house was filled with a lecture by Tom on Irish history from Norman times through to today - his breadth of knowledge and ability to mention and point and then return to it to elaborate is second to noe. His humour is wodnerful. An excellent holiday but take a portable seat if you do not like standing when listening to Tom tell you about pictures, building etc!

Ciceroni is efficient, they arranged for people to arrive from several different UK airports and to fly back there. Information in advance is good. A personal feel.

As ever, Tom Duncan was erudite,witty and humorous and highly entertaining. He opened our eyes to new aspects of Irish history and houses. He works you hard but it is worth it. Outstanding food at the hotel. Bernard Coe

Meticulous planing and execution