The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce-organized trip to Ireland is fast approaching, and in anticipation of the journey, the chamber has launched a new, free club for travel enthusiasts.
Anyone in the community can join the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Travel Club and partake in perks like a pre-trip phone photography class, a special gift, and opportunities to give input on future travel destinations.
Chamber event coordinator Ellen Thomas said the club will also give community members a chance to connect before and after the upcoming Ireland trip.
The chamber has organized international travel for community members to a variety of destinations. Last year, a group of about 15 people ventured to Italy, which resident Patrice Fanning said she enjoyed immensely.
The self-described avid traveler said she’s also enjoyed participating in a trip to Cuba with The Paradise Center and other personal adventures. The Italy trip ranks among some of her favorite memories, especially the trip to Cinque Terre.
“When I heard about this trip, I was really excited because I had been to Italy several times before, but this was a whole new itinerary,” she said.
Fanning said she found the glass-blowing demonstrations to be particularly memorable and a trip highlight. While she appreciates solo travel, she also valued having the chance to make memories with fellow residents on the trip.
She considered going on this year’s trip, but had a unique reason to make other plans. Fanning is adopted, and several years ago, she reconnected with her family through genetic testing.
Resident Patrice Fanning said a highlight of her Italy trip last year was seeing live glass blowing demonstrations.
Now, she makes somewhat regular trips to visit her sister in Ireland. Fanning said she enjoys the country’s sweeping vistas, even when the country’s famous rain showers roll through the hills.
Fanning encourages anyone interested in traveling more to take the plunge. She looks forward to joining the travel club to hear about fellow travelers’ adventures and share stories of her own about her visits to Singapore and beyond.
While she greatly enjoys the international trips local organizations have planned in recent years, Fanning said she hopes to also soon see more options made available to club members interested in exploring locations closer to home.
Carl Monticelli, who is coordinating the Ireland trip through Jet Vacations, said participants have plenty to anticipate with this trip.
A gem of any international vacation is the food, and he said Irish cuisine is experiencing a sort of renaissance, incorporating food fusion to go beyond the Irish stew and soda bread that are typical go-to dishes for tourists.
Monticelli said one advantage of traveling with a group like the Chamber is the trip has a general structure, featuring hidden-gem restaurants and plans for unique outings. But participants also have the flexibility to adjust their own itineraries if, for example, there is a particular boutique they want to visit or trying a pub.
Special stops on the trip include the Cliffs of Moher and locations in Belfast and Dublin, he said.
This group departs from Tampa International Airport, though Monticelli noted travelers have some flexibility with their travel itineraries. Travelers have the option of adding travel to Scotland before the main Ireland trip, and London after.
The cost is $5,499 and includes round-trip airfare from TPA, four-star hotel accommodations, some meals, transportation to guided excursions and activities, and admission to scheduled sites.
The initial deadline to sign up for the trip is June 30, and the trip takes place from Sept. 22 to Oct. 2. Visit LongboatKeyChamber.com for registration details. Contact Jet Vacations at 1-855-538-0999 or [email protected].
The chamber plans to launch a webpage for registering to join the travel club in the coming weeks.
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