Libbi: we're doing our own arrangements for the time 'around' the show. I'm not much of a arranged tours person and as both danielamhave explored some of Ireland before, we've already seen most of the main spots that will be visited.
I opted to book the hotel / apartments via the iqfoi site as this seemed the easiest and we don't know the accommodation possibilities in the area.
I also booked the 3-day pass as that costs the same as two individual days and who knows, we might get a chance to visit again on Sunday morning.

Cannot believe that the second person could be so much more expensive, normally the second person is much lower as only extra coach space, entrance fees and meals required... Must be a glitch...

Am sitting in the hotel lobby on the 33rd floor of the Grand Hyatt Shenzhen - fabulous view - but very hazy today... Hope to geht a Fee pictures in the next Fee days...
As the big boss is here with us, and his nephew made the hotel bookings, we're living in style
Just wish we had more time to enjoy the great hotel

Smiles to all

Thanks for the info. I sent off one email and have now sent another to Susanne. If I don't get a response in the beginning of next week, I will be making my own arrangements. If we make our own arrangements in Dublin I would be looking for advice on finding a hotel in a central location near shops, restaurants, and sights--the tourist stuff.

I honestly don't know Libbi. I just booked my classes, 3-day pass and accommodation. I was disgusted with the booking fee which was much higher than I would normally pay for anything but that wouldn't hike it up by as much as you are being quoted. Maybe it's a glitch in the system. Have you emailed Susanne? Her email address is mailto:suz@iqfoi.com Maybe she can help you. Let me know where you are thinking of staying in Dublin and I can let you know if it's a good part of town.

First of all, excuse my spelling of that famous drink!
I had intended to book the flight into Dublin because the flights from Geneva are more convenient.
My confusion is over the pricing of the 7 day land package for 2. The price quoted is 1234 Euros for one but 3059 for 2. Nearly 3x the rate. If one selects the 5 day, it is about 709 Euros for 1 and 1178 for 2, less than 2x. It doesn't make financial sense. I could book the 5 day and find my own room in Dublin, with your help to make sure that we are in the right place. Or I could select 2 separate 7 day packages and indicate that we sould be sharing a room and still save about 600 Euros. I am sure that I could spend less than 1000 Euros for 2 nights accomodation and transport to and from the airport. We've travel in many of the major cities of Europe and some in Asia and no city tour bus would make the difference in cost. However I would pay a bit of a premium to have someone else to make the arrangements. Also two 3 day passes to the show don't cost that much. I don't expect hubby will spend 3 days touring the exhibits (LOL). I've written to the tour contact to find out why the price increases so dramatically when I select 2 people. Am I missing something here?

I have booked to do a seminar with Jinny Beyer and Ricky Tims (I've also booked tea with both of them) and a Sharon Pederson workshop. Lotti I think we are booked into the same apartment complex which is probably more than the 10 minute walk specified on the website - but don't quote me on that. I am going down on the evening of the 7th and returning to Wicklow on the 10th. I can't wait. Libbi, Lotti is right to suggest that you book your flights to and from Dublin. The other alternative would be to go direct to Shannon if you can. Galway is about 2/2 1/2 hours from Dublin and the same from Shannon. I tried to book accommodation independent of the festival but they have block booked everything in the area for the duration - very annoying as the prices are all hiked up to at least double what they would usually be Hope to see you there.

arrrrrrrrrgh - just wrote a long long long reply... and lost it all

libbi: fabulous that you are also planning to be in galway - and tell your hubby that it's definitely worth the visit !!!
as flights to the west of ireland all cost an arm and a leg - we'll be flying to and from dublin...
our schedule:
26 may: zurich - dublin - spend the night at an airport hotel (still have to book that)
27 may: bright and early - depending on when we got in in the evening - pick up car at dublin airport
27. may until 6 june: gadabout wherever the car takes us - generally we head into the direction of blue spots in the sky... follow the sun and our noses
7. june make sure we're in galway by late afternoon - have booked at Menlo Apartments 7th - 10th june
8. june: Convergende & Rhapsody Quilts with Ricky Tims - morning & afternoon
Wicked Thimble Pub Night
9. june: Musical Evening with Ricky Tims
10. june: driving back to dublin - flight out at 5 pm
and that's that
can't wait

...but first - i have to get to montreal (they're working on almost all the roads - so idiotic to get onto that island now - and the airport is unfortunately on the island)
from there to toronto by 9 am tomorrow - the pilots's have been forbidden to strike - so they've been calling in sick and loads of flights cancelled!!!
wish me luck - i have to catch that 10 am flight from toronto to hong kong tomorrow morning - and they better not cancel that one!!!

Libbi, I hope you get it organized somehow. We could have a hot whiskey (note the e in whiskey if it's Irish) together if you make it. The weather would probably be more suitable to a hot one!

I've been pretty quiet on the forum for a long time. Spent awhile getting the two new knees in shape and then the holidays, etc. But now I've convinced DH that we should go to Ireland for the quilt festival. Problem is I can't quite make any sense out of the pricing for the 7 day land tour for the 2 of us. The airfares are also kind of nuts from Geneva. So until I get those settled, I don't know if it's going to become a reality. I know I've missed out on the Grand Reception but if all goes well I am interested in any other activities that may be planned. DH is coming along for the Irish whisky!

Oh my, I'm just sitting here wishing I could go. Have fun and I hope to come someday if they have more.

Myself and three of my quilting buddies are all booked to go to the IQFOI from Thursday to Sunday. Anybody else going who hasn't declared themselves already?

I am working on a quilt that I hope will be ready in time to enter one of the exhibition categories - more on that later if I get it done.

Go for it, Rita! It would be lovely to see a picture of you, standing smiling, next to your quilt - large or small.

Has anybody entered a quilt into any of the various categories for the IQFOI? I just noticed that Carol Moeller has a miniature juried in. Anybody else? Anyone thinking of doing anything in time. I noticed that they seem to have extended their closing dates into March now, it was February. I would love to do something but I keep getting distracted by other things. I would particularly like to do a miniature as I have never done one. There is also a 'Chocolate Decadence" one which I might try for.

Thanks Cathy, but don't worry we will have a toast to absent friends! Or maybe two!

Rita and Lotti, I agree with Pam. Ricky's concert is a must. You will love it. And it will make the whole trip worthwhile, even if there was nothing else at the show. I'm sure you will have lots of fun. Wish I could go to the pub with you.