First home away from home for the Greeley Chorale: The Park Inn by Radisson Belfast

The Greeley Chorale travelers will be staying for the first three tour nights (Thursday May 30, Friday May 31 and Saturday June 1st, 2013) in Northern Ireland's charming and lively capital city Belfast, at the Park Inn by Radisson Belfast Hotel.

This stylish four star hotel is centrally located and has 145 rooms that include free wireless high-speed internet.
Each room features a flat-screen television. The bathrooms are furnished with complimentary toiletries, a hair dryer and a shower with sunflower head. There is an onsite fitness center with flat-screen TVs that includes a sauna and steam room. 

The hotel restaurant RBG Bar & Grill is open 24 hours and is famous for its delicious sizzling steaks served directly from the grill. Here you can take a look at their latest menu. 

The Park Inn by Radisson Belfast Hotel is centrally located and just a few minutes away from Belfast's must-sees such as Victoria Square and St. Anne's Cathedral.
There are also restaurants, bars and pubs close to the hotel as well as shopping malls.
A very convenient hotel service is the direct line to the preferred taxi company - Black Taxi Rank.
However with the Incantato Tour busses at your disposal you may not need a cab after all, especially since a lot of Belfast's sites are also within walking distance.

Travel Tips: Money Matters

Republic of Ireland

The euro is the currency of the Republic of Ireland. 
One euro consists of 100 cent. 
Notes are €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500. 
Coins are 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1 and €2. 

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, the currency is sterling. 
One pound sterling consists of 100 pence. 
Notes are £5, £10, £20, £50 and £100. 
Coins are 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2.

Credit Cards 

Any credit cards that bear the Visa, MasterCard or American Express symbol will be widely accepted in Ireland. Visitors with other cards should ask in advance or check if that card is on display where they wish to use it. 

Banks 

Banking hours are generally 10.00am to 4.30pm Monday through Friday. Some banks are open on Saturday. ATM (cash) machines are located at most banks and accept most credit and debit cards.

Traveller’s Cheques

Traveller’s Cheques are no longer widely accepted currency on the island of Ireland.

Exchange $100 bills in Ireland

Visitors may have difficulty exchanging $100 bills in Irish banks. For more information, please see the US Embassy Website.

For more information, be sure to visit the Tourism Ireland Official Website.

Travel Tip: Electricity in Ireland

The electrical supply in Ireland is 230v 50hz. The plugs and sockets are different from the USA and involve a three-pronged formation, the same as those used in the United Kingdom. If your appliances operate on a different current (such as those from North America) you will need a power converter and plug adapter.

A plug adaptor does not change the electricity supplied to the appliance, only allows it to be plugged into a different type of wall socket. If the appliance you are using supports dual voltage and dual frequency then a plate/tag will be located on the item stating "120/240v, 50/60Hz".

Most laptop computers and battery chargers are dual voltage, so all you will need to use them with a different supply is a plug adaptor.

Power converters step down the voltage from 240v to 120v, allowing equipment which is not dual voltage to operate at the voltage for which it was designed. Converters do not alter the frequency at which electicity is delivered and should be used a maximum of 1-2 hours at a time.

Converters can be purchased at travel stores, some discount stores, office supply stores, and electronics stores. Make sure that you select a converter that will accommodate the wattage of the appliances you wish to operate. Some laptop computers, electric razors and hair dryers have built-in power converters. However, an adapter plug will be required. Adapters and converters may be found at Walmart and Radio Shack etc.