Cuba, Las Vegas, South Africa, Thailand, India, China, Russia, the Arctic Circle, Argentina, Brazil – these are just some of the far-flung destinations favoured by Ireland’s seasoned globetrotters.

“I’ve always believed Irish people are adventurous,” says Cormac Walsh, director of Joe Walsh Tours, the largest tour operator here catering for an older clientele. “We’re an island nation. It’s in our blood.”

Leo Ganter, of Travel Time Ireland, agrees. After 39 years working with Bord Failte/Tourism Ireland to attract visitors to Ireland from far-flung spots such as Asia and South America, he started up his own travel company three years ago. Now he organises long-haul tours to the likes of India, China, Argentina, Brazil – even long weekends to Russia.

Do your research
But as the delicious anticipation builds, there’s the all-important question of independent travel versus an escorted tour.

“The internet won’t tell you things like whether there’s a steep climb to the hotel,” Cormac Walsh points out.

Independent-review website TripAdvisor is an excellent resource for pros and cons, though, and major drawbacks with hotels are usually posted there.

Mind your health
As someone who has visited his destination countries many times, 61-year-old Leo Ganter knows first-hand knowledge is key, especially when customers need that little bit of extra care.

“India is a hugely different experience, but visitors need to be health-aware,” he advises. “They need to stay – and eat – in the right places.”

For vaccinations, the drop-down menu on the website of The Travel Health Clinic on Dawson Street, Dublin, is a handy option. Tetanus/polio/diphtheria, hepatitis A and typhoid is a common combination for many non-European countries, including Cuba and Thailand; costs vary, but €200 is about average. Your GP may have to order vaccines, so make enquiries well in advance.

Another solid resource is the Department of Foreign Affairs’ detailed travel-advice section, which lists reciprocal health agreements and advice on swine flu, travel insurance and visa requirements.

Consider an escorted tour
Escorted travel certainly saves researching piecemeal the essential ingredients for a long-haul holiday or extended trip to see family or friends. And it leapfrogs the potential pitfalls of below-par hotels, small-print problems with travel insurance, transfers in chaotic airports, rip-off taxi drivers and dodgy restaurants.

The downside of escorted group travel can be a jam-packed itinerary that you mightn’t always want to go along with. Plus, for some travellers, the dreaded single supplement increases the price considerably.

“We encourage people to find a roommate beforehand,” says Cormac Walsh of JWT. “For, say, a big group of retired teachers off to Cuba, or people with a shared hobby, such as bridge clubs going to South Africa, or 300 people on a country-music trip to Las Vegas, we ask the group leader to put people in touch. It does keep the cost down – and some lifelong friendships have been made.”

Be flexible
Leo Ganter caters for smaller groups, ideally between 10 and 20 people, and his watchwords are flexibility and setting the right pace.

“We can change the itinerary as we go along,” he states. “I know the countries so well that I can bring people to slightly out-of-the-way places if they want. It’s a very exciting world out there. I believe the only barrier to travel is in our own minds.”

Ireland’s intrepid globetrotters – either independent or on a tour – can also save by travelling at quieter times of the day and year, and by holidaying for longer.

A few weeks in Asia, often to or from Australia to see sons, daughters and grandchildren, is a popular – and cost-effective – choice.

“If you’re staying more than three weeks, you can usually get a room in a high-quality hotel in Thailand for as little as €20 or €30 a night,” explains the JWT director. “And, with eating out very nicely for €10 – the cost of living could even work out cheaper than being at home.”

Now that’s the way to do it – a lovely hotel, top-notch food, exotic surroundings . . . for less than the price of staying in Ireland!