Tour Duration: 9 days Tour Code: 92002012 Tour Type: Prices From: A$1266 [Tour Dates]
Tour Itinerary
Day
Description
1
ARRIVE IN DUBLIN, IRELAND. Check into your hotel. At 3 pm, meet your travelling companions for an afternoon orientation drive through statue-lined O'Connell Street and elegant Georgian squares to St. Patrick's Cathedral and Trinity College. Your Tour Director will have some suggestions for dining tonight.
2
DUBLIN-DOWNPATRICK, NORTHERN IRELAND-BELFAST. On your northbound route today, pass Drogheda, scene of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, then through the fertile landscape of the Boyne Valley, known for its prehistoric passage graves. Cross the border into Northern Ireland and drive through the Mountains of Mourne to Downpatrick, the burial place of Patrick, Ireland's Patron Saint. Follow the shores of Strangford Lough to the vibrant city of Belfast, where the Titanic was built. Later, why not join a Local Guide on a "living history" tour including a visit to the fascinating, brand-new Titanic Exhibition. (B)
3
BELFAST-GIANT'S CAUSEWAY-DERRY-DONEGAL, IRELAND-SLIGO. First stop this morning is Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Let the province's story unfold as you head for the city of Derry before returning to the Republic to visit Donegal, the ancient town founded by Danish Vikings and home of the O'Donnell Clan. Drive along Donegal Bay with its small fishing ports and hidden beaches before arriving in Sligo, tonight's destination. (B,D)
4
SLIGO-KNOCK-GALWAY-CLIFFS OF MOHER-ENNIS. South to Knock, a village that has attracted pilgrims from all over the world since the townsfolk saw apparitions. Then, to Galway, a vibrant city with a great seafaring tradition, where you hear about the infamous Lynch Stone, commemorating the day Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen hanged his son for murder. Cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 204-metre (668-foot) Cliffs of Moher. Tonight's optional opportunity: a traditional Irish evening in the setting of a village barn with dinner, wine, and entertainment. (B)
5
ENNIS-ADARE-DINGLE PENINSULA-KILLARNEY. Skirting the city of Limerick, head to Adare, a village known for its prize-winning thatched cottages. Breathtaking scenery this afternoon on the Dingle Peninsula, where the 52-kilometre (32-mile) Slea Head drive affords magnificent vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. See the Blasket Islands and hear about the way of life and unique literary achievements of its inhabitants prior to their evacuation in 1953. The next two nights are spent in the popular resort of Killarney. (B,D)
6
KILLARNEY. RING OF KERRY EXCURSION. At Killorglin, join the road known as the "Ring of Kerry" for a 161-kilometre (100-mile) coastal panoramic drive: sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly coloured farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and spectacular views of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Back in Killarney, a special optional adventure: take a horse-drawn jaunting car along the national park lakeshore for pictures of Ross Castle. Tonight, enjoy the optional outing to Tralee for dinner and a performance at Siamsa Tire, Ireland's National Folk Theatre. (B)
7
KILLARNEY-BLARNEY-WATERFORD-TRAMORE. More scenic splendour as you head over the Kerry Mountains into County Cork. Stop in Blarney, famous for its Stone of Eloquence, with time at your leisure to see the castle and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. After lunch, drive past Cork, the country's second-largest city. Youghal and Dungarvan are further milestones on your way to Waterford, where a guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal is included. Spend the night at the nearby seaside resort of Tramore. An optional pub tour might be fun this evening. (B,D)
8
TRAMORE-ENNISCORTHY-AVOCA-GLENDALOUGH-DUBLIN. Highlights on your northbound journey: Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798; a visit to Ireland's oldest handweaving mill at Avoca; views of the Wicklow Mountains; and Glendalough with its ruins of a centre of Irish Christianity, founded by St. Kevin. Back in Dublin tonight, celebrate the success of your tour with an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse. (B)
9
DUBLIN. Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
SIGHTSEEING: Visits to Downpatrick, Giant's Causeway, Derry, Donegal town, Knock, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Adare, Killarney, Blarney, Tramore, handweaving mill at Avoca, Glendalough; orientation drive in Dublin
SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS: Boyne Valley, Mountains of Mourne, Northern Ireland's Antrim coast, Donegal Bay, The Burren, Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerry and Lakes of Killarney, Wicklow Mountains
GUIDES: Local Guide for visit to House of Waterford Crystal. Service of a professional Tour Director in Ireland
HOTELS: Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges
MEALS: Full Irish breakfast (B); 3 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus
OPTIONALS: Choice of optional excursions available at reasonable prices to customise your own experience
Meals Breakfast - 8 Lunch - 0 Dinner - 3
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Cost
Description
34
EUR
Name:BELFAST CITY TOUR AND TITANTIC EXHIBITION Location:BELFAST Details:Join your local guide for a fascinating "living history" tour of Belfast, taking in all the city's major attractions, including a visit to the new Titanic Exhibition.
77
EUR
Name:TRADITIONAL IRISH NIGHT APRIL 15 TO OCTOBER 31 Location:ENNIS Details:Enjoy the company of local singers, dancers and musicians and experience the homeliness, friendship and warmth of a true traditional Irish evening. Dine on home cooked food with wine while enjoying lively entertainment.
13
EUR
Name:JAUNTING CAR RIDE Location:KILLARNEY Details:Unique to Killarney, a fun outing is to take a ride in a horse drawn jaunting car through the National Park to ancient Ross Castle.
77
EUR
Name:DINNER AND SIAMSA TIRE NATIONAL FOLK THEATRE MAY TO SEPTEMBER Location:KILLARNEY Details:A short drive to Tralee for dinner with wine before you take your seats for a performance by Ireland's National Folk Theatre.
33
EUR
Name:PUB EVENING Location:TRAMORE Details:For local Irish flavour, take a scenic drive to a traditional inn to meet the locals over two drinks of your choice.
67
EUR
Name:GUINNESS STOREHOUSE AND SUPPER Location:DUBLIN Details:A unique Dublin experience: a visit to the famous Guinness Storehouse with supper included.
Optional Excursions
