Coach Tour – Best of Ireland – 9N/10D

Best of Ireland:
10days Tour (Trafalgar)

Our in-depth focus on Eire, this round-trip reveals how Ireland’s landscapes determine its lifestyle, uniting popular essentials like kissing the Blarney Stone with unique meetings with local characters.
You’ll enjoy Insider moments like…foraging for wildflowers, free-growing herbs and seaweed on the untamed Atlantic shores near Lahinch, before taking them back to our Irish friend’s restaurant to see how they’re used in local dishes.

Day 1 :  ARRIVE DUBLIN – AFTERNOON SIGHTSEEING
Spend the morning relaxing and enjoying the sights of Dublin. Later meet your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a sightseeing tour of this wonderful city with a Local Specialist. This evening visit Glasnevin Trust for an informative and poignant tour with a Local Specialist. 2016 will be the 100 year anniversary of the Easter Uprising and you will hear stories about some of the brave characters from recent Irish history. Enjoy a Welcome Reception and get to know your fellow travellers.
Meal(s)
Welcome Reception
Hotel : Ballsbridge

Day 2 : DUBLIN – CO. WICKLOW – NEW ROSS – WATERFORD
Head through scenic Co. Wicklow known as The Garden of Ireland and on to New Ross – the ancestral home town of John F. Kennedy. Visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship to gain a Cultural Insight into the plight of Irish Emigrants. Later arrive in Waterford and see how the famous crystal is crafted during your guided tour of the visitor centre to gain a Cultural Insight.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast
Dinner
Hotel : Dooley’s

Day 3 :  WATERFORD – YOUGHAL – BLARNEY – KILLARNEY (2 NIGHTS)
Travel via the historic seaport town of Youghal, once home to Sir Walter Raleigh. At Blarney, gain the ‘gift of the gab’ as you have a chance to kiss the famous stone.  Arrive later in Killarney, your home for the next two nights.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast
Dinner
Hotel : Dromhall

Day 4 : RING OF KERRY EXCURSION
Today we experience Ireland’s most scenic coastal drive around the Iveragh Peninsula, better known as the Ring of Kerry. It is undoubtedly one of the most magical and varied places in the whole of Ireland and is truly a photographer’s delight. We will also see Daniel O’Connell’s Cahirciveen, the fishing village of Waterville, the Black Valley and Moll’s Gap. Here mountains, valleys, lakes and sea blend into a landscape that is often breathtaking beyond words.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast

Day 5 : KILLARNEY – DINGLE PENINSULA – ADARE – LIMERICK
Explore the beauty of the Dingle Peninsula with its small fishing towns and rugged landscape. Visit Adare, one of the prettiest villages in Ireland. Your orientation of Limerick includes views of St. Mary’s Cathedral, King John’s Castle and the Treaty Stone.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast
Hotel : Greenhills

Day 6 : LIMERICK – BUNRATTY – CLIFFS OF MOHER – GALWAY (2 NIGHTS)
Explore Bunratty Castle and Folk Park dedicated to life in Ireland during the 18th and 19th century. Later arrive on the dramatic and rugged coast for a unique Be My Guest lunch experience which includes foraging for local wild plants before sitting down for a hearty lunch with spectacular views. Visit the magnificent Cliffs of Moher and see the history of the cliffs brought to life with a visit to the ‘Atlantic Edge’ exhibition. Later arrive in Galway.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast
Be My Guest Dining
Dinner
Hotel : Connacht

Day 7 :  CONNEMARA EXCURSION
This unspoilt region of Western Ireland is captured in the film ‘The Quiet Man’ featuring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Today see the untouched landscape of Connemara with its Twelve Bens mountain range and golden beaches that stretch out into the Atlantic. During your scenic drive, stop at Kylemore Abbey for an included visit to the country’s most romantic castle and walk through the Victorian Walled Garden. Arrive later in Galway where you have free time to view the cathedral or stroll through Eyre Square.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast

Day 8 :  GALWAY – KNOCK – DONEGAL – SLIGO
Heading north we stop in the town of Knock to view the Marian Shrine. See the grave of Irish poet W.B. Yeats in the churchyard of Drumcliff. Visit the town of Donegal and view the castle which was once the stronghold of the O’Donnell Clan. Later arrive in Sligo.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast
Hotel : Clarion

Day 9 :  SLIGO – DUBLIN
Travel back to Dublin where you will have time to explore this lively city. Walk down Grafton Street and see the street performers and musicians or walk the banks of the River Liffey and cross the Ha’penny Bridge. Tonight join your fellow travellers for a Farewell Dinner.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast
Farewell Dinner
Hotel : Ballsbridge

Day 10 :  DEPART DUBLIN
After a hearty Irish breakfast, say farewell to your Travel Director and fellow travellers as your Irish holiday comes to an end. Transfers are available. Conditions apply.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast

INCLUSIONS:

Sightseeing Highlights:
City tour in Dublin
Orientation of Waterford, Killarney, Limerick, Galway and Donegal
Visit the Glasnevin Trust in Dublin, famine ship in New Ross, the crystal showroom at Waterford, Blarney to kiss the stone and gain the ‘gift of the gab’, Adare, Bunratty folk park, Cliffs of Moher, the rugged Burren, mystical Connemara, Kylemore Abbey, the Marian Shrine at Knock and County Donegal
View St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Phoenix Park in Dublin, King John’s Castle and St. Mary’s Cathedral in Limerick and the Cathedral of Galway and Donegal Castle
Scenic drives along the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula
Dining
9 full breakfasts.
1 lunch (Be My Guest).
5 dinners.

Travel Highlights:
Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Hand-picked 4 and 5 star accommodation
Hand-picked Insider Experiences
Optional Experiences and free time
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
VIP entry to many sights
Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
Airport Transfers
Specific transfer information can be found on the airport transfers page

Best of Ireland:
10days Tour (Trafalgar)

Our in-depth focus on Eire, this round-trip reveals how Ireland’s landscapes determine its lifestyle, uniting popular essentials like kissing the Blarney Stone with unique meetings with local characters.
You’ll enjoy Insider moments like…foraging for wildflowers, free-growing herbs and seaweed on the untamed Atlantic shores near Lahinch, before taking them back to our Irish friend’s restaurant to see how they’re used in local dishes.

Day 1 : ARRIVE DUBLIN – AFTERNOON SIGHTSEEING
Spend the morning relaxing and enjoying the sights of Dublin. Later meet your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a sightseeing tour of this wonderful city with a Local Specialist. This evening visit Glasnevin Trust for an informative and poignant tour with a Local Specialist. 2016 will be the 100 year anniversary of the Easter Uprising and you will hear stories about some of the brave characters from recent Irish history. Enjoy a Welcome Reception and get to know your fellow travellers.
Meal(s)
Welcome Reception
Hotel : Ballsbridge

Day 2 : DUBLIN – CO. WICKLOW – NEW ROSS – WATERFORD
Head through scenic Co. Wicklow known as The Garden of Ireland and on to New Ross – the ancestral home town of John F. Kennedy. Visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship to gain a Cultural Insight into the plight of Irish Emigrants. Later arrive in Waterford and see how the famous crystal is crafted during your guided tour of the visitor centre to gain a Cultural Insight.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast
Dinner
Hotel : Dooley’s

Day 3 : WATERFORD – YOUGHAL – BLARNEY – KILLARNEY (2 NIGHTS)
Travel via the historic seaport town of Youghal, once home to Sir Walter Raleigh. At Blarney, gain the ‘gift of the gab’ as you have a chance to kiss the famous stone. Arrive later in Killarney, your home for the next two nights.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast
Dinner
Hotel : Dromhall

Day 4 : RING OF KERRY EXCURSION
Today we experience Ireland’s most scenic coastal drive around the Iveragh Peninsula, better known as the Ring of Kerry. It is undoubtedly one of the most magical and varied places in the whole of Ireland and is truly a photographer’s delight. We will also see Daniel O’Connell’s Cahirciveen, the fishing village of Waterville, the Black Valley and Moll’s Gap. Here mountains, valleys, lakes and sea blend into a landscape that is often breathtaking beyond words.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast

Day 5 : KILLARNEY – DINGLE PENINSULA – ADARE – LIMERICK
Explore the beauty of the Dingle Peninsula with its small fishing towns and rugged landscape. Visit Adare, one of the prettiest villages in Ireland. Your orientation of Limerick includes views of St. Mary’s Cathedral, King John’s Castle and the Treaty Stone.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast
Hotel : Greenhills

Day 6 : LIMERICK – BUNRATTY – CLIFFS OF MOHER – GALWAY (2 NIGHTS)
Explore Bunratty Castle and Folk Park dedicated to life in Ireland during the 18th and 19th century. Later arrive on the dramatic and rugged coast for a unique Be My Guest lunch experience which includes foraging for local wild plants before sitting down for a hearty lunch with spectacular views. Visit the magnificent Cliffs of Moher and see the history of the cliffs brought to life with a visit to the ‘Atlantic Edge’ exhibition. Later arrive in Galway.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast
Be My Guest Dining
Dinner
Hotel : Connacht

Day 7 : CONNEMARA EXCURSION
This unspoilt region of Western Ireland is captured in the film ‘The Quiet Man’ featuring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Today see the untouched landscape of Connemara with its Twelve Bens mountain range and golden beaches that stretch out into the Atlantic. During your scenic drive, stop at Kylemore Abbey for an included visit to the country’s most romantic castle and walk through the Victorian Walled Garden. Arrive later in Galway where you have free time to view the cathedral or stroll through Eyre Square.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast

Day 8 : GALWAY – KNOCK – DONEGAL – SLIGO
Heading north we stop in the town of Knock to view the Marian Shrine. See the grave of Irish poet W.B. Yeats in the churchyard of Drumcliff. Visit the town of Donegal and view the castle which was once the stronghold of the O’Donnell Clan. Later arrive in Sligo.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast
Hotel : Clarion

Day 9 : SLIGO – DUBLIN
Travel back to Dublin where you will have time to explore this lively city. Walk down Grafton Street and see the street performers and musicians or walk the banks of the River Liffey and cross the Ha’penny Bridge. Tonight join your fellow travellers for a Farewell Dinner.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast
Farewell Dinner
Hotel : Ballsbridge

Day 10 : DEPART DUBLIN
After a hearty Irish breakfast, say farewell to your Travel Director and fellow travellers as your Irish holiday comes to an end. Transfers are available. Conditions apply.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast

INCLUSIONS:

Sightseeing Highlights:
City tour in Dublin
Orientation of Waterford, Killarney, Limerick, Galway and Donegal
Visit the Glasnevin Trust in Dublin, famine ship in New Ross, the crystal showroom at Waterford, Blarney to kiss the stone and gain the ‘gift of the gab’, Adare, Bunratty folk park, Cliffs of Moher, the rugged Burren, mystical Connemara, Kylemore Abbey, the Marian Shrine at Knock and County Donegal
View St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Phoenix Park in Dublin, King John’s Castle and St. Mary’s Cathedral in Limerick and the Cathedral of Galway and Donegal Castle
Scenic drives along the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula
Dining
9 full breakfasts.
1 lunch (Be My Guest).
5 dinners.

Travel Highlights:
Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Hand-picked 4 and 5 star accommodation
Hand-picked Insider Experiences
Optional Experiences and free time
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
VIP entry to many sights
Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
Airport Transfers
Specific transfer information can be found on the airport transfers page