For ten wonderful days we’ll explore "The Best of Ireland"... touring with local historian guides Ireland's two major cultural cities, Dublin and Galway... staying in charming Irish coastal villages and country manors... seeing Ireland's majestic countryside... plus take a take trip to Belfast, Northern Ireland's capital city, and see Giant's Causeway, a natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

 

We'll learn about Irish history and culture... see key landmarks in Dublin, a UNESCO City of Literature, and Galway, the cradle of Gaelic culture...  visit Ireland historical archeological sites... see Ireland's magnificent natural sites and the lush emerald Irish countryside landscape.

 

We'll engage with the Irish people... enjoy traditional Irish meals... visit local pubs... listen to local musicians.

 

We'll stay in "uniquely Irish" charming boutique hotels.... from a Dublin 18th-century city townhouse in one of the city's loveliest neighborhoods.... to luxury country manor houses... to a historic village vine-covered stone house. Each providing a "local Ireland experience" with warm Irish hospitality.

 

We'll begin and end our Ireland adventure in Dublin, the capital of Ireland. Our travels will first take us to the West of Ireland to Clonmacnoise, Galway, County Clare and The Burren where we'll stay in an Irish Blue Book luxury 18th-century country manor house, a country retreat that is nestled in the heart of Ireland’s beautiful Burren. 

 

Then we'll head to the south of Ireland to County Kerry where we'll stay two nights in the traditional and colorful  village of Kenmare, known as the "Jewel of the Ring of Kerry." Kenmare bridges Ring of Kerry and Ring of Beara. On the way we'll see the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland's most iconic and photographed natural site. We'll visit Adare, a small town in County Limerick. Adare is designated as a heritage town by the Irish government and is renowned as one of "Ireland's prettiest towns" with its thatched roofed cottages, antique shops and cafes.

 

We’ll take a day trip along Ireland’s most famous and scenic countryside road… the stunning Ring of Kerry. We’ll spend the day exploring this mystic and unspoiled region of Ireland, with its green rolling hills, stone-walled farmland, and majestic vistas. We’ll break for lunch… have numerous photo stops… and take an optional leisure walk.

 

We'll travel east of Ireland to see historic Bantry House & Gardens that overlooks Bantry Bay. We’ll stop for morning tea and Irish scones… break for an Irish pub country lunch… have numerous photo stops in villages, in the countryside and along te seaside… ending the day in Clonakilty, a charming “off the beaten path” small town in County Cork, recognized in as a “Best Town in Europe” by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland.

 

Then we start our travel north stopping to see Blarney Castle and Ireland's best-known attraction, the Blarney Stone. Followed by a visit to Cobh, Ireland’s natural deep water harbor and the last departure point of the Titanic. We’ll visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, a museum that documents Irish emigration. Cobh is where millions of Irish people emigrated from to go to the New World.

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We'll visit the world-famous House of Waterford Crystal, have a factory floor tour and close look how the company’s master craftspeople create Waterford's prized high-end crystal pieces. Afterwards tour The Rock of Cashel, considered Ireland’s most spectacular heritage site, a magnificent group of medieval buildings, including a 12th century round tower, high crosses, Romanesque chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, and 15th century castle.

 

Our final three nights we'll be based in bustling Dublin. With our local historical guide we'll see the city's top landmarks -Trinity College’s Long Room Library and Book of Kells; Christ Church Cathedral, the oldest of Dublin’s two medieval cathedrals; St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Ireland’s largest church; St. Stephen’s Green; Merrion Square Park; Temple Bar neighborhood; O’Connell Street; and Dublin’s historic General Post Office.

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We'll visit to the world-famous Guinness Storehouse at St. James Gate, the world’s largest brewery. We’ll learn about Arthur Guinness, the brewery, and the company’s prominent history with Dublin and Ireland. We’ll learn how to properly pour a glass of Guinness stout… then taste what we pour

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One evening we'll have an Irish whisky tasting session... one evening an Irish stout tasting session.

 

You'll have a ticket to ride on a Dublin hop-on hop-off open-air double-decker bus to relax and view Dublin sites unobstructed at your leisure.

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On Saturday, we'll board an early express train from Dublin, traveling first-class to Belfast, for a full-day to see, Northern Ireland's capital city, and see Giant's Causeway.

 

We'll have a farewell dinner with traditional Irish cuisine.

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The trip is ideal for travelers desiring an early autumn Ireland vacation! ​​

 

The Best of Ireland Discovery Tour is Designed to Provide:

• Fabulous vacation to see the "Best of Ireland" during one very special nine day trip!

• Friendly and fun small group environment limited to 15 persons. Enjoy the camaraderie and begin friendships with like-minded travelers.

• Nine days packed with activities -- private tours with local historian guides... visits to Ireland's most famous landmarks and sites... Irish whisky and stout tasting sessions... having a "local Ireland experience" of meeting and interacting with Irish people... going to local patronized restaurants and pubs... listening to Irish music.

• Free personal time to discover and enjoy Ireland at your own pace.

• Optional group morning pleasure walks led by Tom Harter, WalkEurope president.

• Recommendations of local restaurants to explore on your own... yet everyone is invited to join local cuisine group meals each evening at personal selected restaurants.

• Concierge service & support – fully escorted tour, personal & customized service for a fun and WORRY-FREE vacation!​ 

 

What's Included:

• Nine nights in personally-selected boutique hotels. luxury country manor houses, and charming village hotels and houses that provide a "uniquely Irish experience" with warm Irish hospitality.

• Daily hotel Irish breakfasts.

• Welcome Reception - featuring Irish hors d'oeuvres and European wines -- an opportunity to meet fellow tour members and review the week's activities.

• Farewell Dinner - featuring traditional Irish cuisine.

• City tour of Dublin landmarks with local historian guide -- visits to Trinity College’s Long Room Library and Book of Kells; Saint Patrick's Cathedral; St. Stephen’s Green; Merrion Square Park; Temple Bar Neighborhood; O’Connell Street; and Dublin’s historic General Post Office.

• City tour of Galway with local historian guide.

• Visit to Cliffs of Moher.

• Day trip to Ring of Kerry.

• Visit to Clonmacnoise monastery.

• Visit to Bantry House & Gardens.

• Visit to Adare in County Limerick, an Irish government heritage town.

• Tour of House of Waterford Crystal.

• Visit to Cobh and Cobh Heritage Centre / Titanic Experience.
• Visit to Rock of Cashel.
• Visit to Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone.
• Tour of Guinness Storeroom at St. James Gate.
• Irish whisky tasting session.
• Irish stout tasting session.

• Ticket for Dublin hop-on hop-off open-air double-decker sightseeing bus.

• Day trip to Northern Ireland - Belfast and Giant's Causeway.

• Morning pleasure walks - optional before breakfast group walks.

• Palace, castle, cathedral and museum entrance fees - for all group activities and day trips.

• Ground transportation for all group activities. 

• Concierge service & support.

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Trip Cost:  

• TBA - 10 days / 9 nights per person in double occupancy shared hotel room. Tour cost does not include airfare.

• Added cost for private single room hotel accommodation option - TBA

 

Space Is Limited... Reserve Early!

Small Group - Limited to 15 persons.