We Love —
- The flexibility of this self-drive road trip to explore at your own pace, allowing for spontaneous stops and detours to uncover hidden gems.
- Immersing yourselves in Ireland's rich cultural heritage by visiting historic landmarks like Kilkenny Castle, the Giant's Causeway, and Newgrange in the Boyne Valley.
- Admiring the lush greenery of Killarney National Park and the rugged cliffs of the Ring of Kerry to the wild beauty of Connemara and the dramatic sea cliffs at Slieve League.
Your itinerary in brief —
Embark on an unforgettable self-drive adventure through the enchanting landscapes and rich heritage of Ireland with this 12-night itinerary. Begin your journey in the bustling city of Dublin, where you can delve into history at Trinity College or savour the iconic Guinness Storehouse experience. As you make your way to Cork, discover the medieval charm of Kilkenny, with its historic castle and cathedrals. Explore the vibrant English Market in Kilkenny and the haunting Titanic Experience in Cobh. The Ring of Kerry awaits, offering breathtaking coastal views.
Traverse the Dingle Peninsula's diverse landscapes and traditions before heading to the cultural hub of Galway, with a pit stop at the awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher. Connemara beckons with its rugged beauty, highlighted by Kylemore Abbey and Connemara National Park. Your journey continues through Sligo, Donegal, and Derry, where you'll explore megalithic sites, sea cliffs, and the vibrant city centre of Derry. Finally, visit the legendary Giant's Causeway before returning to Dublin via the historic Boyne Valley. This self-drive tour promises a captivating blend of natural beauty, history, and culture, leaving you with cherished memories of the Emerald Isle.
Your itinerary:
DAY 1 – DUBLIN CITY
DAY 2 –CORK
DAY 3 - KILLARNEY
DAY 4 – RING OF KERRY
DAY 5 – DINGLE PENINSULA & LIMERICK
DAY 6 – GALWAY
DAY 7 – CONNEMARA
DAY 8 – SLIGO
DAY 9 – DONEGAL
DAY 10 – DERRY
DAY 11 – BELFAST
DAY 12 - DUBLIN
DAY 13 – DEPARTURE
Your itinerary in detail —
Day 1 to 4
DAY 1 – DUBLIN CITY
- After arriving at the airport, pick up your car rental, transfer into the city and check into your hotel
- Depending on your arrival time, you can explore this historic capital city.
- Visit Trinity College to see the famous book of Kells, or maybe get to experience the Guinness Storehouse.
DAY 2 –CORK
- On your way to Cork visit Kilkenny: Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice's Cathedral and round tower, Rothe House, Shee Alms House, Black Abbey and St. Mary's Cathedral
DAY 3 - KILLARNEY
- Before you leave Cork, explore the English Market.
- You can visit the Titanic Experience in Cobh. The location marks the departure point for the last 123 passengers who boarded the Titanic on its fateful maiden voyage to America.
- Continue onwards to The ‘Kingdom’ of County Kerry
DAY 4 – RING OF KERRY
- Today depart for the town of Killarney and visit Killarney National Park and onward to the Ring of Kerry.
- The Ring of Kerry brings you along the Atlantic Coast and is one of the highlights of a trip to Ireland.
Day 5 to 8
DAY 5 – DINGLE PENINSULA & LIMERICK
- This morning enjoy another beautiful scenic route. The Dingle Peninsula has something to offer to everyone.
- Among other things: sandy beaches safe for swimming, walking routes for all abilities, a thriving Irish language community, a rich musical tradition, fine dining, sea angling, arts and film festivals, talented craftspersons and some of the best surfing in Ireland.
DAY 6 – GALWAY
- On the way to Galway, you will cross the Burren region
- You can also visit nearby Cliffs of Moher – majestic cliffs which rise 215 metres out of the Atlantic and stretch for more than 7 kilometres.
- Continue on to Galway City. The centre of the city is conveniently compact enough to ramble around comfortably.
DAY 7 – CONNEMARA
- Discover the wilderness of Connemara today.
- Connemara, whose inhabitants still speak Irish, is without doubt the wildest and most romantic part of Ireland.
- Bewitchingly hidden between mountains and lakes and surrounded by rhododendrons, lies the gothic-style Kylemore Abbey.
- Afterwards, visit Connemara National Park. This impressive park is situated at the foot of Diamond Mountain, which is 727 metres high.
DAY 8 – SLIGO
- On your way through Sligo, you can visit the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery which has over 60 stone circles and passage tombs making it one of the largest Stone Age cemeteries in Europe.
- After your visit continue towards Donegal town.
Day 9 to 13
DAY 9 – DONEGAL
- Today you can visit the Slieve League Cliffs, Europe's highest sea cliffs
- You can also visit the Glenveagh National Park. The Visitor Centre houses exhibitions and an audio-visual show in the area.
DAY 10 – DERRY
- Travel towards Derry.
- Today Derry enjoys the advantages of the new peaceful atmosphere in Northern Ireland politics and its city centre is again lively and pleasant.
- Take z walk in the colourful and well looked-after historical city, which boasts good shopping, pubs and cafes.
DAY 11 – BELFAST
- En route to Belfast, visit the Giant’s Causeway.
- Also, you can visit the Old Bushmills Distillery.
- A guided visit commences with an excellent short film on the history and distillation of Irish whiskey, followed by a 20-minute tour of the distillery.
- The visit finishes in the distillery pub with a tasting
DAY 12 - DUBLIN
- Depart for Dublin and visit the Boyne Valley, the most historical region of the whole island with the most important Irish monuments such as Newgrange, Knowth or Loughcrew Cairns.
DAY 13 – DEPARTURE
- Transfer to the airport and take your flight back home.
Important information about your tour and visits The hotels, which comply with local standards, are indicative and may be changed locally for hotels of a similar category. The itinerary is subject to changes due to compelling reasons such as delayed flights, weather conditions or other cases of force majeure. The order of visits is also subject to change.
Your hotels —
Hand-picked just for you
Maximum room capacity
During your trip, you will stay in the following carefully selected hotels (or equivalent accommodation), which will provide you with a comfortable night's sleep.
Hotels:
- Dublin: Red Cow Hotel or Maldron Hotel Newlandscross (or similar)
- Cork: Local B&B
- Kerry: Torc Hotel (or similar)
- Limerick: Local B&B
- Galway: Shearwater Hotel (or similar)
- Sligo: Local B&B
- Donegal: Local B&B
- Antrim: Local B&B
If the hotels listed above are unavailable, you will be provided with comfortable accommodation in similar hotels. Local standards apply.
The maximum room capacity is two adults or one adult and one child. Single rooms are available at extra cost.
Your dining choices
This is a bed and breakfast stay.
Your optional excursions —
Depart from Dublin: day trip to Connemara with fjord cruise included (summer only)
Departing from Dublin on a day trip by bus, you'll reach Connemara Nature Park and admire its breathtaking scenery of lakes, mountains and fjord. For even more escapism, take a cruise to Killary Fjord (April to October only) or visit a local farm (November to March). You'll then discover the beautiful valleys Valley of Inagh, Kylemore Abbey and the city of Galway.
Excursion to the Boyne Valley: Celtic vestiges and legends
With this excursion to a verdant paradise in the heart of Ireland's ancestral lands, discover the historic remains and county of Méath, once home to Ireland's high kings. Explore the archaeological complex of the lush Boyne Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dublin by Night: Irish show and Dance!
Take in a show of Irish dances that will immerse you in the folklore of the country of the shamrock! You will be immersed in the dynamic and bewitching universe of the "Brush Dance" or the "Sean Nos" performances of old Irish songs. It is a moment of life, culture and sharing that we offer you with this lively show.
Included Cliffs of Moher Day Trip from Dublin
Depart Dublin by bus and discover the majestic Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland's must-see sights. Enjoy an interactive presentation to learn more about the cliffs and then take a walk on this impressive rock formation. Afterwards, take a walk in the Burren region, ideal for nature watching, before visiting the historic city of Galway.
Flights:
You will be able to choose your airline and flight times when you make your booking. This flight may include one or more stopovers. The stopover may be technical (without a change of aircraft) or transit (with a change of aircraft).
Luggage information
Luggage, meals and other services on board may be subject to an additional fee on certain airlines. It is possible to view details of luggage allowances when you choose your flights at the next stage of the booking process. If luggage is not included with your flight, please go to the airline's website before your departure to purchase your luggage for an additional fee.
For domestic flights, airlines do not always offer the option of reserving luggage. In this case, you will need to pay for it at the airport counter.
You will receive all the information you need to check in for your flights after you have made your reservation.
Transfers:
Return transfers between the airport and the hotel are not included in this package.
Car hire:
This package includes car hire, granting you autonomy to explore new horizons at your own pace! Embrace spontaneity as you journey through diverse landscapes, whether it's a scenic coastal drive, an adventure through rugged mountains, or a leisurely tour of charming towns. Renting a car empowers you to tailor your road trip experience to your preferences, turning each twist and turn of the road into a thrilling adventure. Important information if you are planning to book your own flights: In order to organise the pick-up of your vehicle at the airport, please inform us of your flight times within 48 hours of your booking by filling in the dedicated form in your member account. Without this information, you will not be able to collect your vehicle.
Your destinations —
Ireland
In Ireland you'll discover a treasure chest of Celtic Culture, cloaked in the most vivid shades of green.
A land of folklore, myths and mysteries - on your visit to Ireland you'll discover an absolutely unique Celtic culture where history reigns supreme. Numerous monuments and historical remains bear witness to this country's rich past.
Surprisingly unspoilt landscapes complement these architectural treasures. Vivid rolling green hills stretch as far as the eye can see, revealing typical flora and fauna.
A thriving, innovative restaurant scene, museums, music and of course the warmest of hospitality awaits you for an extraordinary getaway on The Emerald Isle.
