Day 1 - Dublin to Kilkenny
Arrive at Dublin airport and meet up with your tour guide. Your special tour begins with a panoramic tour of Dublin, travelling down the sights of O'Connell Street, past the impressive Central Post Office and across the River Liffey into the South side of the city. We visit the famous Temple Bar area, Trinity College - which has the magnificent illustrated manuscript Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, as well as Christchurch Cathedral. We finish our exhaustive city tour with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse and a welcoming pint of the famous brew in the panoramic bar, with stunning views across the city. We then transfer to the Mount Juliet Conrad Hotel**** (or similar) nearby Kilkenny. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 2 - Kilkenny to Shannon
After your Irish breakfast, the group will go to Kilkenny City and visit the famous Kilkenny Castle. We will then head west and stop in Cashel for the visit of the famous Rock of Cashel. From Cashel, we then take the direction of County Clare, visiting Bunratty Castle and Folk Park before going to Dromoland Castle***** (or similar) for the night. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 3 - Shannon to Connemara
The group then spends the morning discover the dramatic scenery of County Clare, with a stop at the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland's most spectacular sights. Standing 230 metres above the ground at their highest point and 8km long, the Cliffs boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara. We then follow the quaint Irish country lanes and drive across the lunar landscape of the Burren, spending time with a local guide to discover the fascinating flora and fauna of this unique landscape. The Burren lies south of Galway in County Clare, Ireland. The name Burren is from the Irish - bhoireann meaning a stony place. Its formation has lain unspoiled since the ice-age and is composed of karstic limestone, the largest area of such in western Europe. After lunch, we head towards the bustling town of Galway and have some free time in Galway to enjoy the laidback ambiance of the city, before going to Ballynahinch Castle **** (or similar) for the night. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 4 – Connemara to Cong, nr Galway
We spend today visiting the magical Connemara region, beginning in the stopping in the charming town of Clifden, a quaint town set between the Atlantic Ocean, and the 12 Ben Mountains and preserved boglands.
We leave Clifden behind and drive along the Skye Road, and stop to visit the idyllic Kylemore Abbey, home to the Irish Benedictine nuns since 1920. We leave the Abbey and head towards our luxury accommodation at Ashford Castle ***** (or similar), on the shores of lough Corrib. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 5 - Galway to Straffen, nr Dublin
After breakfast we will cross the Midlands, with our stop at the Monastic site of Clonmacnoise, which is one of Ireland's Monastic site, dating back over 1500 years. After the monastery, we travel onto visit the Lockes Distillery Museum, and taste famous Irish Whiskey. In the afternoon we visit the Irish National Stud and the beautiful Japanese Gardens, situated on the extensive lands of the Stud. Finally, we head towards our accommodation at Barberstown Castle **** in County Kildare. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 6 - Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Dublin airport for departure flight
The package includes:
- 5 nights in 4-star castle deluxe hotels (5 nights on a DBB basis)
- Airport transfers with assistance on arrival and departure
- Private transport in deluxe coach for the duration of the tour
- Local Guide for the duration of the tour (foreign languages available)
- Service of Luggage Porters in all hotels
- All admissions to places of interest visited during the tour