Tour Country Roads Of Ireland (Small Groups, Winter, End Belfast, | Visit Ireland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Meals

5 Dinner with Wine (DW) 11 Breakfast (B) Dublin: Join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner, an opportunity to get to know each other over a meal with wine. Ballygalley: The Irish call it ’craic’ - the warm feeling resulting from the confluence of music, drink, good food, laughter, and conversation. And after circumnavigating the Emerald Isle, there’s bound to be a fair share of craic at your grand finale Celebration Dinner. Sláinte!

Accommodation

2 nights: Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin 1 night: Maldron Hotel South Mall, Cork 2 nights: Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa 1 night: Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa, Limerick 2 nights: Harbour Hotel Galway 1 night: Maldron Hotel Derry, Londonderry 1 night: Ballygally Castle Hotel 1 night: Europa Hotel, Belfast

Others

Choose between two carefully selected activities Killarney: Enjoy a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys as you explore the lush scenery of Killarney National Park. Killarney: Join a gentle hike with a nature guide in Killarney National Park and admire stunning mountains, lakes, woods and waterfalls. Stroll along the lake shore and past the impressive 15th Century Ross Castle and the famous Muckross Estate, a charming 19th Century mansion and grounds. Alternatively, enjoy a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys. Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert’s fascinating commentary. Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you’ll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels. We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door. Dublin: Kilkenny: Visit Kilkenny Castle with a Local Expert. On a guided tour, learn the history of this magnificent castle and that of the powerful family that came to call it home for so many centuries. Londonderry: There’s no better way to experience sightseeing than with one of Northern Ireland’s best storytellers, Ronan, as he takes you on a tour inside the city walls. See the Gothic Guildhall and the Georgian houses of Shipquay Street. Giant’s Causeway: Visit the legendary Giant’s Causeway, site of wonders. At the visitor centre, learn about the efforts to protect biodiversity and ecosystems, participating in habitat restoration. The National Trust charity has been undertaking replanting activities in Innisfree Farm, adjacent to the Causeway. By sowing a field of Herbal Ley seed mixes containing up to 17 different species, they have prioritized biodiversity and quality food production leaving a low carbon footprint. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land. Cahir: See one of the largest castles in Ireland. Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. But to do so, you must dangle from the ramparts! Visit Blarney Castle and see the famous Stone of Eloquence. Ring of Kerry: Venture into a world of towering cliffs, lush lakelands and remote villages, as you journey the magical Ring of Kerry. Killarney: Enjoy hearing of the history of Killarney during your city orientation. Dingle Peninsula: Enjoy a scenic drive to Slea Head. Adare: Experience a village walk through the main street lined with thatched cottages. Cliffs of Moher: Stop by the Exhibition Centre and look out over the Wild Atlantic Way from these majestic cliffs. Galway: Enjoy an orientation tour of the many landmarks in Galway such as the Lynch Memorial, Church of St. Nicholas, Spanish Arch and Eyre Square. Carrickfergus: See the immense Castle as your drive around it. Belfast: Meet Hilda, a true Belfast local, having lived in the same house her entire life. During your panoramic tour, hear about the history of the city and learn why Hilda is proud of its progress and current prosperity. You’ll also see the City Hall, Queen’s University, Parliament Building at Stormont and murals in different locations indicating political sentiments of local residents. Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Insight Vacations through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. While highly recommended, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are no longer required for guests traveling with us from January 1, 2023 onward. It is your client’s responsibly to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destinations visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than the above. No refunds will be given if they are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to failure to comply with these requirements.

Transport

Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available). If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport. Killarney: Meet passionate restaurant owners John and Freda at their beautiful guesthouse in Killarney, where you’ll hear more about their farm-to-table concept, while enjoying a delicious meal made from fresh ingredients sourced within a five mile radius. John and Freda have a policy that all food is sourced locally from farms and the coach of the Emerald Isle. On the farm they also grow and harvest all their own fruit and veg. They educate their visitors about sustainable consumption and the benefits of eating fresh homegrown produce. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production. Enjoy the comfort of Insight’s luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.

Guide

From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination. Dublin: During your orientation with your Travel Director, see Custom House and travel along the River Liffey. See the Guinness Brewery, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Cork: Your Travel Director will show you the Grand Parade and South Mall, along with City Hall and the Opera House. Ballygalley: Explore this seaside town with your Travel Director.

Not included:

Optional

IRISH COUNTRYSIDE & GLENDALOUGH An afternoon drive takes you through the rural countryside of County Wicklow - the garden of Ireland. With our Local Expert, we’ll pass through the pretty Wicklow Mountains to the picturesque setting of St. Kevin’s great 6th Century monastic site at Glendalough. Afterwards, we’ll explore the monastic remains before returning to Dublin via the Great Sugar Loaf Mountain. ADULT PRICE: EUR 25.00 DUBLIN AT ITS BEST Join your Travel director for a unique opportunity to dine at one of the Capital City’s top restaurants. A perfect way to spend your evening in this amazing city, famous for its easy-going charm and cultural heritage. ADULT PRICE: EUR 55.00 QUEENSTOWN STORY Experience this intriguing port town, home to the world’s second-largest natural harbour. We’ll visit stunning St Colman’s Cathedral to hear of the town’s maritime past and also visit the Queenstown Story to discover how the town became the single most important port of emigration from Ireland. ADULT PRICE: EUR 23.00 CORK DINNER Lively and fun loving, Cork city is justly celebrated for fine local produce and great restaurants. Tonight, take the opportunity to dine out and enjoy the great atmosphere and vibrant heart of Ireland’s ’rebel’ city. Three-course dinner with a drink. ADULT PRICE: EUR 49.00 GAELIC ROOTS A tour de force of traditional Irish song, music and dance, Gaelic roots showcases Ireland at its best. Using traditional instruments, Irish dance and time-honoured folk songs, this energetic show will have you tapping your feet and singing along in no time. ADULT PRICE: EUR 34.00 AN IRISH PUB EXPERIENCE Enjoy an exclusive Irish "session" in the oldest pub in town, perhaps even pull your own pint! A local musician joins us this afternoon for music, song and a glimpse into Ireland’s past. Enjoy this unique experience whilst sipping on an Irish Coffee, Whiskey or local Draft Beer. ADULT PRICE: EUR 24.00 FALCONRY EXPERIENCE Today, we have the opportunity to experience the ancient tradition of falconry. We’ll don leather gloves and, with the help of a professional falconer, fly hawks, owls and falcons. Afterwards, a drink in the house where Robert Mitchum lived while making Ryan’s Daughter will round out this incredible experience. ADULT PRICE: EUR 37.00 GALWAY WALKING TOUR The medieval streets of Galway are best explored with a local. Join our expert Galway guide for a stroll through history in this charming port city. ADULT PRICE: EUR 15.00 ARAN ISLANDS Take the Aran ferry across Galway Bay to an ancient landscape. Hear the story of Inishmore from the island men themselves as they guide us to sites such as the 3,200-year-old fort of Dun Aonghasa, the site of the seven churches and also enjoy leisure time in the island villages. ADULT PRICE: EUR 52.00 SPIRIT OF DERRY A gathering of song and comedy, coupled with moments of poignant truth, in the city of "Danny Boy". Look out over the famous Bogside Murals, as you enjoy a drink during this unique and emotive experience. ADULT PRICE: GBP 26.00 WHEN YOUR HOME IS A CASTLE... Join the Earl of Antrim’s butler George and housekeeper Elaine on an exclusive insight into the family and estate at Glenarm and Dunluce. We’ll also see the day-to-day goings on and discover how the Earls have made this historic house fit with today’s modern family. Then enjoy a stroll through the walled garden and lawns with imaginative herbaceous borders. ADULT PRICE: GBP 28.00 HISTORIC PUB WALK AND SUPPER This evening, a local will take us on a leisurely walk through the changing heart of Belfast. We’ll view Street art inspired by the murals of the past and experience the renewal of this vibrant city through the history of its best-known pubs. We’ll finish with supper in a Victorian pub, famed for its home-cooked fare. ADULT PRICE: GBP 40.00

Flights

Flights are not included.

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

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Day 1 Day 1: Welcome To Dublin
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Welcome To Dublin

On arrival at Dublin airport, transfers leave for your hotel at 08:30, 11:00 and 13:00. Join your Travel Director at 18:00 for a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner, with the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other over a meal with wine.
Day 2 Day 2: In Dublin’S Fair City Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: In Dublin’S Fair City Relaxed Start

Accompanied by a Local Expert, become acquainted with Dublin’s elegant squares during an orientation of the city. Discover Custom House, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Enjoy entrance to the 9th century Book of Kells and a walk through the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College.
Day 3 Day 3: A Journey From Dublin To Cork
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: A Journey From Dublin To Cork

Travel to the medieval city of Kilkenny to visit the majestic Kilkenny Castle. With a Local Expert, learn how the castle was built in 1195 after the Norman Conquest of Ireland and admire its beautifully restored Victorian era rooms. Continue through Cahir and see its imposing 13th century castle, featured in the film ’Excalibur’, on the way to Cork. On arrival, your Travel Director will show you around the compact university city, with its vibrant waterfront and grand Georgian parades.
Day 4 Day 4: Across The Mountains To Killarney Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Across The Mountains To Killarney Relaxed Start

Travel to the ruined Blarney Castle. Will you hang upside down from the ramparts to kiss the stone and ensure a lifetime of eloquence? Or enjoy a sensory walk in the extensive and varied estate gardens. Travel across the majestic Derrynasaggart Mountains to the lively town of Killarney. For your Farm-to-Table dining experience, enjoy some Irish home cooking in the kitchens of chef John Sheehan. Join John and Freda, your hosts at the 19th Green Guesthouse, and savour the delicious flavours of fresh local cuisine on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Gather together at a Farm-to-Table dinner, using responsibly sourced ingredients from the local community, and gain personal insight into classic Irish recipes that are loved throughout the world.
Day 5 Day 5: Ring Of Kerry Experience Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Ring Of Kerry Experience Relaxed Start

Start your day with Insight Choice. Choose a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys. Alternatively, join a gentle hike with a Local Expert along the lake shore and past the grounds of Ross Castle, admiring the incredible scenery of the National Park. While there aren’t any mountains to climb, walkers should be fit, have good walking shoes or boots, sunscreen and rain gear. Explore around the magnificent Ring of Kerry. Here, mountains, valleys, lakes and sea blend into a landscape that is breathtaking beyond words. Journey past lush lakelands and around towering cliffs as you appreciate sweeping sea views. Continue through delightful villages like Sneem and cross the peat bogs of the Black Mountains to Moll’s Gap to admire Queen Victoria’s Ladies View. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Maybe take the opportunity to hire a bicycle and enjoy one of the many scenic trails around the lake or through the National Park.
Day 6 Day 6: Around The Dingle Peninsula
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Around The Dingle Peninsula

In the morning, take to the wide skies, peaceful towns and coastal scenery of the Dingle Peninsula - the setting for the film Ryan’s Daughter. Drive to dramatic Slea Head at the peninsula’s far end, then continue through the picturesque thatched village of Adare before reaching your hotel.
Day 7 Day 7: The Cliffs Of Moher And Galway
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: The Cliffs Of Moher And Galway

Journey to the Visitor Centre at the 700-foot Cliffs of Moher. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Clare Coast before a delightful drive through the strange, rocky landscape of the Burren to Galway Bay. On arrival, see the Lynch Memorial and Church of St. Nicholas, where Christopher Columbus reputedly prayed before his voyages to America. See the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late US President, John F. Kennedy.
Day 8 Day 8: Free Day Galway Or Kylemore Abbey Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Free Day Galway Or Kylemore Abbey Relaxed Start

Spend a day at leisure to relax and enjoy Galway. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to Kylemore Abbey, fo unded for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I?
Day 9 Day 9: Explore Londonderry
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Explore Londonderry

Admire the Blue Stack Mountains of Donegal as you cross into Northern Ireland, bound for the ancient walled city of ’Derry.’ What better way to experience sightseeing than with one of Northern Ireland’s best storytellers, Ronan, as he takes you on a tour inside the city walls, still topped with cannons. Walk down steep Shipquay Street, with its elegant Georgian houses, to the Gothic Guildhall.
Day 10 Day 10: Walk In The Giant’S Steps Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Walk In The Giant’S Steps Relaxed Start

Journey to the iconic Giant’s Causeway for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Learn how the National Trust is enabling farming and biodiversity to work together, supporting both wildlife and quality food production. Next, prepare yourself for miles of breathtaking beauty as you travel along the road clinging to the Antrim Coast. Continue onto your hotel, overlooking Ballygally Bay. For those who are brave enough, perhaps check out The Ghost Room, in one of the castle’s turrets? In the evening, please join us for a finale Celebration Dinner, where old-fashioned hospitality is blended with good food and wine for an experience that delights the senses.
Day 11 Day 11: The Antrim Coast To Belfast Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: The Antrim Coast To Belfast Relaxed Start

Continue around the Antrim Coast, past the huge Norman castle at Carrickfergus, to arrive in the Northern Ireland capital of Belfast. Meet your Local Expert for a passionate city tour including views of the City Hall, Queen’s University, the Parliament Building at Stormont and murals in different locations indicating political sentiments of local residents.
Day 12 Day 12: Depart Belfast
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Depart Belfast

Departure transfers arrive at Belfast George Best City Airport at 08:00 and Belfast International Airport at 08:45.

12 days tour

Country Roads Of Ireland (Small Groups, Winter, End Belfast,

This tour includes:

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Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Country Roads Of Ireland (Small Groups, Winter, End Belfast,

Day 1: Welcome To Dublin

Day 2: In Dublin’S Fair City Relaxed Start

Day 3: A Journey From Dublin To Cork

Day 4: Across The Mountains To Killarney Relaxed Start

Day 5: Ring Of Kerry Experience Relaxed Start

Day 6: Around The Dingle Peninsula

Day 7: The Cliffs Of Moher And Galway

Day 8: Free Day Galway Or Kylemore Abbey Relaxed Start

Day 9: Explore Londonderry

Day 10: Walk In The Giant’S Steps Relaxed Start

Day 11: The Antrim Coast To Belfast Relaxed Start

Day 12: Depart Belfast

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