Grand Tour of Ireland - Newcastle

Ireland is one of the most enchanting holiday destinations in the world, offering a host of vibrant cities bursting with culture and breathtaking natural scenery. On this captivating break we blend the country's panoramic landscapes of rolling hills and sparkling lakes with its historic towns and lively cities, including charming Dublin. We combine guided tours with time at leisure for a wonderful exploration of this beloved isle. We also visit Northern Ireland to discover cosmopolitan Belfast and the geological wonder of the Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site.What's Included
Includes- Coach travel during your stay on a JG Explorer Coach (see JG Explorer tab)- Flight to Belfast & return from Dublin- Airport taxes & luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in hold luggage per person)- Airport transfers in Ireland- 7 nights at selected hotels in Ireland (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast- Excursions to Belfast, Titanic Belfast, Giant's Causeway, Derry~Londonderry, Sligo, Galway, Limerick, Ring of Kerry, Killarney & Dublin- Guided city tours of Belfast, Galway, Limerick & Dublin with our tour manager- Guided walking tour of Derry~Londonderry with our tour manager- Escorted by a tour manager in Ireland

Itinerary
Day 1We fly to Belfast airport and are transferred to our hotel in the city, our base for the next two nights.Day 2 - Belfast & Titanic BelfastToday our tour manager takes us on a guided tour of Belfast, Northern Ireland's most famous city, and now a thriving, modern metropolis with a colourful history - as a key player in the Industrial Revolution; it was the centre for the Irish linen and tobacco industries. We take in the highlights before visiting Titanic Belfast, a fantastic exhibition located on the site of the original shipyard in which the famous liner was built. The exhibition brings the maiden voyage of the Titanic to life in the place where it all began.Day 3 - Giant's Causeway, Derry~Londonderry & DonegalWe make our way to the Giant's Causeway, named for the enormous volcanic columns that make this National Trust-owned site such an incredible place to visit. From here we head to Derry~Londonderry - the only completely walled city in Ireland. We enjoy a guided walking tour with our tour manager where highlights include the gleaming Peace Bridgeacross the River Foyle and St Columb's cathedral. Later, we check in to our Donegal hotel where we spend the night.Day 4 - Sligo & GalwayLeaving Donegal, we travel to the pretty coastal town of Sligo. Surrounded by rugged landscapes, Sligo boasts a castle, medieval abbey, traditional pubs and plenty of shopping opportunities.Next stop is Galway where we enjoy a guided tour with our tour manager. This thriving, cosmopolitan destination was named European Capital of Culture in 2020. It may be the fastest growing city in Ireland but it has managed to retain its friendly atmosphere. We continue on to our hotel.Day 5 - Limerick & TraleeWe head for Limerick where we enjoy a guided city tour with our tour manager. Set on the River Shannon, Limerick is overlooked by the 13th-century King John's Castle and has a rich history, which we learn about on our tour. From here we travel to our hotel in Tralee, the county town of County Kerry, where we spend the next two nights.Day 6 - The Ring of Kerry & KillarneyOur tour manager takes us on a scenic guided tour of the Ring of Kerry, journeying through an untouched landscape of tranquil lakes and rolling hills, passing through charming towns such as Killorglin, Waterville and Kenmare. We then head to pretty Killarney, famed for its jaunting cars (horse-drawn carts) operated by the local jarvies that take visitors on guided tours of the town.Day 7 - DublinFinally, we head to Dublin and enjoy a guided tour with our tour manager. With its fascinating past, iconic landmarks and plethora of convivial pubs serving up the perfect pint of Guinness, Dublin never fails to charm its visitors. After our guided tour we enjoy free time in the city before spending the night in our hotel in the Dublin area.Day 8We transfer to Dublin airport for our return flight home.

Sligo
The picturesque coastal town of Sligo is surrounded by dramatic landscapes and stands in the shadow of Knocknarea and Benbulben Mountains. This relaxed, yet bustling town offers an array of shops, cafés and bars alongside the river banks, and there are plenty of historic sights to discover, including a castle and medieval abbey.

Galway
The delightful town of Galway is the ancient capital of West Ireland and is the only city along the Wild Atlantic Way. Offering vibrantly-coloured alleys dotted with an array of museums, the famous Spanish Arch and a unique Cathedral, it is easy to see why the city was named as the European Capital of Culture for 2020! The winding cobbled streets are also packed with independent shops and traditional Irish pubs to enjoy.

JG Explorer
JG Explorer coachesWe are pleased to introduceJG Explorer- a brand-new deluxe coach, thoughtfully designed to provide an elevated coach experience and ensure your journey is special and memorable.Exclusive to the JG Travel Group, the design of these coaches has been meticulously thought through with your comfort in mind - with only 44 seats meaning more room on board and padded seats. There's improved legroom and a footrest, making certain that wherever you sit, you'll be able to relax and enjoy your journey. We know it's the small things that make a big difference in terms of ease and added convenience, so ourJG Explorercoaches feature a floor-level, rear-mounted toilet, accessible to all customers.On-board entertainment throughout your journey is easy to find on theJG Explorer, with access to Azimut, our wireless media system, providing films and quizzes. Simply bring along your smartphone or iPad and enjoy this entertainment interruption-free, with the use of our extra reliable Wi-Fi, free to all passengers and a handy USB port at each seat.The layout of theJG Explorerincludes a floor-level, rear-mounted kitchen with a sink, an espresso machine to purchase delicious Nespresso coffee, dispensed by your driver during comfort breaks, and a fridge stocked with cold drinks and milk. Customers are welcome to help themselves to complimentary JG bottles, that can be used for refill at the built-in cold-water filter, cutting down on the need for disposable plastic bottles and doing our part for the environment.Hotel
HotelsJG3 ratingWe'll stay at a selection of comfortable hotels (JG3 rating) during our exploration of Ireland's highlights such as the Ramada Encore in Belfast (JG3 rating) / Abbey or Central in Donegal (JG3 rating) / Treacys West County in Ennis (JG3 rating) / The Earl of Desmond in Tralee (JG3 rating) / The Bonnington in Dublin (JG3 rating) All are of a similar, well-appointed standard with en-suite facilities and in-house bar and restaurant.Hotel RatingsJG3 ratingHotels with a JG3 rating tend to be a more formal style of hotel, often part of a hotel chain, or are very-welcoming family-owned properties. Generally, they offer a greater range of facilities and services, and bedrooms tend to be a little more spacious with additional features. Public areas are larger and include lounge seating, bar and restaurant with good quality food served either buffet style or waiter service.