Waterford, Wicklow Mountains & Suir Valley Rail

Join us on an exploration of the unspoilt region of Ireland's Ancient East, from the Wicklow Mountains National Park with its sweeping peaks and moors draped in heather, to the sublime Powerscourt Gardens, ranked at No.3 in the World's Top Ten Gardens by National Geographic. We combine stunning scenery with visits to the historic cities of Wexford and Waterford, home of the world-famous Waterford Crystal. If you are looking for an enchanting and captivating break, then this is not to be missed.What's Included?
Includes- Return coach travel & ferry crossings- 4 nights at the Arklow Bay Hotel, Wicklow (JG4 rating) with dinner & breakfast- Overnight stay at a selected hotel in the Dublin area (JG3 rating) with dinner- 1 breakfast on the return ferry home- Excursions to Wexford, the House of Waterford Crystal, Wicklow Mountains National Park, Powerscourt Gardens & Dublin- Heritage train journey on the Waterford & Suir Valley Railway- Guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal- Services of a tour manager in IrelandOptional locally guided city tour of Dublin (£20pp)

Itinerary
ItineraryDay 1We catch the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin where our tour manager joins us. We continue onwards to our hotel in Wicklow, our base for the next four nights.Day 2 - WexfordToday we make our way to the town of Wexford, which sits at the mouth of the picturesque River Slaney and is home to plenty of historic delights. The well-preserved West Gate Tower is the only remaining ancient gateway to the town and the beautiful ruined Selskar Abbey stands on the site where the first Anglo-Irish peace treaty was signed. Wander through the narrow streets, enjoy true Irish hospitality in the many bars and restaurants, or sit back and revel in the relaxed atmosphere of this delightful town.Day 3 - Wicklow Mountains National Park & Powerscourt GardensWe head into the Wicklow Mountains National Park which covers 20,000 hectares of stunning mountain scenery, with vast sweeps of heather-clad moorland, hills, bogland, deep glacial valleys and lakes. The mountains are also home to a variety of wildlife habitats.Afterwards, we travel to the beautiful Powerscourt Gardens, set against the backdrop of the Sugarloaf Mountain and boasting a wonderful blend of striking terraces, fine statuary, ornamental lakes and a wide variety of trees. Designed from 1731 onwards and stretching over 47 acres, the estate includes formal walled gardens, distinctive Italian and Japanese gardens and the Pepperpot Tower, modelled on a pepper pot from Lord Powerscourt's dining table!Day 4 - Waterford & Suir Valley Railway & House of Waterford CrystalWe start the day with a scenic heritage train journey on the Waterford & Suir Valley Railway, taking in the panoramic views, as we travel along the picturesque banks of the River Suir and the beautiful Suir Valley.We continue to the thriving maritime city of Waterford, where we visit the House of Waterford Crystal. Our guided tour takes us through the home of the world-famous Waterford Crystal's manufacturing facility, where we learn how the stunning crystal is made, including demonstrations from the Master craftsmen using the traditional methods of mouth blowing, hand finishing, sculpting and engraving.Day 5 - Dublin (with optional guided tour £20pp)Checking out of our hotel, we travel to Dublin, where we spend an afternoon at leisure. There are plenty of historic sites and monuments to see from the oldest, Dublin Castle, to one of the newest, the Spire of Dublin. We also have the option to join a locally guided tour of the city before spending the night in our hotel in the Dublin area.Day 6We check out of our hotel very early to catch the ferry back to Holyhead; therefore a voucher will be provided to enjoy breakfast on board. On arrival in Holyhead, we continue our journey home.Due to ferry times, coach pickup times may be very early in the morning.

Wexford
The county town of Wexford sits at the mouth of the picturesque River Slaney and is home to plenty of historic delights. The well-preserved West Gate Tower is the only remaining ancient gateway to the town and the beautiful ruined Selskar Abbey stands on the site where the first Anglo-Irish peace treaty was signed. Wander through the narrow streets, enjoy true Irish hospitality in the many bars and restaurants, or sit back and revel in the relaxed atmosphere of this delightful town.Hotel
Arklow Bay Hotel, WicklowJG4 ratingThe Arklow Bay Hotel is located in the heart of County Wicklow. Only a short walk from Arklow town, the hotel is set on idyllic grounds and overlooks a picturesque wildlife reserve. The en-suite rooms offer tea and coffee-making facilities, Wi-Fi, and a multi-channel TV. The hotel also features a bar, restaurant, indoor swimming pool, steam room and sauna.Selected HotelJG3 ratingWe also spend the last night of our stay at a conveniently located hotel in the Dublin area.Hotel RatingJG3 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.JG4 ratingAccommodation in our JG4 category is of an even higher standard, typically offering a wide range of facilities and services. Bedrooms are designed to make your stay the most comfortable possible and the staff provide a service that reflects the detail and quality. You can also expect higher standards of food and beverages.