Grand Tour of Ireland

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
- Return coach travel and ferry crossings- 7 nights at a selected 3-star hotels in Ireland 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*Please note: due to our early departure, breakfast on the final morning will be taken on the ferry.

Itinerary
Day 1We catch the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin where we meet our tour manager. We continue onwards to our hotel in Belfast, our base for the next two nights.Day 2 - Guided city tour of Belfast & Titanic Belfast Today 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 city's 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 city where it all began.Day 3 - Giant's Causeway, Derry~Londonderry & Donegal We 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, the peaceful town boasts a castle, medieval abbey, traditional pubs and a myriad of shopping opportunities.Next stop is Galway where we enjoy a guided city tour with our tour manager. This thriving, cosmopolitan city 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 where we stay overnight.Day 5 - Limerick & TraleeWe head for Limerick where we enjoy a guided city tour with our tour manager. Set on the River Shannon, the city 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 & Killarney Our 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 - Dublin Finally, 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 8 We 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.

Giant’s Causeway
The bucket list-worthy Giant's Causeway is incredible and should be seen by everyone at least once. Formed 60 million years ago by volcanic activity, the formation of 38,000 hexagonal basalt columns stretch far into the sea, some standing as tall as 12m high! Standing watchfully between the craggy cliffs and dramatic ocean waves, a trip to Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site is set to be a brilliantly atmospheric excursion.

Belfast Guided City Tour and Titanic Belfast
Vibrant Belfast is a cosmopolitan city rich in art, culture and history. Once the home of the Irish linen industry, tobacco production, rope making and shipbuilding, these days the Queens Quarter is alive with shops, cafés, bars, live venues and the Botanical Gardens. We'll find out all about the city's fascinating history and brilliant transformation during our guided city tour.
We couldn't visit Belfast without exploring the recently redeveloped Titanic quarter; home to the spectacular Titanic Belfast exhibition. Find all about the ship's construction and tragic loss, as we soak up the haunting atmosphere of a bygone era with original vintage photos, recordings, newsreels, music and more.

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.Selected hotels, Ireland Selected hotels, Ireland
We'll stay at a selection of comfortable 3-star hotels during our exploration of Ireland's highlights such as the Ramada Encore in Belfast, the Clanree Hotel in Letterkenny, the Treacys West County in Ennis, the Earl of Desmond in Tralee and the Bonnington in Dublin. All are of a similar, well-appointed standard with en-suite facilities and in-house bar and restaurant.