Irish Experience Summer 2024
Irish Experience Summer 2024
Irish Experience Summer 2024
11 Days Starting and ending in Dublin
Visiting: Dublin, Belfast, Giant's Causeway, Londonderry, Belleek, Galway, Connemara, Cliffs of Moher, Lahinch, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Blarney, Waterford, Kilkenny, New Ross
Tour operator:
Tour code:
DREXZN19
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
25 - 45
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
6-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Ruins-Archaeology
Activities:
From:
$3595
$2895 (USD)
Operator discount: -$548
The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$152
-19%
Tour Overview
Explore the Emerald Isle on this most in-depth of Irish experience trips, filled with tales of mythical creatures and the troubled history of an island split in two. Beyond soul-stirring landscapes, there’s time with a local ‘Cabbie’ who’ll guide you through Belfast.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Ireland
Location: Dublin
Accommodation: Clayton Ballsbridge
Meals Included: Dinner
Embrace your playful side and discover the allure of the lively Irish capital - a small city with a lot of heart and yours to explore before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers this afternoon for a sightseeing tour with your Local Specialist. See the stately Georgian Squares and Trinity College before enjoying a Whiskey Tasting at a local distillery.The excitement will build this evening over drinks, good food and great company as your Travel Director gives you a taste of what’s to come.
Day 2: Journey To Colorful Belfast
Location: Dublin, Belfast
Accommodation: AC by Marriott , Stormont
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leaving the cosmopolitan streets of Dublin behind, we travel to Northern Ireland and the bustling city of Belfast, where you will have some free time to enjoy a spud for lunch or perhaps an Irish stew. Later, we meet our Local Specialist 'Cabbie' for an insider view of the city’s living history during a journey through its vibrant streets in a real taxi. We spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure, or perhaps join an Optional Experience.
Day 3: Venture To The Giant’S Causeway And On To Derry/Londonderry
Location: Belfast, Giant's Causeway, Londonderry
Accommodation: City Hotel Derry
Meals Included: Breakfast
Dive Into Culture during a visit to the award-winning Titanic Belfast Experience. Gain insights into the tragic story of the Titanic and its passengers who lost their lives in the icy Atlantic. We leave the city behind us, traveling along to the Giant's Causeway for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as we walk in the footsteps of Finn MacCool. Our visit will help to conserve this iconic natural landmark. Take some time to admire the natural spectacle of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns before continuing to Londonderry, our home for the next two nights.
Day 4: Discover Londonderry’S Past
Location: Londonderry
Accommodation: City Hotel Derry
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Join your Local Specialist for a walk along the 17th-century city walls and see the formerly turbulent Bogside neighborhood, with its street murals depicting the history of the 'Troubles'. Spend a free afternoon walking along the pretty Foyle River or consider joining an Optional Experience to Inishowen Peninsula, with its rich history. This evening enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Day 5: Onwards To Scenic Galway Dive Into Culture
Location: Londonderry, Belleek, Galway
Accommodation: Maldron Oranmore
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We journey through the lush countryside to Belleek, where we'll Dive Into Culture and witness talented pottery craftsmen create the exquisite collectables that have graced homes since the mid-19th century. Arrive in Galway later, where we will stay for the next two nights.
Day 6: Connemara Excursion
Location: Galway, Connemara, Galway
Accommodation: Maldron Oranmore
Meals Included: Breakfast
The rugged beauty of Connemara was captured in the film 'The Quiet Man' with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. Its loughs and mountains are yours to explore today during a scenic drive. We arrive at Kylemore Abbey later to visit the country's most romantic castle and ramble through the hidden nooks of its Victorian walled garden. Returning to Galway, we enjoy some free time to explore its imposing stone Cathedral or stroll through Eyre Square, which John F. Kennedy visited in 1963.
Day 7: Explore The Cliffs Of Moher And Killarney
Location: Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Lahinch, Killarney
Accommodation: Killarney Towers
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
See the imposing UNESCO-listed Cliffs of Moher rising over 650 feet (200 m) above the pounding Atlantic and scan the horizon all the way to the Aran Islands to get the full view of the irresistible beauty of this special place. You’ll have an opportunity to visit the ‘Atlantic Edge’ exhibition which will bring to life this extraordinary natural phenomenon in a way that only the wildlife of the area get to see.
Enchanted by the wild landscapes, you’ll continue along the Wild Atlantic Way to Connect With Locals and meet local horticulturalist, Oonagh, who’ll teach you how to forage before our Be My Guest visit to the Barrtra Seafood restaurant. Oonagh will reveal the importance of sustainable food experiences and you’ll learn how everything on your plate has been bought locally, perhaps inspired to buy local produce when you return home. The spectacular views of this dramatic coastline continue before you board a ferry across the tranquil Shannon Estuary river. Then, continue through County Kerry to your hotel in Killarney, where you'll have an evening at leisure or join in the craic at an optional Irish ceilidh.
Day 8: A Day On The Ring Of Kerry
Location: Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Killarney
Accommodation: Killarney Towers
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The soul-stirring landscapes of Iveragh Peninsula provide a mesmerizing backdrop for our scenic coastal drive around the Ring of Kerry – an unimaginably beautiful natural setting. En route we will see Killorglin, famous for its annual 'Puck Fair', as well as Daniel O'Connell's Cahirciveen, the fishing village of Waterville, the Black Valley and Moll's Gap.
Day 9: Off To Blarney, Waterford And Kilkenny Dive Into Culture
Location: Killarney, Blarney, Waterford, Kilkenny
Accommodation: Hotel Kilkenny
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you might acquire the 'gift of the gab', bending over backwards to kiss the Blarney Stone before we travel to Waterford. Admire the delicate creations of fine crystal during a visit to the House of Waterford Crystal where we will Dive Into Culture and witness a demonstration by master crafters. This evening, we arrive in Kilkenny with its imposing 12th-century castle, once the seat of the Butlers of Ormonde.
Day 10: Through County Wicklow’S Countryside To Dublin Dive Into Culture
Location: Kilkenny, New Ross, Dublin
Accommodation: Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel., Sandymount Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After a morning exploration of Kilkenny, we depart for New Ross where we'll see the monument to John F. Kennedy, who visited his ancestral family hometown in 1963. Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the tragic plight of Irish emigrants during the potato famine of the 1800s on our visit to the nearby three-masted Dunbrody Famine Ship. Journey through the lush Irish countryside of County Wicklow, the 'Garden of Ireland', and back to Dublin where you’ll spend your final evening with travel companions sharing stories of your memorable journey through Ireland at a Farewell Dinner.
Day 11: Farewell Dublin
Location: Dublin
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s time to say a fond farewell to Ireland and newfound friends as you prepare to end your wonderful Irish experience.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Ferry across the Shannon estuary
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Optional Experiences and free time
What's Not Included
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Airfare
International airfare to and from destination is not included in the price.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended.
Mode of Transport
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys), Ferry across the Shannon estuary
Accommodation
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Check out our Q&As
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Is there seat rotation on the coach?
Yes, your Travel Director will implement a seat rotation system, whereby all guests will rotate their seats on the coach daily. This allows for everyone to experience the spectacular views from different seats, and you’ll have a better opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers.
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Is luggage handling provided?
On Guided Vacations and Private Chauffeur Vacations, all luggage handling is provided at no extra charge. One suitcase per person will be brought to your hotel room.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes! Our hotels are personally selected by Managing Director Catherine Reilly and personally known for their quality, impeccable service and comfort, with the majority of them having air-conditioning. Note: A few hotels may not have air conditioning due to the colder climate.
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What are the coaches like?
We pride ourselves on having the finest fleet of fuel-efficient, fully air-conditioned coaches – all with reclining seats and on-board restrooms. The high vantage point from your coach’s window means you can take in all the glorious scenery, whether it’s a vast rural landscape or an urban city center. We also have on board WiFi.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Brendan Vacations is an active supporter of the Treadright® Foundation, a not-for-profit organization established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than $2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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How many people will be on my trip?
You’ll find an average of 40 to 45 guests on trips throughout Europe.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided vacation with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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Will I have free time?
Each itinerary offers the perfect balance of downtime and discoveries. We also give you the opportunity to tailor your trip with Optional Experiences.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes. If you are travelling solo but would be happy to share your rook with another traveller of the same gender, we offer 'Twin-share' pricing on our trips. However, if you prefer the privacy of your own room, you can opt for our single supplement. The cost will depend on your trip and can be found in the pricing section of the itinerary.
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How much luggage can I bring?
On Guided Vacations, you can bring one suitcase per person with the dimensions of 76cm x 46cm x 25cm (30" x 18" x 10") and weight not exceeding 23kg (50 lbs) due to the limited space on the coach. You can also bring one piece of hand luggage, provided it is small enough to take on the coach and does not have telescopic handles.
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What is a Travel Director?
Our Travel Directors come from a variety of backgrounds, but they all share a passion for travel and their homelands. These experienced professionals show you what the guidebooks can't - a true insider's perspective of Ireland and Scotland. Each Travel Director has been through a bespoke training program, and many have at least five years' experience under their belt.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents (important information, itinerary and any relevant vouchers) will be provided 7-10 days prior to your trip's departure.
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What if I have special dietary requirements?
We can accommodate guests who are vegetarian and can assist with diabetic, gluten-free and other medically-recommended diets. Please advise us at time of booking. Unfortunately, we're unable to supply meals in accordance with strict religious requirements. We cannot provide salt-free, Kosher, Halal, requests for specific dietary supplements such as soy milk, and high protein or low-carb meals.
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
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Sunday - Wednesday
May 12, 2024 - May 22, 2024Sunday - Wednesday
May 26, 2024 - Jun 05, 2024Sunday - Wednesday
Jul 07, 2024 - Jul 17, 2024Sunday - Wednesday
Jul 14, 2024 - Jul 24, 2024Sunday - Wednesday
Jul 28, 2024 - Aug 07, 2024Sunday - Wednesday
Aug 18, 2024 - Aug 28, 2024Sunday - Wednesday
Aug 25, 2024 - Sep 04, 2024Sunday - Wednesday
Sep 01, 2024 - Sep 11, 2024Sunday - Wednesday
Sep 15, 2024 - Sep 25, 2024Sunday - Wednesday
Sep 22, 2024 - Oct 02, 2024Sunday - Wednesday
Sep 29, 2024 - Oct 09, 2024Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Brendan Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 200 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of brendan vacations charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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