2024 Vacations

BOOK EARLY FOR A FREE UPGRADE AND 15% DISCOUNT

Book any of our wonderful self-drive vacation packages before the 15th of June 2024 to receive a FREE UPGRADE from Economy Manual Car to Compact Manual Car AND 15% discount off your tour price!
This offer cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts or special event packages.

Tour Overview

‘Excellent’

This 5 centre driving tour of Ireland is perfect for the traveller who prefers to explore the countryside from a number of bases rather than switch accommodations every night or two.

This tour can be accessed from any of Ireland's International airports although ideally entering and departing via Dublin would be the easiest option.

The tour will allow the customer a greater amount of time to get to know the areas in which they are residing and of course the locals that reside in those locations. One of the greatest advantages of the 5 Centre Tour is that you will undoubtedly feel considerably more rested at the end of the tour than someone who has taken the alternative 8 day tour where they stay in each location for just one or two nights.

Your first journey will depend on your airport of arrival, whether it be Dublin, Shannon or Cork. For this itinerary, we will be using Dublin airport as the starting point. This 14 night tour will enable you to visit Ireland’s most famous sights including Trinity College and Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin, Powerscourt House & the Waterford Crystal Factory in the South East, Blarney Castle and the Cobh Heritage Centre in Cork, Killarney and the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher and the ‘Burren Landscape’ of County Clare and Galway Bay and the Aran Islands in the west of Ireland. From there travel north to County Donegal via Sligo (or Yeats County) and into Derry in Northern Ireland to visit the wondrous Giants Causeway back towards Dublin and on route you may wish to visit Ireland's most popular attraction, the ancient Megalithic Tombs at Newgrange, just 45 minutes north of Dublin.

This tour will leave the traveller with a wonderful array of memories of the diverse scenery and cultural differences that they will encounter from one side of the country to the other. While the accents and dialects of the spoken word will vary greatly while journeying from County Dublin in the east of Ireland to the western counties of Cork, Kerry and Clare, the one unchanging constant will be the level of friendliness, humour & welcome that you receive throughout your travels.

What's included

  • Accommodation in rooms with Private Bathroom Facilities 
  • Full Irish Breakfast Each Morning
  • Rental Car or Chauffeur Driven Car
  • 24/7 Local Telephone Support During Your Trip
  • Our Renowned Customized Sightseeing Guide
  • Unlimited Services of Experienced Ireland Based Travel Planner
  • Map of Ireland

Tour highlights

  • Edinburgh
  • Cardiff Castle
  • Edinburgh Castle
  • Glamis Castle
  • Roman Baths & Pump House
  • Stonehenge
  • Windsor Castle
  • Edinburgh City
  • St Andrew's Town
  • Lanhydrock House
  • Lakes District

Overnights for this tour

  • Kilkenny for 3 Nights
  • Kerry for 3 Nights
  • Galway/Mayo for 2 Nights
  • Donegal/Derry for 3 Nights
  • Dublin for the last 3 Nights

Accommodation options

  • Superior & First Class Hotels
  • Luxury Accommodation & Service in our 4-Star Country Manor Houses
  • Deluxe Accommodation in our 4 & 5 Star Irish Castles
  • Our Recommended & Handpicked B&B's, all rooms with private bath facilities
  • Any Combination of the above

Day 1 - LONDON ARRIVAL & WINDSOR CASTLE

Tour begins at 2:00 PM in your hotel. Visit Windsor Castle, residence of the Queen and the largest inhabited castle in the world. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dinner. Then take a brief walk around the compact and historic town of Windsor with a local guide. (D)

Day 2 - STONEHENGE & SALISBURY

Marvel at the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths of Stonehenge and learn about the primitive builders who managed to create such an enduring monument. Stop in Salisbury, a charming old city where the cathedral boasts the tallest spire in England. Arrive in Tavistock, a market town on the edge of Dartmoor National Park (B, D)

Day 3 - LANHYDROCK HOUSE & PLYMOUTH

Travel through Bodmin Moor, an area of unspoiled natural beauty, stopping for photos at Jamaica Inn, made famous by Daphne du Maurier's tale of daring smugglers. Explore Lanhydrock House, a late-Victorian country house with grand rooms and servants’ quarters. In Plymouth, see the Mayflower Steps and take a cruise from the Barbican before enjoying a free evening. (B)

Day 4 - ST MICHAEL’S MOUNT & ST IVES

Visit the coastal village of Marazion to see the majestic outline of St Michael’s Mount, an important pilgrimage destination. In St. Ives, enjoy a walking tour of the main sights and admire the array of beautiful sandy beaches surrounding the town. Enjoy some free time before returning to your hotel in Tavistock. (B, D)

Day 5 - ROMAN BATHS & CARDIFF CASTLE

Explore Bath, popular for over 2,000 years for its natural hot springs. Tour the wonderfully preserved Roman Baths. Head to Cardiff for a sightseeing tour around the city center. Tour Cardiff Castle before sitting down to a Welsh banquet with dinner and lively entertainment. (B, D)

Day 6 - HAY-ON-WYE & SHREWSBURY

Travel through the Brecon Beacons National Park to Hay-on-Wye, a town famous for books. Continue to Shrewsbury, a picturesque town near the English/Welsh border. Take a walking tour with the town crier to see black-and-white buildings that line the narrow streets. Travel through Cheshire to your hotel in Chester. (B, D)

Day 7 - NORTH WALES & CHESTER

Drive through the town of Llangollen and across the Horseshoe Pass for wonderful vistas. Visit a farm to see trained dogs herding sheep and travel to Conwy, a medieval town dominated by a huge castle. Enjoy a walking tour around the picturesque streets and see the smallest house in Britain, followed by free time for lunch on your own. In Chester, take another walking tour to see medieval buildings and Roman walls. (B, D)

Day 8 - LAKE DISTRICT & SCOTTISH EVENING

Travel through the glorious Lake District, which inspired many of Beatrix Potter’s children’s books. Visit the village of Grasmere, where Wordsworth lived and is buried. Stop at the Famous Blacksmiths Shop in Gretna Green, a popular shopping venue for quality Scottish goods. At your hotel, enjoy a lively Scottish evening with dinner and entertainment. (B, D)

Day 9 - EDINBURGH CASTLE & CITY TOUR

Explore central Edinburgh starting in the 200-year-old “New Town” with planned streets and elegant Georgian houses where many famous writers and inventors lived. See the Royal Mile with its narrow medieval houses, then tour Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. The rest of the day is free for you to explore. On August 2 – 16 departures, attend the world famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (B)

Day 10 - GLAMIS CASTLE & ST ANDREWS

Tour Glamis Castle, the legendary setting of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and childhood home of the Queen Mother. Cross the modern Tay Bridge to the medieval town of St Andrews, the “Home of Golf.” Enjoy panoramic tour and spend some free time browsing on your own. Back in Edinburgh, head to a nearby pub for dinner with your group. (B, D)

Day 11 - TOUR ENDS IN EDINBURGH

Your tour ends after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner >

Route map

Tour attractions

2024 Vacations

BOOK EARLY FOR A FREE UPGRADE AND 15% DISCOUNT

Book any of our wonderful self-drive vacation packages before the 15th of June 2024 to receive a FREE UPGRADE from Economy Manual Car to Compact Manual Car AND 15% discount off your tour price!
This offer cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts or special event packages.

Tour Prices

Below, you will find a price for this self drive tour including your car rental. Pricing for other accommodation and transport options is also available upon request. Please also note that all of our driving tours itineraries and sightseeing guides are available to those wishing to avail of one of our experienced driver guides.

ACCOMMODATION WITH CAR RENTAL PRICING

Notes

  • Please note prices are per person based on 2 persons in each room with full Irish breakfast and taxes included.
  • The Combination package includes 5 Nights in 3*** Hotels, 6 nights in Luxury Manor House Hotels & 3 Nights in our hand-picked B&B's.
  • Children Sharing with 2 adults (aged 2-11) pay 40% of the Adult option.
  • Children under the age of 2 are free when sharing with 2 Adults.
  • Your Accommodation & Car Rental Package rate includes an Economy class car eg., Opel Corsa or Fiat Punto.
  • Included with your car is all compulsory insurances - Collision Damage Waiver insurance (CDW with an excess/deductible), theft protection insurance, location fee of €30, Road fund tax, sales tax at 13.5%, unlimited free mileage, third party liability insurance, 24 hour peace of mind break down cover.

Private Chauffeur Option Available For This Tour

  • Enjoy the services of an experienced and friendly driver guide
  • Luxury vehicles so you get to travel in style and comfort
  • Take the stress out of driving on unfamiliar and sometime narrow roads
  • With our knowledgeable drivers you see more in less time
  • You get to see the scenery instead of worrying about crashing into it!
  • Contact Us for a price quotation today

Prices in other currencies are indicative only. Please note that we charge in Euro.

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For customers based in North America, please note that as we are based in Ireland, we are 5 hours ahead of EST.

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