2024 Vacations

Book early and save 15%

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

Tour Overview

‘Excellent’

This Best of Ireland Tour  - Our Most Popular Ireland Self Drive Tour

This tour can be accessed using any of the Irish Airports and is a 7 night tour based on Ireland’s most famous sights including Trinity College and Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin, Powerscourt House & the Waterford Crystal exhibition 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 as well as the Aran Islands and Connemara in County Galway and Ireland's most visited attraction, the ancient Megalithic Tombs at Newgrange, just 45 minutes north of Dublin. Depending on the airports used, the stopovers outlined below may vary in order but the same route will be covered.

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.

While the suggested tour itinerary clearly outlines how you will be able to visit many of Ireland’s most historical locations and attractions, make sure to take time-out to get to know the local people and their culture.

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

  • Dublin
  • Killarney
  • Isle Of Skye
  • Loch Lomond
  • Edinburgh Castle
  • Edinburgh Tour
  • Edinburgh City
  • Glasgow
  • Loch Ness
  • St. Andrew's Cathedral
  • St Andrew's Town
  • Pithlochry

Overnights for this tour

  • Waterford or Kilkenny for 1 Night
  • Kerry for 2 Nights
  • Galway for 2 Nights
  • Dublin for 2 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 - Glasgow Highlights

Tour begins 2:30 PM at your Glasgow hotel. Set out on an introductory tour of central Glasgow -- a city that flourished in Victorian times due to the shipbuilding industry and international trade. Drive around George Square with its ornate City Chambers, and visit Provand’s Lordship, Glasgow’s oldest house, built in 1471. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dinner. (D)

Day 2 - Loch Lomond & Loch Ness Cruise

Travel alongside the famous Loch Lomond, renowned for its beauty. Drive across the haunting Rannoch Moor and through Glencoe, admiring the wild and spectacular scenery. Continue through Fort William and stop at a woolen mill to shop for quality Scottish goods. Embark on a short cruise on Loch Ness before heading to Nairn. (B, D)

Day 3 - Whisky Tasting & St Andrews

Visit Blair Athol Distillery to see how whisky is distilled and enjoy a sample. Travel to St Andrews, best known as the “Home of Golf.” Take a panoramic drive around, then spend some time exploring independently. Continue on to to your gracious manor house hotel outside Edinburgh, set on 1,000 acres with two golf courses. Enjoy a Scottish evening with traditional cuisine and a lively show of songs, stories, and dancing. (B, D)

Day 4 - Edinburgh Castle & City Tour

Explore the principal sights of central Edinburgh from the bustling Princes Street and through the gracious, wide streets of the 200-year-old Georgian “New Town.” Walk along part of the Royal Mile where compact medieval houses reach several stories tall. Visit Edinburgh Castle perched high above the city on volcanic rock. The castle contains the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Scone. The rest of the day is free. The August 4 – 25 departures watch the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade. (B)

Day 5 - Ferry to Ireland & Titanic Belfast

Depart Edinburgh and travel through Ayrshire and along the coast. Embark on a ferry ride to Belfast. At Titanic Belfast, immerse yourself through state-of-the-art displays in the local history of this ill-fated ocean liner, built in the nearby shipyards. Then travel to Dublin, where you will enjoy some free time for dinner on your own. (B)

Day 6 - Dublin Sightseeing & Canal Dinner Cruise

Discover central Dublin with a local guide. See the shopping areas around Grafton and Nassau Streets, view elegant Georgian squares, and the General Post Office, where the 1916 Uprising started. Take a walk around Christ Church Cathedral, founded in 1028. In the evening, board a former Guinness barge for a canal dinner cruise complete with traditional Irish music. (B, D)

Day 7 - Farmhouse Tea with Sheepdog Demonstration & Blarney Castle

Travel through the midlands of Ireland on your way to a traditional farm. Immerse yourself in farm life with tea and scones at a farmhouse visit and watch skilled dogs herd sheep. Head to Blarney Castle and kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Head to Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes and mountains. (B, D)

Day 8 - Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience

Step back in time as a jaunting car drives you past Ross Castle on Lough Leane. Embark on the Ring of Kerry drive -- a winding route with breathtaking sights of mountains and coastal views. Cross the bridge to Valentia Island to visit the Skellig Experience, which explains the life of early Christian hermits on Skellig Michael, a rocky offshore island featured in the film “Star Wars VII.” Enjoy a casual lunch before a pause at Moll’s Gap for panoramic mountain views. Return to Killarney where the evening is free. (B, L)

Day 9 - Cliffs of Moher & Medieval Castle Banquet

After crossing Shannon by ferry, take in the enormity of the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of sandstone that reaches 700 feet above the Atlantic. Walk along the cliffs for stunning views. Later, at Bunratty Castle Hotel, you’ll have free time to visit the Folk Park, have a drink in 200-year-old Durty Nelly’s Pub, or just relax independently. In the evening, enjoy a memorable medieval-style feast where the lords and ladies will serenade you with song and harp music evocative of the Middle Ages. (B, D)

Day 10 - Galway & Clonmacnoise

Head to Galway for a walking tour around the city center. Visit the picturesque monastic ruins of Clonmacnoise, founded in 544 AD by Saint Ciaran. Back in Dublin, your evening is free to explore. (B)

Day 11 - Tour Ends in Dublin

Your program ends after breakfast today. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner All components of this tour (hotels, visits and attractions) for 2020 itineraries are subject to change until finalized in September 2019.   >

Route map

Tour attractions

2024 Vacations

Book early and save 15%

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

Tour Prices

ACCOMMODATION WITH CAR RENTAL PRICING

Accommodation Type

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 3 Nights in 3*** Hotels, 2 nights in Luxury Manor House Hotels & 2 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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