8 Night Irish Castles and Manors Gold Tour

Arrive Shannon Airport and meet with your experienced Irish driver/guide. All of the drivers we use are qualified guides and have great personalities that really will make your trip unforgettable. Drive the short distance to Vandeleur Walled Gardens. The beautiful old stone walls contain this sheltered garden (2.158 acres), which is set among 420 acres of native woodland. After the visit, take the short ferry crossing over the River Shannon into County Kerry and travel to the Heritage town of Listowel stopping to visit The Garden of Europe which also houses Ireland's only public monument to the memory of the millions who died in the Holocaust. Continue on to Killarney, Ireland’s premier tourist resort. After checking into your hotel, take a stroll through the town centre, visit Killarney National Park and Muckross House or take a boat ride around one of its lakes. Overnight Killarney DBB

After breakfast, travel around the famed Ring of Kerry towards Kilorglin and Cahirciveen stopping at Kells Bay Gardens. The gardens contain one of the foremost collections of Southern hemisphere plants, mainly from Australia, New Zealand and South America. Leaving Kells Bay Gardens, we head for Valentia Island and Glanleam, an 18th century house with 50 acres of superb tropical gardens, most of which are now dense woodlands. The wonderful setting with a beach, a lighthouse and acres of green fields surrounding the house, make it perfect to soothe body and soul. Continue around the 100 mile scenic route passing through the colourful village of Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney. Overnight Killarney DBB

This morning, we head south on a picturesque drive to Bantry, stopping at Bantry House And Gardens. The house has a collection of tapestries, furniture and art treasures which were mainly collected by the 2nd Earl of Bantry, Richard White, during his travels through Europe in the 1800s. The Gardens are home to sub tropical plants and shrubs - reflecting the best in European design and style. Features within the 45 acre grounds are the Hundred Steps, the Italian Garden and the largest Wisteria circle in Ireland. Continue on eastwards to Lisselan Gardens, designed in the 1800s and laid out in Robinsonian style, enhancing the natural features and contours provided by the valley and the river Argideen flowing throughout. This garden provides visitors with magnificent seasonal colours and has 12ha of gardens and woodlands with a variety of plants, trees, shrubs and flowers that flourish in this mild Gulf Stream enhanced climate. Travel back to Killarney via Blarney, to visit the famous castle and stone which, according to legend, gives the gift of eloquence to all who kiss it. Enjoy a stroll around the village green or visit Blarney Woollen Mills which houses quality Irish made goods. Overnight Killarney DBB

After breakfast, make our way back to Shannon Airport via Adare, known as the prettiest village in Ireland. Adare is lined with stone thatch cottages, some of which are craft & art shops, and contains two Abbeys and a Priory which date back to 13th century. Continue to Shannon Airport via Limerick and Bunratty Castle where a short stop will be made for any last minute shopping. Arrive at Shannon Airport in time to check in for your flight home.