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 tour has everything!! Stay in the most luxurious of our Irish Castles and Manor Hotels on this 10 night Platinum vacation to Ireland complete with ferry trip to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands and home to the spectacular pre-Christian Dun Aonghus Fort.  Add in Gourmet meals in 3 of Ireland’s best restaurants, a private falconry experience and so much more and you have the vacation of a lifetime. While this tour includes many of Ireland’s most iconic locations, because all of our travel consultants live in Ireland, they also have an intimate knowledge of Ireland’s hidden gems. All of our tours are designed in-house and as well having your own dedicated travel consultant, you will also receive a comprehensive and unparalleled daily sightseeing guide that is unmatched in the industry. 

While this is a self-drive vacation, a chauffeured version is also available! 

Additional highlights of the Platinum Tour

As well as the upgrades to 5 star hotels in all locations, additional highlights of the ‘PLATINUM TOUR’ while in Ireland will be 2 nights in the wonderful Dromoland Castle, attending the Bunratty Castle Banquet, afternoon tea in Dublin’s Deluxe Merrion Hotel, a Falconry session in Dromoland Castle plus so much more.

To top it off, your tour price includes 3 gourmet dining experiences in 3 of Ireland’s premier restaurants, The Michelin Star restaurants of Patrick Guilbaud’s in The Merrion and Chef Martijn Kajuiter and the Cliff House in Ardmore. You will also have dinner in the the Earl of Thomond restaurant in Dromoland Castle.

Don't Forget! All elements of this vacation package can be customized to suit your needs. If you have a location or special ‘MUST SEE’ place, make sure to mention this to your travel consultant.

What's included

  • Meet and Greet at Dublin Airport 
  • Car rental (Automatic) for 9 days. Private chauffeur option available on request - including our special comfort pack complete with GPS, additional driver and super cover for peace of mind driving
  • 10 nights luxury accommodation with private bath and full Irish Breakfast daily
  • 3 Gourmet evening dining experiences at Irelands best restaurants
  • Luxurious Pampering Spa Treatment/Massage after your flight.
  • Entrance tickets for Blarney Castle
  • Complimentary short riding session on the hotels Austrian Halflinger ponies around the hotel grounds
  • Ferry tickets to the Aran Islands
  • Private Falconry session at Dromoland Castle
  • Tickets for the Bunratty Castle Banquet
  • Afternoon Tea at the Merrion Hotel in Dublin
  • 2 day Hop on Hop off Bus Tour tickets for Dublin City
  • Private Transfer to Dublin Airport
  • Our renowned customized sightseeing guide
  • Services of experienced Irish based travel planner
  • 24/7 support while on tour

Overnights for this tour

  • The Powerscourt Hotel in Wicklow for 2 Nights
  • The Cliff House Hotel in County Waterford for 2 Nights
  • The Europe Hotel in Killarney for 2 Nights
  • Dromoland Castle in County Clare for 2 Nights
  • The Merrion Hotel, Dublin City Centre for 2 Nights

Accommodation options

  • Superior & First Class Hotels
  • Luxury Accommodation & Service in our 4 & 5 Star Hotels
  • Country Manor Houses
  • Deluxe Accommodation in our 4 & 5 Star Irish Castles
  • Any Combination of the above

Day 1 - Day 1: Welcome to Madrid!

Transfer to your Madrid city centre hotel and meet with your fellow knitters and your tour guide for a welcome a Welcome Brunch before setting out to explore La Almudena Cathedral! Although only consecrated by Pope John Paull II in 1993, it was over 100 years in the making and the crypt is the last resting place of many historic noble families of Madrid. 

Visit some of the local yarn stores before a Welcome Drinks Reception and dinner. 

Overnight NH Collection Madrid Gran Via – welcome brunch and dinner included.

Day 2 - Day 2: Explore Madrid and enjoy a tasty Tapas Class!

After breakfast, we start the day with a visit to the Royal Palace of Madrid. Situated in beautiful gardens, the breathtaking building with 3418 rooms, is the official residence of His Majesty the King of Spain. Enjoy exploring the opulence, artwork and treasures of this centuries old wonder. Relax with lunch (included) at a nearby restaurant.

Time to roll up your sleeves and get creating Tapas at The Cooking Clubhouse! The in-house professional Chef will guide you through some of Spain’s most iconic tapas recipes. You will be welcomed with a glass of Cava and shown to your personalized cooking stations where you will work in pairs to make traditional Spanish tapas!

Day 3 - Day 3: Wooldreamers and a Don Quixote Adventure in the La Mancha Region

Travel into the La Mancha region and visit WoolDreamers. Everything they do is focused on heritage, roots, artisanship, nature and humanity, encompassed in excellence and authenticity. Enjoy a comprehensive guided tour that gives you complete insight into the yarn making process and receive a little gift! 

Continue to Castillo De Belmonte, a medieval castle on the hill of San Cristobal. Like a fairy-tale, the castle is in the form of a six-pointed star with a turret at the top of each point. Visit Enjoy the spectacular views across the La Mancha plains. Return to Madrid for a relaxing evening. 

Overnight NH Collection Madrid Gran Via – breakfast and  lunch included.

Day 4 - Day 4: Knitting with Carol Feller of Stolen Stitches and Flamenco!

After breakfast, join Carol Feller of Stolen Stitches for the first of her two knitting classes today! Take your cables to the next level with two colour cables and reversible cables. In this class, we will review chart reading basics and then move on to working cables with two colours, so that they look like they almost float across the surface of your work! 

Time for more fun at the award winning Corral de la Moreria Flamenco Show! Enjoy a lovely pre-show dinner before experiencing the magic of music and dance with some of Spain’s top performers. 

Overnight NH Collection Madrid Gran Via – breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 5 - Day 5: Time for Love Yarn Madrid and Tapas and Cocktails!

It’s festival time! Our shuttle service will get you to the location of Love Yarn Madrid in good time before opening. Enjoy the many stalls, workshops and countless activities for fans of knitting, croche and macramé! 

Our return shuttle will be there at the Day 1 close to bring you back to our hotel. As it is Valentine’s Day, we will get together to celebrate knitting love with tapas and cocktails!

Overnight NH Collection Madrid Gran Via – breakfast and dinner included.

Day 6 - Day 6: More Love Yarn Madrid and time to yourself to explore

It’s Day 2 of Love Yarn Madrid! Our shuttle service will get you to the festival locationin good time before opening and once again you can enjoy the many stalls, workshops and activities. Our return shuttle will be there at the Day 2 close to bring you back to our hotel. The day is yours to explore, dine and relax at leisure and spend as much time as you like at Love Yarn Madrid. 

Overnight NH Collection Madrid Gran Via – breakfast included.

Day 7 - Day 7: More Love Yarn Madrid, El Rastro Market and an Afternoon in the gorgeous city of Toledo!

Day 3 of Love Yarn Madrid commences and our usual shuttle service is available. Of course, you may be all yarned out at this stage so we have some optional activities for you. 

Sundays in Madrid mean one thing: the El Rastro market so of course we have to visit! This sprawling open-air market is on every weekend so you can treasure hunt through more than 700 stalls. You can find centuries-old antiques, vintage furniture, war memorabilia, records, paella pans and every type of souvenir. El Rastro market is also a gathering place for madrileños. Locals come every Sunday to shop, stroll, and grab a bite at the generations-old tapas bars.

This afternoon we visit the UNESCO World Heritage city of Toledo, once the capital of Spain! Situated at a high vantage point overlooking Rio Tajo, is was known as the city of three cultures.’ The Gothic cathedral, musuem and fortress are just some of the visitor hotspots, or you may prefer to amble through the winding medieval streets and stop off at one of the many restaurants, cafes or bars. Make sure to try the region’s famous Manchego cheese! Return to our hotel for a Farewell Dinner! 

Overnight NH Collection Madrid Gran Via – breakfast and dinner included
 

Day 8 - Day 8: Adios Madrid!

As we transfer you to the airport, bid farewell to Madrid, but remember you are bringing great memories, new skills and new friends with you! 

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

Don't Forget!

  • All elements of this vacation package can be customized to suit your needs 
  • Chauffeured option also available - Just Ask 
  • Please note we charge in Euros. Prices in other currencies are for indication only and subject to fluctuation

Accommodation Type 10th February 2025
Per Person Sharing €3,999
Single Occupancy €4,998

Notes

  • Single supplement available on request.
  • Please note prices are per person based on 2 persons in each room with full Irish breakfast and taxes included.
  • Children Sharing with 2 adults (aged 2-11) rates available upon request.
  • Children under the age of 2 are free when sharing with 2 Adults.
  • Listed hotels subject to availability at time of booking

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.

Detailed Enquiry Form

Please enter your vacation requirements in the form below. If your enquiry requires a more immediate response, please use the Tollfree & International numbers as listed down the page.

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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