Best of Ireland Tour
Experience the best Scenery, History, and Culture this amazing island has to offer - with Dublin, Cork, Cobh, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Donegal, Belfast, and more...
Best of Ireland Tour:
September 17 - October 1, 2023 Sold Out
What to Know:
Book by July 15, 2023 - The tour begins at 12 PM at our Dublin hotel on Monday, September 18, 2023 (meeting point details will be provided to you after booking). Your return flights from Dublin can be booked for any time after 9 AM departing on October 1, 2023, as we stay near the airport on the last night of the tour.
Best of Ireland Tour Overview
Alpventures® Best of Ireland Tour is a 14-day immersive journey to Ireland and Northern Ireland; including the most famous scenic locations across the island - and our favorite hidden gems on the "Emerald Isle".
Beginning in Dublin, we will introduce you to the fascinating history of Ireland and the Irish People. We start with a Dublin City Tour, including some free time to explore the lively Temple Bar District, where traditional Irish pubs and quirky boutiques are spread across historic, cobbled pedestrian lanes. We continue to the south, with three nights in Cork County - here we will visit the picturesque sea-side town of Cobh and its historic harbor - where millions of Irish left to immigrate to North America from 1848 to 1950. Cobh Harbor was also the last stop of the infamous White Star Line's mega-ship, Titanic (built by the Irish in Belfast), before making her fateful voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. We'll enjoy an incredible scenic drive on the Ring of Kerry; a 100-mile route on Ireland's famous "Wild Atlantic Way". From Cork, we will head to the west of Ireland, with a stop at the beautiful Cliffs of Moher, on our way to Galway. Moving further north to the Donegal area, we will have two wonderful nights at Lough Eske Castle - an authentic 19th Century Irish Castle! From here, we will experience the Slieve Legaue mountain views (nearly twice as high as the Cliffs of Moher!) before continuing into Northern Ireland. We will give you time to explore the famous Giant's Causeway, a spectacular natural wonder in Northern Ireland, and we will have several scenic stops on the coast as we make our way southeast through the Glens of Antrim. As Northern Ireland is "Game of Thrones Territory," we will point out some of the breathtaking scenery used in Game of Thrones that contributed to the overwhelming success of the hit-HBO series. We will continue to historic Belfast, where we visit the Belfast Titanic Experience, including some free time in the city. A trip to Ireland is not complete without tasting some local whiskey and gin; so we will give you the option to tour the smaller, lesser-known Echlinville Distillery near Strangford Lough. Towards the end of our tour, we will spend two nights in an authentic 18th Century Flour Mill near Downpatrick, which was painstakingly converted into a wonderful hotel. Here, we will slow down the pace and give you the chance to relax by the lake - or visit the nearby (brand new) Game of Thrones Studio Tour at Linen Mills Studio, where they actually filmed the show on 4 different sets. Our last day of the tour will bring us back to Dublin, for some free time to reflect on our travels before enjoying our Farewell Dinner in a traditional Irish Pub!
Best of Ireland Tour Itinerary
Escape to Ireland with Alpventures on an "Old World" experience; with overnights in a medieval Irish Castle and an 18th Century Mill! Experience an enchanting journey along Ireland's famous "Wild Atlantic Way"...
September 17: IN FLIGHT - to Dublin, Ireland
September 18: KILMAINHAM / GLASNEVIN
Arrival this morning at Dublin Airport in Ireland (or at our Dublin Hotel), and meet your Tour Guide and Bus Driver. Continue into town for a lunch break and Guided Tour of Kilmainham Goal prison and memorial. Afternoon visit the Glasnevin Cemetery, where over 1.5 million people are buried. Short break the famous The Gravediggers Pub for a pint or other refreshment before heading back to our hotel in town. Evening Welcome Dinner with traditional live music at Ireland's Oldest Pub, The Brazen Head, located near the lively Temple Bar District. Overnight Dublin. (D)
September 19: DUBLIN / CORK COUNTY
Breakfast. We have the morning at leisure in Dublin before we check out of our hotel, and continue south to Cork County, where we will spend the next three nights in Cork. Lunch en route. Afternoon arrival in Cork and hotel check-in at our hotel located in the city center. Dinner. Overnight Cork. (B, D)
September 20: CORK / COBH HARBOR
Breakfast. Today we will make the short journey to nearby Cobh - known for its incredible harbor history and picturesque colored row houses by the sea. We will visit the historic Cobh Harbor, where 2.5 million Irish left their home country to immigrate to North America; and where the famous Titanic made its last stop before heading over the Atlantic. Guided Tour of the "Titanic Trail" and free time for lunch and to visit the Cobh Heritage Center or Titanic Experience Museum. This afternoon we return to our hotel in Cork and relax before dinner on your own. Overnight Cork. (B)
September 21: KILLARNEY / RING OF KERRY
After breakfast this morning, we will have a full day excursion around the world-famous Iveragh Peninsula, widely known as the Ring of Kerry. This amazing guided tour will include stops at the most famous sites, like Killarney, Dingle Bay, Torc Waterfall, and Ladies View (the most photographed spot in Ireland, according to the Irish Times). Lunch en route. Return via Killarney back to our hotel in Cork. Dinner on your own tonight. Overnight Cork. (B)
September 22: BLARNEY / CLIFFS OF MOHER
Breakfast and hotel check-out this morning. We will depart Cork today and visit nearby Blarney Castle and Gardens (kissing the stone is optional!). Next, we head to the west of Ireland, where we will visit the enchanting Cliffs of Moher. According to Lonely Planet, "on a clear day, the views are tremendous, with the Aran Islands etched on the waters of Galway Bay. From the cliff edge, you can just hear the booming far below as the waves crash and gnaw at the soft shale and sandstone". Lunch en route. Afternoon transfer to our hotel and check in for one overnight. Dinner. Overnight Galway. (B, D)
September 23: GLAWAY / LOUGH ESKE
Breakfast. Check out of our hotel this morning, and head into Galway for some free time to shop and to visit an authentic linen mill in the area. We will continue our scenic journey north to Donegal County, Ireland. The last part of this drive will take in more spectacular views along another portion of Ireland's "Wild Atlantic Way". Lunch en route. Our destination this afternoon is Lough Eske Castle, our 5-Star luxury hotel located in an authentic 19th century castle. In 1861, the castle was built on the site of the old Brooke Mansion. Always a place for entertaining international guests since then, Lough Eske Castle remains full of warm Donegal hospitality today as it did over 150 years ago. Dinner. Overnight Lough Eske. (B, D)
September 24: SLIEVE LEAGUE / LOUGH ESKE
Breakfast at leisure at Lough Eske Castle. Today we will make good use of the opportunity to experience more incredible scenery nearby with our excursion to the majestic Slieve League - a mountain on the coastline boasting views over the sea nearly twice as high as the famous Cliffs of Moher. Pints and dinner in the charming local pub of Teelin, The Rusty Mackerel. Evening transfer back to Lough Eske Castle. Overnight Lough Eske. (B)
September 25: GIANTS CAUSEWAY
Breakfast and hotel check out this morning. Today we continue our scenic and historical journey by heading into Northern Ireland. Here the some of the history of "The Troubles" to better understand the division of Ireland as we make our way through Londonderry and the northern coast. Lunch in Ballycastle. Visit the incredible Giant's Causeway (UNESCO site) and visit the Giant's Causeway Visitors Center. Afternoon stops at Ballintoy Harbor and the Dark Hedges. Arrival at our hotel and dinner. Overnight Bushmills. (B, D)
September 26: BALLYGALLY CASTLE
Breakfast at leisure this morning. Check out of our hotel and continue with lunch en route through the beautiful Glens of Antrim to Ballygally. Check in at our next Irish castle hotel, Ballygally Castle. The remainder of the afternoon is free to enjoy the view, take a walk, or relax at the hotel before dinner. Overnight Ballygally Castle. (B, D)
September 27: TITANIC BELFAST
Breakfast and check-out. This morning we transfer south to Belfast, the bustling and industrial capital of Northern Ireland. Visit the Belfast Titanic Experience (museum) and walk the former shipyard where she was built. Lunch. Transfer to our hotel for check-in and the remainder of the day is free for shopping for exploring more of town. Dinner on your own tonight. Overnight Belfast. (B)
September 28: STRANGFORD LOUGH
Breakfast. Check out of our hotel this morning, and we continue south along the Strangford Lough to the Echlinville Distillery, for a tour and tasting. Continue with a short ferry ride from Portaferry to Strangford, and on to lunch at The Cuan. Afternoon transfer Downpatrick to see the grave of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, before heading to our hotel at Ballydugan for check-in tonight. Dinner. Overnight Ballydugan. (B, D)
September 29: DOWNPATRICK / BANBRIDGE
Breakfast. Today is a "free" day at leisure, with the option of a half-day excursion to the newly opened Game of Thrones Studio Tour, located at Linen Mills Studios or the big shopping mall in Banbridge. This optional visit will include a photo stop at Inch Abbey (monastery ruins). The GOT Studio Tour has quickly become Ireland's number one top attraction - located at the production studios where four permanent sets were used to film the show. Lunch on site. Return to our hotel this afternoon for free time to relax before dinner on your own tonight. Overnight Ballydugan. (B)
September 30: BALLYDUGAN / DUBLIN
Breakfast. Today we check out of our hotel at Ballydugan and continue south back to Dublin, Ireland. Free time in the city for lunch and souvenir shopping, or visit one of Dublin's impressive museums. Afternoon transfer to our Dublin hotel for check in and relax before our Farewell Dinner. Overnight Dublin. (B, D)
October 1: IN FLIGHT - from Dublin, Ireland
The Fine Print
Reservation Policy: Book Alpventures Best of Ireland Tour by July 15, 2023. A completed and signed Tour Reservation Form and a refundable $400 deposit (per person) are required to book our Tours. Payments are made to: ALPVENTURES. Payment in full is due 45 days prior to Tour departure, and must be paid in USD by check, credit card, or by bank transfer.
Cancellation Policy: Although Tour cancellations are not anticipated, Alpventures® reserves the right to cancel Tours for any reason, prior to Tour departure date, in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on Alpventures® part. In the case of Tour Participant cancellation, a full refund will be granted up to 30 days prior to Tour departure. Read our full Booking Terms
Tour Rates:
- USD 4,990 pp in Double / Twin
- USD 5,590 pp in Single Room
What's Included:
- 13 Nights in 3 to 5 Star Hotels
- 8 Dinners and Breakfast daily
- All Transfers by deluxe Bus
- Entrance Fees and local Taxes
- Full-time Tour Director / Guide
- Enjoy our Dublin City Tour
- Visit Cobh in Cork County
- Blarney Castle & Gardens
- Jaunting Car Ride in Killarney
- Scenic "Ring of Kerry" Drive
- Explore historic Cork, Ireland
- See famous Cliffs of Moher
- Discover Galway and Donegal
- Enjoy views at Slieve League
- Overnight in Irish Castles!
- Visit the Giant's Causeway
- Belfast Titanic Experience