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Overview
While often overlooked for time-tested touring routes in the south, Northern Ireland is also full of hidden treasures: quaint fishing villages, beautiful beaches and coastline, all that plus Bushmills Distillery, Giants Causeway, and The Titanic Experience. Northern Ireland’s people have endless pride in their unique culture, vitality & history and great hospitality. This promises to be the road trip of a lifetime!
Day 1: Depart the USA.
Day 2: Arrive in Dublin. Stay in Belfast 2-nights.
Day 3: Explore Belfast City.
Day 4: Discover the northern coast. Stay in Derry 2-nights.
Day 5: Tour Derry City.
Day 6: Experience ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ Discovery points. Stay in Donegal for 2-nights.
Day 7: Enjoy Donegal and the surrounding sights
Day 8: Drive East to Dublin. Stay in Dublin City 2-nights.
Day 9: Discover the best sights & sounds of Dublin
Day 10: Depart Ireland.
Price: Please contact our travel experts for current pricing 1-800-832-1848
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Itinerary
Day 1: Depart the US
Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Dublin Ireland!
Day 2: Arrive Dublin. Stay in Belfast.
Arrive in Dublin Airport where you will pick up your rental vehicle. Enjoy the scenic drive north towards Belfast. En route, visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Newgrange; a prehistoric monument and megalithic Stone Age passage tomb, built about 3200 BC, making it older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids. Upon arrival in Belfast, settle into your accommodations and become familiar with your new surroundings. Enjoy a 2-night stay in the Deluxe ‘Europa Hotel’ in the center of Belfast City. Perhaps enjoy a drink in the ‘Crown Bar’ which is the finest Victorian ‘gin palace’ in the UK. Owned by the National Trust, the ornate interior has been enjoyed by travelers since 1885.
Day 3: Explore Belfast.
This morning tour the Titanic exhibition. Only in Belfast can you trace the Titanic story to its source, discover the passion and pride of those who designed and built her and relive the excitement of the Titanic era. Then you can visit the Belfast Cathedral, and the Botanic Gardens. Other sightseeing options include the Albert Clock, Cave Hill, Harland & Wolff, Stormont Castle, The Odyssey Arena and St. George’s Market. Belfast is rich with culture and history; enjoy taking in all the sights and sounds of this dynamic city.
Day 4: Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle and more. Stay in Derry.
After a good breakfast, we drive to Carrickfergus and then on to Larne, we leave the beaten track and follow the spectacular, uncongested coastal route through villages where time has stood still. See the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site; Giants Causeway. Enjoy the breath-taking Nine Glens of Antrim, cross the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and marvel at Dunluce Castle, perched dramatically on towering cliffs high above the North Channel. Pay visit to the Old Bushmills Distillery for a tour and a taste of whiskey right from the source. Stay 2-nights at the luxury ‘Beech Hill Country House’ in Derry.
Day 5: Discover Derry.
Since winning the prestigious UK City of Culture 2013 accolade the city of Derry ~ Londonderry has now been recognized as a destination synonymous with culture, creativity and the warmth of its people. The only completely Walled City in the British Isles, its 17th century walls provide the platform for uncovering over 1450 years of history whilst embracing a modern pulse of life through its many galleries, restaurants, shops, cafés and bars. Explore Derry today, a good place to start is the Tower Museum. Nestled within the Walls, it lets the city’s often turbulent history speak for itself with two permanent exhibitions: The Story of Derry and An Armada Shipwreck – La Trinidad Valencera. Visit the Peace Bridge; The Peace Bridge is one of the largest and most iconic projects to be supported under the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund’s Peace III Program.
Day 6 & 7: Sliabh Liag Cliffs, Malin Head and More. Stay in Donegal.
Today you’ll visit the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ discovery point of Malin Head; the most northerly point in Ireland. Enjoy Stunning panoramic views and magnificent beaches as you visit the next discovery point; Fanad head. Drive along the coast and stop in the quaint village of Dunfanaghy for a late lunch in a local pub. Or, explore Glenveagh National Park and Castle which is Donegal’s primary attraction. There are few, if any, other places where you have the opportunity to see salmon swimming up river to spawn, deer crossing your path and the Golden Eagle flying overhead! Continue on with the option to see the magnificent cliffs of Sliabh Liag; which are amongst the highest sea cliffs in all of Europe. Stay 2-nights at the 5 star ‘Lough Eske Castle’ in Donegal.
Day 8: Explore Sligo. Stay in Dublin.
Tour The Beleek Pottery Factory today, and enjoy some shopping. Enjoy an overview tour of County Sligo, known as Yeats Country. Visit the resting place of W.B. Yeats. Then continue on towards Dublin City. Stay 2-nights in the Deluxe ‘Buswells Hotel’ in Dublin City Center. Say good bye to your Driver Guide OR return your rental car. Enjoy a pint of Guinness and some traditional Irish music in a local pub tonight. We’ll give you a list of our favorite pubs and restaurants!
Day 9: Tour Dublin City.
Explore Dublin City. We recommend taking a ‘Hop on Hop off’ double-decker bus tour of Dublin, it’s a fantastic way to see all the sites and not miss a thing! Highlights include Trinity College and The Book of Kells, The Phoenix Park, The Dublin Writer’s Museum, The National Gallery of Ireland, and Dublin Castle. Visit the Guinness Brewery & Store House at St. James Gate; take a tour and enjoy a taste of the real thing right from the source. Tour St. Patrick’s Cathedral and see the stunning stained glass that adorns this famous land mark. Shop at the Kilkenny Design Centre for fine handmade Irish goods. This evening, perhaps enjoy a Horse and Carriage ride through some of Dublin’s historic Georgian Squares or walk through the Temple Bar area, which is fast becoming Dublin’s Left Bank!
Day 10: Depart Ireland.
After breakfast, enjoy your private transfer to Dublin Airport and prepare for your return flight home to the USA.
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Inclusions
Price: From $1,795 Per Person Sharing. Land only.
- 8 Nights Luxury hotel accommodations with full breakfast daily.
- Pricing based on double or twin rooms, single supplement available on request.
- Self Drive Car Rental includes CDW insurance & unlimited miles.
(Or, Upgrade to Driver Guide with private transport which will include all driver expenses.) - Private transfer from your hotel to Dublin Airport on day of departure.
- Deluxe portfolio of travel documents before departure.
- List of recommended pubs, restaurants, & places of interest.
- Accommodation taxes & service charges.
- Touring map of Ireland.
- Discount admissions booklet for area attractions.
- Concierge service in Ireland while traveling.
Airfare is additional:
Take the hassle out of booking flights. Ask about our best available Economy Fares as well as our Preferred Business and First Class Offers. Our air department experts can help with competitive rates. Just let us know your preferred dates and U.S. Departure City. We will do the rest.
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Hotels
The Europa Hotel, Belfast City
The elegant décor, contemporary bistro, bustling bar and relaxing piano bar lounge all add to the atmosphere of this beautiful hotel. Enjoy the superb Belfast city Centre location with shops, restaurants, theatres and more – right at the front door.
Beech Hill Country House, Derry
This award winning Country House is situated in Londonderry. Beech Hill Country House Hotel is close to Waterside Theatre, Derry City Walls, and Tower Museum.
Lough Eske Castle, Donegal
Eske Castle, a five-star castle hotel & Spa is located on a secluded lakeside estate just outside Donegal Town, has a rich history dating back to the 1400s being associated with the O’Donnell Clan, the founding fathers of Donegal, a county in the north-west region of Ireland.
Buswells Hotel, Dublin City Centre
Buswells Hotel is renowned for its friendly staff and great location. Situated in the heart of Dublin City Centre, Buswells Hotel provides a unique and relaxing atmosphere just a stone’s throw from St. Stephen’s Green, Trinity College, Temple Bar and many more visitor attractions.
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Gallery
- Itineraries
- Around Ireland in 14 days – Including Northern Ireland
- Elegant Ireland
- Luxury Country House Adventure
- Emerald Ireland Experience
- Royal Scotland
- Deluxe Crafting Tour of Ireland
- Ireland for the Connoisseur
- An Irish Christmas
- London & Cotwolds Deluxe Tour
- Luxury Castles & Manors Driving Tour – 10 Days / 9 Nights
- Haunted Ireland Adventure
- Haunted Scotland Adventure
- Irish Equestrian Adventure
- Gardens of Ireland Tour
- ‘Game of Thrones’ Ireland Adventure Tour – 9 Days / 8 Nights
- Northern Ireland Discovery
- Irish Honeymoon Dream
- Wild Atlantic Way Tours
- Chauffeured Tours
- Destination Dublin
- Exclusive Rentals
- Testimonials
- Request More Information