Ireland
8 days
Tight on time? The Heart of Ireland in 8 Days. The best of the distillation of our two-week Best of Ireland tour — starts in Ennis (just down the road from Shannon Airport) and ends in Dublin. Each day along the way, in the good hands of your guide and local experts, you'll be amazed at all you'll experience in a mere week of touring the Emerald Isle: must-see historical sites, charming towns, music-filled pubs, artisan visits, and walking tours — including the Rock of Cashel, the Cliffs of Moher, the village of Adare, Dingle, the Great Blasket Centre, Kilkenny Castle, Glendalough, the Brú na Bóinne archaeology site, crystal cutting, whiskey tasting, and more. Join us for the Heart of Ireland in 8 Days!
Day 1
We'll gather together at our hotel at 2 p.m. for a meeting and orientation. Then we'll take a short drive to the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, where you'll find yourself leaning into the wind, teetering on the very edge of Europe, more than 600 feet above the churning waters of the North Atlantic. Afterwards, we'll get to know one another over a hearty "Welcome to Ireland" dinner together. Sleep in Ennis (1 night). Bus: 2 hours. We are walking: light.
Day 2
After breakfast, we'll pack up and board our comfy bus, setting course for Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. En route we'll stop to visit County Limerick's lovely village of Adare, brimming with thatched cottages and flower gardens. At the end of our drive, we'll arrive in the pastel-painted, the quintessentially Irish harbor town of Dingle. After a walking tour, we'll enjoy a gourmet dinner of local specialities followed by an evening of Gaelic tunes. Sleep in Dingle (2 nights). Bus: 5 hours. We are walking: light.
Day 3
It's a great day to experience some of Europe's wildest natural beauty and most ancient Christian sites. We'll start our day with a crystal cutting demonstration from a master craftsman, then hop aboard our bus with our local expert to follow the famous Slea Head Drive, our vote for the most beautiful road in Ireland. We'll stop to tour the strikingly situated Great Blasket Centre, where we'll get a close-up look at the language, literature, and daily
Day 4
Today we'll bid goodbye to Dingle as our bus transports us across the Emerald Isle. On our way, we'll stop to tour one of Ireland's most historic and evocative sights: the Rock of Cashel. St. Patrick himself was here more than 1,500 years ago, and ever since, the Rock has been the spiritual heart of Ireland. From the craggy remains of the cathedral and castle to the views stretching out across the Plain of Tipperary, this is where the Irish in you will stir from head to toe. Upon arrival in Kilkenny, we'll take an orientation walk through the medieval town center and visit Kilkenny Castle, a symbol of Norman occupation since the 12th century. After a walk through its restored Victorian interiors and extensive parklands, your evening is free for dinner and traditional music in one of the many atmospheric pubs. Sleep in Kilkenny (1 night). Bus: 5 hours. Walking: strenuous.
Day 5
This morning we'll head back in time with a visit to Glendalough, Ireland's most impressive monastic settlement. We'll visit the iconic Round Tower, ruined churches, and the lakes that give Glendalough its name. Then we're off to Dublin, where we'll get oriented and enjoy dinner together. Sleep in Dublin (3 nights). Bus: 4 hours. Walking: strenuous.
Day 6
This morning we'll take a walking tour through Dublin, learning about its often-calamitous history, from the days of Viking raids to the hard centuries of British occupation, to its remarkable literary legacy, and to the modern city of today. We'll end at Trinity College for an illuminating look at the remarkable Book of Kells, a jolt of Irish creativity that helped pull Europe out of the Dark Ages. The rest of your day will be free to take in some of Dublin's other world-class sights, such as the National Museum or Dublin Castle. No bus. Walking: moderate
Day 7
Today we'll drive an hour out of Dublin to one of Europe's premier archaeological sites: the ancient tombs of Brú na Bóinne. Predating Stonehenge by a thousand years and the pyramids at Giza by 500, the massive "passage tombs" of Newgrange and Knowth are windows into a mysterious, pre-Celtic Ireland. This afternoon we'll return to Dublin to tour Glasnevin Cemetery and Museum, the final resting place of more than one million Dubliners, including many of Ireland's national heroes and heroines. Tonight we'll compare notes and celebrate our marvelous week together over a farewell dinner. Bus: 2 hours. Walking: moderate.
Day 8
Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. You can fly out of Dublin's handy airport, or, for those not ready to return home yet, Dublin is a great jumping off point to Paris, London, Amsterdam, and many other exciting destinations. Your guide will help you with any post-tour planning, leaving you well prepared for the road ahead.