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Luxury Tour of the Emerald Isle – A Grand Tour of Ireland and Northern Ireland
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customizable itinerary
highlights
price
customizable itinerary
Trip Duration
22-Day/20-Night Tour or Customize Your Journey
Places Visited
Aran Islands, Ashford Castle, Ballyfin Demesne Estate, Belfast, Cliffs of Moher, Connemara National Park, Cork, Dingle Peninsula, Dromoland Castle, Dublin, Giant’s Causeway, Killarney National Park, Waterford
Countries Visited
Ireland and Northern Ireland
Departure DAtes
Dates are flexible and customizable for private departures.
Explore the enchanting Emerald Isle at your own pace with this exclusive itinerary, including experiences and accommodation in the lap of Irish luxury. See the capital cities of Dublin and Belfast, sample Ireland’s famous beverages (think Midleton Very Rare and Guinness) and savor locally sourced, Michelin-star cuisine. Your journey takes in a loop of Ireland and Northern Ireland, including the beautiful Wild Atlantic Way in the west and the Causeway Coast in the north. Evenings are spent in 5-star hotels and castles, days are spent exploring Ireland’s natural beauty, extensive history and culture, and time to relax and simply renew. Welcoming Irish hospitality is known far and wide for a reason… come and find out why.
customizable itinerary
Enjoy the flight from your home country to the beautiful Emerald Isle. Looking for an airfare quote? Just let us know. We are happy to provide Premium, Business, and First-Class flights, as well as travel insurance quotes.
“Céad Míle Fáilte!” 100,000 Welcomes await you in Ireland! Your private driver will greet you at Dublin Airport and chauffeur you, via executive car, to the amazing Ballyfin Demesne, a 5-star luxury country home. (If you prefer to drive on your own, you can collect your vehicle at Dublin Airport and transfer to Ballyfin on your own.) A warm and hospitable greeting awaits you at the stunning estate, where you can choose from a multitude of activities, from clay shooting and other Gaelic games, garden walks, falconry demonstrations, wine & whisky tasting, horse riding, spa treatments, and more. (Perhaps pay a visit to the specially designed costume room to try on and choose from one of their period costumes before enjoying a fine banquet and entertainment in style.) Retire for the evening to your well-appointed, luxurious bedchamber.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Airport Transfer
Attraction/Activity
Meal/Tasting
Accomodation
Start your day off with a fantastic full Irish breakfast (included daily throughout your vacation). Today is yours to explore the beautiful Irish countryside. Perhaps visit the gentle rolling hills of Slieve Bloom Mountains. Your butler will be happy to recommend suitable walks, print maps and provide you with information on local areas. Depending on the time of year, arrange for a visit to Birr Castle & Gardens, owned by the Parsons family (Earls of Rosse) since 1620 (open May through August). Or spend the day around County Laois, with a visit to one of the many neighboring gardens, before returning to your lavish country home for afternoon activities before dinner. If you didn’t get a chance to experience a tasting your first day, this is your opportunity to visit the estate’s well-stocked cellar and select a wine to accompany your meal. Enjoy an open fire in the 80-foot library before drifting off to sleep in your luxurious quarters.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Breakfast- Attraction/Activity
- Meal/Tasting
- Accommodation
After your sumptuous breakfast, say goodbye to Ballyfin as you make your way south to County Waterford, where your 5-star seaside resort awaits. Your private chauffeur-guide awaits your arrival. You’ll then be taken to the fantastic city of Cork where you’ll have the opportunity to visit Cork Gaol, Cobh (formerly known as Queenstown and the last port of call for Titanic’s ill-fated passengers), and the English Market. Your driver will then take you to Midleton for an exclusive distillery tour to celebrate the distinctive flavors of Midleton Irish Whiskey. After your tasting, you will be escorted back to your beautiful oceanfront resort, where your flavor discovery may continue with a dinner at the hotel’s famous Michelin star restaurant.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
Transportation
Private Tour- Attractions
- Meal/Tasting
- Accomodation
Today, choose from a variety of local opportunities. Perhaps explore the seaside resort of Ardmore, with its sandy beach, traditional Irish music and thatched cottages. Youghal, just 15 minutes away and located at the mouth of the River Blackwater, is one of the best examples of a Norman walled port in Ireland. Nearby Dungarvan is a thriving seaside market town, and historic Lismore, dominated by its castle, is possibly one of the country’s quaintest villages. Enjoy traditional Irish cuisine and music at one of the local pubs or restaurants before returning to the gorgeous sea views from your hotel.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Transportation
- Accommodation
Today, you’ll head west towards Killarney, a quaint town in County Kerry and your home for the next three nights. On your journey, picturesque stops await, such as Gougane Barra, a romantic and magical settlement. Or stop in Kenmare, part of the Ring of Kerry, for a bite and a pint in the charming town center. Stop to see the Bronze Age stone circle, one of the largest in south west Ireland. Write out a wish and hang it on the Wishing Tree. Visit the peaceful glens and streams of Gleninchaquin or take a walk along the Kenmare section of the Beara Way before continuing your journey. Once in Killarney, you will find one of Ireland’s most beautiful towns overflowing with hospitality. Dine at a traditional Irish public house that features live Irish music, before settling into your new hotel for the night.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Transportation
- Accommodation
Today, visit Ireland’s first National Park, boasting 26,000 acres of woodlands, sandstone mountains, and set amidst low-lying lakes. You may choose to visit Torc Waterfall to see the whitewater beading over the tiered rocks or visit the 19th-century Victorian Muckross House. You can also enjoy a pony and trap ride, go cycling, or take a scenic walk. Perhaps take a jaunting car ride on one of the popular routes throughout the park or take an open or covered boat trip from the Old Boat House or Ross Castle. Back at your hotel, relax or enjoy a spa treatment, followed by an elegant dining experience at the hotel’s restaurant. Overnight at your Killarney area spa resort.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Transportation
- Attraction/Activity
- Accommodation
This morning your private driver-guide will take you on a full-day tour of the Dingle Peninsula and Slea Head. A stunning collection of villages and views, every new turn can reveal a different vantage point and incredible view. As your private driver winds along the road, you’ll find gorgeous scenery, shifting from green rolling hills to jagged cliffs towering over the Atlantic Ocean. The quaint town of Dingle looks like a colorful village but feels like a bustling port, while the village of Camp offers access to the mountain road for views across the coastline. Return to Killarney for an evening of local cuisine, perhaps at one of Killarney’s three Michelin-starred restaurants, before turning in for the night.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Transportation
- Private Tour/Private Guide
- Accommodation
Say farewell to Killarney as you head north toward Dromoland Castle. Today will be a day like no other with experiences exclusive to Across the Pond Vacations. Meet up with your local host where you’ll first visit one of the oldest operating churches in Ireland. You’ll see how Catholics are buried on one side, Protestants on the other, and you’ll learn about the church’s history. Next, enjoy lunch at a traditional Irish pub. Afterwards, travel to a nearby quay where you’ll learn about the Irish famine. Finally, you’ll visit a Georgian Manor Home. You’ll be welcomed by the lady of the house and receive a mini tour of the ground floor. Your tour is followed by a tasting of three local artisan cheeses in her country kitchen, paired with homemade spiced chutneys. A tasting of craft Irish gins in a hidden Shebeen (pub) within the house are offered before heading to the Farmer’s Cottage next door where you’ll be able to enjoy traditional Irish music and entertainment. (Additional options include visiting a local woolen mill, a working peat bog, a chocolatier, a candlemaker, to name just a few.) Continue on to the stunning 5-star Dromoland Castle, your home for the next three nights.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Transportation
- Attraction/Activity
- Accommodation
After your full breakfast, today is your opportunity to enjoy all that the castle estate has to offer. Set on a beautiful 450-acre estate overlooking Lough Dromoland, Dromoland Castle brings activities and experiences to suit every taste. You can relax with a massage or treatment in the luxury spa, or tee-off at the world-class 18-hole golf course. In addition, available estate activities include fishing, archery, tennis, pony-and-trap rides, and more! This afternoon, enjoy a 1- or 2-hour horse ride at an excellent local equestrian center, where you’ll experience beautiful farmland and green pastures. Experience creative Irish cuisine with the finest seasonal and local produce at the estate’s landmark restaurant, Earl of Thomond.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Attraction/Activity
- Accommodation
Today, you’ll visit the ferry port in Doolin (about an hour’s drive from Dromoland,) and board a boat to one of the Aran Islands. Choose from Inis Mór, Inis Meáin, or Inis Oírr. Explore the island by bicycle or pony and trap. Upon your return, your ferry will pass below the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, providing the opportunity to see these amazing Cliffs from the ocean… a spectacular sight, indeed! Having seen the Cliffs from the ocean, now see them from land from the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre. The cliffs stretch for 5 miles and reach 702 feet at their highest point. At the Visitor Experience Centre you can learn more about these majestic cliffs and view them up close on the hiking paths. Return to your castle hotel for the night.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Transportation
- Attraction/Activity
- Accommodation
This morning, travel north through The Burren on your way to Galway and Ashford Castle, your destination for the evening. The word “Burren” comes from the Irish word “Boíreann” (great rock), which describes the extent of exposed Limestone pavement throughout the area. Continue to the beautiful city of Galway (often referred to as the City of Tribes). Wander the winding promenades and enjoy the sea breeze or stop for lunch at one of the bustling cafes filled with Irish laughter, music, and fresh seafood (oysters, in particular). Enjoy the lively atmosphere before making your way to your next accommodation, the elegant and luxurious 5-star Ashford Castle hotel, the highly-awarded 800 year-old castle.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Transportation
- Accomodation
Connemara awaits you today – a place of contrasts, colors, wilderness, and warm welcomes on the west coast of Ireland. From the bogs and lakes of the region’s Gaelic-speaking south, to the mountain vistas of the west, the diversity of the landscape has much to offer. First, you’ll visit an Oyster farm to see how oysters are grown over a three-year period from seed to plate. As part of your private experience, enjoy the taste of these oysters fresh from the waters of the bay, and then have a selection of these delicious gems delivered to a local gastropub where the chef will incorporate them into your lunch! Afterwards, enjoy the tranquil beauty of Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden before heading back to your castle home. This evening, you will be able to enjoy an exceptional dining experience – an 8-Course Tasting Dinner with Wine Pairings, served in the George V Dining Room (the mandatory 15% service fee is included.) Bon Appétit!
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Transportation
- Attraction/Activity
- Meal/Tasting
- Accomodation
Relaxation and pampering are on the agenda today! Enjoy some of Ashford Castle’s various activities and experiences, designed to suit every taste. You can relax with a massage or treatment in the award-winning spa or enjoy a game at the tennis courts or 9-hole golf course. In addition, available estate activities include fishing, zipline, adventure sports, cycling, and boating. Today, you’ll have the opportunity to learn to fly a bird of prey on a private 90-minute “Hawk Walk” at the castle’s falconry center. Afterwards, get ready to perfect your aim on the estate’s range, where you’ll have a private, guided session of clay shooting or archery. Later in the afternoon/evening, tour Ashford Castle’s extensive wine cellars and partake in your choice of wine tasting within the castle’s cellars. One of Ashford’s expert sommeliers will showcase the wines of your choice (we will provide you with a sample menu ahead of time so you may pre-select your desired tastings). You will be able to sample and experience the nuances of several selections of wines, with insightful advice from your sommelier.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Attraction/Activity
- Accomodation
Today you’re off to County Donegal, filled with a variety of gems from breathtaking cliffs and historical sites, to magical hidden waterfalls and islands. Enjoy the scenic drive as you journey toward your 5-star castle hotel for the night. Perhaps make a few scenic stops along the way, such as the well-preserved Urlaur Abbey, or the beautiful waterfalls at Devil’s Chimney or Glencar. You may instead choose to head straight to your hotel first and then set out to catch the amazing views at Slieve League Cliffs, one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Drive to the viewpoint or take in the scenery on one of the various footpaths. From here you may want to visit Muckross Head, a beach area popular with surfers and noted by its unusual horizontally layered structure. Head back to your hotel and partake in one of the hotel’s activities, such as an afternoon cycle or a horse ride. The hotel is ideal for a romantic dinner, as well.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Transportation
- Accomodation
After breakfast, you’re off to explore the green fertile countryside of Northern Ireland. Your hotel is on the way to your first destination, so after dropping off your things and freshening up, it’s time to make your way along the beautiful Antrim Coast to view one of Ireland’s most astonishing natural wonders. As you make your way towards the coast, visit the craggy castle ruins of Dunluce Castle, the pale sands of Whiterocks Beach and (if you dare) the stunning views crossing the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge before reaching the geological marvel and UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the Giant’s Causeway. Hop over stones and explore the surrounding hills as you watch the light change the 40,000 interlocking basalt columns from greens and greys to warm browns throughout the day. Stop in the town of Bushmills (known for its famous distillery) for a traditional Irish dinner at a local pub before making your way back to your hotel.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Transportation
- Attraction/Activity
- Accomodation
Today you’ll travel to amazing Belfast, Northern Ireland’s capital, with a detour to the Glens of Antrim. The nine glens (valleys) have different variations of natural landscape that includes glacial valleys, sandy beaches, vertical cliffs, tundra plateau, wooded glens, ancient sites, waterfalls and picturesque villages. Take in the beauty of the Causeway Coast before continuing to your centrally-located 5-star Belfast Hotel. Enjoy fine dining and local ambience at one of the many restaurants within walking distance from your hotel.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Transportation
- Accomodation
Today your private driver-guide will show you Northern Ireland’s capital and the second largest city in on the island! See the home of the Titanic with a visit to the Titanic Experience, an authentic retelling of the story through the eyes of those whose hard work and ambition built her. Learn about the Troubles, the most recent conflict in Belfast’s history, during a Political Murals Tour, depicted through street paintings in West Belfast. End your day at one of Belfast’s three Michelin-star restaurants before returning to your hotel for the evening.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Transportation
- Private Tour
- Attraction/Activity
- Meal/Tasting
- Accomodation
Say goodbye to beautiful Northern Ireland as you head south back to Dublin by way of Newgrange and the Boyne Valley. Arrive at Brú Na Bóinne (the Boyne Valley Tombs) and enter the new state-of-the-art Visitor Centre. Learn about the seasonal nature of the prehistoric peoples, the significance of the solar cycle, ceremonies, and the building process. From here, you’ll be taken to both Newgrange and the Knowth Passage Tombs. Continue to Dublin mid-afternoon, where you’ll check into your gorgeous 5-star hotel and have the evening to experience one of the many fantastic restaurants that Dublin has to offer.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Transportation
- Attraction/Activity
- Accomodation
Your guide will show you the highlights of Dublin today with a walking tour exploring the city. Take in the main sites (and a few minor ones) like Dublin Castle, Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Old Parliament Building, Temple Bar, and much more! You’ll walk a loop of the city center and be regaled with tales of Irish history and culture, and of course, lots of “craic” (i.e., FUN!). This afternoon, enjoy a home cooking experience in the home of a local before returning to your hotel for the evening.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Private Tour/Private Guide
- Meal/Tasting
- Accomodation
Today, your driver guide with take you to County Wicklow, known as the Garden of Ireland. Powerscourt Estate and Gardens offers some of the best views in Ireland, containing 47 acres of gorgeously groomed gardens. Wicklow National Park boasts nearly 20,000 hectares of upland mountain scenery and is a wonderful place to relax and take stock of the scenery. The evening is yours to experience all that Dublin has to offer, from fine cuisine to pub crawls and live music.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Transportation
- Private Tour/Private Guide
- Accomodation
After breakfast, check out of your hotel make your way to Dublin Airport for your journey home. If you’ve chosen a self-drive tour, you’ll return your car this morning at the airport before catching your flight.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Transportation
highlights
- Private Driver/Guide or Self-Drive Option
- 5-Star Accommodations and Castle Hotels
- Private Tours
- Food and Drink Tastings
- Unique, Exclusive Experiences with Locals (found only through Across the Pond Vacations)
- Michelin-Star Dining
- … and So Much More!
price
Please inquire for pricing
What’s Included:
- Airport Transfers
- Ground Transportation
- 5-star Accommodations
- Attractions
- Private Tours and Experiences
- Tastings
- (Some) Dinners
- and Daily Irish Breakfast