"There were many, but Glendalough is stunning.". It was well-planned and organized to help us understand the beauty of Irish culture. The falconry demonstration was unexpected and unique as well. "Going to Dingle, and driving through Sleigh Head Drive. "The musicians at the Old Ground Hotel were spectacular. You will go places and experience the culture in a way that other tours cant provide. "Pre-Celtic Ireland inside the tombs demonstration of the sun rise or was it set(?) Learned a lot of Irish history. The sites we visited were exactly what we wanted to see. It will always - in my mind's eye - be Ireland to me!!!". "Wow moment(s) were on the Dingle peninsula. The tour was excellent. Also, the fact tht the Gallarus Oratory was built 1200-1300 years ago without mortar is still intact!". Every day was a new and beautiful experience.". Tour from Dublin. Pascal was an excellent guide through his beautiful country! Answer 1 of 13: Putting the finishing touches on my 8 day itinerary. ", "The Cliffs of Moher were very impressive.". We'll visit the iconic Round Tower, ruined churches, and the lakes that give Glendalough its name. Its impossible to see a country in a week, but were given a sense of Ireland, saw important historical places, and experienced some of the culture. The tour bus was a brand new Mercedes coach, with an experienced driver. Norman monasteries, Irish castles, ancient stone circles, Celtic crosses, the Cliffs of Moher, a cruise on the River Shannon, and whiskey tasting await. To an end, the people of Edinburgh couldnt have been more industrious, kind, respectful & helpful under extraordinary circumstances impacting their town in desperate circumstances. Ireland is beautiful and the people so friendly and welcoming. "Hard to pick just one but NewGrange was a Wow for me.". 8 Day -Best of Southern Ireland Tour; 6 Day - A Taster of Ireland Tour; 14 Day - The Entire Coast of Ireland Tour; 12 Day - Luxurious Castles and Manor Houses Ireland Tour; 11/14 Day - Wild Atlantic Way Coastal Route Tour; 10/14 Day -Step Back in Irish History Tour; Day 3: Dingle Peninsula | stay in Dingle. Runner-up: standing in the central chamber at Newgrange.". The trip was wonderful. On Mon 9/12 the tour group was headed to Kilkenny and Lynn helped me navigate my own way to Kilkenny where I found another hotel that could put me up for 5 days. Our bus driver, George, always had a smile and was driver extraordinaire. The overhead bins were full, by the time I boarded. It was very moving.". Fearless singer from the bus front microphone, as well. 3-day tour of southern Ireland's highlights from Dublin. Everything was so well planned and orchestrated. Such a beautiful small town with so much history. This was my first Rick Steves trip but won't be my last. We were unduly worried about rainy weather -- we had a few sprinkles, but nothing that slowed us down. I loved the tour because I felt like the hassles of transportation, buying tickets, parking , finding the best hotels and food were already in place. "Being able to perform with a local music group on a box drum. It was like becoming a local for a short period of time, rather than just being a tourist and looking at spectacle. There are just so many museums in Dublin you need extra days. Plus, our buns driver, George, was delightful and helpful. I could spend a week there and be amazed every day.". weather could have been better. "I love Dublin!!!!!!!!!! "Listening to Billy Keane. MORE LESS From our fellow travelers to all the guides that Joe Darcy arranged especially Mary in Dublin. "The Dingle Peninsula bus tour was fabulous. This trip was my first tour. Simply fantastic!". "In Dingle Garoad set up 5 time world champion Irish Dancer, David Geaney, to come dance for us, followed by a lovely show by a local singer and guitar player. We enjoyed learning about the history of the areas we visited, and learned how much and why they despise the British! ", "Rock of Cashel is located at a beautiful site and the guide brought it to life.". It was a great mix of rural western Ireland and the big city feel of Dublin in the east. Day 7: Dublin. I was not sure what to expect but have watched Rick Steves on PBS for years. On our way, we'll stop to tour one of Ireland's most historic and evocative sights: the Rock of Cashel. This 8-day Ireland itinerary walks you through my return trip day-by-day so you can experience the ultimate Ireland itinerary for yourself. Pascal even set up a taxi ride on our afternoon off that allowed several of us to play golf on a links course in Castlegregory. Three California restaurants were recognized among the best Irish pubs in the U.S. just in time for St. Patrick's Day on March 17. Unfortunately, that was overshadowed later by the fact that several people on the tour contracted Covid. Ireland is such a beautiful country. Note: If you plan to spend a few days in the UK as part of your itinerary, you'll find a better selection of post-tour DublinLondon flights to choose from than pre-tour LondonShannon flights. I would love to live in Ireland. For COVID-19 Travel and RS Tours information, "Glendalough and Glasnevin Cemetery were the highlights for me, and are sights I really want to revisit in the future.". "I loved the tour of the Dingle Peninsula. My husband and I were so excited to finally be on a Rick Steves tour again. And the guide, driver and group were so fun to be with! The knowledge, humor, and love for the places and people that we visited with Pascal made it an incredible and unique trip. Also, the Irish family .". The birds were beautiful and the the falconers were very knowledgeable and friendly. The restaurants were excellent, people were friendly and we learned so much about the history of this beautiful country from Pascal and out local guides. You must see Ireland. We traveled with wonderful people and our guide Kelly was knowledgeable and provides good leadership. The hotels were very good, an upgrade from our Paris tour experience. We enjoyed everything we did and the towns we visited. We had several tour members who got Covid on our tour. I also loved the town of Dingle!". Your guided tour of Southern Ireland will begin in Dublin's busy streets; leaving the noise behind, you will embark towards the wonderful Wild Atlantic Way. They simply are not like other tour operators. ", "The falconry in Dingle and the scenery on the drive around the Dingle peninsula.". All of the reviews were great but I still was unsure of how it would go. Though a short tour, only one week, we covered a great variety of sites. My waistline will take a while to recover, but it was worth it! Many wow moments.". Tour guide very knowledgeable and friendly. Day 6: Killarney to Galway. Lynn's perspective between the north and the republic made it seem very real and most interesting. This was a brief, although terrific, introduction to Ireland. "The surprise falconry experience is one that I will never forget! So knowledgeable, knew everyone everywhere we went, and was always happy to help in any way. The food and drink were delicious, and our accommodations were close to the action and comfortable. (sorry kids) We lucked out and had two tour guides, Stephen and Paul. I really enjoyed the tour. The following day we had a Falconry experience on the grounds of our B&B - so cool to have falcons and owls flying to our outstretched arms!". "Although I loved each area we visited, probably my favorite stay was at our Bed and Breakfast in Dingle. We truly enjoyed visiting all the places on our tour. It was a trip of a lifetime for me. Never a bad meal or hotel. Bus: 2 hours. "The Cliffs of Moher and Slea Head drive both had outstanding scenery and opportunities for pictures.". Our guide, and local guides, were outstanding. Tour had special events scattered in that made it very special. It was not on our original itinerary. I loved having conversations with regular folks from the town. Sln leat! "There were too many wow moments to choose just one.". Especially loved Dingle and the Slea Head Drive, also Dublin. Since almost everything was set up for us (hotel, travel, meals) allowed us to have a relaxing vacation. The tour of Ireland was amazing mostly because of our tour guide, Kellie. The tour was well-planned and well-executed. The Heart of Ireland tour was a great experience. The itinerary, the group of people, the guide Stephen-all added up to a wonderful travel experience! Day 8. There were great choices in restaurants and hotels. We experienced so much that Im still processing it all. So many horrible things done to them, its no wonder they are still so bitter towards them. Another top-notch Rick Steves tour! Our bus driver George was a star too! Beautiful sights, comfortable bus, wonderful guides, great rooms. The food festival in Dingle with its crowds and the rain turned our visit there into less that perfect experience. Superb experience. In the late morning or early afternoon drive to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park for an easy trip through Ireland at the end of the 19th century. In the good hands of your Rick Steves 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, village of Adare, Dingle, the Great Blasket Centre, Kilkenny Castle, Glendalough, crystal cutting, whiskey tasting, and more. "Falconry experience. The historical significance at the Rock of Cashel still occupies a wonder. I enjoyed learning about the culture and history of Ireland. "Everything was amazing I had several wow moments The Cliffs of Moher were breathe taking. The only problem is that it ended too soon!! We had an awesome time! Met so many wonderful Irish people who engaged with us in meaningful and enriching ways. Lots of extra things about the tour that made it much better experience than trying to do on your own. Stephen was an amazing guide; Kelli added valuable historical info; George was calm and capable behind the wheel; and we had a friendly group of people. Our Rick Steves tour guide Pascal, was amazing. I struggled between adequate and good. Today we'll bid goodbye to Dingle as our bus transports us across the Emerald Isle to Kilkenny. This was the first Rick Steves Tour for my adult daughter and myself, although I have used Ricks books and watched his shows for years. Also, loved the music he played to tie in with the tour on the bus. The guide was exceptional & each day I learned more about Ireland, its history and its culture. By the way, Guinness is better in Ireland.". Cobh. "The beauty of Dingle, the calmness of a small city. "Dingle, definitely!! 8-Day Itineraries South Ireland Scenic Road Trip - 8 Days South Ireland Scenic Road Trip - 8 Days View Map A great choice for families or travelers who prefer a little independence, this itinerary will take you on a leisurely road trip through some of Ireland's most scenic cities and natural sites. I have visited Ireland several times but never before with a tour guide. Even the drenching rain (really, the only bad weather day) couldn't take away from the magnificence and the incredible historical significance of this site. Good value; good mix of time with activities included and then time on our own. Excellent tour - both the week long tour guide and the local guides were great. Joe made sure they received the help they needed and followed up with them. The town seems like a quintessential place to see in Ireland. On our Heart of Ireland in 8 Days tour among other things you'll need to happily. "The scenic drive around the Dingle Peninsula. This change was narrower than the S&P 500's 1.1% loss on the day. Our guide Pascale was efficient with time and a real pro all things Irish. I felt we covered a great deal of Ireland in an efficient manner, but still did not have too much urgency - which allowed a decent amount of time to enjoy each stop. Great guides (we had a seasoned guide and a newly-hired one who is an archaeologist) who knew the country and were happy to share their insights and talk about anything. The Heart of Ireland in 8 Days Rick's personal "best of" distillation of our two-week Best of Ireland tour starts in Ennis (just down the road from Shannon Airport) and ends in Dublin. Finely tuned itinerary. By the time we got to Glasnevin many felt we had seen enough cemeteries. "Cliffs of Moher - we were fortunate to have good weather". Day 5: the Ring of Kerry. CALIFORNIA. Started my tour on Fri 9/9 in Ennis Ireland. & driving was safe. My family went to Italy in 2017 and used a travel agency - we got ourselves everywhere, but would have tour guides meet us in each city to show us the important sites. "The Slea Head Peninsula was so breathtakingly beautiful.". The tour was not overly ambitious and the towns that we visited were perfect for a week in Ireland. Guide was fjm and imformative. I found the schedule and pacing of the entire 8 days to be perfect, with enough time to wind down or explore on our own when needed. Day 5: Ring of Kerry | stay in Cashel. Ireland is a beautiful country! I am celiac and had no trouble with the food. Now I wish we had booked the longer tour! Alternatively explore the Wild Atlantic Way that includes stops in Doolin, the Dingle Peninsula, the Cliffs of Moher and Bantry Bay among others. Dara was great. An awe-inspiring route around the beautiful Ireland. Morning in Reykjavk & Departure. We had live entertainment at our group dinner there - a local Irish family who played lively tunes on their accordions and flute. nice people on the trip abet with one annoying exception. Ireland was beautiful and we had a very fun group of people to travel with! Day 4: Dingle Peninsula| stay in Killarney. The hotels were delightful, the other tour members were friendly and interesting, the pace was perfect, the tour guide, Joe, was charming, calm, and knowledgeable, the experiences were fascinating, and the bus driver was skillful. Overall the trip was wonderful. Loved learning about the Blasket islands this day too!". Good accommodations, Good food, good company, "Flying the hawks, owls and falcons at the B&B.". Loved the trip. For me, it didnt get any better, than seeing these two beautiful representations of Irish entertainment, truly memorable.". The bus driver George was also a very good driver, very professional, and very personable. The Rick Steves tour drew out the nuance and accentuated the joy. Really impressive display!". Tour went smoothly. This picturesque seaport town attracts lots of visitors for its famous "Deck of Cards", a row of colorful houses stacked up on a steep hill and the St. Colman's Cathedral. We were so taken with the willingness of every native we were in contact with to assist us and engage in conversation. Timing, weather, tour guide, accomodations, extra treats! It was everything wed hoped for and more. I also really loved hanging out with the Irish Wolfhounds next door at Milltown House, as well as the group dinner there. We were very impressed with the knowledge and friendly professionalism of our main tour guide, Joe Darcy. ", It was a great tour. Delicious fish & chips. It was an unexpected surprise that I enjoyed very much. I felt so immersed in this beautiful country that I did not want to come home. Finally, they spend a tremendous amount of effort making sure youre fully prepared for your trip. Enjoyed Stephen teaching us Irish songs, twice we were in pubs and sang along on songs he had taught us. Also liked the combination of structured time and free time. Great tour since we hadnt been out of the country in 6 years. "The Cliffs of Moher actually brought me to tears with their splendor. Our guides and driver, Stephen, took excellent care of us and taught us so much about the history and culture of this beautiful island. Blarney Castle Blarney Castle is my favourite castle that we visited in southern Ireland. I loved Dingle Peninsula the people, the shops and the history. He was a totally unexpected treat, talking about life with candor and humor. We have suggestions for improvements in that area. Visit unique sites and stay in small towns in locally owned accommodations. I've has longed to visit Ireland since I was a child, & esp. Whether you're visiting Ireland or planning a staycation, work with an Irish local to plan your trip. The people of Ireland were just great and made us feel at home. Wonderful combination of history, culture, experiences and fun! Amazing!". ", "Understanding the the regions history from prehistoric times to present.". I got to let wild birds perch on my hand in a beautiful setting in a Ireland while the bird keeper took my picture.". Great itinerary and tour guide. South to Reykjavk: Snaefellsnes Peninsula & West Highlights. I feel like Irish history was coming together for me by the end of the tour. The tour was fantastic! I truly enjoyed my tour from beginning to the sad end! ", It was well organized and informative. The weather was great and the food was delicious! "Lots of wow moments on this one for me - Glendalough, falconry in Dingle, and I really enjoyed the Slea Head Drive and learning about the Blasket Islands.". I loved every minute of the tour. "Though the scenery and culture we experienced was amazing, I have to say the biggest "wow" moment for me was our tour guide Stephen. The Irish people shared their warm hospitality, talents, and humor. "If I had to pick one it would be listening to the Irish musicians at the Milltown Inn with the Dingle Harbor waterway glistening in the background was just magical.". Great guide, nice mix of people, wonderful things to see. I loved the bonus entertainment we got from the birds of prey show and the Irish dancing by one of Stephen's acquaintances.". The Dingle gin and tonics with a rainbow! Reykjavik. It is hard to narrow it down. Strenuous walking: 28 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. What a great slice of Ireland. "Dingle Bay was gorgeous as well as the drive along the coast. I was particularly inspired by the breathtaking scenery at the Cliffs of Moher and Slea Head Drive. Exceeded expectations. A darling town with a very cool, hip and laid back vibe. The tour gave us a good snapshot view of Ireland during the fall. "First night in Dingle at Milltown House - falconry, Dingle gin and tonic cocktails overlooking the lawn while meeting Irish wolfhounds, Seamus and Ogie. The trip was well organized and low key with lots of free time options interspersed with group activities. 5 or 6 Day Tours. Amazing .". This basic one week Ireland trip planner includes many of the top sites in Ireland. The bus riding was broken up into 1-2 hour sessions most of the time with interesting stops for coffe, "This one is hard to choose but I liked hanging out with my tour friends in a local pub and being entertained by the locals with funny stories in Dingle , countryside views of the farmland, cliffs, and sea, castles and breakfast at B&B was also a wow!". I loved learning about the current politics/environment one minute and the pre-historic and early Christian history the next. The best part of our tour was meeting fantastic people, along with beautiful sights. "The Cliffs of Mohr were breathtaking and stunning! We had a wonderful time! "Started the first day with the most spectacular scenery on the way to the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, listening to our guide's fascinating commentary on the way there. Tour guide, places visited, tour group -- all great! George our bus driver was great! All that being said, I enjoyed the tour. It costs about 200 Euros for a standard ticket or $223 USD. Day 7. With only 24 hours in a day, this strikes me as a " been there, done that, and am exhausted" agenda. Hotel was beautiful - Milltown House - and we participated in falconry, had a specially prepare dinner and musical performance, as well as meeting a world champion Irish dancer and watching him perform at his family's pub. I expected sightseeing, which was good, but I didn't expect the singing, limericks, and Irish lore. Excellent tour guide. Gearoid was training to be a tour guide and we were so lucky to have him along for the ride as well. St. Patrick himself was here more than 1,500 years ago, and ever since, the Rock has been the spiritual heart of Ireland. I loved not having to make any decisions and just putting all of my trust into our tour guide's hands. This was our first experience with Rick Steve's Tour's and we could not have been happier with the results. Big cities seem to be the same. An example would be the tea and scones we had at John B. Keane's pub in Listowel. 2.4 Visit the Guinness Storehouse. Overall, my experience was a great and positive one. Ireland was amazing. I went to Ireland with my mom and dad, and thoroughly enjoyed the Rick Steve's tour. Garoid made arrangements to have his childhood friend, David Geaney, dance for us at our B&B. One of the best part was my fellow travelers. And if this tour interests you, but you're looking for something a little longer, then check out our Ireland to island 7-Day Tour (which also visits Skellig Michael). "The Falconry in Dingle was my favorite moment. We love the Rick Steves tour model: professional guides, small groups, free time, surprises, a perfect mix of history and culture, great food, comfortable accommodations, and skilled coach driver. In addition to the beautiful sights, I learned so much! ", Well organized, great things to see, great guides, nice travelers, Dara and the driver George worked well as a team and very helpful, "All experiences and hotel accommodations were wow", The experience was well planned and I enjoyed the guides information. If you're coming from England you can also take a ferry from Liverpool or Holyhead to the port in Dublin. Very experienced with deep knowledge and love of Ireland and his work. Its hard to pick! We also found it to be a very beautiful country. I leaned so much about the history. Ancient castles and churches, Dingle Crystal Factory, falconry exhibit, whisky museum, Slea Head Drive and of course the wonderful Irish people.". See our Tour Conditions for important details regarding everything listed above. We felt like we got our "Money's Worth. "There were many but the ones that come quickly to mind were the Cliffs of Moor and the pubs in Ennis and Dingle. The time spent listening to and talking with Billy Keane was pure magic and a rare and special experience. Never felt rushed in seeing anything and the hotels were great. The tour provided experiences that we would not have been able to duplicate on our own. After breakfast, we'll pack up and board our comfy bus, setting course for Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. Folks got along w/o conflict. I had arranged to meet up with distant cousins near Ennis and in Cork. I appreciate the information he provided on not only the history of Ireland, but current events. The weather was perfect for our tour, so every stop was beautiful. We loved the B&B and the falconry school. There was not enough down time at all. My husband & I enjoyed every aspect of our first Rick Steves tour. Group sightseeing events subject to change. 8-Day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary Overview Day 1: Arrive in Dublin Day 2: Cashel & Kilkenny Day 3: Cork Day 4: Blarney Castle & Kinsale Day 5: Killarney & Dingle Day 6: Slea Head Drive & Lahinch Day 7: Cliffs of Moher & Galway Day 8: Galway & Dublin Day 9: Fly Home Barefoot at the Beehive Huts on Slea Head Drive Planning a Road Trip Through Ireland Pascal, the guide, blended knowledge and personal perspective with energy and passion. "Everything in Dingle (especially Dingle Crystal, falconry, and the musicians' visit); dinner and Kytelers Inn in Kilkenny; Newgrange.". I loved Trinity College and seeing the Book of Kells.". This morning we'll take a walking tour through Dublin including a stop at Trinity College for an illuminating look at the remarkable Book of Kells, a creative jolt that helped pull Europe out of the Dark Ages. Traveling companions enjoyable. The Heart of Ireland in 8 Days Rick's personal "best of" distillation of our two-week Best of Ireland tour starts in Ennis (just down the road from Shannon Airport) and ends in Dublin. Therefore, the physical aspects, such as standing and some walking were difficult. My daughter and I were overwhelmed with every day, every sight from start to finish. Tour was comprehensive and very entertaining. Afterward, you'll be free to explore more of Dublin's sites, including Kilmainham Gaol, Epic: The Irish Emigration Museum, or the Guinness Storehouse. Our tour guide, Joe, was outstanding - he was knowledgeable, funny and caring. The Dingle peninsula stands out. "So many great "wow" moments. ", Stephen McPhimy was outstanding, George drove like a pro. Nerves of steel!! Ireland's three Aran islandsInishmore, Inishmaan, and Inisheer are an easy day trip from either Galway or Doolin. "The Cliffs of Moher! Covid-19 had a negative effect on our experience, we lost 6 people in our group to Covid, and suspect there could have more with developing symptoms. Our tour guide was extremely well informed and very helpful. ", We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. A very good team Garoad and George are, making the entire trip a memorable and positive experience! It was everything I hoped to see in Ireland, and it was the absolute perfect way to open the trip and introduce us to the country.". Rock of Cashel was beautiful. We'll end the day in Dublin with an orientation and dinner together. I enjoyed the little towns better than Dublin. "There were so many "wow" moments but if I had to pick one it would be the Dingle Peninsula and the Slea Head Loop Drive. "Music in Dingle--following a fascinating day along the Dingle peninsula. The tour was really well done. Outstanding!". The Guinness brewery was incredible and all the churches were stunning.". Both were friendly, knowledgable, entertaining, and memorable. Loved the tour from the minute we met in Ennis! 2 Ireland itinerary days 1 & 2: Dublin.
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