Day 1: Following your home taxi collection, we head across country to North Wales to our overnight hotel, the Celtic Royal Hotel in Caernarfon, with ample time to settle in before our evening meal.
Day 2: We have an early start to board the 9am ferry from Holyhead to Dublin. Driving north through the counties of Meath & Louth to Letterkenny, we will enjoy the beauty of the lake scenery that surrounds Enniskillen, before arriving in Letterkenny for a four-night stay at the Clanree Hotel on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis.
Day 3: The highlight of the whole tour for many will be today’s excursion to the breathtaking Giant’s Causeway. Long associated with legendary Irish hero Finn McCool, this astonishing collection of closely packed basalt columns, which rise like stepping stones from the Atlantic to the wild, windswept cliffs above, was formed after a volcanic eruption 60-million years ago. Your visit will include entry to the Visitor Centre, where you'll receive a free audio-guide to take to the stones and have the chance to explore the exhibits in the active interpretation area. Take the short minibus trip from the visitor centre to the Causeway or walk the mile or so along the cliff path to take in the breathtaking views and sea air. (The shuttle bus is subject to a small fee of approximately £1.50 each way, which is not included in the cost of your holiday)
Day 4: Today’s fascinating excursion takes you to the remote Inishowen Peninsula, a typically northern Irish landscape that includes Ireland’s most northerly point, Malin Head (familiar to listeners of the Shipping Forecast everywhere). Bordered by the waters of Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly, and the pristine beaches of the Atlantic coast, its towering mountains rising from a landscape dotted with ancient Celtic crosses and crumbling churches, Inishowen is a scenic delight.
We continue our day to Derry where we enjoy some free time in this recently rejuvenated walled city, where intriguing sights include St Columbus Cathedral and the political murals. Perhaps visit the award winning Tower Museum where “The Story of Derry” and “An Armada Shipwreck” are the main exhibitions. (entrances subject to individual choice and payment).
There will be some walking on the tour of Derry. (Today is our driver’s rest day. This excursion is carried out via a local coach and Guide)
Day 5: Today, we head to Glenveagh National Park. This remote area of outstanding natural beauty is home to herds of wild deer, and a sanctuary for the endangered golden eagle and many other species of wildlife. By contrast to most of the rugged landscape, Glenveagh Castle, which overlooks the peaceful waters of Lough Veagh, comes as something of a surprise. You will enjoy a guided tour of the castle's keep and mismatched towers, offering a real glimpse into a lifestyle of an earlier age. There will also be time to explore the spectacular gardens.
Your route back to Letterkenny takes you back to the coast, via Mount Errigal and through Dunlewy village to Bunbeg. Here (weather permitting) you may like a stretch your legs with a stroll along the sandy beach before continuing up and around the Bloody Foreland (named for the red hue of the rocks at sunset), for a final stop in one of the area's quaint villages, such as Dunfanaghy. The west of Donegal has a significant Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) region where customs, traditions, skills and language have been preserved for centuries.
Day 6: After breakfast, we leave Letterkenny for the journey to Dublin port, arriving in good time to board the mid-afternoon ferry. Upon arrival, we continue to our overnight hotel in North Wales.
Day 7: This morning we depart our overnight hotel and make our way back to Norfolk where our door to door service will be waiting to return you home.
Holiday Information:
6 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast (Dinner will be table service)
Price: £1059pp
Single Supplement: £164 (First overnight & main hotel will be allocated a twin or double room for sole occupancy, last overnight tbc)
Tour Reference: AWE5165
Deposit Required: £70pp
Balance Due: 10 weeks prior to departure