7 Night Prebooked Deluxe Self Drive Tour
An
opportunity to tour Ireland in luxury; staying in some of Europe's finest
hotels, ranging from a stylish city centre 5 star hotel to Ireland's oldest
inhabited Castle. Enjoy the luxuries of country mansions, historic castles,
superb restaurants and impeccable service. Experience the pleasures of
country pursuits on the extensive estates, which surround many of the
hotels.
DAY 1:
Dublin City (12km)
Welcome to Dublin Airport,
where after picking up your car your will travel into the city centre and
check into your hotel. The remainder of the day can be spent exploring
Dublin – trace its history from early Viking origins, through the
mediaeval magnificence of St. Patrick’s Cathedral – visits to Dublinia, Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Irish Whiskey
Distillery, Trinity College, and much much more.
Suggested
Hotel: Merrion Hotel or similar 5 star hotel.
Day 2:
Galway City & Cong, Co. Mayo (265km)
Leave Dublin this morning and travel across the
rich midland pastures. Why not visit Belvedere House, Gardens and Park? The
magnificent early 18th century stately home of Robert Rochfort,
Earl of Belvedere, stands in 160 acres of parkland on the shores of Lough Ennell. Belvedere is one of the finest of Ireland's
historic houses, and together with gardens and park has been exquisitely restored. Before you
cross the River Shannon, Ireland’s longest river you can visit Clonmacnoise a 6th century Christian site. Arrive into
Galway, which has long traded with Spain and the Spanish influences are many in
the city.
Of
note is Spanish Arch,
a gateway in the old city walls
and the
Spanish Parade, where
wealthy merchants and their families enjoyed a stroll along the promenade.
Continue on from Galway to nearby
Cong and Ashford
Castle your overnight hotel.
Suggested
Hotel: Ashford Castle, Cong, Co. Mayo
Day 3:
Connemara Tour (200km)
Today embark on a tour of the wild and
rugged Connemara region, famous for the
savage beauty of its lake and mountain scenery. Irish is still widely
spoken here. Why not visit the magnificent Kylemore Abbey - a beautiful
mansion in a lakeside setting against a mountainous backdrop? Irish
Benedictine nuns, with a tradition of over 300 years run this unique Abbey
set in the heart of Connemara, overlooking Pollacapul Lake. A haven of peace! Visit the
magnificent Gothic Church.
You can also visit Connemara
National Park at Letterfrack, where the
indigenous wild Connemara ponies roam freely through the rugged
landscape.
Suggested
Hotel: Ashford Castle, Cong, Co. Mayo
Day 4:
County Clare (170km)
Today you leave Ashford
Castle and travel through Galway City
and into County
Clare. Why not visit
Rathbaun Farm and see the animals being tended, or enjoy a traditional tea and
scones break? Travel through the strange lunar landscape of the Burren
region or visit the Cliffs of Moher a spectacular 5-mile long cliff, which
rises almost 700 feet above sea level. You can also visit the 15th century Bunratty Castle
and Folk Park, where replicas of traditional
thatched cottages are arranged in a village setting, complete with village
shops including the printers, the confectioners, the post office, the pub
and hotel, the doctor's house and the bakers. Stop at some of the many small
towns and villages that Ireland
is famous for.
Suggested
Hotel: Dromoland Castle, Co. Clare
Day
5: Kerry (170km)
Today
travel south, through
the rich midland pastures and pass through the medieval city of Limerick. Stop in the pretty village
of Adare
, whose Heritage Centre allows you
to experience the area’s unique history, spanning from 1233.
Continue on to Kenmare, recently voted Ireland’s tidiest town.
Suggested
Hotel: Park Hotel, Kenmare, Co. Kerry or similar
Day
6: Kenmare or West Cork (90km)
Today,
why not relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities or visit Kenmare with
its many craft and antique shops. Alternatively tour the West Cork region
travelling over the spectacular Healy
Pass before arriving in Glengariff where you can take a short boat trip to Garnish Island to see the
“sub-tropical” gardens. Because of a unique Gulf
Stream influence, you can see many plants you would normally
expect to see in much warmer climates.
Suggested
Hotel: Park Hotel, Kenmare, Co. Kerry or similar
Day
7: The Midlands (265km)
Leave
Kenmare and travel through the rich rolling pastures of Ireland’s
Golden Vale region. Why not stop in Cork, Ireland’s second largest city or
perhaps visit the world famous Blarney
Castle and nearby
Blarney Woollen Mills? Continue on to the
medieval city of Kilkenny where you can
stroll through the narrow streets and alleyways or visit Kilkenny Castle
or some of the other heritage sites.
Suggested
Hotel: Mount Juliet Estate, Kilkenny
Day
8: Departure from Dublin
Airport (180km)
Today
travel to Dublin
Airport for your
return flight home.
Note:
We reserve the right to vary the itinerary should the need arise, but will
ensure where feasible that location and standard are maintained.
Celtic Treasures – Tour Rates & Information
|
Celtic Treasures
7 Nights Prebooked Self Drive (excludes
car)
|
|
PACKAGE
|
|
|
Per Person
sharing
|
Single
Supplement
|
|
January
– March
|
$2265.00
|
$1165.00
|
|
April &
October
|
$2670.00
|
$2053.00
|
|
May, July
& August
|
$3255.00
|
$2685.00
|
|
June &
September
|
$3305.00
|
$2730.00
|
|
November
– December
|
$2265.00
|
$1663.00
|
NOTES:
•
Extra Night Price includes: bed and breakfast accommodation in standard
rooms in the Merrion Hotel, Dublin.
One person price includes the single supplement.
•
Please advise all clients that they should check-in to their hotel
accommodation no later than 6pm. If clients are going to be later than 6pm,
they should call their accommodation and advise them of their approximate
check in time. Failure to do this could result in their reservation being
cancelled and rooms released.
CHILD
POLICY:
•
Child supplements are ON REQUEST and apply when a child between 3 and 12
years is sharing with 2 full paying adults to a maximum of 2 children in
the room. A child sharing with a single adult is charged the normal per
person rate. Children sharing 0-2 years are free and meals paid directly to
the hotel.
PRICE
INCLUDES:
•
7 nights bed & breakfast accommodation in deluxe hotels described above
and based on per person sharing in deluxe/superior twin/double rooms with
bath/shower inclusive of service charges.
•
Heritage Island Touring Guide and Explorer
Coupon.
All
prices quoted are $AUD p.p. twin share
Suggested
Hotels
Merrion
Hotel, Upper Merrion Street,
Dublin 2
The
Merrion Hotel, a luxury 5 star hotel, is set in the centre of the city
between Merrion Square
and St. Stephen’s Green on Upper
Merrion Street. This hotel brings new
standards of excellence to Ireland’s
capital by the nature of the discreet and efficient but friendly service
offered to guests. With the meticulous restoration of 4 gracious Georgian
houses, the Merrion provides 143 beautifully appointed guest-rooms and
suites, many overlooking magnificent 18th century gardens. The hotel offers
a choice of two restaurant and two bars – including the renowned
‘Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud’, the
only 2 star Michelin Restaurant in Ireland and the Mornington Restaurant which offers the very best
contemporary food with Irish flair. The bars include the Cellar bar which
is located the original 18th century wine cellars, with their vaulted
ceilings, also No. 23, a small cocktail bar on the ground floor. The Merrion’s health and fitness centre, The Tethra Spa, features an 18 meter infinity swimming
pool, together with a gymnasium, steam room and a luxurious private
treatment room. The Merrion Hotel is a member of the Leading hotels of the
World.
Ashford
Castle, Cong, Co. Mayo
Set
in 350 acres of parkland, this superb 13th Century Castle, situated on the
shores of Lough Corrib in County
Mayo offers a
delicate mix of both the old and the new. Its atmosphere is unique and its
tradition of comfort and enjoyment long-standing. Guests enjoy the 83
luxurious rooms and suites, gourmet cuisine as well as a wide range of
country activities. These include golf on the castle’s 9-hole course,
salmon and trout fishing on the castle’s lake, horse-riding, tennis
and clay pigeon or driven pheasant shooting over the castle’s
terrain.
Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-on-Fergus,
Co. Clare
This
5 star hotel is located 13 km from Shannon Airport.
Stately halls, elegant public areas and beautifully furnished 100 guest
rooms are steeped in a timeless atmosphere that is unique to Dromoland. The international reputation for excellence
is reflected in the award winning cuisine in the Castle’s Earl of Thomond and Fig Tree Restaurant in the newly opened Dromoland Golf & Country Club. A meticulously
maintained 18-hole golf course, fishing, horse-riding, clay shooting,
health & beauty clinic and much more.
The
Park Hotel, Kenmare, Co. Kerry
Since
1897 travellers have enjoyed the gracious
elegance of the Park Hotel Kenmare. In a heavenly location overlooking Kenmare Bay the hotel is renowned for its
attentive service & international standards. This 5 star hotel has 46 rooms furnished
with period antiques and is renowned for outstanding cuisine. In the Deluxe
Destination Spa SAMAS guests can indulge in the ethos of a true spa to
rejuvenate the body, mind & spirit. A host of classes & activities encompass
the wonderful location of this special corner of Ireland. 18 Hole
golf course, tennis, 12 acres of gardens & a 40 acre National Park
adjoin the grounds. Enjoy Ireland
in one of its most magnificent locations.
Mount
Juliet, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny
One
of Ireland’s
most magnificent hotels a superb 18th century country house set on 1500
acre estate of rolling hills, magnificent parkland and river views. The
house has been tastefully restored and offers a selection of 58 luxuriously
furnished bedrooms, located in the main house or Hunters Yard or Rose
Garden lodges, which along with the reception rooms are furnished
throughout with antiques. There is a Jack Nicklaus designed 18 hole golf
course, with club house. Guests may enjoy a golf academy, horse-riding,
clay target shooting, fishing, archery, tennis, croquet, cycling or
strolling through woodlands, parklands and formal gardens. There is gourmet
dining in the Lady Helen MacCalmount Room and
informal in Tap Room Bar.
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