Ireland & Northern Ireland 10-Day SIC Tour – Guaranteed Departure

Welcome to Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland! Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Belfast is a city reflecting a complex history. Since the 1998 Peace Agreement, it has transformed into a vibrant modern city. You will have free time to explore. We highly recommend visiting the Titanic Museum, located in the historic shipyard where the legendary ship was built.

We will depart after breakfast. En route, we will pass through the village of Cushendun, a protected area established in 1980 for its architectural heritage and its location within the exceptional natural beauty of the Antrim Coast and Glens. Around midday, you will have free time for lunch in the vibrant seaside town of Ballycastle. In Bushmills, we will visit the world's oldest licensed whisky distillery (entrance fee and guided tour included). After lunch (lunch not included), we will explore the spectacular Giant's Causeway (entrance fee included). This unique group of basalt columns stretches into the Atlantic Ocean, reminiscent of the legendary story of the Irish giants building a path to fight against the Scottish giants. Approximately 40,000 hexagonal columns date back nearly 60 million years, formed by the cooling of a volcanic eruption. We will then arrive in Derry, a walled city blending history and modernity, where you will have free time to explore and spend the night.

We'll travel through the stunning mountain scenery of the Republic of Ireland to Donegal, a charming, lively, and picturesque town. The itinerary includes a visit to its impressive medieval castle. Back in Northern Ireland, we'll visit the spectacular Marble Arch Caves (entrance fee included). One of Europe's most remarkable cave systems, formed over 330 million years ago, the caves stretch for over 11 kilometers and continue to evolve, with underground rivers constantly eroding the limestone, creating a strange and captivating world. You will have free time for lunch (lunch not included). After the visit, we'll continue to Belfast. Free time upon arrival.

Visit Hillsborough Castle (admission included), the official residence of the government in Northern Ireland, featuring stunning 18th-century gardens. Continue to the Republic of Ireland to see Monasterboice, home to the finest Celtic High Crosses. Arrive in Dublin in the afternoon.

We will begin our day with a panoramic guided tour of Dublin, Ireland's tranquil capital. We will stroll along the River Liffey, visiting its parks, historic universities, and vibrant city center streets. We will also see the exterior of Trinity College. The afternoon is free time for you to explore the city at your own pace. Note: Depending on your arrival time in Dublin and daylight conditions, the guided tour may be scheduled for the preceding afternoon.

We will depart from Dublin and travel to nearby Powerscourt. We will visit the magnificent Powerscourt Gardens, designed in the 18th century and considered one of Ireland's most beautiful gardens (entrance fee included). You can admire its fountains, Japanese garden, and pet cemetery. Afterwards, we will travel to Kilkenny, where you will have time for lunch and a stroll in the town. Continuing south, we will stop to visit the impressive Rock of Cashel (entrance fee included), a medieval fortress symbolizing Ireland's struggle against the English. We will arrive in Cork, Ireland's second-largest city, in the evening, where you will have time to explore the city center. Dinner is included in the itinerary.

We depart for Kinsale, stopping at Charles Fort to admire the stunning sea views from this 17th-century fortress. You'll have time to explore Kinsale's historic center, widely considered one of Ireland's most beautiful coastal towns. Afterwards, we travel to Killarney, a renowned tourist city in the heart of Ireland. Lunch and a stroll through the town are included. Following this, you'll experience a romantic traditional Jaunting Car Tour (ticket included) through the national park, past gardens, and along the lake to Ross Castle, enjoying the beautiful lakeside scenery. We also have a short boat trip on the lake (ticket included) to enjoy the picturesque surrounding landscape. Next, we make a brief stop in Adare, a charming village that still retains its stone buildings, thatched-roof houses, and ancient monastery ruins. Arrive in Limerick in the mid-afternoon, where you can explore the city center, visit the castle, take a walk along the river, visit the cathedral, or browse the shopping center. Dinner is included.

Today we visit the Folk Park at Bunratty (admission included). This is a wonderful park where we can learn about Irish life in the past through traditional cottages and old marketplaces. The park also features an authentic castle reflecting medieval life. We then continue to Caherconnell, home to the Poulnabrone Dolmen megalithic tomb. If we are lucky, we might see sheepdogs herding flocks. Next, we visit the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, overlooking the Atlantic (admission included). Our route then crosses the unique landscape of Burren National Park before arriving in Galway.

We depart for Cong, a charming village in the beautiful Lake District. We will visit the ruins of a royal monastery and stroll around Ashford Castle, a medieval castle converted into a fortress. Afterwards, we will travel to Clonmacnoise to visit the ruins of a Celtic monastery (entrance fee and guided tour included). We will then continue our journey back to Dublin, arriving in the evening. Note: Due to ongoing restoration work in Clonmacnoise, the visit will be slightly shorter than usual. We will then stop in Athlone for lunch and a walk.

After breakfast, your journey through the Emerald Isle concludes with unforgettable memories.