Operated by Collette

Shades of Ireland

From

CAD 5,449

Duration

13 days

Countries

Ireland

Activity

moderate

Rating

4.7 · 1,234 reviewsvia Collette

The adventure

From vibrant and history-filled Dublin, across rolling green hills to the dramatic coast and onward to Belfast, experience all of the charms of Ireland on this 13-day magical tour of the Emerald Isle. Live like royalty during an overnight stay on the grounds of a castle. Visit the new House of Waterford Crystal factory. Choose from a selection of Killarney’s & Derry’s best restaurants with our Diner’s Choice program. See the Atlantic from the stunning 700-foot Cliffs of Moher. Tour the walled city of Derry. Stand on the awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway. Experience the world-famous beauty of the Ring of Kerry. Have coffee and scones at a working farm. Explore Dublin with a local guide, either by foot or on a panoramic city tour – it’s your choice! See beautiful Killarney from your seat on an Irish jaunting car. Journey to historic Blarney Castle, lean back and kiss its famous stone!

At a glance

Duration

13 days

Route

→

Countries

Ireland

Activity level

moderate

Style

Beach & Islands, Culture & History

Group size

Ask

Flights

Not included

Solo travellers

Ask an agent

Day by day

Your journey through

Ireland

Day 1Overnight FlightSet out on an amazing Irish adventure that tells the complete story of the shades of Ireland.

Capture of cityscape from airplane with FlySafair wing visible.

Overnight Flight

Set out on an amazing Irish adventure that tells the complete story of the shades of Ireland.

Day 2Dublin, IrelandGet a taste of old Dublin. With no scheduled activities through the afternoon, take your time to wander the city streets and soak up that Irish charm. Tonight, you and your fellow travellers revel in a traditional Irish evening, including regional cuisine.

Get a taste of old Dublin. With no scheduled activities through the afternoon, take your time to wander the city streets and soak up that Irish charm. Tonight, you and your fellow travellers revel in a traditional Irish evening, including regional cuisine.

Day 3DublinToday, ride with a local guide to see St. Patrick’s Cathedral, O’Connell Street, the National Gallery, and the historic Phoenix Park. What follows is an afternoon to discover Dublin’s charms on your own. Later, you may join an optional tour to the Guinness Storehouse, followed by dinner at a contemporary restaurant showcasing Irish cuisine.

Dublin

Today, ride with a local guide to see St. Patrick’s Cathedral, O’Connell Street, the National Gallery, and the historic Phoenix Park. What follows is an afternoon to discover Dublin’s charms on your own. Later, you may join an optional tour to the Guinness Storehouse, followed by dinner at a contemporary restaurant showcasing Irish cuisine.

Day 4Dublin - Kilkenny - WaterfordStep back in time and begin the day in the medieval splendour of 12th-century Kilkenny on the River Nore, visiting the Cope family in their stately home of Shankhill Castle. Then, in Waterford, embark on a leisurely paced walking tour of Ireland’s oldest city. Later, it’s your choice! Tour the Waterford Crystal factory and learn how exquisite crystal has been made for centuries -OR- visit the Medieval Museum for a guided tour and a glass of wine in the 15th-century Mayor’s Wine Vault.

Dublin

Step back in time and begin the day in the medieval splendour of 12th-century Kilkenny on the River Nore, visiting the Cope family in their stately home of Shankhill Castle. Then, in Waterford, embark on a leisurely paced walking tour of Ireland’s oldest city. Later, it’s your choice! Tour the Waterford Crystal factory and learn how exquisite crystal has been made for centuries -OR- visit the Medieval Museum for a guided tour and a glass of wine in the 15th-century Mayor’s Wine Vault.

Day 5Waterford - Blarney Stone - KillarneyThe legend goes that those who kiss the Blarney Stone gain the gift of eloquence. Give it a try if you wish at historic Blarney Castle by navigating the 128 steps to the top. Continue your journey to the vibrant and bustling town of Killarney. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Monochrome image of an abandoned shipwreck at Wexford Harbor, Ireland.

Waterford

The legend goes that those who kiss the Blarney Stone gain the gift of eloquence. Give it a try if you wish at historic Blarney Castle by navigating the 128 steps to the top. Continue your journey to the vibrant and bustling town of Killarney. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 6Killarney - Ring of Kerry - KillarneyStart your day with an authentic jaunting car ride* in Killarney. Take in the rugged coastline as you loop your way around the picturesque Ring of Kerry, past pristine beaches, quaint villages, and majestic landscapes. Tonight, join your fellow travellers for an evening of Irish entertainment, music, and food.

Tranquil landscape of a lake amidst lush green mountains and cloudy sky.

Killarney

Start your day with an authentic jaunting car ride* in Killarney. Take in the rugged coastline as you loop your way around the picturesque Ring of Kerry, past pristine beaches, quaint villages, and majestic landscapes. Tonight, join your fellow travellers for an evening of Irish entertainment, music, and food.

Day 7Killarney - Cliffs of Moher - EnnisBid Killarney farewell and travel across the lovely Shannon River into County Clare. Visit the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most iconic sites. Walk along the rambling edge, soaking up unparalleled views and snapping incredible photos. Complete your day at the historic Old Ground Hotel in the heart of Ennis Town. This evening, you may join an optional medieval banquet dinner, hosted in a castle.

Killarney

Bid Killarney farewell and travel across the lovely Shannon River into County Clare. Visit the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most iconic sites. Walk along the rambling edge, soaking up unparalleled views and snapping incredible photos. Complete your day at the historic Old Ground Hotel in the heart of Ennis Town. This evening, you may join an optional medieval banquet dinner, hosted in a castle.

Day 8Ennis - Galway - SligoExperience the daily life of a traditional Irish family during a memorable farm visit. Then continue on to Galway for a brief tour that showcases “The City of Tribes.” Your day ends in the northwest reaches of Eire.

A scenic autumn view of a historic stone bridge over a calm river in Galway, Ireland.

Ennis

Experience the daily life of a traditional Irish family during a memorable farm visit. Then continue on to Galway for a brief tour that showcases “The City of Tribes.” Your day ends in the northwest reaches of Eire.

Day 9Sligo - Donegal Town - DerryTake in the rugged, natural beauty of County Donegal. Stop in Donegal Town and stroll the town square, enjoying its quaint craft and woollen shops. Next, travel to Derry, known for its turbulent political history. This afternoon, a local guide leads a walk through the old city, including the Craft Village, a charming 19th-century Georgian square in the heart of the walled city. Tonight, dinner is included in local restaurant.

Sligo

Take in the rugged, natural beauty of County Donegal. Stop in Donegal Town and stroll the town square, enjoying its quaint craft and woollen shops. Next, travel to Derry, known for its turbulent political history. This afternoon, a local guide leads a walk through the old city, including the Craft Village, a charming 19th-century Georgian square in the heart of the walled city. Tonight, dinner is included in local restaurant.

Day 10Derry - Inishowen Peninsula - DerryThis morning, journey to the Inishowen Peninsula and Malin Head. Take in breathtaking scenery as you explore Ireland's northernmost point. Return to Derry and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Tonight, you may join an optional tour to discover the culture of Derry through storytelling, music, and song, with dinner at a restaurant serving pub-style food.

Derry

This morning, journey to the Inishowen Peninsula and Malin Head. Take in breathtaking scenery as you explore Ireland's northernmost point. Return to Derry and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Tonight, you may join an optional tour to discover the culture of Derry through storytelling, music, and song, with dinner at a restaurant serving pub-style food.

Day 11Derry - Giant's Causeway - Glens of Antrim - BelfastSee the most famous natural site in Northern Ireland as you visit the magnificent Giant’s Causeway. Formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, the causeway resembles a cobble road leading into the sea. Then, lose yourself in the natural beauty of Northern Ireland as you explore the scenic back roads of the Glens of Antrim to Belfast. Top your day off with a visit to a country inn, for some real Irish hospitality.

Derry

See the most famous natural site in Northern Ireland as you visit the magnificent Giant’s Causeway. Formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, the causeway resembles a cobble road leading into the sea. Then, lose yourself in the natural beauty of Northern Ireland as you explore the scenic back roads of the Glens of Antrim to Belfast. Top your day off with a visit to a country inn, for some real Irish hospitality.

Day 12BelfastBegin the day with a guided tour of Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, and hear of the struggles in this great city’s history as you pass through the different neighborhoods. See “Samson” and “Goliath,” the cranes at the shipyard that built the Titanic, before touring the “The Titanic Experience,” Northern Ireland’s most visited attraction. This afternoon is yours to explore Belfast further, as your Irish adventure comes to a close.

Belfast

Begin the day with a guided tour of Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, and hear of the struggles in this great city’s history as you pass through the different neighborhoods. See “Samson” and “Goliath,” the cranes at the shipyard that built the Titanic, before touring the “The Titanic Experience,” Northern Ireland’s most visited attraction. This afternoon is yours to explore Belfast further, as your Irish adventure comes to a close.