9 Days Belfast to Dublin.
Highlights Include: Titanic Belfast, Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills, Derry, Donegal, and Enniskillen
Treasures of Northern Ireland
DAY 1 ARRIVE IN DUBLIN / BOYNE VALLEY / NEWCASTLE: Welcome to Ireland! After collecting your bags, you will meet with your driver in the arrival’s hall at Dublin Airport. Shortly afterwards, you will depart and start your journey north towards Newcastle. Pause in Balbriggan where you will enjoy breakfast in the Man O’War Pub. Afterwards, visit the Boyne Valley Visitor Centre to learn about the 5,000-year-old burial tombs of Newgrange and Knowth. Tour one of them to see how primitive people managed to align huge boulders precisely with the movements of the sun. Afterwards, travel past the gentle slopes of the Mourne Mountains to your hotel located on the coast of County Down. The remainder of your day is at leisure. This evening enjoy diner in your hotel. (B/D)
DAY 2 DOWNPATRICK / BELFAST: This morning after breakfast, make your way towards Downpatrick to visit the Saint Patrick Centre, the only permanent exhibition in the World about Ireland’s Patron Saint. The exhibition opens with an exploration of Patrick’s Roman background and the world to which he would come – that of Celtic Ireland. Afterwards, visit Down Cathedral where St Patrick is said to be buried. Onward to Belfast where you explore the Crumlin Road Gaol and gain insight into Belfast’s criminal history. Check in to your hotel where your evening in free. (B)
DAY 3 TITANIC & BELFAST FOOD TRAIL: This morning, head to visit the Titanic Belfast. It is located in the heart of the city, on the slipways where RMS Titanic was built. You truly re-live the entire Titanic story from her birth in Belfast to the fateful maiden voyage and her eventual discovery on the seabed. Afterwards, depart on a 4-hour fun- and food-filled guided walk to some top food and drink spots around Belfast City Centre. Start in the historic St George’s Market, meeting producers, then visit traditional bars and world-class shops, and finish in a top restaurant in the lively Cathedral Quarter. Later, return to your hotel for overnight. (B/L)
DAY 4: BALLYCASTLE / GIANT’S CAUSEWAY / BUSHMILLS / DERRY: After breakfast, enjoy the spectacular scenery as you make your way along the Antrim Coast to Ballycastle and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. The stunning rope bridge spans a gaping chasm between the coast and a small island used by fishermen – not for the faint hearted! Onward to the Giant’s Causeway and take in the natural beauty of the northern coast. Walk around admiring the hexagonal rock columns and gaze out at the crashing waves along the dramatic coastline. Then head to Bushmills to visit the Old Bushmills Distillery, Ireland’s oldest working distillery. The Bushmills Brand Experience encompasses guided tours around a working distillery with all the associated sights and smells, tutored whiskey tastings, a specialist whiskey shop and a well-stocked gift shop with exclusive Bushmills merchandise. At the end of your tour you will be offered a whiskey or a soft drink in their 1608 Bar. Afterwards, make your way to Derry for dinner and overnight. (B/D)
DAY 5 DERRY: This morning, join a local guide for a walking tour around the defensive walls that encircle the old city. Afterwards, visit the award-winning Tower Museum located within the city’s historic walls at Union Hall Place. Permanent exhibitions at the museum include The Story of Derry exhibition and the Armada Shipwreck – La Trinidad Valencera exhibition. Enjoy the remainder of your afternoon and evening at leisure in Derry. (B)
DAY 6 DONEGAL: Enjoy breakfast in your hotel. Afterwards, depart and enjoy panoramic sightseeing around Donegal. Experience the local culture, heritage and people of Donegal against the backdrop of the spectacular and rugged coastline. Pause to visit Triona Design in Ardara for a demonstration of spinning and knitting. Continue southwest along this magnificent coastal driving route and pause to visit Ireland’s highest Sea Cliffs, Sliabh Liag (Slieve League), one of Ireland’s best kept secrets and a signature point on the Wild Atlantic Way. Although less famous than the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Slieve League’s cliffs reach almost three times higher. Afterwards, continue to Donegal town for dinner and overnight. (B/D)
DAY 7 BELLEEK, FOLK PARK, & ENNISKILLEN: This morning, depart from Donegal and make your way towards Enniskillen. Your first stop today will be in the picturesque village of Belleek, situated on the banks of Lough Erne, and home to the world-famous Belleek Fine Parian China. View the techniques of the craftsmen at work in Northern Ireland’s oldest attraction. Continue on to Omagh where you pause to visit the Ulster American Folk Park. Immerse yourself in the story of the brave emigrants who made the journey across the Atlantic to America hundreds of years ago. Wander through the thatched cottages and log cabins and meet costumed characters who will show you traditional crafts and tell you a few stories. Board a full-scale emigrant ship to experience the conditions faced by many as they set sail for a new life in America. Afterwards, make your way to Enniskillen to enjoy dinner and overnight. (B/D)
DAY 8 ENNISKILLEN / DUBLIN: After breakfast, enjoy some free time before departing on your journey towards Dublin. Pause to visit Enniskillen Castle, located beside the River Erne. Enniskillen Castle was built around 600 years ago by the ruling Gaelic Maguires and the historic attraction provides a key to Irish history from Medieval Stronghold to Plantation Castle to later Military Barracks. Afterwards, depart and make your way to Dublin for overnight. This evening you are free to explore the many fine pubs and restaurants in Dublin. (B)
DAY 9 DUBLIN: After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure in Dublin. (B)
DAY 10 DUBLIN / USA: After breakfast transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)
Customize to Suit
The above suggested itinerary can be customized to suit; more or less meals, different cities and/or sightseeing based on your clients’ interests. You name it, our expert group specialist professionals will put it together for you. Please call 1-800-818-8455, or simply complete the group request form, and we’ll get back to you with your proposal.
Inclusions
- 9 nights 4- or 5-Star hotels
- Breakfast daily, including day of arrival
- 1 lunch on the Belfast Food Trail Tour
- 4 three-course Dinners
- Luxury Coach with services of a professional Irish Driver/Guide
- Boyne Valley Visitor Centre, with visit to Newgrange or Knowth
- St. Patrick’s Centre, Downpatrick
- Down Cathedral
- Crumlin Road Gaol
- Titanic Museum Belfast
- Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
- Giant’s Causeway
- Old Bushmills Distillery
- Walking tour of Derry City Walls
- Tower Museum Derry
- Slieve League Cliffs
- Belleek Pottery
- Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh
- Enniskillen Castle
- Hotel porterage of one suitcase per person
- Portfolio of travel documents
- 24-hour local customer service while traveling in Ireland
Private Departures
Please Call 1-800-818-8455 for Group Rates on this Custom Group Journey
This suggested itinerary can be customized to suit; more or less meals, different cities and/or sightseeing based on your clients’ interests. You name it, our expert group specialist professionals will put it together for you. Please call 1-800-818-8455, or simply complete the group request form, and we’ll get back to you with your proposal.
Group Discounts
On custom journeys, discounts vary depending on group requirements. Typically, travel with a group of 20 and the 21st traveler receives a 100% discount* off the land portion of the vacation price. A second traveler receives a 100% discount* off the land on a group of 40 paying passengers.
*Per person prices are land only and based on two people sharing a room. Above dates represent “land start” date. Air: Please note that airfares are not included in the prices above. Journeys Connect can quote you the lowest possible GROUP airfare available on the day that you book. Minimum of 10 seats from same gateway. Less than 10 air seats will require full payment at time of booking. Single Room Supplement: On Request. Triple Room Reduction: On Request. Group discounts cannot be combined with our Triple Room discounts. Not valid on Specialty, Customized Vacations or River Cruises, optional extensions, extra nights, airfares, taxes and fees, flight supplements, or airport transfers. Other restrictions may apply. All passengers’ names must be advised before the discount is applied. *Group discount is on a twin-share basis only.
Contact Journeys Connect
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Travel professionals, please call and speak with one of our Group Specialty Professionals:
1-800-818-8455