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Vacations with Personality

EXPLORE IRELAND

Escorted Tour

12 days / 11 nights
  • About Tour
  • Tour Itinerary
  • Whats Included
  • Important Info
  • T&C
Languages English Duration 12 days / 11 nights Airline
An excellent choice for a comprehensive exploration of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It offers a perfect blend of history, culture, natural beauty, and immersive experiences.

Here's a breakdown of why this itinerary is a standout:

Diverse Landscapes: From the rugged cliffs of Moher to the tranquil beauty of Killarney National Park, your itinerary showcases Ireland's stunning natural diversity.
Rich History and Culture: You've included iconic historical sites like Blarney Castle, Titanic Belfast, and Derry City, offering a deep dive into Ireland's past.
City Life and Countryside: The balance between bustling cities like Dublin and Belfast with the serene countryside offers a well-rounded experience.
Unique Attractions: The Glyde Inn VR experience, Belleek Pottery, and Marble Arch Caves add unique and memorable elements to the itinerary.

This itinerary effectively captures the essence of Ireland, offering visitors a chance to explore its rich history, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality.
Highlights
Why Combine Belfast and Dublin? Belfast and Dublin offer a complementary experience, providing a comprehensive overview of Ireland's rich history, culture, and modern vibrancy, both cities share a complex and intertwined history, making it fascinating to explore the differences and similarities between them.

• Departure flight onboard Play on a connecting flight from Hamilton Airport to Dublin Airport on the selected flight class (*)
• One free personal item, one free Carry-on and one piece of checked luggage included when booked on Play Value or Play Flex categories.
• Under 2-hour stop in Keflavik Airport for connecting flights (no check-in or luggage pick-up required)
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure.
• Daily activities as per chosen itinerary.
• Accommodation on the selected room category (STANDARD OR SUPERIOR) and plan. 
• 24/7 personalized assistance by our professional staff in destination.
• Option to buy additional local excursions and entrances to attractions.
• Return flight from Dublin to Keflavik Airport, connecting to Hamilton Airport on a direct flight.

*Please note that some flight classes may already include either carry-on or checked bags on your price. Please make sure to check flight class on your booking before proceeding to pay for extras:
PLAY BASIC (B) – Personal item max. 10 Kg only. Carry-on, seats and checked bags can be added for a fee after bookings are paid in full.
PLAY BASIC PLUS (L) - Personal item max. 10 Kg + Carry-on max 12 Kg + Seat selection (middle to back of plane). Checked bags can be added for a fee after bookings are paid in full.
PLAY VALUE (V) – Personal item max. 10 Kg + Carry-on max. 12 Kg + 1 Checked Bag 20 kg + Seat selection (middle to back of plane excluding XL seats) + Priority boarding.
PLAY FLEX F) – Personal item max 10 Kg + Carry-on max. 12 Kg + 1 Checked bag max. 23 kg + Seat selection (excluding XL seats) + Priority boarding + Flight flexibility.
The Tour on Map Tour map image path

Itinerary

Tour day #1 photo
Day: 0 Departure from Canada
Arrive on time for your departure from Hamilton Airport to Iceland, for your connecting flight to Dublin.

Hop aboard your Play Airlines flight and brace yourself for the adventure!


Tour day #2 photo
Day: 1 Welcome to Ireland
Welcome to Dublin Airport. Get on your transfer to your city centre hotel. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy all that Dublin has to offer. This evening meet your fellow tour participants for a welcome drink.

Overnight: Dublin (Bed & Breakfast)


Tour day #3 photo
Day: 2 Dublin to Belfast
Meet your driver and guide at the hotel’s reception and depart towards Belfast. On route, you will travel through the Boyne Valley and the 5,000-year-old Hill of Tara, the seat of the ancient High Kings of Ireland. 

Stop at the Glyde Inn for a unique VR experience! You won’t just learn about being a Viking; you will become one. 

Continue to Hillsborough Castle, the official Royal Palace for Northern Ireland, for a visit. Discover stories of celebration, entertainment, diplomacy, and negotiation as you explore Hillsborough Castle's fascinating history and stunning State Rooms.

Overnight: Belfast (Bed & Breakfast)


Tour day #4 photo
Day: 3 Belfast City
Splendidly situated at the head of Belfast Lough, Belfast City is a modern and vibrant city which is proud of its heritage and history. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city centre during which your guide will explain how Belfast developed from a small market town to an industrial giant.

Pass by landmarks like City Hall and Queen’s University before visiting Titanic Belfast, an iconic landmark building where the story of Titanic is told.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Belfast.


Tour day #5 photo
Day: 4 Giant’s Causeway & Derry
Check out of your hotel this morning and travel along the spectacular North Antrim Coastline. Experience the highlight of any trip to Northern Ireland: The Giant’s Causeway, where about 40,000 interlocking basalts columns result from a volcanic eruption. 
 
The site was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986. After your visit, continue to Derry, Ireland’s only fully intact walled city. Your tour concludes with a walk
along Derry's walls, which has witnessed centuries of drama.

Overnight: Donegal (Dinner, bed & breakfast)


Tour day #6 photo
Day: 5 Donegal to Galway
Our first stop today is at Belleek Pottery which has been in business since 1857. See first-hand how this world-renowned pottery is created. 

Continue to the Marble Arch Caves and explore a fascinating, natural underworld of rivers, winding passages and lofty chambers. The caves, in the heart of the UNESCO Global Geopark, were formed in limestone rock when water flowing through the rock slowly dissolved it to leave chambers, passages and systems you can explore during a guided tour.

Overnight: Galway (Dinner, bed & breakfast)


Tour day #7 photo
Day: 6 Burren & Cliffs of Moher
This morning, travel into Co. Clare and the Burren Region. Visit the Cliffs of Moher, offering splendid views over the Atlantic Ocean. Rising to over 200 metres in places, they are among the highest sea cliffs in Western Europe and stretch for about 8km along the Atlantic coast. 

Return to Galway to enjoy some time at leisure in the city.

Overnight: Galway (Bed & breakfast)


Tour day #8 photo
Day: 7 Galway to Cork
Travel south towards Cork. En route, you will pass Limerick City, founded in the 9th century by Vikings.

 In the afternoon arrive in Blarney where you will visit Blarney Castle. Blarney Castle is set in over 60 acres of stunning parkland, filled with rare and unusual plants and trees and steeped in history. Visitors, too, can possess the gift of the gab by kissing the
mythical Blarney Stone (or stone of eloquence).

Overnight: Cork (Bed & breakfast)


Tour day #9 photo
Day: 8 Kerry Highlights
Today discover the highlights of the Ring of Kerry. 

Take in the spectacular scenery of Molls Gap and Ladies’ View. Finish the day with a relaxing Jaunting Car Ride in Killarney National Park! 

Step back in time by experiencing Ireland’s most traditional mode of transport with a Jaunting Car Tour/ horse and carriage to view Killarney’s most loved beauty hotspots. Learn all about the area's history from your jarvey, many of whom are second and third-generation jarveys.

Overnight: Cork (Bed & Breakfast)


Tour day #10 photo
Day: 9 Midleton & Waterford
Visit the nearby Midleton Distillery Experience, founded by the Murphy Brothers in 1825, which still produces more than 24 million bottles of whiskey yearly. Finish the visit with a tasting of this famous Irish whiskey.

Continue towards Waterford, where you will visit the House of Waterford in the city’s Viking Triangle. On the tour, you will witness how Waterford Crystal masterpieces are crafted, from initial design to final engraving.

Overnight: Kilkenny (Bed & Breakfast)


Tour day #11 photo
Day: 10 Kilkenny & Dunbrody
Visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship, a full-scale replica of the original ship built in 1845 for the Graves family of New Ross and which carried thousands of emigrants from Ireland to North America over thirty years.

Afternoon at leisure in Kilkenny to discover this picturesque medieval city.

Overnight: Kilkenny (Bed & Breakfast)


Tour day #12 photo
Day: 11 Kilkenny to Dublin
In Dublin visit the EPIC Museum and find out why over 10 million people emigrated from Ireland. As you uncover the stories of our emigrants, you’ll realize that emigration is not about what people leave behind but what they bring with them. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Dublin (Bed & breakfast)


Tour day #13 photo
Day: 12 Farewell
After a final Irish breakfast, transfer to Dublin Airport.

Arrive on time for your departure from Dublin Airport to Iceland for your connecting flight to Canada.


Whats Included
• Departure flight onboard Play on a connecting flight from Hamilton Airport to Dublin Airport on the selected flight class (*)
• One free personal item, one free Carry-on and one piece of checked luggage included when booked on Play Value or Play Flex categories.
• Under 2-hour stop in Keflavik Airport for connecting flights (no check-in or luggage pick-up required)
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure.
• Daily activities as per chosen itinerary.
• 24/7 personalized assistance by our professional staff in destination.
• Option to buy additional local excursions and entrances to attractions.
• 11 nights' accommodation with daily breakfast
• Dinner at your hotel on days 4&5
• Visits include The Glyde Inn VR Experience, Hillsborough Castle,  itanic Belfast, Giants Causeway, Derry City Walking tour, Belleek Pottery, Marble Arch Caves, Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle, Jaunting Car ride in Killarney National Park, Midleton Distillery Experience, House of Waterford, Dunbrody Famine Ship, EPIC museum
• Modern motor-coach for days 2-11
• English speaking driver/guide for days 2-11
• Porterage x 1 piece of luggage p.p.
• Return flight from Dublin to Keflavik Airport, connecting to Hamilton Airport on a direct flight.

*Please note that some flight classes may already include either carry-on or checked bags on your price. Please make sure to check flight class on your booking before proceeding to pay for extras:
PLAY BASIC (B) – Personal item max. 10 Kg only. Carry-on, seats and checked bags can be added for a fee after bookings are paid in full.
PLAY BASIC PLUS (L) - Personal item max. 10 Kg + Carry-on max 12 Kg + Seat selection (middle to back of plane). Checked bags can be added for a fee after bookings are paid in full.
PLAY VALUE (V) – Personal item max. 10 Kg + Carry-on max. 12 Kg + 1 Checked Bag 20 kg + Seat selection (middle to back of plane excluding XL seats) + Priority boarding.
PLAY FLEX F) – Personal item max 10 Kg + Carry-on max. 12 Kg + 1 Checked bag max. 23 kg + Seat selection (excluding XL seats) + Priority boarding + Flight flexibility.

ACCOMMODATION

• Dublin - Academy Plaza, The Gresham or similar
• Belfast - Maldron Hotel, Holiday Inn Belfast or similar
• Donegal - Jacksons Hotel, The Clanree or similar
• Galway - Salthill Hotel, Clayton Hotel or similar
• Cork - Maldron Southmall, Clayton Hotel or similar
• Kilkenny - Hotel Kilkenny, Ormonde Hotel or similar
Whats Not Included
. No extra baggage porterage at airport/hotel (* INCLUDED JUST 1 PIECE)
. Personal travel insurance (highly recommended)
. Beverages, snacks, lunches, dinners unless otherwise noted in itinerary 
. Guaranteed early check-in
. Guaranteed late check-out 
. Any service not specifically listed under "Included"
In case of emergency please contact our local Representatives:

Abbey Ireland UK
City Gate, 22 Bridge Street Lower, Dublin, D08 DW30, Ireland
 t:+3531 6486100 f:+3531 6486159
 email: info@abbey.ie

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FROM THE TOUR OPERATOR

Please read and accept the following Terms and Conditions to continue with your purchase of any product offered by THE SPECIAL TRAVEL CORPORATION.
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS FROM THE AIRLINE

Please read and accept the following Terms and Conditions to continue with your purchase of any product or air segment offered by PLAY Airlines.
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS FROM THE DESTINATION MANAGEMENT COMPANY

Please read carefully the Terms and Conditions applicable to the services offered by Abbey Ireland and UK (local Destination Management Company in Ireland and UK).
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Vacations with Personality