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Vacations with Personality

GRAND TOUR of IRELAND

Self-Drive Tour

13 days / 12 nights
  • About Tour
  • Tour Itinerary
  • Whats Included
  • Important Info
  • T&C
Languages English. Duration 13 days / 12 nights Airline
Pick up your car and start visiting the vibrant and historical capital city of Ireland: Dublin, explore museums, galleries, The Trinity College. Leave Dublin and head on to Cork and on your ways discover iconic history castles in Kilkenny. Explore the English Market in Cork, make your dream come true and enjoy the Titanic Experience. Continue to The Ring of Kerry, one of the highlights in a trip to Ireland.

Drive around the Dingle Peninsula and visit the Blasket Islands Heritage Center. It´s time to go to a medieval city: Limerick and purchase splendid crafts on offer, on the way to Galway you will cross the Burren region, which is often likened to a moonscape because of the lack of vegetation. You can also visit nearby Cliffs of Moher

Connemara is your next destination and its beautiful lake and mountain, afterwards visit Connemara National Park. On your way through Sligo you can visit the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery which has over 60 stones circle and passage tombs making it one of the largest stone Age cemeteries in Europe.   As most part of Co. Donegal this site is largely untouched by tourism and walks thought a largely unpoint landscape which gives you a spectacular view of the coast and the cliff face. 

Travel towards Derry. Today Derry enjoys the advantages of the new peaceful atmosphere in Northern Ireland politics and its city center is again lively and pleasant. En route to Belfast, visit the Giants Causeway. Depart for Dublin and visit the Boyne Valley.

Drop your car off in the airport.

Highlights
12 Nights Car Tour - Bed & Full Irish Breakfast: Discover the Island of Ireland in this complete tour of the country.

• 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)
• Rent car
• Daily activities as per chosen itinerary.
• Accommodation on the selected room category 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 Dublin city
Welcome to Dublin Airport. After picking up your car rental, transfer into the city and check into your hotel. 

Depending on your arrival time, spend a few moments exploring this historic capital city. Perhaps visit Trinity College to see the famous book of Kells, or maybe get to experience the Guinness Storehouse.

Overnight: Dublin Area.


Tour day #3 photo
Day: 2 Cork
On your way to Cork visit Kilkenny. Kilkenny's heritage is evident in the city and surroundings including the historic buildings such as Kilkenny's Castle, St Canice's Cathedral and round tower, Rothe House, Shee Alms house, Black abbey and St, Mary's Cathedral.
Overnight: Cork Area.


Tour day #4 photo
Day: 3 Killarney
Before you leave Cork explore the English Market, situated in the heart of Cork city, the English market is a roofed food market and has been trading since 1788. Alternatively visit the Titanic experience in Cobh. The location marks the departure point for the las 123 passengers who boarded the Titanic on its fateful maiden voyage to America. Continue onward to the Kingdom of County Kerry.

Overnight: Kerry Area.


Tour day #5 photo
Day: 4 Ring of Kerry
Today depart from the town of Killarney and visit Killarney National park and onward to the right of Kerry. The ring of Kerry brings you along the Atlantic coast and is one of the highlights of a trip to Ireland. The breath taking beauty of the landscape of the peninsula will delight you.

Overnight: Kerry Area.


Tour day #6 photo
Day: 5 Dingle Peninsula- Limerick
This morning enjoy another beautiful scenic route. The Dingle peninsula has something to offer to everyone. Among other things, sandy beaches safe for swimming, walking routes for all abilities, a thriving Irish language community, a rich musical tradition, fine dining, sea angling, arts and film festivals, talented craftsperson and some of the best surfing in Ireland.

Overnight: Galway Area.


Tour day #7 photo
Day: 6 Galway
On the way to Galway, you will cross the Burren region, which is often likened to a moonscape because of the lack of vegetation. You can also visit nearby Cliffs of Moher -majestic cliffs which rise 215 meters out of the Atlantic and stretch for more than 7 kilometers. Continue on to Galway city. The center of the city is conveniently compact enough to ramble around comfortably. Continue on to your overnight hotel.

Overnight: Galway Area.


Tour day #8 photo
Day: 7 Connemara
Discover the wilderness of Connemara today. Connemara whose inhabitants still speak Irish, is without doubt the wildest and most romantic part of Ireland. Bewitchingly hidden between mountains and lakes and surround Rhododendrens, lies on the gothic style Kylemore Abbey. Afterwards visit Connemara National Park. This impressive park is situated at the foot of the diamond mountain which is 227 meters high.

Overnight: Galway Area.


Tour day #9 photo
Day: 8 Sligo
On your way through Sligo you can visit the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery which has over 60 stones circle and passage tombs making it one of the largest stone Age cemeteries in Europe. A must for visitors interested in Archeology. After your visit continue towards Donegal Town.

Overnight: Donegal Area.


Tour day #10 photo
Day: 9 Donegal
Today why not visit the Slieve League Cliffs. Europe's highest sea cliffs, although less famous than the cliffs of Moher in Co. Claire, Slieve Leagues cliff reach almost three times higher, but you won't really notice.

 As most part of Co. Donegal this site is largely untouched by tourism and walks thought a largely unpoint landscape which gives you a spectacular view of the coast and the cliff face. 

Also, you can visit the Glenveagh National Park. A spectacular 16,500 hectares (4000 acres) of scenic mountains, lakes, glens, and woods with a herd of red deer, Glenveagh is one of the Irelands protected natural parks managed by the State. The visitor center houses exhibitions and an audio-visual show on the area.

Overnight: Donegal Area.


Tour day #11 photo
Day: 10 Derry
Travel towards Derry. 

Derry has a heavy historical past and suffered the 'Troubles'. Today Derry enjoys the advantages of the new peaceful atmosphere in Northern Ireland politics and its city center is again lively and pleasant. You will appreciate a walk in the colorful and well looked after historical city, which boast good shopping, pubs and cafes.

Overnight: Derry Area.


Tour day #12 photo
Day: 11 Belfast
En route to Belfast, visit the Giants Causeway. The new visitor center explores the major themes of mythology, geology, landscapes, ecology, culture and social history based on the UNESCO World Heritage site that consists of 40,000 basalt polygonal column formed 60 million years ago after a volcanic eruption. 

In 2015 Conde Nast Traveler Magazine included hopping the stone of the Giant Causeway as one of the 50 things to do in Europe before you die. Also, you can visit the old Bushmills Distillery. A guided visit commences with an excellent short film on the history and distillation of Irish Whiskey, followed by a 20-minute tour of the distillery. the visit finished in the distillery pub with a tasting.

Overnight: Dublin Area.



Tour day #13 photo
Day: 12 Dublin
Depart for Dublin and visit the Boyne Valley. 

The Boyne valley is without a doubt the most historical region of the whole island; therefore, it is not surprising to find here the most important Irish monuments such as Newgrange, Knowth or Loughcrew Cairns. These are megalithic tombs, dating 2500B,C, located along the valley of the river Boyne.

Overnight: Dublin Area.


Tour day #14 photo
Day: 13 Departure
Transfer to the airport, drop your car off.

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.
• Accommodation on the selected room category 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.

ACCOMODATION 
Mixed accommodation: 4 nights B&B, 8 nights 3 - 4 *Hotels.
Example hotels (or similar). Breakfast included.

•  Dublin - Plaza Hotel
•  Cork - B&B 
•  Kerry - The River Island Hotel
•  Clare or Limerick - B&B 
•  Galway - Shearwater Hotel
•  Sligo or Donegal - B&B 
•  Derry The Waterfoot Hotel
•  Antrim - Adair Arms Hotel

CAR CATEGORIES:

•  E - ECONOMY AUTOMATIC: VW UP or similar
•  F - COMPACT AUTOMATIC: Ford Focus or similar
•  B - ECONOMY MANUAL: Opel Corsa or similar

Whats Not Included
. Baggage porterage at airport/hotel
. 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"

Additional information about your rent car

. Additional Driver Charge:
EUR 10.00 per day, per driver including tax 
. Minimum Age:
23 / 24 years – can drive group E only. A young driver surcharge of EUR 26 per day including tax will be applied.
25+ Years Groups E & F
. Damage excess will be an amount of EUR 2,000.
. Driver License:
Must hold a current national license valid for at least 2 years or more at time of rental. Provisional / Learner drivers or seriously endorsed license holders are not eligible to rent a car e.g. drink driving disqualification.
. Maximum Age:
Customers aged between 75 - 79 years can rent with specific conditions:
(1) Must drive regularly & hold a current motor insurance policy
(2) Provide a letter from your doctor to state you have been in good health for at least 12 months.
(3) Provide a letter from their insurers to state that they have not been involved in any incidents in the last 5 years.
. Baby Seats:
Suitable for children aged between 6 Months – 4 / 5 years on request basis. €40.00 per hire or if not returned a charge of EUR 100 will be implemented incl tax Booster Seats:
Booster seats are suitable for children aged between 5 - 11 years.
. A charge of €15.00 per hire will be applied GPS - Navigation System "Never Lost"
GPS: €11.35 per day, with a maximum of € 68.10 per week rental including tax. Payable direct by the customer.
. Hours Grace:
Clients are allowed a 29 minutes grace period Cross Border Fee
Renters travelling into Northern Ireland will incur a Cross Border fee of EUR 30.00 – payable directly by the renter
. Deposit: Credit Card (Damage Excess & Petrol Deposit) Credit card at commencement of rental is mandatory – to cover toll fees, speed cameras, parking offences, etc. Cash payment may be made at end of rental.
. Damage Excess can be reduced to Zero by purchasing an additional product called Super Cover (SDW). Clients must purchase SDW & must pay by credit card. Some items are not included in SDW - Tyres, Wheels, Keys or fuel.

Prices are subject to change: 
EUR 22.70 per day Car Groups E & F
EUR 21.56 per day Car Group B


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

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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