Day 1: Reykjavik City Tour and Hallgrimskirkja
Take a walking food tour and begin exploring Iceland’s 1000-year-old history in its beautiful capital city. You’ll be charmed by its mix of modern and traditional architecture and the beautiful brightly colored rooftops. You’ll also discover why it is considered one of the cleanest, greenest, and safest cities in the world. A food tour is a great way to get to know a city and decide where you would like to eat for the rest of your time in Reykjavik.
Day 2: Thingvellir National Park & Gullfoss Waterfall
Head out to spectacular Thingvellir National Park, a meeting place of old Icelandic clans and the home of the Icelandic Parliament from its foundation in 930 AD until 1798. It is also where Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet aboveground. Journey to the Secret Lagoon: smaller and more intimate than the Blue Lagoon, it’s the place where savvy travelers go to enjoy the Icelandic spa experience. Enjoy a unique light lunch at the greenhouse of Fridheimar Farm, surrounded by the tomato plants that have provided the food. Then it’s on to the famous Strokkur Geysir, which erupts every 10 minutes or so. Stop at the powerful Gullfoss Waterfall – fed by Iceland’s second-biggest glacier, the falls are the largest in Europe.
Day 3: Reykjavik & The Blue Lagoon Spa
Enjoy a free afternoon in the capital city Reykjavik and explore on your own some of the city’s historic places. In the evening, travel to the Blue Lagoon, a large lake surrounded by a lava field which is also a geothermal spa. One of the 25 wonders of the world, you can also see the midnight sun in summer or the Northern Lights in winter as you say farewell to Iceland.
The Sky Lagoon is another option that you can substitute here if you wish.
Day 4: Dublin Sightseeing
Transfer to Dublin. Enjoy your day with an independent Dublin Hop-on, Hop-Off bus tour and a visit to one of Dublin’s top attractions — Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Distillery, EPIC Ireland, or the General Post Office Museum. Dine independently this evening.
Day 5: Dublin & Merry Ploughboy Pub
Enjoy the morning exploring Dublin with the included vouchers. Meet your guide at 2:00 PM in the hotel lobby when all participants join a local guide for a tour of ancient and modern Dublin. Drive through the main streets to see historic buildings such as Trinity College; rows of Georgian houses with colorfully painted doorways; and the new buildings around the Financial Centre beside the River Liffey. Take a guided tour through parts of Dublin Castle, which was the seat of power and government for many centuries and today plays a leading role in European Union activities. Return to your hotel for a get-together with your tour group and a welcome drink. In the evening head to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for a great dinner of Irish specialties and a lively show with popular Irish songs and intricate step-dancing.
Day 6: Blarney Castle & Killarney
Depart Dublin and travel through the midlands of Ireland, which has many mixed farms. Stop for photos of the stately ruins on the Rock of Cashel, rising high above the surrounding plain. Continue your drive south and, just a few miles outside Cork, visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Visit the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can find quality Irish made goods of all types, conveniently displayed under one roof. Drive through Macroom, built around a fine castle, and into County Kerry where the scenery becomes more mountainous. Arrive in Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes with Ireland’s highest mountains, the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, forming a backdrop. Check in to your hotel and relax before dinner.
Day 7: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience
Today embark on Ireland’s most popular scenic drive of 100 miles – the Ring of Kerry. This winding route reveals breathtaking views of Macgillycuddy’s Reeks as well as the scenic coast of beaches and cliffs. As you travel along, there will be plenty of stops for photos at the best vantage points. After a casual lunch in a cozy restaurant you’ll continue your scenic drive. Cross to Valentia Island by bridge where you’ll visit the Skellig Experience. Learn about the off-shore island of Skellig Michael where early Christian monks lived in austere conditions and how it was used as one of the locations for the film “Star Wars VII.” Pause for a stroll around Sneem, with its brightly painted houses, and again at Moll’s Gap for panoramic views of Ireland’s highest mountains and deep valleys. Get a taste of farm life with a sheepdog demonstration of herding flocks, and see different breeds of sheep. Return to Killarney and enjoy a free evening for independent dining or exploring the many pubs in the town.
Day 8: Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle
Leave Killarney and drive north to Tarbert for a 20-minute ferry ride across the wide River Shannon Estuary. Your tour continues along the coast of County Clare to the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of sandstone that reaches almost 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Drive past Lahinch Golf Course, one of Ireland’s most famous, and through the marketing town of Ennis to Bunratty. Check into Bunratty Castle Hotel, which is located close to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. In the evening head to Bunratty or Knappogue Castle for a memorable experience in a wonderful historic setting with good food and entertainment. Take your place in the Great Hall for a medieval-style feast of excellent dishes and plenty of wine. During and after the meal the lords and ladies will serenade you with song and harp music evocative of the Middle Ages.
Day 9: Depart from Shannon
Your tour ends after breakfast.
Flights
We are more than happy to include a flight quote separately to your package so that you can decide if you would like to book with us or on your own. While booking flights can seem straight-forward, there are often hidden fees or classes of service that do not include seat assignments, meals or checked bags. We have been booking flights since 1985 and know the best routings and have great contracts that mean we often have better prices than what you will see online.
