Country Roads of Ireland - End Belfast, Classic Group
Let the luck of the Irish be with you on this 12-day guided tour across Ireland. Start the tour in Dublin, where you get up close to the Book of Kells, an ancient Gospel manuscript filled with mythical beasts and Celtic knots. In Kilkenny, visit the majestic Kilkenny Castle. A chef will share traditional Irish recipes at a farm-to-table feast in Killarney. You'll see the Ring of Kerry, a mystical, verdant peninsula dotted with seaside villages. Finally, step onto Giant's Causeway with it's basalt columns carved onto the coast by volcanic lava, or a giant's feet, if Irish myth is to be believed.
Dining Summary
- 1 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 11 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Dinner (D)
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Killarney: Explore on a horse-drawn jaunting car with local jarveys.
- Killarney: Join a gentle hike with a nature guide in Killarney National Park and admire stunning mountains, lakes, woods and waterfalls. Stroll along the lake shore and past the impressive 15th Century Ross Castle and the famous Muckross Estate, a charming 19th Century mansion and grounds. Alternatively, enjoy a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys.
- Dublin: Join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly dinner, an opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers.
- Ballygally: The Irish call it 'craic' - the warm feeling resulting from the confluence of music, drink, good food, laughter, and conversation. And after circumnavigating the Emerald Isle, there's bound to be a fair share of craic at your grand finale Celebration Dinner. Sláinte!
- Killarney: Explore on a horse-drawn jaunting car with local jarveys.
- Killarney: Join a gentle hike with a nature guide in Killarney National Park and admire stunning mountains, lakes, woods and waterfalls. Stroll along the lake shore and past the impressive 15th Century Ross Castle and the famous Muckross Estate, a charming 19th Century mansion and grounds. Alternatively, enjoy a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys.
- Dublin: A stunning combination of cobblestone walkways, emerald-green lawns and 18th-century architectural gems, Trinity College is one of Europe’s elite universities and counts poet Oscar Wilde among its alumni. See the enchanting college campus and discover insights into its impressive history. Enjoy access to view the famous Book of Kells, an exquisite manuscript of the four gospels of the Christian New Testament, renowned for the intricacy, detail and majesty of the illustrations.
- Kildare: Horse racing is key part of Irish culture; and you'll gain a rare insight into it on your visit to the Irish National Stud. Set in Kildare at the breeding ground of champions and the birthplace of legends, explore the foaling unit, museum and the stallions that continue to make racing history. As the only stud farm in Ireland open to the public, learn the insights of horse-racing at a site whose former visitors include queens and presidents.
- Kilkenny: Visit Kilkenny Castle to learn the history of this magnificent castle and that of the powerful Ormonde family that came to call it home for so many centuries. Amble through the Picture Gallery, library, drawing room, nursery and bedrooms decorated in 1830s splendor as well as the rolling parkland formal terraced rose garden, woodlands and man-made lake.
- Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone, the famous stone of eloquence, are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. Take your turn at giving it a peck knowing that the stone was sourced from 330-million-year-old limestone.
- Londonderry: There's no better way to experience sightseeing than with one of Northern Ireland's best storytellers, Ronan, as he takes you on a tour inside the city walls. See the Gothic Guildhall and the Georgian houses of Shipquay Street.
- Killarney: Meet passionate guesthouse owners John and Freda at their beautiful home in Killarney, where you'll hear more about their farm-to-table concept, while enjoying a delicious meal made from fresh ingredients sourced within a five mile radius. John and Freda have a policy that all food is sourced locally from farms and the coast of the Emerald Isle. They educate their visitors about sustainable consumption and the benefits of eating fresh homegrown produce. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production.
- Dublin: See Custom House and travel along the River Liffey. See the Guinness Storehouse, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral.
- Cahir: See one of the largest castles in Ireland dating back to the 13th century.
- Cork: Ireland's second city - "Rebel Cork" dates back to the 7th century. Your Travel Director will show you the Grand Parade and South Mall, along with City Hall and the Opera House on an insightful orientation tour encompassing the development of the religious settlement of St. Finbarr, to Viking raiding and settlement, to the creation of the Norman city and Merchant Princes. You’ll love learning the tales and history of this port city and enjoy hearing the lilt of the Cork accent.
- Ring of Kerry: Venture into a world of towering cliffs, lush lakelands, beaches, fields dotted with sheep, rocky coastline, remote villages and historical sites, as you journey the magical Ring of Kerry. This 111-mile circular route is the best place to admire Ireland's scenic beauty and truly one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
- Killarney: Enjoy hearing of the history of Killarney during your city orientation.
- Dingle Peninsula: Follow the Slea Head route, a dramatic coastal drive around the Dingle Peninsula, where sheer cliffs, secluded beaches, and ancient ruins reflect centuries of settlement. Pass prehistoric ring forts, beehive huts and Ogham stones, evidence of early Gaelic communities. Offshore, see the Blasket Islands, once home to a resilient Irish-speaking population who, facing isolation and hardship, relocated to the mainland in 1953.
- Shannon: Cross the Shannon Estuary by ferry, passing sites linked to smuggling and 19th-century emigration.
- Cliffs of Moher: Towering cliffs and the dramatic sea, the Cliffs of Moher has inspired countless travelers. Visit the Exhibition Center and look out over the Wild Atlantic Way from these majestic cliffs that rise over 700 feet high. Gain insights from your Travel Director into the cliffs’ geology, history and the species that find sanctuary in its nooks and crannies.
- Galway: Fascinating stories and interesting locals take center stage on your orientation of the historic heart of Galway. Visit the Lynch Memorial Window. Then make your way to the Church of St. Nicholas - the largest medieval parish church in Ireland in continuous use, Spanish Arch and Eyre Square.
- Giant's Causeway: Visit Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Walk across thousands of interlocking basalt columns, shaped by nature and renowned for their striking geometric appearance.
- Ballygally: Explore this seaside town with your Travel Director.
- Carrickfergus: See the immense Castle as you drive around it.
- Belfast: Meet Hilda, a true Belfast local, having lived in the same house her entire life. During your panoramic tour, hear about the history of the city and learn why Hilda is proud of its progress and current prosperity. You'll also see the City Hall, Queen's University, Parliament Building at Stormont and murals in different locations indicating political sentiments of local residents.
| Additional Offers |
ID: 8788340
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ID: 8789048
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ID: 8784104
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ID: 8579031
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ID: 8788340
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ID: 8789048
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ID: 8784104
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ID: 8579031
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Find the journey right for you with our selection of tour styles. Whether you're looking to see a number of destinations in a single tour, explore a single destination in depth or you want to take the road less traveled, we have the perfect holiday for you.
Discovery Journeys
Discovery Journeys are the ideal style for first-time travelers, showing you the very best your destination has to offer. Each tour will introduce you to multiple countries in one journey.
Regional Journeys
Travel deeper by picking one place that you’ve always longed to visit. Our Regional Journeys are carefully planned to let you explore one region or country in depth, in order to really know its people, traditions and culture.
Country Roads
Step off the beaten track and discover a different side of your destination. Steering clear of the well-trodden tourist trail, our Country Roads program sends you off to hidden retreats and unexpected adventures with lots of local flavor.
Easy Pace
Love full days at leisure while on holiday? Take more time to explore on your own, with a minimum of three nights in each destination and plenty of free time - including more Relaxed Starts - built into the itinerary.
Special Interest Tours
Explore our collection of Special Interest Tours that are themed around particular local festivals, events or cultural interests. These tours include stops at the Chelsea Flower Show in England, Oktoberfest in Germany and more.
Group Travel
Private Custom Groups
We offer the option to customize your own group tour. Our dedicated team of travel experts will create a tailor-made itinerary to suit your needs.
Groups on Set Departures
Pricing Scales to your group size. Our group sizes have no upper limits and our competitive pricing scales according to your group size and your budget.
Our history of traveling sustainably
OVER A DECADE OF POSITIVE IMPACT
There are few things more stylish and elegant than being a responsible tourist. That's why sustainable and responsible tourism is at the heart of what we do. As a premium travel brand, we recognize that it's our duty to set the right example. We work diligently to leave a positive impact on the planet, its people, and its wonderful wildlife. To cement our commitment, we created our 5-year How We Tread Right sustainability strategy and our not-for-profit organization, the TreadRight Foundation.
OUR COMMITMENT
- Sustainability and conservation: We ensure that we’re protecting our invaluable landscapes and natural resources.
- Cultural preservation: We ensure that the true economic benefit of travel is felt by local communities.
- Protection of our world’s wildlife: We advocate for the highest standard of ethical wildlife experiences.
Our 5-year sustainability strategy
HOW WE TREAD RIGHT
Our 5-year How We Tread Right sustainability strategy is based on 11 measurable goals anchored to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which address the issues of climate change, sustainable food production, waste reduction, travel experiences, diversity and inclusion, and wildlife.
By traveling with Insight Vacations, you're supporting a responsible travel company that truly works hard to make a difference.
How you have a positive impact
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®️ Experiences
Travel is education and experience is the best teacher. Our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®️ Experiences teach you about the world all while making it better. Whether that's through supporting local economies, preserving age-old traditions, or advancing conservation efforts for native ecosystems. Find out more about how you can be a truly sustainable traveler.
Climate Action
OUR JOURNEY TO NET ZERO
Since the inception of our sustainability strategy, the global community has continued to rally in response to the urgent need for climate action. We're committed to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the year 2050. Our dedication to this goal is outlined in our Climate Action Plan, with science-based targets that address our carbon footprint. We are proud of the fact that, alongside our sister brands, we became the first global tour operator to have near-term, long-term and net zero targets that are validated by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). Gain a deeper insight into our Climate Action Plan and how we're meeting our targets.
Our strategic plan
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
We believe diversity is the foundation of meaningful travel. We set out with a curious mind, and the desire to meet new people, hear fresh perspectives and experience different cultures. Embracing and empowering diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of life requires a conscious effort – whether at home, at work, or in our communities.
At the Travel Corporation (TTC), our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) journey started many years ago, with the development of our DEI strategy. We’ve formalized goals in the following areas: People & Culture, Product & Experiences, and Marketing & Communications, to ensure we’re upholding our end.
Find the journey right for you with our selection of tour styles. Whether you're looking to see a number of destinations in a single tour, explore a single destination in depth or you want to take the road less traveled, we have the perfect holiday for you.
Discovery Journeys
Discovery Journeys are the ideal style for first-time travelers, showing you the very best your destination has to offer. Each tour will introduce you to multiple countries in one journey.
Regional Journeys
Travel deeper by picking one place that you’ve always longed to visit. Our Regional Journeys are carefully planned to let you explore one region or country in depth, in order to really know its people, traditions and culture.
Country Roads
Step off the beaten track and discover a different side of your destination. Steering clear of the well-trodden tourist trail, our Country Roads program sends you off to hidden retreats and unexpected adventures with lots of local flavor.
Easy Pace
Love full days at leisure while on holiday? Take more time to explore on your own, with a minimum of three nights in each destination and plenty of free time - including more Relaxed Starts - built into the itinerary.
Special Interest Tours
Explore our collection of Special Interest Tours that are themed around particular local festivals, events or cultural interests. These tours include stops at the Chelsea Flower Show in England, Oktoberfest in Germany and more.
Group Travel
Private Custom Groups
We offer the option to customize your own group tour. Our dedicated team of travel experts will create a tailor-made itinerary to suit your needs.
Groups on Set Departures
Pricing Scales to your group size. Our group sizes have no upper limits and our competitive pricing scales according to your group size and your budget.
Our history of traveling sustainably
OVER A DECADE OF POSITIVE IMPACT
There are few things more stylish and elegant than being a responsible tourist. That's why sustainable and responsible tourism is at the heart of what we do. As a premium travel brand, we recognize that it's our duty to set the right example. We work diligently to leave a positive impact on the planet, its people, and its wonderful wildlife. To cement our commitment, we created our 5-year How We Tread Right sustainability strategy and our not-for-profit organization, the TreadRight Foundation.
OUR COMMITMENT
- Sustainability and conservation: We ensure that we’re protecting our invaluable landscapes and natural resources.
- Cultural preservation: We ensure that the true economic benefit of travel is felt by local communities.
- Protection of our world’s wildlife: We advocate for the highest standard of ethical wildlife experiences.
Our 5-year sustainability strategy
HOW WE TREAD RIGHT
Our 5-year How We Tread Right sustainability strategy is based on 11 measurable goals anchored to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which address the issues of climate change, sustainable food production, waste reduction, travel experiences, diversity and inclusion, and wildlife.
By traveling with Insight Vacations, you're supporting a responsible travel company that truly works hard to make a difference.
How you have a positive impact
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®️ Experiences
Travel is education and experience is the best teacher. Our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®️ Experiences teach you about the world all while making it better. Whether that's through supporting local economies, preserving age-old traditions, or advancing conservation efforts for native ecosystems. Find out more about how you can be a truly sustainable traveler.
Climate Action
OUR JOURNEY TO NET ZERO
Since the inception of our sustainability strategy, the global community has continued to rally in response to the urgent need for climate action. We're committed to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the year 2050. Our dedication to this goal is outlined in our Climate Action Plan, with science-based targets that address our carbon footprint. We are proud of the fact that, alongside our sister brands, we became the first global tour operator to have near-term, long-term and net zero targets that are validated by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). Gain a deeper insight into our Climate Action Plan and how we're meeting our targets.
Our strategic plan
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
We believe diversity is the foundation of meaningful travel. We set out with a curious mind, and the desire to meet new people, hear fresh perspectives and experience different cultures. Embracing and empowering diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of life requires a conscious effort – whether at home, at work, or in our communities.
At the Travel Corporation (TTC), our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) journey started many years ago, with the development of our DEI strategy. We’ve formalized goals in the following areas: People & Culture, Product & Experiences, and Marketing & Communications, to ensure we’re upholding our end.
About Insight Vacations
PREMIUM TOURS FOR CURIOUS TRAVELERS
Insight Vacations is a premium tour operator that promises a superior experience from start to finish, with an elevated level of detail and attention at every step. Discover more about the Insight Vacations premium travel experience.
PREMIUM EXPERIENCES
Exclusive, crafted experiences that get you up close and personal to every destination. Enjoy Insider Access before and after opening-hours and skip the line access at key sights. Take your pick from one, two or three curated Insight Choice experiences. Plus, Insightful Encounters with Local Experts and Specialists that add even more life, color and storytelling for a truly enlightening experience.
PREMIUM DINING
Whether you’re being welcomed into the workspaces of chefs or taking your seat at top-rated restaurants, you’ll find yourself dining on regional favorites with a seasonal twist. Take your seat for wine-paired meals and enjoy indulging your preferences from a curated choice of restaurants on Dine-Around evenings. Get hands-on with Cooking Demonstrations and enjoy an industry-leading vegetarian offering at every mealtime.
About Insight Vacations
PREMIUM TOURS FOR CURIOUS TRAVELERS
Insight Vacations is a premium tour operator that promises a superior experience from start to finish, with an elevated level of detail and attention at every step. Discover more about the Insight Vacations premium travel experience.
PREMIUM EXPERIENCES
Exclusive, crafted experiences that get you up close and personal to every destination. Enjoy Insider Access before and after opening-hours and skip the line access at key sights. Take your pick from one, two or three curated Insight Choice experiences. Plus, Insightful Encounters with Local Experts and Specialists that add even more life, color and storytelling for a truly enlightening experience.
PREMIUM DINING
Whether you’re being welcomed into the workspaces of chefs or taking your seat at top-rated restaurants, you’ll find yourself dining on regional favorites with a seasonal twist. Take your seat for wine-paired meals and enjoy indulging your preferences from a curated choice of restaurants on Dine-Around evenings. Get hands-on with Cooking Demonstrations and enjoy an industry-leading vegetarian offering at every mealtime.
