Day 1: Following your home taxi collection we head across country to North Wales and the Celtic Royal Hotel for our overnight stop, with ample time to settle in before our evening meal.
Day 2: This morning we depart our hotel and head to Holyhead where we board our ferry to Dublin. Upon arrival, we travel to the Arklow Bay Hotel for our four night stay on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis.
Day 3: After breakfast we travel across the wilds of the Wicklow Mountains to Enniskerry. This extremely picturesque village was built to accompany the manor house of the nearby Powerscourt Estate and is the perfect start to our day. Enniskerry features superb cafes and shops as well as a host of picture-postcard cottages and a charming village triangle. The Catholic Church, circa 1843 by Patrick Byrne, is one of the first gothic revival churches in Ireland.
After free time we make the short journey to Powerscourt Estate to visit the stunning gardens. Dating back to the 13th century, Powerscourt is a vast country estate, noted for its magnificent Palladian style mansion and 47 acres of formal landscaped gardens. Set on a commanding hilltop position, against the backdrop of the Sugarloaf mountains, a sweeping terrace on the mansion’s southside opens onto a breath-taking, ornamental garden and lake. The Gardens are a sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statues and ornamental lakes, secret hollows and rambling walks.
Our final stop of the day will be the seaside town of Bray. Known as the Gateway to the Garden of Ireland, it is the longest established seaside town in Ireland. Here we have some free time to explore before heading back to our hotel.
Day 4: Today we take the scenic route through the Wicklow Mountains National Park to 'Beyond the Trees'. Opened in the summer of 2022, it is the longest accessible Treetop Walk in Ireland & the UK. At 1.4km, it brings visitors on an adventure through and above the trees, finishing at the impressive Viewing Tower. Here the magnificent architectural tower standing 38m above the forest reveals panoramic 360-degree views over the Wicklow Mountains, the Avonmore River, and the Vale of Avoca. There is also a visitor centre, café, walled gardens and courtyards to explore.
Your visit will also include entry into Avondale House where you will explore the ‘At Home with the Parnells’ exhibition. This living history tour with costumed characters, features a newly imagined guided tour of the historic 18th century house, which will celebrate the heritage of the Parnell family, and encompass the life and times of Charles Stewart Parnell, one of Ireland’s most well-known political leaders, and the formidable women in his family
We then return to the hotel via the delightful village of Glendalough, an area renowned for its natural beauty.
Day 5: Today we slip over the border into Kildare to visit the award winning Lullymore Heritage Centre and Discovery Park. Set on 60 acres of breathtaking landscape in the heart of the Bog of Allen you will take a 9,000 year journey back through landmark periods of Irish history with exhibitions and multimedia displays, from the arrival of the early Mesolithic settlers and the dawning of Christianity to the 1798 Rebellion and the Great Famine.
Spend some time on the Biodiversity Boardwalk, see the glassy lakes and peatlands of birch, heathers and bog cotton, try your hand at traditional peat cutting and take a ride on the Peatland Heritage Railway
After our visit we head back to Co. Wicklow for a guided tour of Russborough House. Filled with hidden treasures from the Renaissance to the 20th century, Russborough is famous as Ireland’s most beautiful Georgian house. Admire the wonderful, richly decorated interiors, enjoy the world class private collection of art, fine and decorative arts and discover exquisite furniture, silver and porcelain. Here you will hear about the colourful lifestyles of its residents through the centuries.
Day 6: This morning we have an early start as we head back to Dublin Port for our return crossing to Holyhead. Breakfast this morning will be taken aboard the Vessel. Upon our arrival we begin our journey back to Norfolk, making suitable stops along the way. We then re-join our door to door taxi service who will return you safely home.
Holiday Information:
5 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Price: £857pp
Single Supplement: £139pp (Will be allocated a twin or double for sole occupancy, depending on availability)
Insurance: TBC (Insurance not currently available)
Tour Reference: AWE4870
Deposit Required: £70pp
Balance Due: 10 weeks prior to departure