Day 1: Following your home taxi collection, you will join our luxury tour coach as we head to North Wales, and our overnight hotel, the Celtic Royal, on a dinner bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2: This morning, we have an early departure from our hotel, to board our ferry for the crossing to Dublin. Breakfast will be taken on board this crossing due to the early departure from the hotel. Upon our disembarkation, we continue to Enniskerry and our hotel for the next 4 nights, the four-star Summerhill House Hotel on a dinner bed and breakfast basis. Upon our arrival, we are met with a welcome drink while our luggage is delivered to our rooms.
Day 3: A leisurely day with free time after breakfast to explore the lovely village of 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.
This afternoon you will join the coach as we head to the 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.
Day 4: Today we enjoy a full day excursion into County Kildare, firstly to the Irish National Stud and the Adjacent Japanese Gardens. Nowhere better symbolises all that is great about County Kildare, the beating heart of Irelands thoroughbred industry, than the stud. A unique attraction of outstanding natural beauty that is home to some of the most magnificent horses and sumptuous gardens to be found anywhere in the World.
You can also get up close to the spectacular stallions at the paddock, spot lively yearlings or watch the protective mares with their frolicking foals. Even if you’re not a racing aficionado, you’ll be able to appreciate the historical success that has built this place and the passion that has sustained it.
Created between the years 1906 and 1910, the Japanese Gardens were designed by craftsman Tassa Eida and his son Minoru. These gardens combine art, philosophy and nature in perfect balance to create a tranquil and contemplative environment.
Beautiful structures like the Bridge of Life and the Tea House combine with the vivid foliage and babbling streams in a perfect balance of sights, sounds and colour. These gardens are considered the best of their kind in Europe and you’ll know why when you see them.
Day 5: Today we take the scenic route through the Wicklow Mountains National Park visiting the town of ‘Ballykissangel’ fame, Avoca. Stand on the Lion Bridge, where the rivers Avonmore and Avonbeg converge, to take in the view which inspired the poet Tom Moore to write his famous song, ‘The Meeting of the Waters’. During our visit, we have included a guided tour of Avoca Mill, giving you the chance to see firsthand where their signature throws, blankets and scarves come from, and to witness them being made by hand. You will be taken on a fun and informative tour of Ireland’s oldest weaving Mill and are shown the steps involved in the weaving process. On this fully guided tour, you will get a real sense of the skill and expertise of the weaving team and will see a live demonstration (subject to weaver availability) on the old flying shuttle loom.
We continue to the valley of the two lakes, Glendalough, celebrated equally for its beauty and for its historical and archaeological interests. The Glendalough Valley was carved out by glaciers during the Ice Age and the two lakes, from which Glendalough gets its name, were formed when the ice eventually thawed. The Valley is home to one of Ireland’s most impressive monastic sites founded by St. Kevin in the 6th Century. Situated in the Wicklow Mountains National Park, the area is a haven for wildlife and their habitats, flora and fauna.
Day 6: Sadly, this morning, we depart our hotel and head for Dublin Port. Once we board our ferry, breakfast will be included on board. Upon our arrival in Holyhead, we begin our journey back to Norfolk, making suitable stops along the way. We then rejoin our door to door taxi service who will be waiting to take you home.
Holiday Information:
5 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast (Evening meals will be table service)
Price: £992pp
Single Supplement: £182 (Will be allocated a twin or double room for sole occupancy, depending on availability)
Insurance: TBC (Insurance not currently available)
Tour Reference: AWE5065
Deposit Required: £70pp
Balance Due: 10 weeks prior to departure