AU
Countryside of the Emerald Isle
9 DAYS
From $4,399
$3,739
pp*
Save up to 15%
*Rate is per person, land only, double occupancy.
From remote islands and historic Dublin, to less-traveled roads and charming villages, this adventure brings together the best of the Emerald Isle. Come to know the culture and welcoming hospitality of the Irish in Dublin, Ireland’s spirited capital city. Step off the beaten path in the seaside village of Kinsale, known as Ireland’s “gourmet capital.” Overnight amongst a labyrinth of stone walls on the remote and enchanting Aran Islands. Discover the windswept terrain of West Cork’s Wild Atlantic Way, one of Ireland’s most scenic coastal routes, before arriving in colourful Dingle. Travel amongst the tranquil countryside and windswept valleys of the Dingle Peninsula. Raise a glass and celebrate a journey unlike any other through the many sides of Ireland.
Your Tour Includes
- 5 Handpicked Accommodations
- 13 Meals
- 2 Choice on Tour Options
Included Highlights
- Dublin
- Irish National Stud
- Rock of Cashel
- Distillery Tour
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Your Tour at a Glance
Customize Your Tour
Getting Prepared
Know Before You Go
Enhance Your Tour
Accommodation
Herbert Park Hotel
Nights 1-2
Garryvoe Hotel
Nights 3-4
Dingle Harbour Lodge
Nights 5-6
Aran Islands Hotel
Night 7
Old Ground Hotel
Night 8
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Trip Reviews
Live, Unedited, & Independent Traveler Reviews
Rating
62 reviews
4.7
Out of 5
Based on 62 independent reviews
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I loved the scenic drives. Our tour guide John was great, funny and very knowledgeable about history. Our coach driver was wonderful. Food was good. John and the company did a good job of finding alternate lodging after flooding prevented us from getting to one of the hotels. Overall nice trip.
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Did not feel the horse farm was worth the stop; saw only 4 horses from a distance because it was off season. I loved the Aran islands and Cliffs of Moher boat tour
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did not care for travel to Aran IslandsStephen Pelton
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Every aspect of the trip was smooth. Good mix of group time and time on my own. When unscheduled race day happened flexible alternative course was arranged
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the tour Manager was great and I love Collette travel all the time with you.
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Excellent event coordination. Excellent host and driver.Pamela Utpadel
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Excellent tour. Well paced. Great driver and manager
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A well planned tour of the Irish countryside. With only 21 people on an Explorations tour, you got to know the other guests.James Sheeran
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The scheduling was wonderful and everything ran smoothly. We experienced many different settings, hotels, food and people. The Tour Manager was so knowledgeable and her sincere love of Ireland was reflected in her presentations. The walking and small tour group made the trip interactive and we embraced the hills, rocks, views and weather and worth every dollar we paid. Plus obtaining air fare through Collette was easy, reasonable including car service to airport and backKathleen Spangler
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Enjoyed it very much! Thought the accommodations could have been better in Dingle. Meals could have been included in the tour price, especially at the cost of these tours.
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the tour was amazing. the tour manager so knowledgeable and very nice to be aroundElla Culver
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Our tour director, Martine Freely, was fabulous. We were so well cared for. She was very well prepared for anything that came our way. Martine had the perfect blend of local information, the history of Ireland, and personal reflections on a host of subjects. She really was all things to each of us. Our driver was top-notch. He deftly maneuvered the coach on some pretty narrow roads. I will always travel with Collette.Sheila Graudons
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Amenities, tour guide, coach driver and Ireland were a level above excellent.Scott Kortvely
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Overall, the tour was good from transfers to lodging. Meals could have been better. The best included meal was the last night. The country side of Ireland was beautiful, but it would have been nicer to have extra free time to shop.
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The tour itself, cities visited and hotels were wonderful. Local guides were entertaining and knowledgeable. Not having a welcome dinner where all guests on the tour introduce themselves and meet each other, was a big disappointment. The tour manager did his job but that was it. Never gave recommendations of where to eat or shop and his personal hygiene was not good. Food in Inisheer was actually poor. Our bus driver was outstanding. All transfers went smoothly.
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Ireland is lovely and enjoyed the tourDeborah Gary
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Overall the tour was fantastic. Would have rated it a 5 except for the hotel in Dublin which was in a nice location but it felt quite tired. Other accommodations along the tour were fine.
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The only upset was the loss of a day. We arrived at our hotel about 6:30 A.M. there were no accommodations for us. We were in a residual area. We were on the couches in reception, no way to get coffee as it was to early for the restaurant to open. We were able to get in our room about 12:30 I feel there needs to be better planning if travelers get in early A.M. I feel we lost a day that was paid for and was an inconvenience that should not have happened.Angela Elliott
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A great experience from being picked up at home to being dropped off and everything in between. We appreciated the planning and execution of the tour, all the accommodations were excellent, the scheduled meals were delicious, the tour inclusions were interesting and the schedule was followed perfectly.Richard U
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Excellent food, service, hotels, bus driver ( Martin) who was phenomenal and especially our tour guide (Kevin) who gave us a very memorable and educational experience around the country! Highly recommended and I'd be interested in taking another trip soon!James Lally
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There were so many things to see . Garish Island was unique. The cookery class was fun . Having free time to explore Kinsale. This was our first time with Collette. It won’t be our last.
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it all was great. we enjoyed the whole trip. the people that were on the tour with us were fantasticMary Bocchino
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Hard to say...the cooking school was a great idea to acquaint the group, the stud farm was so informative and beautiful grounds, liked ringing the bell in the tower at Christ Church Cathedral, gourmet dining in Kinsale. Came away loving the Irish people..so warm and friendly...good food, good times in the pubs.
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A trip to one of the Aran Islands was fun and interesting. Ringing the bells in a Cathedral in Dublin was something not done every day.Brian Hadley
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The town of Dingle & the Dingle peninsula were my favoritesThomas Cloherty
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Two of the hotels did not have air conditioning, and everyone noticed the rooms were too warm. This is probably not often a problem, but the weather was beautiful most of the time, so the rooms got warmer than probably do normally.Donald Simoneaux
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Liked it. But too much driving and inconvenient hotels. Shuttles not good. Taxis cost a lot.Elaine Bindo
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We had the trip of a lifetime. Our tour manager Jackie, and coach driver Tony, delivered an experience we will cherish in our hearts for ever. It was so much fun getting to know these, and the other 17 tour members of our trip. Building memories of the beautiful landscapes of Ireland, and pleasant memories with those on our tour. We felt truly blessed to be apart of this fun filled group. Ireland is gorgeous, and we were well pleased with accommodations, stops, and the pace of this tour. Thank you Collette for delivering our memorable trip, and can't wait for our next one!Darron Tytler
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Each location was like building an ice cream sundae. The cherry on top was the overnight stay on Inisheer Island and the trip to the base of the Cliffs of Moher. Loved it even though the sea was rough and I got sea sick.Sonya Tytler
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The stay on the Aran island was the most memorable for me,Gloria Janskovitch
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Overall experience exceeded expectationsJohn Cusack
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Garnish Island was a highlight (seals! flowers! rare plants! ) but the very best was staying on Inishmore, climbing to the top of the ring fort with the help of Oona, and waking the next day, looking out on the ocean from our own lovely little cabin.Victoria Ferreira
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Bus driver experienced and tour manager prepared to answer all questions.Carol Wilkins
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Trip was 2 days longer than others I have been on & less expensive.
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Very memorable... the first hotel we stayed at, had little to no hot water for the 2 days we stayed, and NO water at all on the morning we were to check out. The other hotels were quite nice... and had water.Lyndsey Stuart
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The Aran Island were amazing. I would have liked another day there,Also Christ Church Cathedral was very interestingDonna Akerlund
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Staff were organized, professional, friendly, and clearly love their jobs. The itinerary included garden stops, a cooking session, knitting and craft experiences and an overnight stay on Inisheer in the Aran Isles for a relaxing contrast to the active days.
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Such an enjoyable trip, especially with a smaller number of participants. This enabled us to know each other better, especially when we had our cooking lesson that provided an excellent meal. John Fitzgibbon was also an excellent guide.Karen Burzdak
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Tour was amazing! Small group. Irish National Stud was beautiful. Aran islands gorgeous!Barbara C
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The tour was exactly what we were looking for. It was a small group (19 people) and by the third day, we all knew one another. Our favorite part of the tour was the overnight on the Aran Island of Inisheer where we learned, among other things, how to make a Saint Bridgets cross.Joseph Coyle
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Trip to Aran Island was one of my highlights.
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The tour was full of great experiences but I really enjoyed the city of Kinsale. The small group was a perfect size & still offered so much to see & do. The hotels were very nice & the food in each city was fabulous. We would definitely do another small group tour.
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MEETING PEOPLE AND LEARNING SO MUCH ABOUT THE CULTURE,THE CUSTOMS,THE FOOD..LOVED IT!
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See comments above about Delta Airlines and your travel insuranceJuels Carlson
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Just loved the tour, the country, the pace the daily excursions etc. It was all perfect.Lorine Scott
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The old Ground Hotel and Ennis. We stayed an extra day and had a wonderful time. Have been Killarnay twice ,this last time thoroughly enjoyed the Irish dance programPatric Farrell
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The kitchen dinning and making of our dinner was great. The Jameson distillery was remarkableRebecca Farrell
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See above information regarding CollettePamela Achilles
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Visiting Christ Church in Dublin and ringing the bells. Leisure day in Kinsale.Rosanne Cosmo
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Aran Islands are so unique. Lovely countryside.
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Comments as noted on previous screen.Donna Holz
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The itinerary was always interesting and the locations we traveled to were a nice change from the normal coach tours. Traveling with a smaller group was also a plus.
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We absolutely loved the Stud Farm and Japanese gardens which were absolutely wonderful!Colleen Phipps
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The Celtic, New Grange, and the old castles and churches. The night's stay at a B&B was a nice change.Herbert Zickwolf
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Jeff was really a great sport and up for anything. I lived the landscape. as I said I was impressed with our hotels and the boutique castle. I am a landscaper, so loved the tours of the countryside. Also enjoyed the Stud Farm visit, which I did not think I would be interested in.Lynn Masters
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everything was great including he weatherMarilyn Jeglinski
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Hard to say...probably seeing so much of the countryside.Marylou Gross
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Too many favorite experiences! From lodging in a B&B to a castle to first-rate hotels, then to great cities and lovely villages encompassed with storybook landscapes. Every day was a favorite!Ellen Zachary
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Advertised as small group tour. That implies more personal service by the tour leader. - It felt like a standard, huge bus (which is what we had for 14 participants) tour where city tours are conducted and points of interest pointed out so you can look out the window. The farm stay was nothing special. Visits to some old castles were from afar during a nearby lunch stop. The tour leader made no effort to introduce participants to each other at the "welcome dinner". Lots of city tours and standard tours of museums, Jameson whiskey, Titanic museum and Guinness beer plant and tower tasting room, but little cultural interaction and NO Irish music or dancing. Felt like the tour leader was just going through the motions. The hotel stays were reasonably high class. The best, and practically only, interactions were with other tourists and a couple of locals at places where we were left on our own. Thankfully there were only a couple stops at specialty shops or factories, and none where we were subjected to sales pitches.Thomas
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It was such an educational experience. Even though the castle was grand, I certainly enjoyed the experience, the farmhouse was just amazing.Kathleen
