General Information

Duration:

5 Days

Location Start:

Grand Canal Hotel, Dublin

Location Finish:

Grand Canal Hotel, Dublin

Phone:

+353 1 660 7399

Payment Types:

• Cash
• Credit Card
• Cheque
• Travellers cheque
• Paypal
• Wire Transfer

We Speak:

English

Last updated: 11/03/2009

Itinerary

Day 1

* Meet at Dublin Tourism Centre, Suffolk St. Dublin 2 at 8.30am

* Head north out of Dublin and toward Belfast

* Cross over border and walk to summit of Slieve Gullian Mountain for great views over South Armagh

* Drive into Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland for lunch and optional Black Cab tour of the city. This tour is very highly recommended as it gives visitors an incredibly close hand experience of the city and its turbulent past.

* Depart Belfast late after noon and head along the coast into the scenic Glens of Antrim

* Overnight at the Londonderry Arms Hotel, in the costal area of the Glens of Antrim

Day 2

* Continue North around the coastline including the rugged Torr Head area

* Test you head for heights at the Carrick a Rede rope bridge (summer only)

* Visit the ancient McDonald Stronghold of Dun Luce Castle

* Experience the natural phenomenon of the Giants causeway

* Walk a section of the Famous Antrim Coastline

* Optional surfing stop in Port Stewart

* Optional visit to Bushmills Whiskey distillery. The oldest whiskey distillery in the World

* Overnight in first class B&B accommodation on the Antrim Coastline

Day 3

* Drive/walk down stunning Downhill Strand beach.

* Take a Vagabond shortcut off-road to find great views down over the Foyle River and across to the Inishowen Peninsula

* Head into Derry city for optional walking tour of the city including the Bogside area synonymous with the Bloody Sunday massacre (highly recommended)

* Stop at the ancient stone fort of Grianan of Aileach

* Cross border back into Donegal and the Republic of Ireland

* Scenic drive through the Glenveigh National park area

* Learn the ancient tradition of weaving Tweed

* Overnight in the award winning Nesbit Arms Hotel in the cultural village of Adara

Day 4

* Visit a traditional weaver to see how hand made Donegal tweed is still made

* Go for a walk and explore the caves on the amazingly remote Mahares Beach

* Drive through the scenic Granny pass to west Donegal

* Walk to the 2000ft Slieve League sea cliffs. (Also optional fishing trip in summer)

* Head into Donegal town for a pint

* Go horse-riding along a stunning beach in Sligo

* Visit the grave of WB Yeats in Drumcliffe

* Walk to Queen Maeve’s tomb atop Knocknaree with amazing views of the Sligo coastline

* Overnight in scenic seaside village of Enniscrone in Sligo

Day 5

* Another surfing option in Enniscrone or walk along the beach

Or

* Take a fantastically relaxing hot seaweed bath, with mysterious healing properties

* A walk in the Ox Mountains or a visit to Foxford woollen mills

* Return to Dublin for farewell hugs and a pint about 5.30pm



(please note that on certain departures the driving journey between Dublin and Ballina has been replaced with a train journey which is quicker and more comfortable. This is included in the price and organised for you and allows the groups to spend more time in the really scenic parts of Ireland. If you would like further details please do not hesitate to contact Vagabond).

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Accommodation and breakfast

Extras -

Northern and North-western Ireland has so much to offer as one of the most diverse, intriguing and beautiful areas of Western Europe and with Vagabond to show you around it will be a tour that you will never forget. From the wilds of Donegal to the legends of the Giants Causeway, the Glens and beaches of the Antrim coastline and the historic cities of Belfast and Derry, Vagabond will make sure that you visit areas that other tourists simply don't reach. Like all Vagabond tours the trip is an awesome blend of great scenery, fresh air and outdoor activity, local culture and history and loads of laughs. Our small group sizes mean an amazing degree of flexibility, so every trip is different and moulded to suit you and your fellow passengers. Our small groups also allow us to stay in small out-of-the-way B&B's and Hotels, offering a warm friendly welcome and first class accommodation. All rooms have private bathrooms and most come with TV's and Tea and Coffee facilities. Highlights include: -Visit the legendary Giants Causeway -Conquer your fear of heights on the Carrick-a-Rede Rope bridge -Clamber over the cliff-top ruins of Dun Luce Castle -Take a Black cab tour of the fascinating Belfast city -Hill-walking amongst some of the most remote and stunning scenery in Ireland -Try Surfing in the North and north-west -Horse-riding on breath-taking endless beaches -A walking tour of Londonderry/Derry city -Explore the nine Glens of Antrim -Walk in the Mourne Mountains -Visit the Highest Sea Cliffs in Europe -Learn the old tradition of weaving Tweed -Climb Knocknaree Mountain to Queen Maeve's tomb