6 DAY NORTHERN ISLAND TOUR SAMPLE ITINERARY

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1 IMPORTANT: Please note that this itinerary is a framework for the tour. This means that: 6 DAY NORTHERN ISLAND TOUR SAMPLE ITINERARY 1. The overnights are pretty much set in stone and then we base each tour on the items in the list below. 2. Your guide will discuss the options with you throughout the tour and plan from there. This gives us flexibility to adapt each tour to suit you and fit in with the weather conditions. 3. This of course means that some things may not be included in your tour, but if there is something that you particularly want to do or see on your tour, mention it to your guide and he or she will see if it can be included. HIGHLIGHTS: REVEL AT SOME OF EUROPE S VERY BEST SCENERY : The Glens of Antrim The amazing Slieve League Cliffs The stunning Causeway coast in Northern Ireland The Mountains of Donegal The cliffs and beaches of Ireland s Atlantic Coastline Glenveagh National Park ENJOY SOME OF IRELAND S MOST POPULAR AND WORTHWHILE TOURIST DESTINATIONS : The Titanic Experience Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge The Giant's Causeway WONDER AT SOME OF IRELAND S HISTORICAL TREASURES: Celtic ring forts, Castles and Burial Tombs The Grianán of Aileach Learn about the modern-day history of Northern Ireland, especially on the walking tour of Derry and the Black Cab tour of Belfast AND AT NIGHT: Live music and excellent food in some of Ireland s best pubs and restaurants. Overnight in quality, locally owned guesthouse and small hotel accommodation in small, friendly local communities. Live like a lord of a lady and spend two nights in 2 different castles castle.

2 DAY 1 Dublin to Sligo We re off and we re going west for an exciting first day of tour. Explore a stately home with walled gardens spanning 6 acres, visit a tradition woolen mills and spend the night in a castle. Meet at reception of the Grand Canal Hotel, Dublin 4 at 08.10am. 1. Visit Corlea Iron Age Trackway, an Iron Age bog road that was built in the year 148 B.C. across the boglands of Longford, close to the River Shannon. The oak road is the largest of its kind to have been uncovered in Europe. 2. Visit the historic Strokestown Park House with The National Irish Famine Museum. The georgian palladian mansion will take you back in time as you walk among the 6 acre walled gardens 3. Lunch on the banks for the River Shannon in Carrick on Shannon, we will also have a photo stop to make the most of this beautiful waterway. 4. Drive North East to arrive at your hotel where you can spend the night living like a Lord or Lady in the stunning surroundings of the Markree Castle Hotel Average driving time for day 4 hours 30 minutes) Overnight in Markree Castle

3 DAY 2 Sligo to Ardara Leave the castle hotel after your first night on tour and head towards Sligo towards Donegal. Today we take in some of Ireland's most dramatic coastline. Drive among the wild west and visit some key sites in our history. Take a boat out around our dramatic coastline and drive along the scenic Granny Pass. 1. Visit Drumcliffe Cemetery and the grave of WB Yeats the world renowned Irish poet 2. Head into Donegal town to visit Donegal Castle (entrance fee included in tour price) 3. Stop at the breathtaking 2000ft Slieve League sea cliffs with your guide. 4. Or take a boat trip around the base of the cliffs ( 20 per person, summer only) 5. Drive through the scenic Granny Pass 6. Go for a walk and explore the caves on the amazingly remote Mahares Beach. 7. Visit a traditional weaver to see how handmade Donegal tweed is still made. (Average drive time: 3 hours 30 minutes) Overnight in Nesbitt Arms Hotel, Ardara, Co.Donegal

4 DAY 3 Ardara to Derry Leave Sligo after spending the night in one of Ireland's stunning coastal villages. Take a stroll around Glenveagh National Park. Cross the border into Northern Ireland and head towards Derry. 1. Convene with nature in Glenveagh National Park. Keep an eye out for wild deer or eagles, as we drive along the lakeshore to a glacial valley to reveal the remote castle and gardens. 2. Possible lunch stop in Letterkenny 3. Stop at the ancient stone fort of Grianán of Aileach and enjoy views of the sea and the Inishowen Peninsula 4. Cross the border from Donegal into Northern Ireland 5. Arrive in Derry 6. Optional walking tour of the city including the Bogside area synonymous with the Bloody Sunday massacre (highly recommended - GB 4 per person) (Average driving time: 2 hours 45 minutes) Overnight in Beech Hill Hotel, Derry.

5 DAY 4 Derry to Ballygally Leave the small village of Ardara and head towards Northern Ireland. Spend time in Derry City where you can enjoy a highly acclaimed walking tour in the city. 1. Visit the ancient McDonald Stronghold of Dunluce Castle (Entrance fee: GB 3 ) or simply take photos from outside. 2. Explore the historic village of Bushmills. 3. Optional visit to Bushmills Whiskey distillery. The oldest whiskey distillery in the World (entrance fee: GB 7pp). 4. Experience the natural phenomenon of the Giants Causeway. 5. Possible Lunch or coffee stop at the tiny Ballintoy harbour one of the Game of Thrones filming locations. 6. Test your head for heights at the Carrick a Rede rope bridge (summer only - Entrance fee: GB 7) (Average drive time: 3 hours ) Overnight in Ballygally Castle Hotel

6 DAY 5 Ballygally to Newcastle Leave Ballygally and we follow the coast road around the base of the Glens of Antrim and then down into Belfast, a thriving city shaped by its industrial and turbulent past. Visit the grave of St Patrick, our Patron Saint. 1. Follow the coast road around the base of the Glens of Antrim - you might well see Scotland on a clear day 2. Drive into Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland for lunch and then choose from the following options: 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. (Cost: GB 10 per person). Take an optional trip to the newly opened 100 million Titanic Experience visitor centre (GB pp seniors ). Enjoy lunch in the historic city of Belfast Free time to explore this historic city. 3. Stop off in The Saint Patrick Visitor Centre an interactive exhibition showcasing the life and story of St Patrick. Take this opportunity to visit the grave of Ireland s Patron Saint (Average driving time: 2 hours) Overnight in the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa, Newcastle.

7 DAY 6 Newcastle to Dublin Sadly, it s the last day of the journey and time to head home to Dublin, 1. Take a morning stroll on Murlough National Nature Reserve and keep an eye out for seals! 2. Drive up to Dundrum castle Believed to have been built in or around Take the scenic route through the magnificent Mournes Mountains, the pride of Northern Ireland 4. Head south back towards Dublin with a stop at the Monasterboice Monastic site with its superb examples of Celtic high crosses (Average driving time: 2 hours 30 minutes) Arrive back in Dublin between 5 and 6pm. Drop off at the Grand Canal Hotel, Dublin 4

8 Tour Price: 1,509 Single Supplement: 210 Whats included: Journey of discovery in a Driftwood mini coach tour vehicle. Services of highly trained professional Driftwood tour guide 6 full days on tour 5 nights accommodation 5 Full Irish breakfasts Most daily activities and visits, including: Walking tour of Derry Entrance to the Giants Causeway Centre Entrance to a castle, either Donegal or Doe Castle All relevant taxes Guaranteed departure and tour price from the moment you make your deposit Loads of laughs Optional Extras: Black Cab tour of Belfast City GB 10 Titanic Experience visitor centre GB seniors Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge Summer only GB 7 Bushmills Whiskey distillery GB 7 Dunluce Castle GB 3

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