Day 1: Dublin - Belfast

A welcome package with a city map, train tickets (if relevant), and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful, will be provided to you on your first day in destination.

Discover Ireland with a private driver-guide, featuring experienced driving skills and expert local knowledge and insight into the best towns, monuments and historic sites of the Emerald Isle. In addition to your pre-booked customized touring, get recommendations on where to shop, have a drink, grab a bite, and even lesser-known sites typically ignored by visitors, all of which you can stop to visit on a whim (payable on the spot), because your days have built-in flexibility. Enjoy an introduction to Ireland with such depth and quality that's only possible with a local expert. Simply the best and most enjoyable way of seeing the Emerald Isle, in style! 

Meet your private driver-guide at Dublin Airport, and embark on a full-day transfer to Belfast, stopping to explore Newgrange and the Morne Coast en route. You’ll first set your sights on a visit to Newgrange, a stunning Neolithic passage tomb that is quite simply one of the great wonders of ancient western civilization. Be swept back to a time over 5,000 years ago, admiring the massive stone mound and its internal passages and chambers, letting reality set in that you’re experiencing a monument which predates both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, with passages aligned to illuminate with the summer and winter solstice. Nearby is the River Boyne where the famous Battle of the Boyne took place. The land here is lush and full of ancient and medieval ruins that are testaments to Ireland’s impressive heritage. In the afternoon, continue through County Down which is arguably, Northern Ireland’s most scenic mountainous region, immortalized in ancient folklore and the songs of Percy French. The picturesque village of Rostrevor has a history of ancient kings and buried giants and is a beautiful point in which to explore more of Carlingford Lough. Make a stop in Newcastle, famous for long, sweeping beaches and its golf course, then head to Downpatrick, an ancient town where you can visit the reputed final resting place of Ireland’s patron saint, St Patrick, as well as the lovely 12th and 13th century ruins of Inch Abbey, on the bank of the Quoile River. Conclude your day on arrival to Belfast.

The luxurious Merchant Hotel, situated in the historical Cathedral Quarter of Belfast's city center, is Northern Ireland's only 5 AA Red Star-awarded hotel. The grandeur of the original Grade A listed building is complemented by Victorian and Art Deco-styled guestrooms, all offering 21st century technology and comfort. No two rooms at The Merchant are alike – each has its own unique features, artwork and bespoke furnishings. Enjoy live jazz on-site, indulge in the relaxed setting of the luxury spa, or take afternoon tea for a decadent treat. The Merchant Hotel offers guests a quintessential fine dining experience, or superbly casual options to suit any taste.

Day 2: Belfast

Embark on a private 1.5-hour tour of Belfast in the classic ambience of a Black Cab. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable, your specialized local driver-guide will take you through the history, politics and turmoil that have shaped the city you see today, one still predominantly divided into Protestant and Catholic territories. Hear stories and personal anecdotes of the lasting religious-political conflict as you drive through Falls Road (Catholic) and Shankhill Road (Protestant), two neighborhoods with a bloody past, witnessing the Peace Line wall that separates the communities. Learn of the many murals which can be seen throughout Belfast, speaking to the troubles of the Loyalist/Unionist and Republican/Nationalist divide. You’ll spot sites like Crumlin Road Jail, Europa Hotel, and The Crown Bar, hearing how they’ve played an important role in the political history of the city – an experience both enlightening and humbling. Conclude back at your hotel.

Set out with your private driver-guide on a full day tour exploring the classic highlights of Belfast. Discover the old Cathedral Quarter near the waterfront, host of the beautiful St. Anne's Cathedral, dating back to 1899. In the city center, explore Donegal Place, one of Europe's finest squares, still home to many buildings from Belfast's glory days as the second city of the British Empire. See the late 19th century Grand Opera House, the beautiful white Belfast City Hall, along with the iconic mid-19th century Lanyon Building of the Queen's University, in all its red brick neo-Gothic beauty. Check out the impressive bronze sculptures of CS Lewis Square, commemorating the local creator of the Chronicles of Narnia. Take in impressive views of the city as you visit the gardens of the historic Belfast Castle Estate, and even visit Belfast's Botanic Gardens, an important part of the city's Victorian heritage - boasting an array of exotic and tropical plant species. In the afternoon, you'll visit the famous Titanic Museum. The RMS Titanic was designed and built in Belfast between 1909 and 1912, a remarkable feat of Edwardian engineering and craftsmanship. Despite her tragic sinking she remains a source of enduring pride in the city where she was built. 

Day 3: Belfast - Donegal

Depart Belfast with your private driver-guide for a scenic and leisurely transfer to Donegal today. Heading northwest you'll first enter the Glens of Antrim, a collection of nine verdant valleys that shine from the Antrim Plateau to the coast. Among Ireland's most unforgettable spots of beauty is the Causeway Coast that stretches from Belfast to Derry along the North Eastern region the island. Following the Glens, you'll hit the northernmost coast, site of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Giants Causeway, one of the Natural Wonders of the World. Made up of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns up to 40 feet long that stretch along the coast and into the ocean. It's a unique geological feature that is truly a sight to behold. Touring the unique northernmost coast will open you up to a number of remarkable optional stops en route, if you so choose, including a stop at the Distillery at Bushmills, exploring the ancient ruins of Dunluce Castle, or an invigorating walk across the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge as it hangs precariously over the North Atlantic Ocean. In order to give as much flexibility as possible today, entrance fees for optional stops are not included and can be paid on the spot where desired. Conclude your day on arrival to Donegal.

Nestled amid the majestic scenery of Donegal, Lough Eske Castle offers luxury accommodation set in a meticulously restored 17th century castle, returning to the glamour, style, and elegance of its historic past. Featuring an impressive 96 guest suites and a luxuriant spa, this secluded hideaway provides the perfect backdrop to your discovery of the dramatic landscapes, ragged coastlines and vast seascapes which inspired National Geographic Traveler to label Donegal as the Coolest Place on the Planet. Find solace in the luxury spa, situated in the peaceful setting of the castle garden, or find yourself exploring the tastes of the Wild Atlantic Way, brought together by an exceptional culinary team who draws inspiration and ingredients from the wild and dramatic landscapes around you. Whether you come to discover the real Donegal, celebrate a romantic milestone, or simply retreat from the world, everything about Lough Eske will lend itself to achieving this. 

Day 4: Donegal

With your private driver-guide, set out today on a tour to discover the Inishowen Peninsula, crossing over into Northern Ireland en route to get to know the closely linked city of Derry (officially Londonderry) along the way. Derry is the second city of Northern Ireland, and features arguably Europe's most magnificent fully intact city walls. Walk around, on top, and inside the exceptionally preserved early 17th century ramparts, spotting the St Columb's Cathedral in its Gothic glory, and nestling in beside a decommissioned cannon to cherish a view of the stunning 19th century Guildhall, house of the city council. The afternoon finds you exploring the beautiful northern coastline. The Inishowen Peninsula (and specifically Malin Head) is Ireland's most northerly point, featuring areas of unspoiled beaches with lagoons and raging surf. There are numerous pretty seaside and country towns and villages full of rustic charm including Ballyliffin, Moville and Muff. Highlights include a stop at Greencastle to admire the coastal ruins of the Northburgh Castle, built in 1305, and left in ruin in the 17th century after being pummeled by cannon fire, along with a visit of the small Martello tower at Magilligan, built between 1812-1817 during the Napoleonic Wars.

Day 5: Donegal - Galway

Meet your private driver-guide for a transfer to Galway today. En route, you'll get to spend some time exploring County Sligo, an area of extreme beauty, with varied landscapes and one of the country's highest densities of prehistoric sites, dotted along its coast and mountains. It's here where you can catch views of the impressive Benbulbin, a stunning rock formation that is considered Ireland's Table Mountain. Discover the colorful coastal city of Sligo, originally built around a medieval Norman castle back in the 13th century. Here, optional visits (admission payable on the spot) can be made to the 13th century Sligo Abbey ruins and the Yeats Memorial Building, dedicated to Ireland's greatest poet, W.B. Yeats. South of Sligo city, get out and walk up to admire the Carrowkeel Megalithic Cemetery, a 5,000 year old Neolithic passage tomb cluster, hidden amidst the clambering hills. Head out into Yeats Country, featuring beautiful lakes, mystical islands and serene waterfalls that inspired Yeats with romantic visions. Your day will come to an end on arrival to Galway.

The elegant Glenlo Abbey Hotel has been welcoming guests since 1740, offering the discerning traveler a warm, personable and luxurious base during their stay in Galway. Nestled peacefully on a stunning 138-acre estate on the edge of Ireland’s largest lake, Lough Corrib, the beautiful, rugged and unspoiled natural scenery of Connemara lies right at Glenlo Abbey's doorstep. Guestrooms and suites ooze opulence, but remain inviting and comfortable, having been designed with an emphasis on general space and comfort, with unrivaled views of the dramatic West of Ireland landscape and it's ever-changing colors. The 9-hole Glenlo Abbey Golf Course welcomes visitors from around the world, while the <i>pièce de résistance</i> comes in the form of the AA Rosette awarded Pullman Restaurant, comprised of two former rail cars that once served on the Orient Express. 

Day 6: Galway - Dublin

Transfer to Dublin today in the company of your private driver-guide. First, explore the cosmopolitan city of Galway before you leave it behind, Ireland's Gaelic and artistic capital. Discover the Latin Quarter, buzzing from the eclectic legacy of a maritime past with its Spanish Arch and historic cobbled street fronts. The city is famous for its lively ambiance and impromptu street entertainment, never more evident than with a walk through Kirwan's Lane, the city's busking capital, spotted 16th and 17th century architectural relics. See the Claddagh District, the point of origin of the Claddagh ring, world-renowned as the international symbol of friendship. Further along the Claddagh, the city opens to the Atlantic Ocean at Salthill, with promenades and beautiful vistas. Heading out along the famous Galway Bay, you'll happen upon the charming and timeless villages of Spiddal, Barna and Furbo. Continuing on your journey toward Dublin, pass through the scenic Midlands - an area rich in a landscape of blanket bog dispersed with lakes, castles and historic towns. Enjoy a visit to the ruins of Clonmacnoise, where a walk amongst the ancient stone ruins of this renowned 6th century city will envoke images of the scholars and saints of Ireland’s Golden Age of learning. At day's end, arrive in Dublin.

The unrivaled location and luxury of The Westbury in Dublin, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, blends city living with an oasis of comfort and calm. From the moment guests ascend the hotel’s central staircase to be introduced at check-in, there is a sense of being welcomed into a home away from home. Enjoy the utmost comfort in luxuriously appointed guestrooms and suites, each elegantly decorated and providing a haven of calm in the midst of this lively capital. Revel in the institution of Dublin's finest Afternoon Tea, and explore a stunning array of decadent dining at the Westbury's signature restaurant, bistro and bars. With your convenience in mind, it's merely a step outside for immediate access to the pedestrianized social hub of Grafton Street, as well as the historic open spaces of Dublin’s Trinity College and St Stephen’s Green. First class service and attention to every detail will make sure your stay at The Westbury memorable for all the right reasons.

Day 7: Dublin

Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.