Classic tour of Ireland

Arrive into Dublin and head south.

Ireland's oldest City, Waterford, founded by the Vikings in 914AD, the location chosen is ideal for a trading port. The prime situation on River Suir secured Waterford's economic future. From the 18th Century excellent flint glass is produced, the business started in 1783 by the Penrose family. A stop at the Waterford Crystal factory is a must, why not join one of the factory tours, and see the world's largest display of Waterford Crystal.

Kilkenny is a historic town in southeast Ireland. This compact City becomes prominent in the middle ages and capital of Ireland. Any self-respecting settlement of the 12th Century has a castle, Kilkenny has a mighty edifice at its centre. Kilkenny Castle has been continuously lived in from the late 12th Century into the 1930's – taking care of such a large building became prohibitively expensive and the Castle's owners are now the town and can be visited. 

All old European capitals have important religious sites, Kilkenny has some particularly well-preserved examples, including imposing St. Canice's Cathedral and the Black Abbey Dominican priory, both originated during the 13th Century. 

The City is also crafts hub, with shops along its winding lanes selling pottery, paintings and jewellery. The City hosts Ireland's largest arts festival during August; we can carefully build this event into your itinerary if your dates match up. There is a local brewery too, for those who enjoy trying traditional local ales, tour and taste at the Smithwick's brewery.

Overnight: Kilkenny - Recommended Hotel: Mount Juliet Estate.

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Tour the Rock of Cashel - All Rocky high points in the past were valued, easier to defend, impossible to undermine, and any building would stand proud and be a symbol of power. The message from this ancient site is clear, prime real estate for Irish rulers. It was a Royal stronghold of the Kings of Munster, masters of southern Ireland and handed to the church in the 12th Century. It becomes a flourishing religious centre until a siege by a Cromwellian army in 1647. Much of the complex survives and is an enchanting place to tour, Cormac's Chapel is of particular interest, the interior carvings of mythical beasts is terrific to see and learn their meaning. This Romanesque wonder is a must-see site.

The River Lee surrounds Cork, as the river splits it almost circumnavigates the town centre, creating the feeling of being on an island. The name Cork derives from the old Gaelic, which means marshy place. The origins of the settlement are old; St Finbarr founded a monastery here in the 7th Century. Cork is Ireland's second City, with a large student population; therefore, the City has a reputation of rebelliousness, much of that spirit reflected in the arts and music scene. 

Many of today's narrow back streets were waterways lined with warehouses and wealthy merchants houses; pubs, restaurants, and cafes now cram these modern streets. This district is the best food lovers scene in Ireland.

Overnight: Cork - Recommended Hotel: Hayfield Manor.

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Visit Blarney Castle, a six hundred years Tower House Castle; Blarney is a romantic ruin, surrounded by stunning gardens; it is now one of Ireland's most significant landmarks.  See the Blarney Stone found at the top of the tower, with its legendary magical powers. Kissing the Blarney stone is an old tradition and could date from the time of the crusades. Once kissed, the Blarney Stone, a gift of eloquence and persuasiveness, is bestowed on the kisser. 

Take in the very best of this magical landscape in a unique and unforgettable drive through the gems of the Killarney National Park, the lake district of Ireland.

Stop by Muckross House, a Victorian mansion with Elizabethan style interior. Visit the basement of the property to see how the servants carried out their daily tasks. Since the early 20th Century, the three working farms on-site still traditional methods. Your driver-guide, will if required to take you to the wildlife centre for an introduction to flora and fauna of the National Park.

Overnight: Killarney - Recommended Hotel: Killarney Park. 

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For many people around the world, the Ring of Kerry drive encapsulates their image of Ireland: ancient monuments, romantic castles, spectacular gardens and colourful towns and villages. The stunning scenery, dramatic coastline, charming locales and ancient archaeological treasures featured in postcards, film, poetry and song. 

Ring of Kerry and Star Wars Island (Skellig Michael)
As an alternative, take a boat trip to Skellig Michael (Great Skellig) the film location of the latest batch of Star Wars movies. The rock in the Atlantic ocean is inhospitable and mysterious. Perched on a ledge 700ft above the sea and reached by an astonishing one thousand-year-old staircase is a monastery. Monks sort solitude in the 6th Century and constructed six rock beehive-like houses, amazingly despite having received 1400 years of Atlantic weather they remain standing. Over 165 ft of the Rock of Skellig Michael lay beneath the waves and provides a habitat for dolphins, turtles and the world's second-largest shark, the basking shark. 

The picturesque town of Kenmare, with a population of 1,200, is an example of one of Ireland's few planned cities. The limestone facades and ornate plasterwork of some of the buildings pay tribute to the craftsmen of a bygone age.

Sneem, meaning "a knot" in Irish, hence "The Knot in the Ring of Kerry" is a charming and peaceful village located between Kenmare and Waterville. The town offers some shops, pubs, three restaurants and craft shops and is home to several artists.

Overnight: Killarney - Recommended Hotel: Killarney Park.

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The Dingle Peninsula delivers some of Ireland most spectacular scenery. To the north rises mountains and west stunning coastal drives, giant cliffs, powerful surf, and relics of the past, Christian oratories and beehive huts. 

Your driver-guide will stop in a village or two for drinks and lunch. Some remote areas of the Dingle are still Gaelic speaking, and therefore road signs are in Gaelic.

The pristine pale sand and crystal clear waters will surprise you. High rise hotels or resorts will not spoil the views; this is a preserved coastline of fishing villages with independent shops and fish (seafood) restaurants. 

Overnight: Near Limerick - Recommended Hotel: Adare Manor. 

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Journey through part of the Burren Country, a unique region of rounded limestone hills where many rare wildflowers thrive in sheltered crevices. Many prehistoric dolmens (megalithic tomb of the stone age) are consisting of large capstones supported on two uprights.

If you would like to feel like you are standing on the edge of the world, then this is the place - the mighty Cliffs of Moher, one of the natural wonders of Europe.  The cliffs are 5 miles long and 650 ft high, with jagged drops and sheer drops to the ocean below. Seabirds flourish here, perched in crevices above the crashing waves. The visit to Cliffs of Moher is exceptional an experience. When a clear day, you can see views of the Aran Islands, on a misty day, admire the dramatic beauty of the meeting of land and sea. 

The lively university city of Galway, capital of the West, is an excellent place for those who would like a night on the town, this is a musical City. Enjoy a walking tour of Galway, walkthrough the twisted streets, and explore the old quarter, learn the history of this centre of Gaelic speaking Ireland. See how the Galway has blossomed into a high-tech centre, with a revived economy.

Overnight: Galway. Alternatively at Ashford Castle Hotel or the golfing resort of Glenlo Abbey Hotel.

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A combination of bogland, lakes, and mountains makes up the Connemara National Park. Fifty peaks dominate the horizon within a tightly defined 5000-acre area. For those who love to hike, there is Diamond Hill in the Connemara National Park, with its wood and cut stone path, offers a very safe way to go hill-walking.

Wildlife includes; birds of prey, such as peregrines and merlins, large mammals include Red Deer, and the coast is ideal for breeding Grey seals.

Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden is the most visited attraction in the West of Ireland. Sheltered by the slopes of twelve 'Bens' (mountains) the lakeside Castle is a romantic, crenellated (battlements) gothic fantasy and constructed as a gift for his wife by Mitchell Henry. He was a Manchester Tycoon and Galway MP. The Abbey itself was known as Kylemore Castle until 1920 when the Benedictine order of nuns made it their home. The Abbey was home to the Kylemore Abbey Girl's school until 2010. Although the Benedictine nuns still own and use most of the building, the ground floor is accessible for visitors who can get a glimpse of what life was like in this fascinating building built 150 years ago. 

Compared in magnificent with Kew Gardens in London, the Victorian walled garden is a tamed garden within a wild National Park. Surrounded by a protective wall, plants thrive, and more delicate species love in the heated glasshouses. Follow the meandering stream-side walk and enjoy the longest double herbaceous borders in Ireland.  

Overnight: Galway. Alternatively at Ashford Castle Hotel or the golfing resort of Glenlo Abbey Hotel.

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Learn about Ireland's exciting horse breeding industry at the National Stud.

The Irish National Stud's Japanese Gardens, renowned throughout the world and the finest of their kind in Europe, are far more than merely a treat for the eye.

The gardens were laid out by Japanese master horticulturist Tassa Eida and his son Minoru.  Their aim was, through trees, plants, flowers, lawns, rocks and water, to symbolise the 'Life of Man'.

Fly home from Dublin airport or extend your stay and enjoy Dublin.