8 Day Independent Irish Spirit

7 days
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4.5/5 Excellent
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USTOA

Self-Guided / Independent Tour
We offer two tour itineraries based on popular coach tours. These programs combine the security of pre-booked Irish hotels so that you know where you will stay each night with the flexibility for sightseeing and dining every day.
From$642
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Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Explore Connemara, a region of unspoiled open scenery with misty mountains and sparkling lakes
    • Pleasant two-hight Stays in Killarney & Galway
    • Enjoy Independent Dublin tour
    • You have opportunity to create your own daily Itinerary
    • Visits Cobh Heritage Centre, Titanic Experience and Blarney Castle

What's this trip about?

    We offer two tour itineraries based on popular coach tours. These programs combine the security of pre-booked Irish hotels so that you know where you will stay each night with the flexibility for sightseeing and dining every day.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIndependent
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityDublin
End CityDublin

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • Ireland

Attractions

  • Dingle Peninsula
  • Dublin
  • Galway
  • Killarney National Park

Activities

  • Culture
  • History
  • Nature
  • Wildlife viewing

Trip includes

    • Hertz self-drive car with unlimited mileage based on a minimum of 2 people travelling together. Other cars and minibuses available – see our website or call us for rates
    • Standard or automatic transmission
    • Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), theft protection (TP), government tax (VAT) and Location Service Charge (LSC)
    • Arrival group airport transfer when you book our flights - $30 per person fee applies to land only bookings
    • Taxi transfer from your Dublin Hotel to Hertz downtown office
    • Prebooked stays for 7 nights in hotels listed below
    • Full breakfast daily except on day 1
    • Dublin open-top bus tour and a visit to one of these prime attractions, Guinness Storehouse, General Post Office Museum, Epic Ireland or Teeling Whiskey Distillery
    • Ireland Step by Step – 128-page guide with maps and suggested itineraries (one per room)
    • Ireland at a Glimpse – discount book with 50% vouchers for almost 100 attractions
    • Get Ready! Get Set! Go! – information book with basic travel facts
    • Deluxe carry-on backpack, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
    • All local taxes and hotel service charges
    • Free Wi-Fi in most hotel lobbies

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Itinerary

Day 1: Vacation Starts in Dublin

Arrive at Dublin Airport and continue into the city. Your day is free to explore independently. Use your prepaid vouchers for an open-top bus tour of central Dublin and a visit to one of Dublin’s prime attractions.

Day 2: Dublin to Waterford

Meals: Breakfast

Take a taxi to the Hertz downtown office to pick up your car and head south from Dublin to your next hotel stay in Waterford, a distance of 100 miles. Suggested visits – Irish National Stud & Gardens, Kilkenny Castle, House of Waterford Crystal.

Day 3: Waterford to Killarney

Meals: Breakfast

Drive along the south coast of Ireland, a distance of about 120 miles. You may like to stop in Cork or Blarney. Suggested visits – Cobh Heritage Centre, Titanic Experience, Blarney Castle.

Day 4: Kerry Touring

Meals: Breakfast

You may like to take a full day tour to travel the popular 100-mile Ring of Kerry – it is better to drive in a counter-clockwise direction. Suggested visits – Kerry County Museum, Skellig Experience. The Dingle Peninsula is also a lovely day tour. Suggested visit – Dingle Brewing Company.

Day 5: Killarney to Galway

Meals: Breakfast

Today’s journey is about 120 miles traveling via Limerick. Suggested visits – Foynes Flying Boat Museum and Bunratty Folk Park. Or cross the River Shannon by ferry and drive along the coast of Clare to visit the Cliffs of Moher. Drive through the Burren and around Galway Bay.

Day 6: Connemara Region

Meals: Breakfast

Connemara Region Tour: Connemara, a region of unspoiled open scenery with misty mountains and sparkling lakes. Suggested visits – Kylemore Abbey & Gardens, “Connemara Lady” catamaran cruise or take “The Quiet Man” walking tour of Cong.

Day 7: Galway to Dublin

Meals: Breakfast

This is a distance of 130 miles, traveling from the Atlantic Ocean on the West Coast to the Irish Sea on the East Coast. Stop for sightseeing along the way or get to Dublin by lunchtime. Check in to a different hotel in Dublin. Suggested visits – Strokestown Park House, Clonmacnoise Monastic Site or Kilbeggan Distillery.

Day 8: Vacation Ends Dublin Airport

Meals: Breakfast

Leave your rental car at Dublin Airport in good time to check in for your flight.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $642
Price per day$92
Last Updated: 7/13/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with CIE Tours.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

CIE Tours Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
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Exasperated

Dec 2023

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Terrible Company

I waited 20 years for my dream trip to Scotland and Ireland and splurged $7000 on this tour. The second half of touring Ireland was great, the first portion in Scotl...

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Pam H

Apr 2022

Written on

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME/MONEY WITH CIE!

I gave this return 1 star only because that’s the lowest possible option, otherwise they would receive 0 stars!!! I had a trip planned for September of 2021 to Icela...

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Kelli

May 2021

Provided byCIE Tours

Loved our experience

Loved our experience with our tour guide Mert our CIE tour in July/August of 2015 we have many pictures that we wanted to share with our group — I believe maybe howe...

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CIE Tours

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For the 2015 season we will celebrate 83 years of travel excellence! During this time CIE Tours International has provided travellers with the highest quality holidays to Ireland and Britain and we continue to improve our tours and our services.

Over the years we have built up an enviable reputation for security and reliability with satisfied clients throughout the world. We set our own high standards for delivering excellent holidays with state-of-the-art luxury coaches; prompt and pleasant customer service; the best hotels; and carefully chosen visits and entertainment.

Our coach tours are fully inclusive with no optional extras to purchase at your destination. You pay one price and we insist that our tour directors focus solely on your enjoyment. Once you pay the deposit, we guarantee our land tour prices.

If you prefer to travel independently, we offer self-drive and chauffeur-drive programs for Ireland with a wide range of hotel accommodation, which can be booked in advance, as well as popular B & Bs. Whichever way you like to travel, choose one of our fine holidays from our website and enjoy the greatest travel experience ever!

What makes CIE Tours unique?

Sightseeing Visits: CIE Tours includes a variety of attractions on every tour for an interesting travel experience. Check each tour itinerary to see exactly which places are featured. Admission costs are included in the tour price so that you don't waste time paying as you enter each attraction.

Guaranteed Departures & Prices: We guarantee most of our land tour departures which are updated daily on our website. We guarantee land tour costs will not increase, once you have paid your tour deposit, to protect you against international currency fluctuations.

Group Airport Transfers: As a newcomer to an airport, it's great to have someone meet you. We include complimentary group transfers on the starting and ending date of tours at times specified on each itinerary. If you arrive or depart later than our tour dates, you may purchase a transfer from us.

Travel Documents: On arrival CIE Tours will supply coach tour clients with tour vouchers, maps, ticket wallets, destination information, rain poncho, carry-on backpack, phone cards, VAT tax card, luggage tags and a strap. Self-drive clients receive accommodation vouchers and listings, ticket wallets, luggage tags and a strap. Use the tags and strap on your baggage for easy identification throughout your holiday. All you need to supply is a valid passport and, if driving, a current drivers license.

Leisure & Spa Facilities: Most of the hotels we use offer wonderful leisure facilities and spas. When you travel on a coach tour, you will have some free time most days and may like to enjoy some relaxation and spa serenity! So be sure to pack a swimsuit and workout clothes.

History & Geography: People who choose to travel in Ireland and Britain usually have an interest in the long history of the region and, as you tour around, you will visit a lot of ancient cities, churches and castles. All of our tour directors are well trained in the background information of the places and incorporate this history into their narratives in a manner that is fun and easy to digest. Similarly they are able to give you facts on the geography of the regions you travel through, giving you an insight into climate, farming, weather and other topics.

Coach Touring & Sightseeing: Some people think that on a coach tour, all you do is sit on the coach all day. Not true with CIE Tours! We have created balanced and varied days of sightseeing with plenty of stops for taking photos, shopping, lunch, snacks and bathrooms. You never travel for longer than two hours without getting off the coach.

Fully Escorted Coach Tours:

See what you get on a CIE coach tour

--CIE Tours to Ireland, Scotland and Britain Luxury coach travel, daily sightseeing and a professional tour director

--CIE Tours to Ireland, Scotland and Britain Speedy group check-in at hotels

--CIE Tours to Ireland, Scotland and Britain All breakfasts and most dinners including special dinner/shows

--CIE Tours to Ireland, Scotland and Britain Airport transfers and baggage handling

--CIE Tours to Ireland, Scotland and Britain Prepaid hotels, meals and admissions help you control holiday costs

--CIE Tours to Ireland, Scotland and Britain Comprehensive tour documents

Selection Of Itineraries: Touring by coach is a holiday with a capital H! CIE Tours International offers the widest range of itineraries. Depending on your available time and budget, you can choose an ideal tour. All of our programs are carefully planned to permit full enjoyment of your holiday.

Luxury Touring Coaches: Travel in the height of comfort with CIE Tours and sit back and let an expert do the driving! Our state-of-the-art coaches feature panoramic windows for optimum viewing while reclining seats, individual climate controls and a public address system ensure your well-being.

Your Tour Director: CIE Tours could not exist without our great locally employed tour directors they are the envy of the travel industry. From the moment you land in Ireland or Britain, your tour director is there to welcome you, handle your luggage, drive you from place to place and give you a daily commentary. Tour directors make history and culture come alive and create a superb experience with daily doses of humour, information and assistance.

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Logistics

Accommodation

,Ashling Hotel Dublin This contemporary property offers 225 spacious and well-equipped guest rooms as well as stylish, modern restaurants, bar and public spaces. The hotel offers a wide range of services and amenities. Located on the north bank of the River Liffey near Phoenix Park, the hotel is well placed for exploring Dublin. It’s a 20-minute walk to the city center and Temple Bar or just 5 minutes by Luas tram which stops close to the hotel. Hotel parking. Dooley's Hotel Waterford This charming family-run hotel offers a warm welcome to all guests. It blends its traditional façade and many other cozy attributes with updated guest rooms and facilities. Enjoy delicious and wholesome food in the Ship Restaurant or the Dry Dock Bar, which offers live music at weekends. Set on the waterfront in the heart of Waterford city. Within easy walking distance of shopping, Reginald’s Tower and the House of Waterford Crystal. Parking nearby Killarney Towers Hotel Killarney This modern hotel provides guests with 182 rooms that are comfortable and include satellite TV and video facilities. An excellent restaurant serves great Irish breakfasts and carvery dinners while the choice of bars offer live music most nights. Enjoy a strenuous workout or leisurely dip in the pool in the extensive leisure center. Located in the center of Killarney town within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants, pubs and the Killarney National Park. Hotel parking. Westwood House Hotel Galway This modern hotel emphasizes personal service and a friendly attention to detail. Relax in one of the spacious conservatories, dine fireside in the intimate Meridian Restaurant or enjoy a relaxing drink in the split-level Westwood Bar. All 58 guest rooms are furnished attractively and provide amenities for a comfortable stay. Leisure facilities nearby. It is located in the Upper Newcastle suburb of Galway, one mile west of the city center. Convenient to reach the city attractions as well as for touring further afield. Hotel parking. Grand Canal Hotel Dublin This contemporary hotel offers 142 spacious rooms equipped with plenty of conveniences, including tea/coffee makers. The Epic Restaurant serves international dishes and the Glassworks Bar offers a pleasant atmosphere for a drink with sports programs on plasma TVs. A fitness center and free Wi-Fi add to clients’ enjoyment. It is located to the south of the city center near the Grand Canal. It’s a 15-minute walk to Grafton Street, Trinity College, National Gallery of Art and many other attractions. DART train service nearby. Hotel parking.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

7 Breakfasts

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Trip ID
cie-IndIriCie

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