Please note the tour price reflected on the brochure is subject to change. Due to seasonality, and taxes prices of the tour are subject to change without due notice. Please consult with the operator directly for the recent price.
Taste of Wales & Ireland
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Enjoy the great start with a train ride on a narrow-gauge steam train to admire the beautiful scenery of the Snowdonia National Park
- See the Welsh Castles & Scenery
- Experience Tenby Evening Walk
- Visit St David's Cathedral
- Visits and admissions to Chester Cathedral
- See the National Slate Museum, Harlech Castle, Pembroke Castle, Lovespoon Workshop
- Explore Killarney and admire the famous lakes on a jaunting car ride through the Killarney National Park to Ross Castle
- Skellig Experience, Cliffs of Moher and Bunratty Folk
Short Description
Combine Ireland with its Celtic neighbor, Wales! Start in historic Chester and explore dramatic castles and stunning mountain scenery of Snowdonia. Travel along the sweeping coastline with colorful villages and cross to Ireland by ferry. Finish in Ireland with Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry and Cliffs of Moher. End in Shannon or extend to Dublin.
Itinerary
Day 1: Manchester Arrival & Chester
Meals: Dinner
Your trip starts at 2:00 pm when you meet your tour director at your Chester hotel. Chester is about 30 miles from Manchester Airport so ensure that you have arranged a transfer. Set out on a walking tour to see medieval streets with lovely half-timbered houses and shops. Walk along part of the city walls and view Roman ruins. Also visit Chester Cathedral, which dates back to 660 AD. Discuss your itinerary with your tour director and guide over a welcome drink and dinner.
Day 2: Sheepdogs & Conwy
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Cross into Wales and drive to Llangollen and across the scenic Horseshoe Pass. Visit a farm to watch trained dogs herding sheep and stop for photos of 13th century St Asaph’s Cathedral. Drive to Conwy, a compact medieval town which is dominated by its huge castle. Take a walk around Conwy’s narrow streets with ancient houses and see Britain’s smallest house on the docks. Drive to your hotel in Caernarfon.
Day 3: North Wales & Snowdonia Train Ride
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Tour North Wales, starting with a train ride on a narrow-gauge steam train to admire the beautiful scenery of the Snowdonia National Park. Pause for photos of Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales and take a look around the typical Welsh village of Betws-y-Coed. Tour the National Slate Museum, which relates the tough working conditions of this region’s slate industry, developed in Victorian times. Back in Caernarfon you may like to explore the old walled town.
Day 4: Harlech Castle & Tenby Walking Tour
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Today experience the magnificent Welsh coastline. Visit the mighty Harlech Castle, one of the “Iron Ring Castles” that were built along the coast by the English in the 13th century. Take a look around the attractive Georgian town of Aberaeron. Continue to the picturesque coastal town of Tenby, featuring a little harbor, castle ruins and defensive town walls. After dinner, join a local guide for a walk to hear many humorous tales and traditions associated with Tenby.
Day 5: Lovespoon Workshop & Pembroke Castle
Meals: Breakfast
Drive around scenic Pembrokeshire, a region of gentle rolling hills and indented coastline. Watch the ancient Welsh tradition of hand carving at the Lovespoon Workshop. Tour Pembroke Castle, an imposing 12th century fortress to explore the labyrinth of passageways and towers. Return to Tenby mid-afternoon and dine independently in one of the many restaurants near your hotel.
Day 6: St David’s Cathedral & Ferry to Ireland
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Journey through colorful coastal villages on the way to St David’s, the smallest city in Britain. Visit the imposing 12th century St David’s Cathedral, named for the patron saint of Wales, to view the magnificent carvings and take a look through the nearby art galleries, craft shops and tea rooms close to the cathedral. From Fishguard take a 3-hour ferry ride to Rosslare and head to your hotel in Waterford in time for dinner.
Day 7: Waterford Crystal & Killarney
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Visit the House of Waterford Crystal to learn about glass blowing and cutting and admire one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Then see Waterford’s ancient buildings on a gentle stroll with a local guide. Travel to Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone and shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills. Journey on to Killarney and admire the famous lakes on a jaunting car ride through the Killarney National Park to Ross Castle, picturesquely set on Lough Leane.
Day 8: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Embark on the Ring of Kerry drive – a winding route with mountains and coastal views. Cross to Valentia Island by bridge to visit the Skellig Experience which describes the austere lives of early Christian monks on the nearby islands and savor a casual lunch. Pause at Moll’s Gap for stunning views before returning to Killarney.
Day 9: Cliffs of Moher & Medieval Banquet
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Take a ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary to visit the Cliffs of Moher, majestic walls of rock, which extend five miles along the coast. Drive through part of the Burren and continue to your hotel. Visit Bunratty Folk Park to see traditional cottages and farm buildings from different parts of Ireland. Feast medieval-style at Bunratty or Knappogue Castle while the lords and ladies serenade you with song and harp music.
Day 10: Dublin & Taylor’s Three Rock Pub
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Travel to Galway for a walking tour around the principal areas of Galway city before traveling to Tullamore to visit the Tullamore Dew Visitor Centre, which explains how whiskey is distilled. Sample some whiskey at the end of your tour and head to Dublin. In the evening drive to Taylor’s Three Rock Pub for dinner and a lively show with traditional Irish music, story-telling and step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 11: Independent Dublin Sightseeing
Meals: Breakfast
Spend a full day in Dublin so that you may use your vouchers for an independent open-top bus tour around the city and a visit to one attraction (valid for 48 hours). The bus stops at all the principal city center attractions and you may alight at each stop or stay on the bus to do the complete tour.
Day 12: Depart Dublin for Home
Meals: Breakfast
Your tour ends after breakfast.
Availability
- Single Supplement: $ 593
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192 CIE Tours Travel Reviews & Ratings
Taste of Wales & Ireland
Company Reviews
DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME/MONEY WITH CIE!
Loved our experience
Our Guide was awesome. John did an amazing job
Both unfair and unacceptable
Here is their policy on their own website
CIE TOURS CANCELLATIONS: If it becomes necessary to cancel a coach tour prior to departure, at the discretion of the company, CIE Tours will offer the next available date at no additional land cost or will make a full refund of all monies paid to CIE Tours. CIE Tours cannot accept responsibility for any additional costs or fees relating to such a tour booking or for any cancellation penalties due to non-refundable airfares, unless ticket is purchased from CIE Tours. Airline penalties may apply.
And yet they will not honor it. Stay away from this company. They do not care about you after they get your money.
I can't say how disappointed I am with CIE Tours
CIE tours are unwilling to offer refunds of our deposits. I certainly could not recommend them to our friends and families as a reliable tour operator.
I have spoken to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in Ireland who quoted me the Package Holidays & Travel Trade Act and who said we are entitled to a refund of deposits paid.
I am very unhappy with this situation and am considering my next move if this matter is not resolved to my satisfaction.
Details
Flight & Transport Inclusions
All internal ground transport
Group Size
Standard Group - 25 + people
Trip ID#:
TasWalCie
Meals Included
11 Breakfasts and 8 Dinners
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