Grand Emerald Explorer

Grand Emerald Explorer

15 days by coach from £1629, 13 days by air from £1629 

Our spectacular tour of the Emerald Isle epitomises the very best that Ireland has to offer, with awe-inspiring scenery, traditional charm, fantastic heritage attractions and the very warmest of hospitality. Join us and experience the highlights of this wonderful country.

Holiday highlights
• Take in the stunning seascapes including Giant's Causeway, Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry
• Absorb some of the country's fascinating heritate undluding the Jameseon Experience and the new Titanic Belfast
• Experince a warm Irish welcome and superb local hospitality
• Upgraded lounge access on our sailings with Stena and Irish Ferries 

Holiday Itinerary
Day 1 From home to Northern England - Join our Grand Tourer coach as we head for our first night at the 4* De Vere Daresbury Park, where we enjoy a welcome drink on arrival. (D)
Day 2 Arrive in Dublin - We journey across to Anglesey and board our ferry to Dublin. Relax and enjoy Club Class access, with a range of complimentary snacks and drinks. Once in Dublin, we enjoy a guided city tour and continue to our 5* hotel, the Radisson Blu St. Helen's for two nights. Flight passengers arriving in Dublin today will be met and transferred to the hotel. Here we enjoy a glass of wine with dinner each evening. (B,D)
Day 3 County Wicklow and Powerscourt House - A scenic drive into County Wicklow, we visit Powerscourt House and Gardens, set in the surroundings of the Wicklow Mountains. (B,D)
Day 4 From Dublin to Kinsale - We travel through County Wexford to call at Waterford City, before we continue to the Jameson Experience, for an insight into one of Ireland's most well known tipples. We go on to the 4* Carlton Kinsale Hotel for two nights.  (B,D)
Day 5 Time at leisure in Kinsale - Relax today in colourful Kinsale, one of Ireland's most picturesque resorts. (B,D)
Day 6 Through Bantry Bay to Killarney - We journey through County Cork, alongside Bantry Bay to Glengarriff, where we enjoy a boat trip over to Ilnacullin, known as the Garnish Island. We continue to Killarney and the 5* Muckross Park Hotel for two nights. Tonight we enjoy fine dining followed by an Irish coffee. (B,D)
Day 7 The Ring of Kerry - Our panorama today is one of seascapes and mountains as we drive around the beautiful Ring of Kerry. Tonight we will dine in a traditional pub restaurant, followed by an Irish musician and complimentary glass of Guinness. (B,D)
Day 8 Cliffs of Moher into County Galway - Traveling northwards, we take the ferry from Tarbert into County Clare, and visit the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, before heading into County Galway to the 4* Carlton Shearwater Hotel in Ballinasloe, where we enjoy a glass of wine with dinner this evening. (B,D)
Day 9 Exploring Galway and Connemara - The beautiful city of Galway is our first port of call, before we enjoy a cruise along Loch Corrib. We journey on into serene Connemara National Park. Our hotel tonight offers a complimentary Irish coffee after our evening meal. (B,D)
Day 10 Northwards to Donegal - We leave County Galway and head northwards through County Sligo and into Donegal to arrive at our 4* hotel, Harvey's Point, perfectly located on the shores of Lough Eske for our two night stay. Here we have a complimentary glass of wine with dinner. (B,D)
Day 11 At leisure on Lough Eske - Today is a chance to relax and enjoy the hotel's beautiful surrounding, or venture out to explore Donegal town at your leisure if you wish. (B,D)
Day 12 Antrim Coast to Belfast - After a leisurely morning we head across to Londonderry, designated UK City of Culture for 2013, and along the coastal route to visit Giant's Causeway. We continue on to the 4* Stormont Hotel for two nights, where we dine from the a la carte menu. (B,D)
Day 13 Discovering Belfast and Titanic Belfast - We enjoy a fascinating guided city tour of Belfast today, before visiting the awesome new Titanic Belfast attraction, housed in a state-of-the-art building, and opening in this centenary year of the ship's tragic sinking. (B,D)
Day 14 We depart Ireland - Today we take the ferry with Stena Plus lounge access, across to Cairnryan and stay tonight at the 4* Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel, with a complimentary glass of wine to enjoy with dinner. (B,D) Our tour driver will advise those travelling by air of their return transfer time to Belfast airport (B)
Day 15 Northern England to home - Our Grand Tourer holiday comes to a close today, we we head for home. (B)
Included Meals: B=Breakfast, D=Dinner

Your hotels at a glance
Take a look at some of the luxurious hotels that await you on our Grand Emerald Explorer tour
Muckross Park Hotel, Killarney - A stunning five star property, located within Killarney National Park, combining traditional elegance with fabulous facilities, including Cloisters Spa.
Radisson Blu St. Helen's, Dublin - One of the city's finest hotels, the five star Radisson Blu Hotel stands in magnificent formal gardens and offers beautiful guest accommodation.
Harveys Point Hotel, Donegal - Set in a stunning location, on the shores of tranquil Lough Eske, the luxurious Harvey's Point Hotel offers a warm Irish welcome.

Flight departures:
Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow/Prestwick, Heathrow, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted

Your Grand Tourer holiday includes
• Travel by Grand Tourer coach
• Complimentary Home Connect service where available (for passengers travelling by coach only)
• 4 and 5 star accommodation
• Air passengers enjoy complimentary UK airport 'Meet & Greet' service and lounge pass
• 14 nights half board (coach passengers) or 12 nights half board (air passengers) 
• Touring itinerary as shown above