Day 1 - Travel north with suitable stops for lunch and refreshments. Arrive at your overnight hotel, 3* Beaufort Park in North Wales in time to freshen up for your evening meal. Dinner and overnight. Breakfast will be taken on the ferry the next morning.
Day 2 – An early start as you drive to Holyhead for the morning crossing to Dublin. Travel Southwest through the heart of Ireland into County Cork, the country’s largest county with its lush landscape and massive hinterland of dairy farms, dotted with low mountains. Arrive in charming Rosscarbery, a pretty village whose skyline is dominated by the historic St. Fachtna’s Cathedral. It has an attractively laid-out square with traditional shops and a lively pub scene. Check into the Celtic Ross Hotel for your 4-night stay DBB
Day 3 – 5 - At leisure in Rosscarbery with two included excursions and one optional excursion. Your hotel is well located for exploring the village with its centre just a 10-minute walk away and the breathtaking Warren Beach approx. 20-25 minutes’ walk across the bridge. The coastline here provides many scenic walks from a simple stroll along the sandy beaches to a hike along the cliff walks. On Tuesday afternoon take a leisurely guided stroll through the village with a local host guide followed by tea, coffee and biscuits when you get back to the hotel.
INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
CLONAKILTY & KINSALE
Enjoy the spectacular coast and varied scenery of this part of the Wild Atlantic Way, sculpted by the Ice Age and lapped by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream Head into the award-winning and vibrant seaside town of Clonakilty in the heartland of West Cork. Fondly known as "Clon", Clonakilty is famous for its artisan food as well as its independent shops. The town has an historical feel to it and its streetscapes are renowned for their colourful and meticulously maintained shop and pub fronts, hand painted Irish signs and street names. Later on it's off to the picturesque heritage town of Kinsale which boasts narrow, winding streets lined with irresistible artsy shops, buzzing bars and gourmet restaurants, all set in a beautiful harbour full of bobbing fishing boats and pleasure yachts. Join an included boat cruise for wonderful views of the magnificent natural harbour.
CORK & COBH
Another full day of Celtic action as you visit Cork, Ireland’s second city (and according to the locals at least, the ‘real capital of Ireland’). It's a youthful and cosmopolitan place that has re-invented itself with spruced-up streets, revitalised stretches of waterfront and plenty of trendy artisan coffee bars. Its compact, traditional city centre is located on an island in the River Lee, surrounded by waterways and packed with grand Georgian avenues, cramped 17th-century alleys and narrow streets crammed with pubs, shops and cafes. In the afternoon it’s onto the charming little town of Cobh, one of the best natural harbours in the world. Known as Queenstown until 1922, it was the departure point for thousands of Irish emigrants to America and the last port of call of the Titanic. Enjoy an included visit to the Titantic Experience in Cobh, located in the original historic White Star Line Ticket Office, the departing point for many thousands of White Star Line passengers. From Cobh’s waterfront, streets lined with brightly coloured houses climb the steep slope of a hill, which is crowned with the imposing St Coleman’s Cathedral.
OPTIONAL EXCURSION
BANTRY – HALF DAY – Tuesday
Enjoy some time out in the lovely harbour town of Bantry situated in a small valley at the south-east head of Bantry Bay on the Wild Atlantic Way. You may like to visit the historic Bantry House & Garden (entrance not included) with its magnificent Italian gardens sweeping down towards the sea. Bantry town itself is a hive of activity with its brightly decorated houses and streets and is considered the major shopping and commercial centre of the whole West Cork region. The Town Square has been changed to a large promenade with seating, trees, an anchor and a centrepiece fountain. A mile of safe footpath with seafront wall, seating and viewing points extends from the town.
Day 6 – After a farewell hearty Irish breakfast, you head back towards Dublin for a brief visit of the affable Irish capital its Georgian Squares, bustling Grafton Street and infamous Temple Bar district. You will board the mid-afternoon crossing back to Holyhead and it is recommended to have a meal on board as it will be mid-evening before arriving at your overnight back at Beaufort Park Hotel in Mold. BB
Day 7 - After breakfast, return homewards, arriving back at your local joining points early to mid-evening.