| Starts | Dublin, Ireland |
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| Ends | Cork, Ireland |
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| Region | Europe |
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| Duration | 9 days |
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| Tour Operator | Gadventures |
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| Tour Code | EQHI 22868 |
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| Overview PDF | Download PDF |
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Itinerary
Day 1 - Starting: Dublin & Finishing: Dublin
We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this lively city. There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Day 2 - Starting: Dublin & Finishing: Sligo
Enjoy Sligo's walkway along the Garavogue River, full of cafés, shops and restaurants. Stop by the quirky statue of Yeats, paying tribute to the works of the poet who immortalized Sligo in his poems.
Day 3 - Starting: Sligo & Finishing: Galway City
Walk around Ben Bulben mountain, visit Drumcliff Church and Yeats' tomb. Travel to Galway for a guided walking tour. Learn the history while strolling though the medieval heart of the city. In the evening head out for an optional dinner and drinks in a local pub.
Day 4 - Starting: Galway City & Finishing: Galway City
Spend a few hours following the Wild Atlantic Way trail from Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher. Stroll leisurely along the path, soaking in the views. Opt for a picnic along the way.
Day 5 - Starting: Galway City & Finishing: Aran Islands
Head to the Aran Islands to visit the Dun Aengus fortress and scenic cliffs. Cycle along the coast and through rural scenery to reach the fortress. Overnight on these charming islands.
Instructions
If you prefer not to bike, there is a minibus that goes to and from the fortress.
Day 6 - Starting: Aran Islands & Finishing: Killarney
Opt to take a traditional Jaunting Cart (horse and buggy ride) into the park to visit Muckross House and Abbey or walk into the park to visit Ross Castle along the banks of Lough Leane.
If time and weather permits, take an optional boat tour to explore the ruins of Inisfallen Abbey.
Day 7 - Starting: Killarney & Finishing: Cork
Cork is known for its many universities, theatres, art schools and general diversity and culture. With many immigrants settling in the inviting city, it's easy to find different types of foods, shops and cafés lining the streets.
Make some time to hit up a traditional pub, listen to some music and drink a pint or two – Murphy's Irish Stout hails from Cork.
Day 8 - Starting: Cork & Finishing: Cork
Enjoy a final night out on the town with the group and raise a pint to this beautiful island!
Day 9 - Starting: Cork & Finishing: Cork
We recommend staying an extra day or two to fully experience all this city has to offer.
View Dates
More Information
What’s Included
Newgrange tour (half-day). Benbulben Mountain, Drumcliff and Yeats’ tomb visit. Walking tour of Galway. Aran Islands bike tour. Blarney Castle and the Blarney stone visit. Cork orientation walk. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Highlights
Drink a pint and listen to traditional music in a local pub, visit the famous sites of Newgrange and the Cliffs of Moher, explore the scenic Aran Islands, kiss the Blarney Stone for the gift of gab.
Dossier Disclaimer
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
Group Leader Description
This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders, otherwise known as a Chief Experience Officer (CEO). The CEO will be the group manager, leader and driver – this person is experienced in the routes travelled and will organize and lead the meal preparations and has experience in cooking a variety of local and international dishes for large groups.
As the group coordinator and manager, the aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. They will also offer suggestions for things to do and to see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends.
We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.
Group Size Notes
Max 14, avg 12
Meals
Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other’s company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. On truck trips in Africa, aboard the M/S Expedition or our Galapagos yachts, while trekking in remote regions etc. food is included, plentiful and made of fresh local ingredients. The above information applies to G Adventures group trips. For Independent trips please check the itinerary for details of meals included. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.
Transport
Public bus, train, private van, boat, walking.
Solo Travellers
Accommodation
Hotels/guesthouses (8 nts).
My Own Room
Joining Hotel
Fleet Street Hotel
19-20 Fleet Street
Temple Bar
Dublin
Ireland
+353 1 6779342
Joining Instructions
Please note that day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned on this day. Upon arrival to the city on day 1 (or earlier if you have booked pre-accommodation with us), please make your way to the joining hotel (note that check-in time will be in the afternoon). Once you arrive at the hotel, look for a note or bulletin board in the reception with a note from your CEO. This note will give the details of your Welcome Meeting on day 1 (usually between 5pm and 7pm), where you will get a chance to meet your CEO and other travellers, as well as learn more about how the tour will run. If you don’t see a note, please ask reception for details!
If you are arriving later and will miss the Welcome Meeting, your CEO will leave a note at reception for you with any information you may need, and with morning instructions for the next day.
GETTING TO FLEET STREET HOTEL:
The blue Aircoach and Airbus 747, both travel directly by road from Dublin International Airport to O’Connell Street. Journey times vary between 25-45 minutes. Avoid rush hour traffic (7.30 – 9.30am and 1700 – 1830) if at all possible. Prices are approximately €7 one-way and €12 with return. Taxi fare from the airport should cost approximately €25-30, depending on traffic and the number of people travelling to Temple Bar.
If you are arriving by train, you will probably arrive at either Heuston or Connolly Station. These are Dublin’s principal railway stations. The Fleet Street Hotel is a short taxi ride from both stations. A feeder bus runs between Connolly and Heuston Station, passing through the city centre approximately every ten minutes.
If you are coming from Connolly station, ask the driver to stop the bus at Aston Quay. Get off the bus and walk towards O’Connell Bridge, take a right turn onto Westmoreland Street, and take the next right onto Fleet Street. We are located on the right hand side next door to the Palace Bar.
If you are coming from Heuston Station ask the driver to stop at Bachelors Walk, get off the bus and cross O’Connell Bridge, cross onto Westmoreland Street, and take a right turn onto Fleet Street.
Arrival Complications
What to Take
You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. We highly recommend using a backpack or light sports bag, whichever you find easiest to carry, plus a small daypack. Luggage space on public transport is limited. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them between transport and hotels (max. 15-20 mins walking), hopping on and off public buses and up and down stairs.
Checklist
Suggested Items:
•Light fleece top
•Light windproof/waterproof jacket
•Small towel and swimwear
-Sun hat/Bandana
-Sunblock
-Sunglasses
•Personal clothing for mild to hot weather that can fluctuate
•Sturdy walking shoes or boots with good grip
•Toiletries (biodegradable)
•Alarm clock
•Water bottle
•Money belt
•First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
Documents:
•Passport (with photocopies)
•Travel insurance (with photocopies)
•Airline tickets (with photocopies)
•EUR cash
•Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
•G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information and dossier
•Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
Visas
Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. While we provide the following information in good faith, it is vital that you check yourself and understand that you are fully responsible for your own visa requirements.
All visitors to the EU (European Union) and EEC (European Economic Community) countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand passport holders do not need a visa to visit the Schengen area (see below), however they may not stay longer than three months in any 6-month period.
Please note that the UK and Ireland are NOT part of the Schengen agreement.
Spending Money
Emergency Fund
Tipping
It is customary in Europe to leave a small tip for service providers, such as waiters, if you are pleased with the service (€1-2). Tipping is an expected – though not compulsory – component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides. You may do this individually, or your CEO will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping local guides would range from €3-5 per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures CEO or skipper did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline €20-25 per person, per week can be used.
Optional Activities
All prices are per person (unless stated otherwise), and are subject to change as services are provided by third party operators.
Dublin:
Dublin Castle- 5 EUR
Christ Church and Crypt- 6 EUR
Guinness Storehouse- 16.50 EUR
Jameson Distillery- 13 EUR
Historic Dublin city tour
Killarney:
National Park- rent a bicycle to visit main sites in the park
Boat ride on the lake
Gap of Dunloe (time permitting)
Hike Carrauntoohil (time permitting)
Cork:
Shandon Church
Cork University
English Market
Cork County Gaol (old jail)- tours about 10 EUR
Fitzgerald Park
Titanic Museum- train and Museum is about 16 EUR
Safety and Security
Medical Form
Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an average level of fitness and mobility’ is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our CEOs work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day’s activities unaided. Please refer to the physical ratings in this Trip Details document for more information.
The medical questionnaire can be found online at:
www.gadventures.com/medical-form.
A Couple of Rules
Travel Insurance
Planeterra-The G Adventures Foundation
Feedback
Newsletter
Travel Forum – The Watering Hole
Max Pax
Max pax 16
Group Leader
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.
Day 6 Optional Activities
- Killarney National Park Visit -
- Muckross House Visit -
Day 8 Optional Activities
- Titanic Experience Visit -
