V. 1 Explorer X- Gilbert - A Giant Adventure in Ireland

Day 1 - Wednesday 18^th September - Arrival in Ireland

Disembarking your early morning flight, your guide will meet you at the airport and together you will travel north to Belfast. This is your arrival day and we want you to have as much rest as you may need however we would love to welcome you to the north with a Traditional Irish breakfast, called an Ulster Fry followed by a tour of the Games of Thrones Studio. Much of the iconic series was filmed in Northern Ireland but on location and at the studios. Today, sets, props and costumes bring the story to life as you explore the Seven kingdoms.

Your guide will join you for dinner this evening in Belfast where you will raise a glass to your Giant Irish Adventure.

Overnight: Belfast | Ten Square Hotel
Room Type: Classic Double with View of City Hall
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 2 - Thursday 19^th September - Belfast Food Tour

You may prefer to go light with your breakfast this morning as you join a couple of locals on a private Food Tour of Belfast. Start in the historic St George’s Market, meeting producers, and tasting yummy local products, before heading around Belfast to visit traditional bars, world-class shops and more, eating and drinking some of the best local food and drink along the way.

Overnight: Belfast | Ten Square Hotel
Room Type: Classic Double with View of City Hall
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Friday 20^th September - Titanic Belfast

Built in Belfast’s Harland and Wolff shipyards, the ill fasted titanic and Belfasts history are linked forever. Today you will visit Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. Enjoy the ultimate Titanic day out with a White Star Premium Pass which includes the award-winning guided Discovery Tour, entry to the Titanic Experience and SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star vessel.

If energy levels allow this afternoon, tour Belfast from the comfort of a London black cab with a local guide/ driver and unpack the complicated history of The Troubles. See the city’s murals and peace walls, hear stories of life in Belfast at the height of the troubles, check out historical photographs and enjoy narration from your local guide.

Overnight: Belfast | Ten Square
Room Type: Classic Double with View of City Hall
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Saturday 21^st September - Sheep Farm and Causeway Coast

Leaving Belfast, your first stop this morning is a local working sheep farm where you get to meet the flock, and see the magnificent dogs at work.
As you journey along the Causeway Coastal Route, you are treated to stunning views of rugged cliffs, pristine beaches, and charming villages. You make several stops along the way, including the awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway, a geological wonder of hexagonal basalt columns that attracts visitors from around the world. At Bushmills, you visit the oldest licensed distillery in the world, where you learn about the art of whiskey-making and sample some of the finest Irish whiskeys. There are plenty of opportunities to spot filming locations from Game of Thrones as you travel.

Overnight: Donegal | Mill Park Hotel
Room Type: Executive Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Sunday 22^nd September - Derry Walls Tour

Derry City is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of Walled Cities in Europe. Built in the 17th century, the walls, approximately 1.5km in circumference, form a walkway around the inner city and provide a unique promenade with which to view the layout of the original town.

Overnight: Donegal | Mill Park Hotel
Room Type: Executive Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Monday 23^rd September - Bears, Wolves and Alpaca's

Step back in time into an ancient woodland, inhabited by Wolves, Bears, Lynx & Wild Boar. Meet the animals that once called Ireland home and learn of the conservation efforts that are seeing them reintroduced into Irish soil.
With a day dedicated to animals, you have the unique opportunity to talk an Alpaca for a walk in the picturesque Sheephaven Bay area of Donegal. The nature of the Alpaca is gentle and curious, making walking with Alpacas enjoyable and entertaining with their quirky individual characters.

Overnight: Donegal | Mill Park Hotel
Room Type: Executive Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Tuesday 24^th September - Foraging the North West Shores

From Donegal, we head south into Sligo, last resting place of W.B Yeats.
Sligo is blessed with some stunning coastline and this morning you will explore Streedagh, with it’s miles long sandy beaches on the north Sligo coast. At low tide it’s the perfect opportunity to explore the rock pools and coves that flank the beach and you will be joined by local foraging expert and author Prannie Rhatigan who knows these shores inside and out. Prannie is a world renowned expert on seaweed and her insight into the natural heritage of the Irish coast is unparalleled.  Keep an eye out from sand-feeding seabirds that flock along this stretch of coastline. This part of Ireland is dominated by the mighty Benbulben Mountain and an afternoon walk in its mighty shadows is a must before moving on to Westport.

Overnight: Westport | The Wyatt Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Wednesday 25^th September - Exploring Westport

Westport has some fantastic experiences open to you today from a beach ride on some local horses, to revisiting your Hawk Walk Experience at Ashford Castle to biking the car free Greenway all the way to the stunning Achill Island or visiting s local Oyster Farm for a tour and tasting, there is even a local brewing. Tell us what grabs your fancy and we can make it happen!

Overnight: Westport | The Wyatt Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Thursday 26^th September - Kenmare

We take a little time this morning to get us to the south of the country with an overnight stop in Kenmare, Co Kerry.  On route, while passing through the Burren we will take a tea and cake break at a local perfumery where the makers and blenders have taken inspiration from the local botanicals to produce luxurious creams, perfumes and candles.
The Picturesque town of Adare is perfect for an afternoons wander among its thatched cottages and boutique shops or indeed take a more direct route across the River Shannon on a quick car ferry getting to Kenmare later this afternoon.

Overnight: Kenmare | Brook Lane
Room Type: Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Friday 27^th September - Falconry Experience

Fancy making friends with a majestic hawk? A private Falconry Experience awaits you today, where you’ll have the opportunity to get up close and personal with these impressive birds of prey as you take part in ‘the sport of kings’. An age-old country pursuit, a guided Hawk Walk takes place under instruction from an experienced falconer. Witness the unique relationship the hawks have with their falconer, while learning how to handle and fly these magnificent birds for yourself. Be sure to stop by and sau hello to the resident Alpaca’s too.

Overnight: Kenmare | brook Lane
Room Type: Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11 - Saturday 28^th September - Chocolate & Cheese

A visit to Lorge Chocolatier to indulge our sweet tooth this morning with a bespoke Chocolate Workshop before leaving Kenmare for the remote West Cork. We will be sure to stop at Mannings Food Emporium on route where you can reconnect with Andrew and his wife Laura.

Experience the charm of a working farm, interact with friendly farm animals, and witness traditional farming practices. Indulge in a delightful cheese tasting session, savouring artisan cheese made with locally sourced ingredients, and learn about the craftsmanship behind their production. It’s a delightful way to connect with the agricultural heritage of Ireland and taste the flavours of the land.

Overnight: Cork | The Imperial Hotel
Room Type: Premium Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 12 - Sunday 29^th September - Whiskey Tour & English Market

From its origins in 1780 by Scotsman John Jameson through its history, prohibition, revolution and distilling techniques to the world wide brand it is today, the Jameson Distillery tour is both historic and fascinating. Take a behind the scenes tour with one of the expert Ambassadors visiting key buildings including a special visit to the Distillers cottage. Can you taste the difference between Jameson and Bushmills whiskey?

Cork’s iconic English market has been trading since 1788.  One of the oldest and certainly the best covered markets in Europe, it has survived famine, flood, war, fires, and multiple recessions to remain a strong part of Cork’s fabric. Spend some time browsing the stall’s and offerings, sampling delicious treats or picking up a gift for home.

Your guide will again join you for dinner as this is your last guided evening together,

Overnight: Cork | The Imperial Hotel
Room Type: Premium Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 13 - Monday 30^th September - Cork to Dublin, The Rock of Cashel

Today we leave Cork and head back to Dublin, on route stopping at the Rock of Cashel. Set on a dramatic outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale, the Rock of Cashel, iconic in its historic significance, possesses the most impressive cluster of mediaeval buildings in Ireland. Among the monuments to be found there is a round tower, a high cross, a Romanesque chapel, a Gothic cathedral, an abbey, the Hall of the Vicars Choral and a fifteenth-century Tower House. A truly stunning site of historical importance.This your guide will leave you as you check into your Dublin hotel for your final two nights in Ireland.

Overnight: Dublin | Number 31
Room Type: Plush Double

Day 14 - Tuesday 1^st October - Gaelic games, silver and afternoon tea

Dare to be a Celtic Warrior today! Take a journey of discovery deep into Irish culture, where our sports and language meet. From hurling, one of the oldest field sports in the world, to Gaelic football you will experience an enthralling energy packed introduction to our National Games that will literally take your breath away and leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

While David is practising his skills, Linda will join some talented jewellery makers for a 2 hour workshop in designing snd forging her own piece of silver jewellery. Create the ultimate souvenir- a silver ring or charm  while learning a new craft and having an experience you will never forget.

Once reunited, enjoy afternoon tea about a vintage bus touring the street if Dublin in style.

Overnight: Dublin | Number 31
Room Type: Plush Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 15 - Wednesday 2^nd October - Departing Dublin

A private transfer will take you to Dublin airport this morning for your returning flights.
After two weeks in Ireland you will feel like you are leaving home and friends behind. All the more reason to come see us again soon.

Meals Included: Breakfast