Explorer X - Stanley Family's Trip to Ireland

Saturday 4th October – Saturday 11th October 2025

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Overview

Picturesque coastal towns and villages, green pastoral fields, soaring cliffs, wild barren landscapes, the crash of the ocean, the laugh of a local. Ireland is romantic, and authentic, a home away from home where both old and modern seem to cohabit seamlessly on a small island in the middle of the sea. Packed with history and tradition your days are spent exploring the island of Ireland’s famous and off-the-beaten-track sites of natural, cultural and political interest. A world-renowned food scene means your evenings are spent dining in style and with the promise of a pub just around the corner, music and laughter are never far away. Your trip to Ireland will surprise and delight you but the people of Ireland will stay with you, long after your journey has taken you home.

Day by Day

Day 1 - Saturday 4th October - Céad míle fáilte

Arriving in Ireland today, a private transfer will meet you at arrivals and take you to your centrally located 5-star hotel. Check-in is at 3 pm but feel free to drop your bags, freshen up, or grab a bite to eat. This afternoon, you will enjoy a walking tour with a local private guide through this vibrant capital city, with its mix of 1,000 years of architecture from the mediaeval to Georgian to modern. See the Georgian-style Merrion Square, lush St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin Castle and O’Connell Street, the site of the ‘1916 Uprising’ that led to Ireland’s independence in 1922. Your guide is also a historian who will bring the city to life with colourful tales of life in the city in times gone by. Enjoy dinner at one of Dublin’s many award-winning restaurants before ending the night in a cosy pub.

Overnight: Dublin | The Davenport Hotel
Room Type: x1 Triple Room
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Sunday 5th October - Exploring Ireland's "Fair City"

Dublin has been described as a ‘city with a village feel’; as you explore its cobbled streets and historical monuments, it will be easy to see why. Many of Dublin’s highlights are within walking distance from your hotel, and indeed you will discover it is in the act of wandering from one to another where you will soak up Dublin’s authentic atmosphere. Walk down Grafton Street where musicians and buskers entertain with modern and traditional music, or stroll through St. Stephen’s Green, an oasis in the heart of the city.

Overnight: Dublin | The Davenport Hotel
Room Type: x1 Triple Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Monday 6th October - Irish Dancing on the West Coast

This morning your guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and after some short introductions, you’ll begin your journey to the capital of Ireland’s West Coast, Galway! Known as the ‘town of the tribes’ the small centre of cobblestone streets and colourful storefronts is vibrant, fun, and cosmopolitan. Head to one of the oldest pubs in Galway to enjoy a unique Irish Dancing & storytelling experience. A fantastic interactive introduction to Irish music and mythology. Afterwards, you have some time to explore the city before your guide takes you to your hotel for the next two nights, located in the heart of Connemara.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: x2 Classic Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Tuesday 7th October - Exploring Connemara

This morning you’ll pay a visit to one of our favourite friends, a working sheep farm where you will witness a live sheepdog demo. Experience these remarkable and intelligent collies who follow their owner’s commands using nothing but a whistle and hand signals, rounding the flock and transferring them from field to pen. An experience not to be missed. With your guide visit Kylemore Abbey, a Benedictine monastery and iconic visitor attraction set in 1,000 acres of mountainside with a beautiful walled garden. Afterwards, explore charming villages like Clifden or Roundstone, where traditional pubs and artisan shops beckon with their authentic charm. We suggest a local dinner in Clifden followed by some live music as a great way to round off the day.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: x2 Classic Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Wednesday 8th October - Traditional Baking Experience

Leaving the wild and rugged Connemara behind this morning, your guide will take you further south towards County Clare, home to the famed Cliffs of Moher and the lunar landscape of the Burren. You’ll stop en route at a traditional farm where you will meet Evelyn and try your hand at making some traditional Irish scones. Later use the quiet of the afternoon to visit Ireland’s famed Cliffs of Moher, part of the UNESCO Global Geopark, a special region with outstanding geology. Visually stunning, the Cliffs Stand 702ft at their highest point and stretch for 5 miles along the Atlantic coast. Take in the views, stop into the visitors centre, and most of all, take a family selfie for those at home before heading for Doolin.

Overnight: Doolin | Fiddle & Bow
Room Type: x1 Double, x1 Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Thursday 9th October - 4x4 Experience on Inis Mór

We hope the weather gods are on our side today as we head out to visit one of the remote islands that dot the Irish coastline. Inis Mór (Inishmore) is the largest of the three Aran Islands and our destination this morning. Explore the island with the aid of some off-road adventure vehicles as your local guides, Padraig and Aonghus bring you to all the off-the-beaten-track spots on the islands that only their 4×4 can reach. Learn of the Irish language spoken on the islands, the unique Irish culture and traditions of the local people, the flora and fauna that inhabit the islands and of course the filming site from the recent Banshees of Inisherin film!

Overnight: Doolin | Fiddle & Bow
Room Type: x1 Double, x1 Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Friday 10th October - Vintage Tea in Dublin

Enjoy breakfast this morning before your guide drops you off in Dublin City, it’s time to say farewell but your adventure isn’t over yet. After check-in, head out for some lunchtime fun! Take a step back in time with Vintage Tea Trips and experience Dublin in a unique way. Indulge in afternoon tea treats, and great conversation, and tap your feet along to some fabulous 1950s jazz while taking in the sights of the city. Board your vintage Routemaster bus in the historic Temple Bar. Soak up the nostalgia as your host gets the conversation started, the music begins, and a classic afternoon tea is served. Pass sights such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Christ Church, Trinity College, St. Stephen’s Green, Wood Quay, O’Connell Street, Phoenix Park, and the grand buildings of Georgian Dublin.

Overnight: Dublin | The Davenport Hotel
Room Type: x1 Triple
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 - Saturday 11th October - Depart

This morning, a private transfer will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and take you to Dublin Airport in time for your flight home. We hope your time in Ireland has been memorable and we look forward to welcoming you to our shores once again.

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • All accommodation from Day 1 to Day 8
  • Breakfast each morning
  • Services of an experienced and knowledgeable qualified guide from Day 3 to Day 7
  • Ground transportation from Day 3 to Day 7
  • All guided hikes and activities mentioned in the itinerary, specifically;
  • Airport Arrival & Departure Transfer
  • Private Historical Walking Tour in Dublin
  • Private Storytelling & Irish Dancing Experience
  • Private Sheepdog Demo & Farm Tour
  • Traditional Irish Scone Baking Experience
  • Entry to The Cliffs of Moher
  • Private 4×4 Experience on Inis Mor
  • VIP Tickets to Vintage Tea Experience Dublin
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • Snacks throughout the trip
  • 24-hour in-country support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Gratuities for the main driver guide
Notes Read More
  • All suggested accommodations and services are subject to availability at the time of booking
  • A 20% deposit is required before any accommodation and services will be confirmed
  • This quote is valid for 14 days from the date quoted, after this time pricing may be subject to revision