Self Drive Gastronomical Journey of Ireland

Upon arrival to the Airport, collect your car rental at Dublin Airport and make your way south to Waterford. Check-in to your hotel for 2 nights and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Founded by the Vikings in the 9th century, Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city and home to the world-famous Waterford Crystal. You’ll also find the city’s unique signature bread rolls known as blaas as well as craft beers, fresh seafood, and more. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Your first stop this morning is to visit the Waterford Crystal Museum. This esteemed factory is the beating heart of the world’s luxury crystal manufacturer and is where the most intricate, authentic and masterful crystal pieces come to life. In the afternoon, enjoy a drive along the beautiful Copper Coast, Waterford’s own UNESCO Global Geopark with 15 miles of shoreline. Starting near Fenor and continuing on to Stradbally, the drive includes spectacular cliffs, secluded coves and dramatic sea stacks. (B)

Today visit County Cork and indulge in some of Ireland’s best food experiences. Begin in the fishing town of Kinsale and “Taste the Town” with a foodie walking tour. Stroll the medieval streets, breathe in the fresh sea air, and sample a variety of delicious food and drink at local eateries while meeting friendly locals. In the afternoon, make your way to the town of Midleton, home of the famous Jameston Distillery, for a “Behind the Scenes” tour. An expert Jameson ambassador will guide you through key buildings like the microdistillery and cooperage and teach you about the history, production, and colorful stories of Jameson Irish Whiskey, followed by a premium whiskey tasting experience. (B)

Today depart Waterford for Co. Clare and the West Coast of Ireland. Enjoy a visit to the Galtee Honey Farm near Cahir along the way. Run by a well-known beekeeping family, the Mac Giolla Codas, the farm has approximately 170 hives of native Irish honeybees throughout the Galtee Vee Valley and stretching across 3 counties. During your visit, sample a variety of honey, taste honey mead, learn about honey and other products in the hive. Continue on to St Tola’s Goat Cheese Farm in County Clare. Enjoy a tour of this working farm with a chance to pet the beautiful and friendly goats and see them during feeding time. The tour includes a cheese-making demonstration as well as a tasting of the gourmet cheeses. Afterward continue on to your hotel and check in for 3 nights. (B)Note: Deluxe Class category applies as Seascape Suite upgrade in Armada Hotel 

This morning enjoy a self-guided scenic drive along the Loop Head Peninsula, a slender finger of land pointing out to the sea from the most westerly point of County Clare. With the ocean on one side and the Shannon Estuary on the other, this peninsula would be an island but for a meagre mile of land connecting it to the rest of the country. A haven for wildlife and birdwatchers, this peninsula offers incredible land and seascapes. In the afternoon, enjoy a Dolphin and Nature boat trip from Carrigaholt with Dolphin Watch, a wildlife adventure at the mouth of the River Shannon home to Europe’s largest group of resident bottlenose dolphins. The dolphins in this special area of conservation are generally seen in family groups.(B)

This morning discover The Burren. Located in County Clare, this is a region of unique lunarlike landscapes, megalithic monuments and beautiful plants. The 205 square mile UNESCO Global Geopark is one of the only places in the world where Arctic, Alpine and Mediterranean plants grow side by side. Between Ballyvaughan and Kinvara, stop at Hazel Mountain Chocolate – a boutique bean-to-bar chocolate factory and one of the smallest and most remote chocolate factories inthe world! Meet the experts and enjoy a tour taking you through all the stages of chocolate making whilst tasting some of the best single origin chocolates. In the afternoon, visit the Caherconnell Stone Fort and enjoy a sheepdog demonstration under the expertise of landowner John Davoren. See the combined skills of the border collie and his master who has been training dogs to work with both cattle and sheep since the age of 16. (B)

Leave the west coast of Ireland and travel eastward to County Kildare for one last night. Ireland is known throughout the world for its quality thoroughbred horse and there’s nowhere better to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures than the National Stud and Japanese Gardens. This unique attraction of outstanding natural beauty is home to some of the most spectacular horses and gardens to be found anywhere in the world. In the Japanese Gardens you will follow the path called the ‘Life of Man’ tracing the passage of a soul from birth to death and beyond. (B)

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Dublin Airport, return your car rental and continue on to your next destination. (B)