Irish Luxury Custom Designed Travel Package

Across the Pond Vacations provides tailor-made, luxury tour packages for independent (and self-made group) travelers to England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. As Destination Specialists, we custom-design unique travel itineraries for the luxury traveler, whether it’s for a couple, a family, a group, or even the single traveler. With a vast knowledge of Ireland and the United Kingdom, our tours are truly unique and specially designed based upon your specific desires – not one of our tours is like another – each one is tailor-made. Our packages typically include accommodation, airport transfers, ground transportation (be it private driver/guide, rental car, and/or train), inter-country flights, specialist private tour guides, truly unique experiences, dining recommendations/reservations – all with you in mind. Below is just a sample of what Across the Pond Vacations can design for you.

17 Night Tour

Visit: Dublin, Newgrange, Wicklow Mountains, Ballyfin, Galway, County Mayo, Cliffs of Moher, Aran Island, Killarney National Park, Connemara National Park, Dingle Peninsula, Slea Head, Cork, Kinsale, Kilkenny

Highlights Include:

• Expert Private Driver Guides
• Top 5-Star Accommodations
• Michelin Star Dining Experiences
• Private and Behind-the-Scene Tours
• Private and Small Group Tastings:  Wine, Gin, Guinness, and Superior Irish Cheeses
• Private Helicopter Tour to the Aran Islands
• … and much more!

Itinerary:

Day 1 – Enjoy the flight from your home country to the beautiful Emerald Isle. Looking for an airfare quote? Just let us know. We are happy to provide Premium, Business, and First-Class airfare.

Day 2 – You will be greeted at the airport by your personal driver who will take you to your well-located Dublin hotel via executive car. This afternoon, immerse yourself in an iconic Dublin experience – a Connoisseur Tasting Experience at the Guinness Storehouse. Tour the “pint-shaped” building and learn all about the impact Guinness has had on Ireland through the centuries. This evening, dine at one of the city’s highly-rated restaurants, then end the evening in your luxury suite at your beautiful 5-star hotel.

Day 3 – Start your day off with a fantastic full Irish breakfast (included daily throughout your trip). This morning, your charming Irish guide will take you on a private walking tour of Dublin. Visit to the Book of Kells at Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Christchurch Cathedral, Ha’Penny Bridge, City Hall, St Patrick’s Cathedral, O’Connell Street, Leinster House, and much more. This evening, enjoy a 4-course dinner at Chapter One restaurant, one of Dublin’s fantastic Michelin star restaurants. Overnight at the same gorgeous Dublin hotel.

Day 4 – Today, your private guide will take you on a driving tour outside of central Dublin to visit the prehistoric monument of Newgrange, historic ruins of Monasterboice, Hill of Slane ruins, and the largest Normal castle in Ireland, Trim Castle.  Back in Dublin, enjoy a delicious dinner in one of the city’s many fantastic pubs or restaurants and overnight at your same Dublin hotel.

Day 5 – Spend the day on another private guided day tour outside of Dublin city with a driving tour of Wicklow Mountains to see the breathtaking scenery including the Sally Gap, Glendalough, Valleymount, Blessington, Enniskerry, P.S. I Love You Bridge, Guinness Lake, and St. Kevin's Bed. On your trip, explore the 18th-century Powerscourt House and Gardens, which features famously landscaped themed gardens. This evening back in Dublin, enjoy dinner at an award-winning restaurant. Overnight again in Dublin.  

Day 6 – After breakfast, check out of your Dublin hotel and be greeted by your private driver-guide who will take you to the Irish National Stud & Gardens for a private tour to learn about thoroughbred horse breeding and the beautiful gardens. Continue to Dunamase historic castle ruins, which offer views of the surrounding countryside. Overnight at one of the absolute top hotels in the world, Ballyfin Demesne, a lavish Regency mansion, and enjoy a private dinner in their wine cellar.

Day 7 – Spend the day at your historical Irish accommodations and have an unforgettable falconry experience, private picnic lunch on the grounds, and guided pony and carriage ride. In the afternoon, relax with a cheese and wine tasting in the wine cellar followed by a guided historical tour of the building, antiques and art. For dinner, enjoy a private dining experience in an intimate room lined with the famous ‘Flora Danica’ set of china. Overnight again at your impressive accommodations.

Day 8 – After breakfast, check out and be met by your private guide who will drive you through the Slieve Bloom Mountains, which provide picturesque views of iconic emerald landscapes. Visit the Clonmacnoise Monastery Ruins before reaching Galway, a historic university town home to traditional pubs with live Irish folk music, as well as cafes, boutiques, and art galleries. After lunch, your driver-guide will take you to your next accommodation, the luxurious 5-star Ashford Castle hotel. This highly awarded 800-year-old castle allows the experience of what it is like to be Irish nobility.

Day 9 – Spend the day on the over 350 acres of grounds at the gorgeous former estate of the Guinness family and experience archery, clay shooting, and horse riding. For dinner, savor an exquisite Tasting Dinner with Wine Pairings in the grand George V Dining Room. Overnight again in the impressive castle hotel.

Day 10 – Spend an additional day at the castle estate and take a delightful scenic boat ride. In the afternoon, choose from a variety of activities on the Ashford Estate. Perhaps relax with a spa treatment, tour the wine cellar, or partake in a sumptuous traditional afternoon tea. In the evening, take part in a gin tasting experience and create your own gin. For dinner, you may wish to travel underground to the secret passageways of the castle to enjoy dinner in the recently unearthed 16th Century tunnels. Overnight again at Ashford.

Day 11 – Today, explore Connemara National Park with a private driver-guide and take a tour of the stunning Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Gardens as well as one of the oldest oyster farms in Ireland, including a private picnic of oysters, other seafood, and Prosecco. While traveling through this stunning scenery, stop at a local farm and experience a sheepdog demonstration overlooking the beautiful shores of Lough Na Fooey. Enjoy your final night at Ashford Castle.

Day 12 – This morning after breakfast, check out of your castle hotel and board your private helicopter for a tour over the stunning Cliffs of Moher. After landing on the largest of the Aran Islands, Inis Mór, take a pony and trap ride to explore the area before again boarding your helicopter for your next destination, a decadent spa resort situated on the edge of Killarney's largest lake.

Day 13 – Spend the day with your private driver-guide in Killarney National Park seeing Muckross House and Gardens, Torc Waterfall, wildlife and spectacular scenery.  The Park has fantastic walking/hiking trails you can explore, or you might like to take a scenic horse ride. Either way, you’ll have the chance to see the flora and fauna of this beautiful area. Back at your hotel, bask in the views with vistas of the lakes and mountains, meet the resident Austrian Haflinger Ponies, enjoy the indoor tennis court, or take a swim in the indoor pool.  This evening, dine at a traditional Irish public house in Killarney that features live Irish music. Overnight again at your Killarney area spa resort.

Day 14 – Today, your driver-guide will give you a tour of the stunningly beautiful Dingle Peninsula and Slea Head along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. Explore the lush countryside, gorgeous beaches, and charming villages. Take a horse trek through village lanes, past farmlands and (or for riders of intermediate level and up) on the spectacular beaches. Return to your 5-star spa resort for the evening.

Day 15 – After breakfast, check out of your hotel and join your private driver-guide to explore Kinsale in County Cork, a seaside town considered one of the most picturesque and oldest towns in Ireland, and internationally renowned for the quality of its restaurants. Continue on to the city of Cork, home to the largest number of artisan food producers in Ireland, and experience a tasting tour. End your day at one of the finest small luxury hotels in Ireland located in a traditional fishing village in County Waterford, and enjoy dinner at their Michelin star restaurant before retiring for the night.

Day 16 – This morning, take a self-guided walk around Ardmore Head and Ram’s Head, passing the Sampson wreck and Father O’Donnell’s Well. Back at your luxury spa hotel, make use of the indoor infinity-edge swimming pool with views of the Irish Sea. If you are feeling adventurous, utilize the natural outdoor rock pool for a bracing swim. Looking for a souvenir? Waterford Crystal is not far away. (Store and demonstration, only, currently in Ireland.) To end the day, enjoy a therapy bath in the outdoor tubs overlooking Ardmore Bay, allowing you to breathe the fresh sea air while soaking in a hot bath. Overnight again in your 5-star hotel.

Day 17 – After breakfast, check out of your hotel and join your private driver-guide who will take you to visit Dungarvan Castle, Kilkenny, and Kilkenny Castle as you travel north back to the country’s capital. Overnight in Dublin at a 5-star hotel.

Day 18 – After breakfast, check out of your hotel and be met by your private driver-guide who will transfer you to the airport for your return flight home.

All of our tours include:

• Full daily breakfast;
• Personalized itinerary creation – we listen to you, taking your trip desires and turning them into dream vacations;
• 24/7 assistance during travel, as needed – you may be traveling independently, but you’re never alone;
• Assistance with purchasing travel insurance and airfare, as desired – let us be your “one-stop-shop” on a luxury scale.

Prices vary based on season, room grade, and the number of travelers. Call us at 310-791-6101 or email us to speak with one of our Destination Experts who are ready to custom design your luxury Ireland tour.  We look forward to tailoring your next incredible vacation!