Irish Explorer

Irish Explorer

tourhub | Expat Explore Travel | Irish Explorer | IRE
tourhub | Expat Explore Travel | Irish Explorer | IRE | Map
62K Views
7 Days From

$1920

$1365

Irish Explorer

7 Days Starting and ending in Hotel in Dublin

Visiting: Dublin, Belfast, Londonderry, Giant's Causeway, Galway

Tour operator:

Expat Explore Travel

Tour code:

IRE

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

10 - 51

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

10-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Active, Coach tours (worldwide), Small Group

Interests:

Cultural, History

Activities:

Sightseeing

From: $1920 $1365 Operator discount: -$555 -29%

NB: Prices correct on 18-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Ireland travel ticks all the boxes! Picturesque landscapes, historic architecture, vibrant culture and hidden treasures await exploration. Immerse yourself in the must-see attractions of Dublin, Belfast and Galway. Witness the wonder of the Giant’s Causeway and the picturesque Ring of Kerry. Be captivated by the iconic Cliffs of Moher. After spending a week experiencing the incredible “Emerald Isle”, this country is sure to leave a lasting impact. Touring Ireland is guaranteed to be an adventure of a lifetime!

Highlights

  • Discover the extraordinary beauty of the Giant's Causeway

  • Tour the capitals of both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland – Dublin and Belfast

  • Experience Blarney Castle, the Ring of Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher

  • See Galway, Adare and Killarney

Places You'll See

Blarney Castle

Ring Of Kerry

Giant's Causeway

Blarney Castle

Ring Of Kerry

Giant's Causeway

Itinerary

tourhub | Expat Explore Travel | Irish Explorer | IRE | Route Map

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Day 1: Start Of Tour In Dublin

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Location: Dublin

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Welcome to the beginning of your tour of Ireland! Meet your tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel this morning as you get ready to discover the charms of Dublin. Join your tour leader on a walking and driving tour of Ireland’s capital city to discover its many highlights. The afternoon offers free time to explore on your own or to join the Discover Dublin excursion for an immersive experience of Irish culture which showcases some of the city's best attractions. Please note this optional excursion must be booked before the start of the tour. Conclude the day with a group welcome dinner.

  • See Dublin on a walking and driving tour!

  • Welcome dinner in Dublin

Day 2: Dublin - Belfast - Giant's Causeway - Derry

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Location: Belfast, Londonderry, Giant's Causeway

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, journey into Northern Ireland. Today this is a peaceful area, however, the north of Ireland has a turbulent past. Your tour leader will provide insights on pivotal events such as the Rising, the Civil War, the Fight for Independence, and The Troubles. Make a stop in the Northern Irish capital of Belfast and see the city on a driving and walking tour. Proceed to the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge for some excellent photo opportunities before continuing on to the iconic Giant’s Causeway. According to legend, an Irish giant named Finn McCool built the causeway in order to challenge his Scottish rival Benandonner to a battle. The final destination for the day, and where the tour will spend the night, is the riverside city of Derry.

  • Driving tour of Belfast

  • Stop at Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

  • Explore the Giant's Causeway

Day 3: Derry - Sligo - Galway

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Location: Galway

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Departing from Derry, journey to Galway via the picturesque Wild Atlantic Way, renowned as the world's longest coastal drive. After a comfort stop in Sligo along the way, reach Galway in the early afternoon. Take advantage of free time in this buzzing student city, which boasts a vibrant, artistic atmosphere. Be sure to listen out for some live music! Join the optional Galway Cruise for stunning harbour sights and to learn more about the city’s history and culture. After, another exciting optional excursion offers the opportunity to get behind the bar of a local pub and learn all about the many tales of Galway!

  • Visit Galway and enjoy the bohemian vibe of this lively town

Day 4: Galway - Cliffs Of Moher - Killarney

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Start the day with a visit to the renowned Cliffs of Moher, a natural marvel towering over 200 metres above the restless sea. Following this, proceed to Bunratty Castle which you can choose to explore on the optional excursion. Adjacent to the castle, admire the meticulously reconstructed traditional Irish village of Folk Park. Next, pause to capture the scenery in Limerick, home to an impressive castle, an art museum, local pubs and many charming cafés. Then, explore the charming Adare, known as 'Ireland's prettiest village', where traditional thatched cottages offer a glimpse into the past. Finally, head to Killarney and settle into the accommodation for the night.

  • See the iconic Cliffs of Moher

  • Visit Limerick; see the treaty Stone and King John's Castle

  • Stop off in "Ireland's prettiest village", Adare

Day 5: Killarney: Free Day

Meals Included: Breakfast

Make the most of a free day in the Kerry region! Today offers the opportunity to join the Ring of Kerry optional excursion which features a spectacularly scenic drive and stops along this iconic route. Winding along the Iveragh Peninsula, discover delightful attractions including the charming Kerry Bog Village museum and an adorable Sheepdog demonstration. Unwind at the end of the excursion by embarking on a jaunting (carriage) ride through Killarney National Park. It’s sure to be an experience to remember!

Day 6: Killarney - Blarney Castle - Kilkenny - Dublin

Meals Included: Breakfast

Bid farewell to the Wild Atlantic Way as you head back to Dublin. En route, visit Blarney Castle and kiss the renowned Blarney Stone, believed to bestow the 'gift of the gab.' Afterwards, proceed to the medieval town of Kilkenny and embark on an orientation tour of the historic town centre, also known as the 'Medieval Mile,' with your tour leader. Upon arriving back in Dublin, make the last night of your tour memorable with an optional Irish music evening, which includes traditional Irish food, drinks, music and dancing!

  • Visit Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone

  • Orientation tour through Kilkenny

Day 7: End Of Tour In Dublin

Meals Included: Breakfast

It's time to say slán as the tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Remember to exchange contact information with your fellow travellers. We trust you've relished the history, natural wonders and culture of this remarkable region and hope to see you on tour with us again soon!

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    6nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
    Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)

  • Transport

    Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
    Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)

  • Meals

    6Breakfasts, 3 Dinners
    *Vegetarian options available for all meals on request

  • Tour Leader

    Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
    Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details

What's Not Included

International flightsTravel to the start point and from the end point is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.Travel insuranceFor a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.



All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance.

Mode of Transport

  • Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard

  • Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)

Accommodation

  • 6nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms

  • Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)

Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours

We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.


Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.


Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.


We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.


For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.


With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.


For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.

Health and Fitness

We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.

Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.

Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.

We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.

For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.

With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.

Experiences

  • See Dublin on a walking and driving tour!

  • Welcome dinner in Dublin

  • Driving tour of Belfast

  • Stop at Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

  • Explore the Giant's Causeway

  • Visit Galway and enjoy the bohemian vibe of this lively town

  • See the iconic Cliffs of Moher

  • Visit Limerick; see the treaty Stone and King John's Castle

  • Stop off in "Ireland's prettiest village", Adare

  • Visit Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone

  • Orientation tour through Kilkenny

Check out our Q&As

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting point for the first day of your tour. Please see the meeting point information for details on how to reach the meeting point.

  • Are all entrance fees included in the price?

    No, entrance fees are not included.

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No, visas are each traveler’s personal responsibility, and we recommend that plenty of time is allowed for visas to be applied for. When applying for your visa, please ensure that the proper research is carried out before you apply, and that you deal directly with the embassies or certified agents with regard to acquiring correct and timely information. We cannot take responsibility for customers

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Our tours are not suitable for young children, so we set a minimum age limit of 10 years old.

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting destination for the first day of your tour. Make sure you keep departure times and possible delays in mind when booking flights.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    All our tours are conducted in English.

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    We are committed to curating excellent travel experiences and to do so we need all of our travelers to feel safe.

    In order to ensure the peace of mind and safety of our travelers and staff on board the coach, we are still requesting that all travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, produce a negative Covid test. This test can be a PCR test

  • Do you require a visa for this holiday?

    Certain nationalities may require a visa(s) for this tour.

  • Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?

    All of the hotels on this tour offer Wi-Fi, which is available free of charge as part of your Expat Explore tour.

  • Is the tour coach air conditioned?

    Yes, Full air-conditioning

  • Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?

    Due to weight and space limitations, you are allowed to bring one main piece of luggage weighing no more than 20kg, and one small soft bag for hand luggage weighing a maximum of 7kg. On all tours, you will have to carry your own luggage (e.g. into hotels and up to your room if hotels don’t have elevators). Please bear this in mind when you are deciding what to pack

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our customer services team. Please note that the room provided may be a single room with a single bed.

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    Yes, As detailed in the itinerary

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    All travellers are required to carry their own bags, get on and off the coach, and use public transport. Our city walking tours can last up to 3 hours and certain places involve walking up and down lots of steps. We want you to enjoy your tour, so read through the itinerary thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough.

  • What is the maximum group size?

    It depends on how many other people book! There could be up to 51 other passengers, so you will have the opportunity to make lots of friends!

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    We have searched and invested in excellent accommodation options, either located in cities or well placed with public transport connections. Clean linen, towels is always included. Toiletries (shampoo, shower gel etc) and hair dryers are not always included, so you may wish to bring these with you. Accommodation is provided in twin share en-suite rooms. We use a mix of mostly 2, 3 & 4-star hotels.

  • What is the tipping policy?

    Whilst we fully understand that some nationalities are not accustomed to tipping, this is a normal part of the culture in many of the countries we visit. Tipping has become an increasingly accepted practice in all areas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants, bars and taxis worldwide. Expat Explore crew members

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    A full list of confirmed accommodation names and addresses for your particular departure will be emailed to you around 1 week before the tour starts.

  • Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?

    Our travelers come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests.

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    Our tour leaders come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests. They are all confident and well-travelled with an in-depth knowledge of the destinations they are working in, and a passion for helping you make the most out of your Expat Explore tour.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.

  • Children on tour?

    Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 2005

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!

  • Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?

    Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc

Reviews of this operator

ANTHONY NDUNGU   ITALY

Balkan Explorer - 16 Days

03-Sep-2024

I had a blast!!!! Simply amazing and would highly recommend.

Roger  

Wonderful new addition

19-Oct-2022

Great new country and addition by Expat. One of the most interesting and beautiful countries I've ever been. Great food, scenery and lovely people.

Jamie the Kingslayer  

Everything I had expected and more

01-Oct-2022

It was my first time traveling to Europe so I was nervous about everything including finding my way around, speaking the languages, and finding lodging. It turned out to be an incredible experience, I couldn't ask for a better your guide. Luke truly is the best in the business and we were so lucky o have him on the last tour of the season. I am definitely going to recommend Expat to my family and friends when they want to travel to Europe. I am going to go as far as finding out when Luke will be the guide and have family/friends specifically book the tour with him.

Randy  

Outstanding!

25-Sep-2022

From orientation to farewell dinner Martina was always there to ensure that everyone was happy and enjoying the tour! It was fast paced, especially with the added excursions, but the tour covered the best of Italy and Martina was absolutely the best. She was entertaining and informative. Look forward to another tour with her!!

Emma  

Perfect combination of sites, history, culture and food

19-Oct-2022

The highlights of Japan tour with Expat Explore was the ideal way to see the country. It had the perfect mix of big cities, small quaint villages, historical sites and food! The tour was well organised and a good pace to enjoy the various places and activities. We had the opportunity to be immersed in local culture and try the cuisine in a range of dining experiences. The hotels were clean and roomy to rest for days filled with adventures. Japan with Expat should be on your wish list!

CCY  

Good experience

07-Oct-2022

Enjoyed the views of different places and learnt about the history of different places in UK/Ireland.

Kendra Olson   United States

Classic Europe - 14 Days

03-Apr-2024

Such a great trip and saw so many places, if we did this trip on our own I think we would only get half of what we did done in this time period. It definitely was busy with not much down time but we didn’t pay to go be bored. Beautiful and memorable trip!

Travelling Solo  

12 Day Italian Delights

18-Oct-2022

A great tour made even better by our tour leader Marty. She was so knowledgeable and helpful. Made us laugh, showed us amazing sites and always had great recommendations.

Tash  

Really nice experience

26-Oct-2022

Loved the small country towns. Very beautiful MARTY AND ALEX THE DRIVER , made the tour experience perfect for me. She is a brilliant guide.

Disappointed  

Totally exhausted

05-Oct-2022

I need a holiday to recover from this full-on, insufficient down time, tour. Late hotel arrivals, late city tours, late dinners and excessive walking due to public transport use and then early morning starts. And to top it off, no seat rotation (tour leader advised on day 2 for covid reasons) which made sense on day 2 but not by day 3 or 4 when we had been grouped together at meals, on walking tours, and sharing rooms with people we had just met...merrily spreading our germs between our group anyway! This seating rule however was waived for a special few...those who insisted that they get travel sickness (and must sit in the front seat) and..those who think the rule is not for them and aren't challenged by the tour leader anyway. No seat rotation also meant not getting the opportunity to get to know everyone on the tour on an equal basis.

1 Select your preferred date

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Sunday - Saturday

Mar 16, 2025 - Mar 22, 2025
$1920 $1475

Operator discount: -$445

Sunday - Saturday

Mar 30, 2025 - Apr 05, 2025
$1920 $1475

Operator discount: -$445

Sunday - Saturday

Apr 13, 2025 - Apr 19, 2025
$1920 $1475

Operator discount: -$445

Sunday - Saturday

Apr 27, 2025 - May 03, 2025
$1920 $1425

Operator discount: -$495

Sunday - Saturday

May 11, 2025 - May 17, 2025
$1920 $1575

Operator discount: -$345

Sunday - Saturday

May 25, 2025 - May 31, 2025
$1920 $1525

Operator discount: -$395

Sunday - Saturday

Jun 08, 2025 - Jun 14, 2025
$1920 $1475

Operator discount: -$445

Sunday - Saturday

Jun 15, 2025 - Jun 21, 2025
$1920 $1475

Operator discount: -$445

Sunday - Saturday

Jun 22, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025
$1920 $1475

Operator discount: -$445

Sunday - Saturday

Jun 29, 2025 - Jul 05, 2025
$1920 $1475

Operator discount: -$445

Sunday - Saturday

Jul 06, 2025 - Jul 12, 2025
$1920 $1425

Operator discount: -$495

Sunday - Saturday

Jul 27, 2025 - Aug 02, 2025
$1920 $1595

Operator discount: -$325

Sunday - Saturday

Aug 03, 2025 - Aug 09, 2025
$1920 $1365

Operator discount: -$555

Sunday - Saturday

Aug 10, 2025 - Aug 16, 2025
$1920 $1475

Operator discount: -$445

Sunday - Saturday

Aug 17, 2025 - Aug 23, 2025
$1920 $1365

Operator discount: -$555

Sunday - Saturday

Aug 24, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025
$1920 $1425

Operator discount: -$495

Sunday - Saturday

Aug 31, 2025 - Sep 06, 2025
$1920 $1365

Operator discount: -$555

Sunday - Saturday

Sep 14, 2025 - Sep 20, 2025
$1920 $1475

Operator discount: -$445

Sunday - Saturday

Mar 29, 2026 - Apr 04, 2026
$1940 $1455

Operator discount: -$485

Sunday - Saturday

Apr 05, 2026 - Apr 11, 2026
$1940 $1455

Operator discount: -$485

Sunday - Saturday

Apr 12, 2026 - Apr 18, 2026
$1940 $1455

Operator discount: -$485

Sunday - Saturday

Apr 19, 2026 - Apr 25, 2026
$1940 $1455

Operator discount: -$485

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Expat Explore Travel allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 91 days before the start of the tour.

  • Low Deposit

    Expat Explore Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of expat explore travel charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.

    At 44 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.