Ireland | Gardens of Ireland
Explore ancient castles, manor houses and spectacular Irish landscapes combined with private and iconic garden visits with a botanical guide and tour manager. You'll have four nights in Dublin, two nights in Cork and Killarney, plus a night in Galway with plenty of time to explore these historic cities and their gardens.
| Duration: | 10 Days |
|---|---|
| Tour Code: | ITW574 |
| Trip Style: | Superior - 4 star |
| Departure Dates: | 18 Jun 2011, 16 Jun 2012 |
| Price: | $5,495 |
| Single Supplement: | $900 |
| Places you'll visit: |
|
| Highlights: |
|
Ideal for Solo Travellers
If you enjoy visiting gardens and getting off the beaten track when you travel, then you will enjoy this tour, designed for the gardening enthusiast who loves to travel beyond the garden gate into stately homes and manicured gardens as well as visiting iconic destinational attractions. The small group size and personalised boutique experiences mean you have the opportunity to travel with people who have a similar interest to you. It's a chance to share ideas, engage in stimulating conversation and make new friends.
If you are happy to share a room, we'll find you a traveller of the same gender to share with. If we can't, we'll give you a single room at no extra charge, or if you prefer we can organise a guaranteed single room for you at an additional cost.
Trip Details
GROUP SIZE: 20
Day 1 - Ireland
Join your tour at your hotel in Dublin. This evening enjoy a Welcome Dinner and meet your fellow travellers, Botanical Guide and Tour Manager. (D)
Three Night Stay: Dublin, Trinity Capital Hotel or similar
Day 2 - Dublin
Visit the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland with its elegant restored glasshouses. Featuring a fine collection of plants the gardens are a focal point of Irish horticulture. In the afternoon, take in the main sights of Dublin and visit garden writer Helen Dillion's private garden with its wonderful garden rooms and herbaceous borders. (B)
Day 3 - County Wicklow
Explore County Wicklow, including the awesome grandeur of Powerscourt Estate garden with its Italianate garden dominated by a stately 1860s staircase and views down to the lake. We also visit Mount Usher Gardens set in 20 acres with the River Vartry running through the middle crossed with pretty bridges. There are 5,000 different species of plants here to enjoy. (B)
Day 4 - Waterford, Cork
Enjoy travelling through the Irish countryside today on our way to the town of Waterford, famous for its Waterford Crystal Factory. Stop here to see the craftsmen at work, then continue to Cork. (B D)
Two Night Stay: Cork, Maryborough Hotel and Spa or similar
Day 5 - Cork
This morning visit the Ballymaloe Cookery School with its functional, but stylishly designed and planted organic garden full of unusual fruit, vegetables and herbs in its kitchen potager. Lunch is included today, so we can taste the produce from the garden. This afternoon you'll see the private Annes Grove Gardens, set in 30 acres with its walled flower garden, river and woodland gardens. (B L)
Day 6 - Bantry Bay, Killarney
Illnacullin Garden is located on Garinish Island, a short boat ride across Bantry Bay from Glengarriff. This dreamlike island garden was designed by Harold Peto and planted with rare exotics. The garden has a wild and naturalistic style which contrasts with the formality of the architecture of the buildings.
Visit Bantry House and garden, set in 45 acres, with its wonderful position overlooking Bantry Bay and out to Whiddy Island. This garden has undergone restoration in recent years and the terraces overlooking the bay have, once again, their original 19th century arrangement of fourteen large circular beds. From the top of the steps you will see one of Ireland's loveliest views. (B D)
Two Night Stay: Killarney, Dromhall Hotel or similar
Day 7 - Killarney
Morning visit is to Muckross Gardens and Arboretum set in 86 acres with its 19th and 20th century gardens, restored walled garden and greenhouses. Free afternoon to relax, shop or explore Killarney on your own. (B)
Day 8 - Killarney, Galway
Travel north to the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren, a landscape with over 200 species of plants and flowers. (B)
Stay: Galway, Carlton Shearwater Hotel or similar
Day 9 - Galway, Dublin
Visit Kylemore Abbey Garden, with its restored walled kitchen garden set amongst the Connemara Mountains. The garden is owned by the Benedictine Order of Nuns who have planted 10,000 ash and oak trees on the property. Enjoy an Irish Farewell Dinner tonight. (B D)
Stay: Dublin, Trinity Capital Hotel or similar
Day 10 - Depart Ireland
Your garden discovery of Ireland finishes after breakfast. (B)
Inclusions
- 9 nights accommodation
- meals as per itinerary
- entrance to gardens
What's Not Included
- airport transfers
- tips
Terms & Conditions
Click here for our Terms & Conditions
For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
