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Northern Shores IRELAND GUIDED HIKING TOUR
offered by supplier M10388 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 7
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 12
people
Destination(s):
Ireland
Specialty Categories:
Hiking & Trekking
Walking Tours
Season: May - September
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 2499 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2499 US Dollar (USD)
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This is a tour taking you on all the best walks in Northern Ireland as well as one or two in the Republic of Ireland. The pace of the tour is relaxed with plenty of time for taking photographs, studying nature, or simply enjoying the view. The Northern part of Ireland is quiet with less visitors than the south and the land is as green as you'll ever see. The history of Ireland's past will intrigue you and the people will enchant and charm you. The terrain on all of the walks is suitable for the regular fit walker / hiker, but is also fine for a first time hiking vacation.
Guided Tour Dates 2010:
Sat 8 May to Fri 14 May
Fri 14 May to Thurs 20 May
Fri 21 May to Thurs 27 May
Tue 24 Aug to Mon 30 Aug
Tours starts/finishes: Dublin Aiport. You will be met at 1 pm on Day 1 of the tour, and dropped off at 2 pm on day 7.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: We will meet at Dublin Airport. We then drive north to Ballycastle in Co. Antrim, but we will stop en route for a break at the lovely town of Hillsborough. The Antrim Coast has been designated an "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We will be accommodated in the lovely fishing village of Ballintoy for the next two nights. After a short stroll along this breathtaking coast, there should be some excellent traditional music in the local pubs tonight. Hiking/walking distance: 2 miles (3.2 km).
Day 2: On the agenda today is a spectacular walk along the Antrim Coast starting from the Giant's Causeway and finishing at the ruin of Dunseverick Castle. On a clear day you will be able to see right across to Scotland. The Causeway is made up of 37,000 hexagonal black basalt columns. It is the result of a massive underground explosion some sixty million years ago. In 1693 the Royal Geographical Society publicized it as one of the great wonders of the natural world. As this is a linear walk I will drop you at the start and pick you up at the end. You will be guided by Northern Ireland Blue Badge Guide, Petra Herrmann. Hiking/walking distance: 7 miles (11.3 km).
Day 3: A fifty minute ferry ride out to spend some time in the calm quiet of Rathlin Island. The island is famed for a wealth of bird life. At the west end of the island is a lighthouse and a bird sanctuary is situated there. From there we can see puffins, razor bills, kittiwakes, guillemots and more. Our leisurely walk will be out to the West Lighthouse and back. We will be met by Ksenia and Damien, our hosts at the Manor House (a Northern Ireland National Trust property), where we'll spend the night in comfort and tranquility. Our evening meal will be taken in the dining room of the Manor House. Hiking/walking distance: 7 miles (11.3 km).
Day 4: After leaving Rathlin Island on the early ferry, we will make our way a few miles west along the Antrim coast to Bushmills to visit the world's oldest legal distillery. Then a short walk will take us down around the coast at the village of Ballintoy and to Carrick-a-Rede: a tiny island with a salmon fishery, joined to the mainland by a rope bridge, and back up via the harbor of Ballintoy. Time permitting we may also be able to walk further along the coast at Murlough Bay. We then take a truly spectacular coastal drive further south to the village of Cushendall. For the next two nights we will be accommodated at "The Meadows" B&B hosted by Ann Carey. Our evening meals will be taken at Harry's Restaurant in town. Hiking/walking distance: 5 miles (8 km).
Day 5: We will walk at the magnificent Glens of Antrim. There are nine stunningly beautiful valleys strewn with waterfalls along this stretch of Northern Ireland. Today we will meet Petra again and she will be our guide on a great walk which comprises of native forest, open heath and moor land, quiet streams and of course, the famous waterfalls. Hiking/walking distance: 7 miles (11.3 km).
Day 6: Our final full day walk will be at the lovely Ravensdale forest and the Black Mountains and the Cooley Hills. We will encounter ancient stone circles along the way and learn about the legend of the Cattle Raid of Cooley. We will have great views of Northern Ireland. Then we travel on to Carlingford in County Louth, Republic of Ireland. Located at the foot of Slieve Foye, Carlingford is a former fishing village and is filled with ancient ruins, it is one of Ireland's best kept secrets. Our hosts for tonight are the staff at Ghan House Restaurant and Cookery School. Our last evening meal will be taken at Ghan House. Hiking/walking distance: 8 miles (12.9 km).
Day 7: There will be some time this morning to take a stroll around Carlingford, perhaps for some souvenir shopping. We then drive south back to Dublin Airport.
"I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed my holiday with you in Northern Ireland. I didn't know quite what to expect, but I was very pleased with how the holiday went. The scenery was lovely, the Causeway Coast and Rathlin Island were absolutely fantastic, far more lovely than I had imagined them to be. The Guest Houses you had chosen for us to stay in were all delightful and comfortable, I would be very hard pressed to put them in any order of preference, though the view from my bedroom window at the Manor House when I woke up would probably edge it into first place! It was such a relaxing week, your driving was very assured and easy, and I particularly liked the Irish music being played as we drove along - it gave a real feel to being in Ireland. Thank you again for a lovely time. I shall certainly keep your brochure for future holidays and recommend you to my friends". Jean Parrish, England
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 6 nights 3-4 star accommodation en suite
- All land transportation
- Return ferry to Rathlin Island
- 6 breakfasts
- 6 packed lunches
- 4 evening meals
- Free transfers from and to Dublin Airport
- Service of guide/guides throughout.
Guided Tour Dates 2010:
Sat 8 May to Fri 14 May
Fri 14 May to Thurs 20 May
Fri 21 May to Thurs 27 May
Tue 24 Aug to Mon 30 Aug
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Ireland
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Hiking & Trekking
Walking Tours
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, ext: 10388
