Details
Day One – Kinsale
Your first destination in this tailor-made Wild Atlantic Way touring holiday is the colourful village of Kinsale, within 30 minutes’ of Cork City. Now firmly established as one of Ireland’s premier destinations for foodies, you’ll find a host of restaurants covering all styles and preferences. With its coastal setting, mouth-wateringly fresh seafood is particularly worth sampling.
Things to see & do in Kinsale
Time to explore the cobbled streets and quirky shops of this historic and very colourful village, or take a trip along the coast, where you’ll find plenty of beaches and welcoming villages. Perhaps head into the nearby city of Cork and visit the world-famous English Market.
Your hotel in Kinsale
This unique, personally run, bed and breakfast is in the heart of Kinsale offers a true haven away from the bustle of the village. All rooms are very tastefully decorated with a focus on natural textures and colours – dark wood floors, white walls and beautiful art-work giving an immediate sense of sophistication. This is perfectly balanced with the warm reception you’ll receive from your hosts who will willingly offer the most-up-to-date advice to help you book the best of the local eateries.
Day Two – West Cork
Now continue into West Cork, where your base is the village of Baltimore, with its bustling natural harbour a haven for yachts and ferries to local islands. You’ll find a range of excellent restaurants and friendly bars.
Your hotel in West Cork
Just on the outskirts of Baltimore, this traditional inn features a bar area crammed with memorabilia of years gone by leading into a bright and airy restaurant. Eat sumptuously-fresh seafood as you gaze out to the boats bobbing on the water, or chat over a Murphy’s with the locals. Rooms are extremely spacious and neatly decorated with splashes of cheery colours. A feeling of being beside the seaside pervades the place and the welcome is every bit as friendly as you’d expect.
Day Three – exploring West Cork
Time to explore on your own, maybe heading further west to the village of Schull with its colourful craft shops. Take a drive to Mizen Head, visit the imposing Bantry House and estate, or enjoy one of the numerous coastal walks in the Baltimore area, including a visit to the dramatic white beacon that stands sentry over the lough entrance.
Day Four – to Kerry
Your journey now takes you further west with options to explore one or more of the fingers of land at the south of Ireland – including the Bere peninsula – before reaching the famous Ring of Kerry and your next base.
Your hotel in Kerry
Right by the water’s edge, and far from the madding crowds of tourist hotspots such as Kilkenny, this idyllic spot offers the perfect relaxing base from which to explore the Ring of Kerry. Or, if you’re anything like us, you might just decide to spend your days wandering in the 14 acres of wooded and landscaped grounds, and splashing about in the little rowing boat in search of basking seals. It’s impossible not to be captivated by the gorgeous views, the elegant statues and the swaying palm trees. Rooms are simple yet spacious, split between two buildings with quirky art deco, 1950s and 1960s touches. Your hosts welcome you into their home and will make every effort to ensure that you see the best of the local area. Light suppers are available on request or take a short drive into Sneem or Kenmare for a choice of restaurants.
Day Five – Exploring the Ring of Kerry & Killarney
Many will take this chance to drive the famous Ring of Kerry, the 120 mile circular drive and one of the country’s most popular tourist trails. Although busy, there are plenty of options to avoid most of the crowds and still enjoy the open views of the mountains, coast and islands of the area. Weather-permitting, the boat trip to view the dramatic island monastery at Skellig Michael is highly recommended and there are also plenty of walking trails around.
Day Six – to Dingle
Today you will make your way to your final stop on your Wild Atlantic Way adventure.
Your hotel in Dingle
Your accommodation lies a 20-minute drive from Dingle in a spectacular situation overlooking Mount Brandon and the Three Sisters. A warm and authentic Irish welcome awaits. Breakfast is served overlooking the Atlantic from large picture windows, with lunch and dinner available from the bistro-style menu. The family are only too happy to provide guests with information on local walks and insights in to the history of the area. Many of Kerry’s most spectacular features are just a stone’s throw away, with ancient history, wonderful drives and the quintessential Irish town of Dingle nearby, making this property just about perfect.
Day Seven – Exploring Dingle
Peace and tranquility are synonymous with the Dingle Peninsula. Life moves at an unhurried pace in this Gaeltacht area (with Irish spoken widely), but the local people are quick to offer you the opportunity to share their unique culture and heritage. The Dingle Peninsula or Corca Dhuibhne stretches 30 miles into the Atlantic Ocean and is dominated by the range of mountains that form its spine, running from the Slieve Mish range to Mount Brandon, Ireland’s second highest peak. The coastline consists of steep sea-cliffs, broken by sandy beaches, with two large sand spits at Inch in the south and the Maharees to the north. There are colourful villages, ancient historic sites, great beaches and crafts a plenty to enjoy.
Day Eight- Return home
Your return journey could be from Shannon airport, or cross country to Dublin or the ferry ports of the east coast. This tour of the southern section of the Wild Atlantic Way works equally well in reverse.
Pricing
£540 per person for March, April & October, £600 per person for May, June & September, £615 per person for July & August.
Prices for seven nights on a bed & breakfast basis in a double or twin room ensuite.
Travel to Ireland
We would be delighted to book your travel to Ireland for this holiday.
The most convenient ferry routes are the Pembroke or Fishguard to Rosslare day time services.
There are direct flight connections to Cork from many UK airports including London airports, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Manchester, Luton, Southampton and Edinburgh, and we can help with car hire if preferred.
Before your departure, you will receive personalised holiday information including full directions and recommended routes from your specified starting point, and suggestions on places to visit depending on your interests and our local knowledge to help you get the most from your holiday.
All itineraries and room types are presented subject to availability at specific hotels.
