Ireland’s Coast and Countryside
About the Trip
September 16-25, 2027 | 10 Days
Discover Ireland over 10 days, moving through landscapes shaped by history, culture and the Atlantic coast. Spend time in Galway as you explore Connemara’s lakes and mountains, meet local farmers and visit Kylemore Abbey, then cross to Inis Mór for a closer look at island life. Journey onward to Killarney, stopping at the Cliffs of Moher and crossing the Shannon Estuary, and enjoy a stay in a historic manor on the edge of the national park. Circle the Ring of Kerry, take in sweeping coastal views and experience traditional music in a local pub. Continue to Dublin via Blarney Castle and the Rock of Cashel, ending with a guided tour and a final evening of Irish hospitality.
Activity Level: Moderate
If you’re somewhat active and have a zest for adventure, then this is the trip level for you. These trips may involve more activities or longer touring days with a full schedule. Excursions will include walking and standing for extended periods, walking tours on uneven surfaces or trails, more actively inclined itineraries and may include coach, boat and rail travel.
Member Exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours.
- Plaza Premium Lounge pass†
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience are listed below:
Aran Islands Off-Road Discovery
Spend time on Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands, exploring its ancient landscape in a private, customized off-road 4x4 Land Rover. Travel beyond the main roads with a local guide, reaching quieter corners where stone walls stretch across open fields and the Atlantic shapes the shoreline. Along the way, you’ll be immersed in the culture, language and history of this extraordinary place while taking in coastal views and a landscape that feels unchanged by time.
Package Includes:
- Return airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Dublin
- 3-night stay in first-class accommodation in Galway
- 3-night stay in first-class accommodation in Killarney
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in Dublin
- 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 6 dinners
- Land transportation via first-class motorcoach
- All bridge, ferry and road tolls
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Professional English-speaking tour driver/guide throughout
- Local English-speaking guides
- Destination transfers
Ireland’s Coast and Countryside
Trace Ireland’s west coast with island visits, coastal drives, local music and time in Galway, Killarney and Dublin.
Day 1
Depart Toronto or Winnipeg on your overnight flight to Dublin.
Day 2
Galway – Arrive in Dublin, meet your Driver-Guide and travel west to Galway, stopping at Clonmacnoise, an early Christian site with cathedral ruins, round towers, high crosses and historic grave slabs set along the River Shannon. Continue to Galway for dinner and overnight. (D)
Day 3
Galway – Explore Connemara via Oughterard and Maam, taking in lakes, mountains and Atlantic coastline. Visit Glengowla Mines and Sheep Farm to learn about local farming and mining history, then continue to Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian Walled Garden. Lunch on site before returning to Galway. (B/L)
Day 4
Galway – Travel by ferry to Inis Mór for your Extraordinary Experience on the Aran Islands. Tour remote parts of the island on an offroad 4 x 4 Land Rover, taking in its rugged landscape and traditions. Enjoy lunch before returning to Galway. (B/L)
Day 5
Killarney – Journey south to Killarney, stopping at the Cliffs of Moher for sweeping Atlantic views. Cross the Shannon Estuary by ferry, then arrive at Cahernane House, a historic manor beside Killarney National Park, for dinner and overnight. (B/D)
Day 6
Killarney – Drive the Ring of Kerry through coastal villages, mountain passes and scenic viewpoints including Derrynane, Sneem, Moll’s Gap and Ladies View. After free time for lunch, enjoy an early pub dinner in Sneem with traditional music before returning to Killarney. (B/D)
Day 7
Killarney – Enjoy a day at leisure. Relax on the grounds, visit Ross Castle, explore Killarney town or join an optional excursion to Dingle and Slea Head Drive. (B/D)
Day 8
Dublin – Travel to Dublin, stopping at Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone and at the Rock of Cashel, a historic seat of Irish kings. Arrive in Dublin for dinner and overnight. (B/D)
Day 9
Dublin – Take a guided tour of Dublin, including O’Connell Street, Phoenix Park and the Ha’penny Bridge. Visit Christ Church Cathedral, then enjoy a farewell dinner and traditional music show at the Merry Ploughboy. (B/D)
Day 10
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner
Terms & Conditions
*All CAA Member prices are per person, based on double occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Plaza Premium Lounge is based on one voucher per person and applies to departures from Canadian airports where applicable. Subject to availability
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊ CAA Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2027. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance.
Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. Deposit is non-refundable at the time of booking. Final payment is due 120 days before departure. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Depart Toronto or Winnipeg on your overnight flight to Dublin.
Day 2
Galway
Meet your coach and Driver-Guide on arrival and travel west to Galway, stopping along the way to explore Clonmacnoise, a remarkable early Christian site founded by St. Ciarán in the 6th century on the banks of the River Shannon. Wander among the ruins of a cathedral, ancient churches, round towers, high crosses and one of Europe’s most significant collections of early Christian grave slabs before continuing to Galway for dinner and an overnight stay. (D)
Day 3
Galway
After breakfast, set out on a full-day journey through Connemara, following a scenic route via Oughterard and Maam. This region is known for its ever-changing landscape of lakes, rivers, woodlands, rugged hills and sweeping mountain views, leading to a striking Atlantic coastline. Visit Glengowla Mines and Sheep Farm, where generations of the Geoghegan family have farmed the land and skilled sheepdogs remain central to daily life. Learn about the site’s mining history dating back to the famine era, then continue to Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian Walled Garden. Discover the layered history of this lakeside estate, from its romantic beginnings to its role as a Benedictine community after World War I. Enjoy lunch on site before returning to Galway. (B/L)
Day 4
Galway
Following breakfast, take the ferry to Inis Mór for your Extraordinary Experience on the Aran Islands. Explore the island on an offroad 4 x 4 Land Rover, reaching remote areas few visitors see while taking in its rugged beauty and traditional way of life. Have lunch on the island before heading back to Galway on the return ferry. (B/L)
Day 5
Killarney
Depart Galway after breakfast and travel south toward Killarney, stopping to visit the famed Cliffs of Moher. Walk the paved pathways and take in sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands from one of Ireland’s most striking coastal landscapes. Continue your journey with a short ferry crossing over the Shannon Estuary. Arrive in Killarney and settle in at Cahernane House, a restored 19th-century manor set on the edge of Killarney National Park, where you’ll enjoy dinner and an overnight stay. (B/D)
Day 6
Killarney
Late morning, set out on a full-day drive around the Ring of Kerry, one of Ireland’s most celebrated scenic routes. Travel through villages such as Killorglin, Glenbeigh and Cahersiveen, passing coastal viewpoints, mountain landscapes and historic sites including Derrynane, once home to Daniel O’Connell. Continue through Sneem, Moll’s Gap and Ladies View, with views over the Lakes of Killarney and surrounding parkland. There will be time to stop for a light lunch on your own. In the evening, enjoy an early pub dinner in Sneem, accompanied by live music and storytelling from a traditional Uilleann piper, before returning to Killarney. (B/D)
Day 7
Killarney
Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Relax on the grounds of Cahernane House, take a walk to nearby Ross Castle, or head into Killarney town. Those interested may also join an optional excursion arranged by your Driver-Guide to Dingle, including the scenic Slea Head Drive and free time to explore the town before returning in time for dinner. (B/D)
Day 8
Dublin
After breakfast, depart for Dublin with visits along the way. Stop at Blarney Castle, where you can climb to kiss the famous Blarney Stone, said to grant the gift of eloquence, and explore the surrounding grounds or browse the nearby woollen mills. Continue to the Rock of Cashel, once the seat of kings and bishops for centuries and a site rich in Irish history, including the coronation of Brian Ború. Arrive in Dublin for dinner and an overnight stay. (B/D)
Day 9
Dublin
Begin the day with a panoramic sightseeing tour of Dublin led by a local guide, taking in landmarks such as O’Connell Street, Phoenix Park, Leinster House, the Ha’penny Bridge and the city’s distinctive Georgian architecture. Visit Christ Church Cathedral, one of Dublin’s oldest buildings, with origins dating back to 1038 and ties to both Viking and medieval history. In the evening, gather for a final dinner and enjoy a lively traditional music and dance performance at the Merry Ploughboy, a fitting close to your time in Ireland. (B/D)
Day 10
After breakfast, transfer with your coach and Driver-Guide to the airport for your return flight home. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner