Waterford, Wicklow Mountains & Suir Valley Rail
Waterford, Wicklow Mountains & Suir Valley Rail
Waterford, Wicklow Mountains & Suir Valley Rail
2 Days
Tour operator:
Tour code:
9655
Tour Overview
Join us on an exploration of the unspoilt region of Ireland’s Ancient East, from the Wicklow Mountains National Park with its sweeping peaks and moors draped in heather, to the sublime Powerscourt Gardens, ranked as No.3 in the World’s Top Ten Gardens by National Geographic. We combine stunning scenery with visits to the historic cities of Wexford and Waterford, home of the world-famous Waterford Crystal. If you are looking for an enchanting and captivating break, then this is not to be missed.
Itinerary
Day 1
We catch the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin where our tour manager joins us. We continue onwards to our hotel in Wicklow, our base for the next four nights.
Day 2 – Wexford
Today we make our way to the town of Wexford, which sits at the mouth of the picturesque River Slaney and is home to plenty of historic delights. The well-preserved West Gate Tower is the only remaining ancient gateway to the town and the beautiful ruined Selskar Abbey stands on the site where the first Anglo-Irish peace treaty was signed. Wander through the narrow streets, enjoy true Irish hospitality in the many bars and restaurants, or sit back and revel in the relaxed atmosphere of this delightful town.
Day 3 – Wicklow Mountains National Park & Powerscourt Gardens
We head into the Wicklow Mountains National Park which covers 20,000 hectares of stunning mountain scenery, with vast sweeps of heather-clad moorland, hills, bogland, deep glacial valleys and lakes. The mountains are also home to a variety of wildlife habitats. Afterwards, we continue on to the beautiful Powerscourt Gardens, set against the backdrop of the breathtaking Sugarloaf Mountain and boasting a wonderful blend of striking terraces, fine statuary, ornamental lakes and a wide variety of trees. Designed from 1731 onwards and stretching over 47 acres, the estate includes formal walled gardens, distinctive Italian and Japanese gardens and the Pepperpot Tower, modelled on a pepper pot from Lord Powerscourt’s dining table!
Day 4 – Waterford & Suir Valley Railway & House Of Waterford Crystal
We start the day with a scenic heritage train journey on the Waterford & Suir Valley Railway, taking in the panoramic views, as we travel along the picturesque banks of the River Suir and the beautiful Suir Valley. We continue on to the thriving maritime city of Waterford, where we visit the House of Waterford Crystal. Our guided tour takes us through the home of the world-famous Waterford Crystal’s manufacturing facility, where we learn how the stunning crystal is made, including demonstrations from the Master craftsmen using the traditional methods of mouth blowing, hand finishing, sculpting and engraving.
Day 5
– Dublin (with optional guided tour £16pp)Checking out of our hotel, we travel to Dublin, where we spend an afternoon at leisure. There are plenty of historic sites and monuments to see from the oldest, Dublin Castle, to one of the newest, the Spire of Dublin. We also have the option to join a locally guided tour of the city before spending the night in our hotel in the Dublin area.
Day 6
We check out of our hotel very early to catch the ferry back to Holyhead; therefore a voucher will be provided to enjoy breakfast on board. On arrival in Holyhead, we continue our journey home. Due to ferry times, coach pickup times may be very early in the morning.
What's Included
- Return coach travel & ferry crossings
- 4 nights at the Arklow Bay Hotel, Wicklow (JG4 rating) with dinner & breakfast
- Overnight stay at a selected hotel in the Dublin area (JG3 rating) with dinner
- 1 breakfast on the return ferry home
- Excursions to Wexford, the House of Waterford Crystal, Wicklow Mountains National Park, Powerscourt Gardens & Dublin
- Heritage train journey on the Waterford & Suir Valley Railway
- Guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal
- Escorted by a tour manager in Ireland
Optional locally guided city tour of Dublin (£16pp)
Accommodation
Arklow Bay Hotel, Wicklow (JG4 rating)
The Arklow Bay Hotel is located in the heart of County Wicklow. Only a short walk from Arklow town, the hotel is set on idyllic grounds and overlooks a picturesque wildlife reserve. The en-suite rooms offer tea and coffee-making facilities, Wi-Fi, and a multi-channel TV. The hotel also features a bar, restaurant, indoor swimming pool, steam room and sauna.
We also spend the last night of our stay at a conveniently located hotel in the Dublin area (JG3 rating)
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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