Signature: Northern Ireland's Emerald Coast & Giant's Causeway

Signature: Northern Ireland's Emerald Coast & Giant's Causeway

• Trip code: 432X009
• Dauer: 8
• Stil: National Geographic Signature

Stretching from the wild Atlantic cliffs of Donegal to the storied streets of Belfast, Northern Ireland is a land of poetic landscapes and layered history. Walk the ancient walls of Derry, stand among the geometric wonder of the Giant's Causeway, and retreat to lakeside castles, guided by local experts who reveal the resilient spirit behind every emerald shoreline.

Übersicht

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights)

Checklist

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

Smart Dress:
• Smart outfit (For evenings out)

Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Group Size Notes

Max. 22, Avg. 16

Highlights

Hear a local account of historic events during a private talk at the poignant Museum of Free Derry, Savour the complex notes of Irish spirits during a private whiskey cellar tasting at Lough Eske Castle, Enjoy a catered lunch at Clifton House Lunch heritage centre that supports local communities

Introduction

Stretching from the wild Atlantic cliffs of Donegal to the storied streets of Belfast, Northern Ireland is a land of poetic landscapes and layered history. Walk the ancient walls of Derry, stand among the geometric wonder of the Giant's Causeway, and retreat to lakeside castles, guided by local experts who reveal the resilient spirit behind every emerald shoreline

Meals Included

7 Frühstück, 3 Mittagessen, 6 Abendessen

Meal Budget

Plane USD115-150 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein

Optional Activities

Keine optionale Aktivitäten

Start / Finish

Ennis nach Belfast

Transport

Private Vehicle, Ferry, Walking

What's Included

Dein Welcome-Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group, Ennis
Dein Foodie-Moment: Traditional Pub Dinner, Westport
Dein Foodie-Moment: Private Whiskey Cellar Tasting, Lough Eske Castle
Signature Moment: Expert Discussion at the Museum of Free Derry, Derry. Arrival and departure transfers. Guided Tour of Inisheer. Guided Walking Tour of Galway. Orientation Walk in Westport. Clew Bay Cruise. Orientation Walk in Sligo. Drumcliff Church and Yeats' Tomb Visit. Private Tour of Lough Eske Castle. Visit to Slieve League. Visit to Donegal Town. Free Time to Enjoy Lough Eske Castle grounds. Guided Tour of Derry. Visit to Giant's Causeway. Black Cab Tour of Belfast. Clifton House Visit and Lunch. Titanic Museum Visit. Engaging Discussions with the National Geographic Expedition Expert Throughout. Porterage at hotels and when getting on and off of vehicles. Tips are included for all activities, meals and porterage, except for your Expedition Leader. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Group Leader

National Geographic Expedition Leader and National Geographic Expedition Expert throughout

Internationale Flüge

No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour.

However, on some combo tours travelling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. Please speak to your GCO or booking agent for further details.

In addition, check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport

Minimum Age

Um ohne Begleitperson mit G Adventures zu reisen, musst du mindestens 18 Jahre alt sein. Das Mindestalter für Kinder in Begleitung eines Erziehungsberechtigten (über 21) beträgt 12 Jahre

Itinerary

Day 1 Ennis

Welcome to the Emerald Isle. Your expedition begins in the Ennis area, where the air is often thick with the scent of woodsmoke and the promise of Atlantic mist. You will be met and transferred to your hotel to settle into the rhythmic pace of Irish life. Later, gather with your National Geographic Expedition Leader, National Geographic Expedition Expert and fellow travellers for a welcome presentation that sets the stage for the heritage and history ahead. Share stories over a dinner of traditional fare, raising a glass to the start of your exploration through a region defined by its rugged beauty and enduring heritage before resting for the adventures that lie ahead on the western coast

Day 2 Ennis/Westport

The jagged Atlantic coastline leads to Doolin, where you board a ferry for a crisp crossing to Inis Oírr. Feel the salt spray on your face as you arrive at this soul-stirring island. Explore the island with a local guide, wandering a labyrinth of dry-stone walls and coastal heritage that has barely changed in centuries. After a relaxed lunch overlooking the sea, a local guide leads you through Galway's vibrant Latin Quarter, where the echoes of maritime history meet a modern hub of art and music. The day concludes on arrival at your majestic manor house-style hotel where a gourmet dinner awaits, surrounded by the quiet grandeur of the estate

Day 3 Westport

Take in the dramatic glacial corridor of the Inagh Valley, including the Twelve Bens and Maumturks mountains rising like stone sentinels over the moorlands. Today you explore Westport, a Georgian gem where stone bridges frame the Carrowbeg River, and explore the harbour's independent galleries. Board a cruise to navigate the 365 islands of Clew Bay, the holy peak of Croagh Patrick watching from a distance. Enjoy free time to enjoy Westport or the grounds of your hotel. In the evening experience a local style dinner in town

Day 4 Westport/Donegal

Head toward the wild northwest, pausing in coastal Sligo before reaching Drumcliffe — where W.B. Yeats rests beneath a simple headstone in a quiet churchyard, the outline of Ben Bulben visible on the horizon. The landscape shifts as you cross into Northern Ireland and arrive at a magnificent lakeside castle tucked deep into ancient forest. A private tour of the estate reveals the architecture and ambitions of the families who once called these halls home. As twilight settles over the water, dinner in the castle is followed by a quiet evening in the library or beside a roaring fire

Day 5 Donegal

The Slieve League Cliffs tower nearly 2,000 feet above the crashing Atlantic and are among the most dramatic seascapes in all of Europe. Walk the clifftop trails before traveling to a working hand-weaving mill for a glimpse into Irish heritage as you wander past century-old wooden looms and watch master weavers rhythmically "throw the shuttle" to transform vibrant local wool into world-class tweed. Afterwards, continue to Donegal Town, where the imposing Donegal Castle sits at the banks of the River Eske — a striking blend of Gaelic and English stonecraft that has weathered centuries of history. Browse the local shops before returning to your lakeside retreat for a rare-access whiskey cellar tasting led by a specialist, exploring the nuanced flavours of local spirits. Dinner follows, celebrating the culinary traditions of the rugged northwest

Day 6 Donegal/Belfast

A day of powerful contrasts begins in Derry at the Museum of Free Derry, where a member of the Derry Trust shares a deeply personal account of the city's most defining events — a story told with a candour and humanity that no guidebook can replicate. Walk the 17th-century walls before the landscape opens dramatically at the UNESCO-listed Giant's Causeway. Stand among 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that rise like a geometric installation from the sea, as your National Geographic Expedition Expert weaves local folklore into the geology beneath your feet. As evening approaches, Belfast emerges on the horizon — a revitalised maritime city that wears its complex history with remarkable openness

Day 7 Belfast

Belfast reveals its layered identity this morning on a classic Black Cab tour with a local. — traversing the Falls and Shankill roads where vivid murals and Peace Walls tell a story of division, resilience, and hard-won progress. For lunch, Clifton House offers a catered meal at a heritage centre-your visit directly supports community care and philanthropy across the city. The afternoon immerses you in maritime history at the Titanic Museum, where the story of the world's most famous vessel unfolds in the very shipyard where it was born. This evening enjoy a celebratory farewell dinner, toasting the landscapes, stories, and connections forged across the emerald coasts

Day 8 Belfast

Your expedition to Northern Ireland concludes this morning. Enjoy a final breakfast before a private transfer takes you to the airport. As you depart, carry with you the echoes of castle fires, the salt-spray of the Atlantic, and the enduring spirit of the people who call this storied corner of the world home

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Ennis

Day 2 Ennis/Westport

Day 3 Westport

Day 4 Westport/Donegal

Day 5 Donegal

Day 6 Donegal/Belfast

Day 7 Belfast

Day 8 Belfast