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Grand Tour of Ireland

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A lyrical culture in a land of 40 shades of green, Éire is seducing at every turn. From the untamed quiet of Connemara to the thunderous waves crashing against the Cliffs of Moher, through the famous Giant’s Causeway coast, it’s easy to understand why residents of the Emerald Isle proclaim that their land is the most beautiful in the world. The melting pot of eras offers an experience rich in modern culture, founded on over 5,500 years of history and ancestral traditions.

Departure Dates

2024 April 28 - May 11
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2024 May 04 - May 17
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2024 May 25 - June 07
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2024 September 15 - September 28
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2024 September 22 - October 05
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2024 September 29 - October 12
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2024 October 06 - October 19
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2025 April 19 - May 02
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2025 May 03 - May 16
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2025 May 17 - May 30
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The Details

14 days

All-inclusive

$8,595CAD

Per person in double occupancy


Single supplement: $1,500

Max Group Size: 30 travellers

Deposit Terms:
$500 per person at time of booking
$1,000 per person 45 days later
Balance due 90 days before departure

Our approach perks

Private car service to and from your home airport

International flights and transportation while abroad

Meals and excursions that are typically sold separately

Tips for all service providers

24/7 Group Guru (in addition to tour guide and local guides)

$5 million of emergency medical travel insurance coverage, as well as protection for lost, damaged or stolen luggage

All taxes at home and abroad (including airport and hotel taxes)


Total PERKS value: $3,329

This tour also includes

Tour Essentials

Tour essentials

International flights with Air Canada (details)

12 nights in first class hotels

Dedicated English-speaking tour guide and local guides

Carefully selected visits, with entrance fees

Luxury coach bus transfers and luggage porterage throughout

Food & drinks

Food & drink

All 36 meals, including: 12 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 12 dinners

Irish folkloric farewell dinner (included in meal count)

Welcome cocktail

Guinness Storehouse visit with tasting

Bottled water daily (2 x 500ml)

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Our happy travellers rave about Ireland

Best trip I’ve ever been on!

Best trip I’ve ever been on! I have so many photos and memories. I’m tempted to go back again. With Approach of course.

Lee-Ann from Glencoe, ON
Joined us Spring, 2022

We had a ton of fun

My sister and I had the most amazing trip to Ireland. We had an awesome guru, a great tour guide and a great bus driver. They all went out of their way to make it an awesome trip. We had a small group who were great. Everyone got along well we had a ton of fun. I would recommend your company to anyone wanting an all inclusive trip.

Elizabeth & Carolyn from Pitt Meadows, BC
Joined us Spring, 2023

Top Notch!

The Irish trip was wonderful…excellent guides and driver…top notch! I will certainly check Approaches tours when I take another trip. Thank you!

Bonnie from Canmore, AB
Joined us Spring, 2023

Very well organized

I liked the green, lush land of Ireland. Driving around the countryside was wonderful and the sites we visited were inspiring. This tour was very well organized the whole time from departure to seeing places and lunches and dinners – all incredible. By the way, our tour Guru was amazing!

Soma from Mississauga, ON
Joined us Spring, 2023

Absolutely breathtaking!

Loved seeing the Cliffs of Moher and the Rock of Cashel. Absolutely breathtaking! The Celtic Crystal factory was very interesting and I really enjoyed it. Kelmore Abbey and the grounds were also beautiful.

Lisa from Barrie, ON
Joined us Spring, 2023

Wow!

I enjoyed the west coast! It was so beautiful! The group of people we were travelling with were wonderful and fun-loving. Caroline kept us organized and I really enjoyed conversations with her. Jeremiah was very knowledgeable and funny! He allowed for many unexpected stops, to see and experience things not necessarily in the itinerary. Wow!

Noreen from Penetanguishene, ON
Joined us Spring, 2023

Spectacular

Both Andrew and Maggie are excellent with managing the group. Some of the hotels and villages were spectacular. The castles, the countryside, the guided tours… this trip was more than we expected or hoped for. Maggie is a gem – so knowledgeable. Kind and spunky.

John & Anne-Marie from Ituna, SK
Joined us Fall, 2022

Authentically Irish

I loved the drives each day along rural areas (through the country, etc.). It was so great to drive through smaller towns and villages, and see even more than just the bigger cities and tourist attractions. I also loved that we had leisurely sit-down meals as a group every day, not just breakfast together. I also loved the meal location choices, and that many of them were authentically Irish. A personal highlight for me was successfully finding my way around Galway later at night. It meant a lot to me because it was where my grandma and granddad were from.

Kathleen from Vancouver, BC
Joined us Fall, 2022

I fell in love with the beauty of Ireland

The choice of itinerary and stops was superb. I really feel I covered essential Ireland in 14 days. Maggie gave us all the information we needed on the bus before arrival at the sites to make us ready for our guide. I feel in love with the beauty of Ireland thanks to your tour, staff, and transportation – by the way great drivers! All in all a fabulous experience that I will never forget. How about Africa? Or Iceland! Count me in.

Claire from Shuniah, ON
Joined us Fall, 2022

Great choice by Approach

Maggie Griffin was an invaluable asset to your trip. Her knowledge of the area and both countries was amazing. Great choice by Approach to have local guides who know the nuances and history of an area because they’ve lived it. I enjoyed thoroughly the entire tour, not just a few highlights. Andrew had a “can do” attitude and was always with a smile (and sometimes a wink!)

Hilda from Barrie, ON
Joined us Fall, 2022

The Book of Kells

The Book of Kells and the university library were incredible. The Rock of Cashel was so interesting and such a beautiful place. The Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery and the Céide Fields were really something. I had never heard of these. The Giant’s Causeway was a phenomenon not to be missed. Its existence is something that must be seen to be fully appreciated. The Belfast visit and history were extremely interesting as well.

Kim from Boucherville, QC
Joined us in Spring, 2022

Pleasantly surprised

I didn’t have any expectations, as this was my first tour, but I have been pleasantly surprised at how organized and well-planned everything was! All the excursions were enjoyable for me – obviously, not everyone likes the same thing and that can be difficult to manage but I found every excursion had something great to offer. The Ploughboy show the last evening was my highlight.

Lynn from Dorval, QC
Joined us Spring, 2022

Excursions and tours were excellent

Approach Tours’ guide made pretty much everything very interesting. Excursions and tours were excellent. Tour guides – Jerry and the specific area guides were very good, especially Belfast. Overall, excellent. Thank you.

Mary & Gamey from Toronto, ON
Joined us Fall, 2019

Wonderful group

My top highlights were Dublin Castle… seeing it all lit up, the Titanic Museum, the country, and all the shorelines. Definitely, the nature that we saw rather than the cities. Wonderful group and it was wonderful getting to know new friends.

Lois from Whitemouth, MB
Joined us Fall, 2019

Excellent tour guide & bus driver

My highlights were sites such as Megalithic Cemetery, Passage Tomb, (London) Derry Wall Tour, etc. Excellent tour guide (Gerry) & bus driver (Heiki). Very sociable/helpful Approach staff. Excellent travel aids. The group made it easy to get to know everyone & adjust schedules when required.

Kathryn & John from Markham, ON
Joined us September 2019

I totally appreciated all they did for us

I enjoyed all aspects of the trip even with all the cool weather. The time spent with Anne, Daniel and Barry was great. I totally appreciated all they did for us. Customer service was first-rate. I am so appreciative of Julie. She was amazing! Made the process seamless and enjoyable. She always had time to reply to my 100 questions and she was always cheerful. She’s a keeper for sure!

Sharon from Altona, MB
Joined us Fall, 2019

I would recommend this trip and Approach tours to anyone.

Our trip to Ireland was extraordinary. Ireland is a wonderful place and I would recommend this trip and Approach tours to anyone. Approach is working very hard to make sure everyone enjoys their time and trip. We even stopped at the dark hedges. The bus driver was excellent and even though it was recommended that busses should not go down the road she did anyway and did a marvellous job turning the bus around. Our guide was also very knowledgeable about his Country and answered all our questions. It was nice having it be all-inclusive, even tips, made it a very easy way to travel. The agenda was not rushed and we were provided some free time to shop or visit pubs as well. Great tour.

Ray & Lor from Lacombe, AB
Joined us in Fall, 2019
Grand Tour of Ireland Highlight Video

This tour’s itinerary

Overview
Detailed View

DAYS 1 & 2 GOODBYE CANADA, GOOD DAY IRELAND!

Enjoy a private car ride to the airport. Travellers departing from the Toronto airport are assisted with their check-in. Meet your dedicated Group Guru and fellow travellers and fly overnight to Dublin. Following lunch and a refresh at our hotel, set off on a guided tour of Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest university and home to the world-famous Book of Kells – a beautiful illuminated medieval manuscript. Mingle during our welcome cocktail before sitting down for dinner. Overnight in Dublin. (L,D) View image gallery

DAY 3 DISCOVER DUBLIN

Begin your day with a guided tour of the 13th-century Dublin Castle. Continue on to Christ Church Cathedral, a site with almost 1,000 years of living history and the spiritual heart of Dublin. In the afternoon, visit one of the most famous (and harsh) jails in Ireland, Kilmainham Gaol, which housed many of Ireland’s nationalist leaders. End your day with a tour of the Guinness Storehouse and learn how one of the country’s most delicious exports is made before enjoying a perfectly poured pint. Overnight in Dublin. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 4 ROCK OF CASHEL & TOUR OF CORK (266 KM)

Guided tour of the Rock of Cashel, a breathtaking ecclesiastical ruin that includes the famous Cormac Chapel. Continue to Cork, the second largest city in Ireland, where Irish and Viking influences can still be felt today. Enjoy a panoramic tour of must-see places, including: the Finbarr Cathedral, Cork Prison, St. Anne’s Church and the English Market, before enjoying free time to explore the city at your own pace. Overnight in Cork. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 5 CHARLES FORT, WHISKEY DISTILLERY & LIGHTHOUSE

Onto Kinsale where you will visit Charles Fort, a 17th century military installation, with free time in the picturesque harbour town. Explore your senses with lunch in a local whiskey distillery in Clonakilty. Experience the sights, sounds and smells as you learn how they make their unique spirits and savour some of their finest whiskeys. In the afternoon, enjoy an exclusive visit to the Galley Head Lighthouse, standing an imposing 53 metres above the roaring Atlantic Ocean. Overnight in Rosscarbery. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 6 SCENIC ROUTE TO KILLARNEY (266 KM)

On your way to Killarney, drive along the famous Ring of Kerry, bordered by remarkable landscapes influenced by the Gulf Stream. Drive through Cahersiveen, where you will see two Celtic fortresses, the village of Sneem, and the breathtaking views of Molls Gap and Ladies View. Stop in Killarney National Park for a tour of the Muckross Gardens, known for delicate azaleas and rhododendrons. Overnight in Killarney. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 7 CLIFFS OF MOHER, THE BURREN & GALWAY (263 KM)

Begin your day with a breathtaking tour of the Cliffs of Moher. Rising 200 metres above the sea, they offer one of the most incredible views in Ireland. After lunch, drive through the lunar-like landscape of The Burren to make your way up to the harbour city of Galway, whose authentic Irish atmosphere will enchant you. Enjoy free time to roam the small city streets on your own – specialty shops, music and fresh pints are not hard to find. Overnight in Galway. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 8 GALWAY, CONNEMARA & KYLEMORE ABBEY (125 KM)

Explore Galway with a guided tour showcasing the Hiberno-Saxon frescos of the Galway Cathedral, as well as the famous Lynch House. Marvel at the one-of-a-kind crystal ware crafted by the skilled artisans at the Celtic Crystal factory. On your way to Connemara, admire exceptional landscapes punctuated by stone walls, quaint farms and secluded cottages. Stop at the picturesque Kylemore Abbey for a memorable visit. Overnight in Westport. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 9 CARROWMORE CEMETERY & DONEGAL (176 KM)

Depart for Carrowmore, one of the largest Stone Age cemeteries in Europe, whose rolling hills are dotted with megalithic monuments such as dolmens, passage tombs and stone circles erected over 7,000 years ago. On your way to Donegal, stop to see William Butler Yeats’ (one of Ireland’s most famous writers) final resting place. Overnight in Sligo. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 10 EXPLORE DONEGAL COUNTY (187 KM)

Today is dedicated to Donegal, where Gaelic language and traditional Irish music can be heard everywhere. You will see the spectacular Glenveagh National Park, including the Poisoned Glen as well as the impressive Glenveagh Castle, built in 1870. Cross into Northern Ireland where you will enjoy free time to explore the city of Derry. Overnight in Derry. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 11 DISCOVER DERRY & GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (166 KM)

Guided tour of Derry, a city brimming with history, notably from the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and the subsequent Irish Rebellion of 1641. You will visit the old walled city, erected by English and Scottish settlers to defend against the Irish. In the afternoon, prepare yourself for your first encounter with the Giant’s Causeway, a larger than life geological formation composed of hexagonal basalt columns. A real feast for the eyes, it has inspired many Irish folk legends! Overnight in Belfast. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 12 EXPLORE BELFAST

Discover Belfast’s fascinating cultural center by foot, including City Hall, the Opera House and the Albert Memorial Clock Tower. Then, wander through the imposing Titanic Quarter, Belfast’s new large-scale waterfront installation tracing the history of the world’s most famous shipwreck. Tour Crumlin Road Gaol, Northern Ireland’s only remaining Victorian-era prison, followed by free time to continue exploring Belfast. Overnight in Belfast. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 13 HILLSBOROUGH CASTLE & DUBLIN (188 KM)

Travel to County Down to explore Hillsborough Castle, an 18th-century Georgian country house, before returning to the Republic of Ireland. Enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore Dublin on your own before sitting down to a farewell dinner. Overnight in Dublin. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 14 HOME SWEET HOME

Fly from Dublin to Canada, with a same day arrival. Your driver will meet you at the airport to help you with your luggage and drive you home. (B)
Download the complete itinerary

Hotels we've previously visited in Ireland

Dublin Camden Court Hotel
Cork The Kingsley
Rosscarbery Eccles Hotel & Spa
Killarney The Rose Hotel
Galway Clayton Hotel Galway
Westport Hotel Westport
Slingo Clayton Hotel Sligo
Derry Clanree Hotel
Belfast Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre
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Our unique approach

 

When we say we are all-inclusive, we mean it. Our tours have everything you need to sit back and enjoy your experience. No precious time wasted, no extra costs, no fine print.

 

While everything is included on an Approach tour, we built our experiences with different travel styles in mind. After all, your time is yours to enjoy as you please.

WHEN I'M ON VACATION...

I want free time

Feel free to break away and to rejoin the group whenever you want – we’ll even give you tips on how to get around and what there is to see. Just give us a heads up!

I want to do & see everything!

Feel free to break away and to rejoin the group whenever you want – we’ll even give you tips on how to get around and what there is to see. Just give us a heads up!

 

We sell directly to you so that you never have to pay for expensive agency commissions

 

 

From 24/7 customer service, to making every interaction as delightful as possible, we make it easy for our guests – every step of the way. Just ask.

 

MULTIPLE GATEWAYS. ONE FLAT SUPPLEMENT.

$100. Flat.
(Toronto gateways are included)

 

 

PRE TOUR

Call, message or email us anytime – we will respond 24/7

ON TOUR

Your dedicated Group Guru is available to help anytime.

 

DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICE

We pick you up and drop off in a private car.
All you need to do is pack and walk out your front door!

 

WORLD-CLASS AIRLINES

  • Assisted check-in
  • Complimentary baggage allowance
  • In-flight entertainment
  • Possibility for upgrades at your discretion

FOOD IS PART OF THE EXPERIENCE

We’ve taken time to select our favourite spots for you to safely explore the local cuisine while on tour. Pack your taste buds.

HOTELS WE KNOW AND LOVE

We believe a restful night’s sleep is the cornerstone of any trip. Check out the tour pages for images from our favourite hotels for that destination.

HIGH QUALITY, MODERN COACHES

  • Air conditioning
  • Premium seating
  • Large windows to take in the view
  • Extra seating
  • Dedicated baggage storage so you can stretch out

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    Sharing is Caring

    We love sharing our passion for travel with new people, that's why we'll give you a $250 travel credit towards your Approach tour for every new traveller you refer.


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