Overview

Welcome to the heart of western Ireland's vibrant spirit. Your guides will meet you at The Hardiman Hotel at 10:30 AM, and introductions and an overview of the week ahead unfold during the 90-minute coach transfer to Ballyvaughan, with the beautiful scenery changing outside the window the whole way. In Ballyvaughan, we’ll share lunch before lacing up for the first hike across the limestone of the Burren to Gleninagh Mountain. Afterward, we’ll make our way to the Cliffs of Moher, where on a clear day the Aran Islands and the mountains of Connemara stretch out across Galway Bay. As the sun sets, the day closes with a cozy social hour and dinner at a local restaurant overlooking the crashing Atlantic waves.

Overview

Today you’ll dive into the rich history and vivid culture of Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands. A 30-minute ferry ride carries you to an island where Irish is still the language of everyday life and dry-stone walls stitch the limestone into a patchwork of tiny fields. Our hike crosses this landscape, with seals and a variety of birdlife to watch for along the way. In Kilronan village, lunch and the craft shops are yours to explore, including the Aran sweaters these islands gave their name to. Later, we’ll sit down with a local goat farmer to talk about life on the island, from its prehistoric stone forts to the community that has held onto its traditions. Back on the mainland, we’ll gather for dinner at a Ballyvaughan pub, trading stories from the day.

Overview

An early start takes us south into County Kerry, with a 20-minute ferry across the Shannon Estuary on the way to Dingle, a harbor town known for traditional Irish music and dance. Lunch is at a classic pub or cozy café of your choosing, followed by time to get acquainted with your home for the next three nights. This afternoon, a short hike along the Dingle Peninsula climbs to the 19th-century Eask Tower for sweeping views over Dingle Bay. Afterward, unwind in the hotel’s spa, where an outdoor hot tub overlooks the bay, or wander Dingle’s artisan shops and colorful streets. Dinner is on your own tonight. Seek out a live session in a local pub, dine out in town, or keep the night quiet at the hotel.

Overview

Set out on an inspiring hike along a segment of the Dingle Way and up the slopes of Mount Brandon, the highest mountain on the peninsula. The trail climbs through rugged, rocky terrain, and with every rise the view opens a little further, the land falling away below and the Atlantic stretching out beyond. Climbing Mount Brandon carries a quiet sense of history. The mountain is named for Saint Brendan the Navigator, who is said to have spent three days fasting on its summit before setting out on his voyage, and it marks the end of Cosán na Naomh (the Saints’ Road), a pilgrim route walked for centuries. Back in Dingle this evening, we’ll gather for a well-earned dinner at a seafood restaurant, where the menu is built around the local catch.

Overview

Head out onto the Atlantic for a day immersed in the stunning beauty of the Dingle Peninsula and the Blasket Islands, framed by dramatic landscapes and abundant wildlife. Our local expert joins us on the boat, sharing insights into the diverse marine life of these waters. Weather permitting, we’ll step onto the uninhabited islands to hike among the evocative ruins of a once-thriving village, home to an Irish-speaking community until its evacuation in 1953. Heather and rock cover the hills around the village, sloping down to the sea. A picnic lunch awaits amid the island’s wild scenery. The day winds down as we return to Dingle, the peninsula’s coastline rising into view across the water. This evening, we’ll gather for drinks, raising a glass to the adventures of the week before a final dinner, with a taste of County Kerry on the table.

Overview

Take in the views of the enchanting Irish west coast one last time, or settle into a longer breakfast at the hotel before we say our farewells. At 10:00 AM, your guides will take you to Tralee train station, arriving around 10:45 AM, for trains to Dublin and beyond. Alternatively, the transfer can take you to Shannon Airport, arriving around 12:30 PM.