Ireland Dublin and Westireland
Wild and Delicious
Beratung & Buchung
Kristof Halasz
Ireland
Inclusive services
7 nights incl. breakfast
6 multi-course dinners
All entry fees as mentioned in the tour description
All visitors and tourist taxes
All interim shuttles as mentioned in the tour description
Rotalis guide during the whole tour
Additional city tour in Dublin
Rotalis service bus during the whole tour
Rotalis luggage service
Rotalis touring bike (excluded electric bikes)
Tagesablauf
Arrival: Saturday
Dublin‘s international airport is located about 10 km / 6 miles to the west of the city. Within 20 minutes the
shuttle bus Air Link takes you to Dublin. Our partner hotel, the modern The Gibson Hotel, is located in the
middle of Dublins recently reconstructed waterfront. The accommodation from Saturday to Sunday (incl.
breakfast) is included in the package price. At 6 p.m. we meet at the hotel lounge with our city guide. During
an extensive stroll through the city, we learn a lot about the Irish metropolis. Dublin has a lot of cultural
attractions on offer, like museums and exhibitions, impressive churches, spacious parks and Irish gardens.
Last but not least, we recommend a visit to one of the 850 pubs.
1st Day Sunday: Dublin – Ballyvaughan - Lisdoonvarna (30 km / 18 miles)
After we enjoyed our first Irish breakfast with view of the Dublin Harbour, a hired bus takes us to Irelands
west coast, to Ballyvaughan, within a 2,5 hours drive. Ballyvaughan is a picturesque village, located at the
entry gates of the Burren region. Afterwards, we cycle along the small coastal trail through slightly hilly
terrain, always in view of the Atlantic ocean and the Burren stone desert. The Burren is a bizarre limestone
region and a rich archaeological area. In the late afternoon, we reach Lisdoonvarna, with nearly 900
inhabitants it is the principal town of the region. Lisdoonvarna is very-well known all over Ireland for the only
therapeutic bath of the country, but primarily for the biggest European marriage market, the Matchmaking
Festival, taking place every September. Our accommodation, the elegant Wild Honey Inn awaits us for
dinner in its excellent restaurant. (2 nights)
2nd Day Monday: Round Trip through the Burren Region (45 km / 28 miles)
After breakfast, we cycle through the Burren region, a primal karst landscape with an unexpected opulent
flora. This completely traffic free bike trail with its continuous slight ups and downs is of exceptional
fascination. Our first destination is Kilfenora, very famous for it`s Cathedral, a partly restored ruin of the
12th century and still used by the Anglican commune. Nearby, we find three richly ornamented Celtic high
crosses, among them the Doorty Cross in front of the western portal. After a particularly nice, even though
hilly route, we find ourselves at the rim of a high plateau on the Cliffs of Moher, a cliff line of 250 m / 800 ft
height and 8 km / 5 miles length, fighting incessantly against powerful breakers. On slightly undulated
tracks we return to Lisdoonvarna and our comfortable hotel. The patron and head chef Aidan McGrath
serves us another exquisite dinner.
3rd Day Tuesday: Lisdoonvarna – Aran Islands (9 km / 6 miles + 3 km / 2 miles hike) – Recess
Shortly after breakfast, we cycle 9 km to the docks in Doolin, leave our bikes in the service bus and enter
the ferry that takes us to the Aran Islands. After 1.5 hours we reach Inishmore, biggest of the three
whale-like islands. (In very bad weather conditions, the ferryboat may be cancelled). By exploring the
island, we pass Dún Aengus, a 3000 year old stone fort, located at a height of 100 m above sea level on
top of the stone cliffs – always an impressive natural experience. Besides being contemporary witnesses of
ancient times, the Aran Islands are also famous for the local knitwear. The women’s costume consits of a
red flannel skirt and a crocheted scarf, the men’s of a sleeveless tweedy jacket and a colourful woolen belt.
The local culture and especially the Gaelic influences still attract many visitors. In the late afternoon, the
ferry takes us back to Roosaveal on the mainland. From here onwards, the van takes us to the Lough Inagh
Lodge House in Recess, a very comfortable accommodation with a fascinating location in the middle of
Connemara. In the evening, we enjoy an excellent dinner in the hotel restaurant.
4th Day Wednesday: Recess – Clifden (50 km / 31 miles)
After breakfast, there is time to take a refreshing bath at Logh Inagh, before we cycle along lonely trails
through deserted moorlands, exploring one of Ireland‘s most beautiful landscapes. Only once in a while, on
the coastal stretches, we come across some traffic. In Roundstone, a sleepy fishing village, we strengthen
ourselves in a typically local pub with Guinness and Irish Coffee. Then we continue our ride to Clifden,
passing by enchantig beached and wild vegetation. Shortly before reaching our hotel, we have a look at the
memorial in honour of John Alcock and Arthur Brown, who in 1919 performed the first nonstop Atlantic
crossing. A few minutes away from the town center, beautifully located above Clifden Bay, we are awaited
at the historic Abbeyglen Castle Hotel. You have time enough to enjoy reading at the warming turf fire.
Tonight’s dinner awaits us at the excellent hotel restaurant. Afterwards, we highly recommend a stroll
through the town and a visit to one of the Irish Pubs presenting Irish live music at its best. A must for
anyone.
5th Day Thursday: Clifden - Letterfreck ( 44 km / 28 miles)
Via Skyroad we leave the picturesque, secret capital of Connemara, in front of the striking silhouette of the
Twelve Bents. On top of this heavenly trail a fantastic view of bays, islands and white sand beaches awaits.
We mostly follow the cliffy coastal trail, and soon reach the fisching port Cleggan. The small fishing village
is accessible via Claddaghduff, where formerly every cave was said to serve as a smuggling location. We
continue our tour and reach the Connemara National Park near Letterfreck. The park extends from the
ocean to the peak of the Benbaun, and is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. In total, 2000 hectars are
protected, amongst others four of the Twelve Bents, Glanmore Valley and the Polladirk river, as well as
moorlands, lakes, forests and mountains. In the early afternoon, we reach our hotel, the comfortable
Rosleage Manor Hotel, in a beautiful setting next to the Atlantic.
6th Day Friday: Letterfreck – Clonbur (40 km / 25 miles) - Dublin
Today’s route might be the most impressive of the tour as it leads through the heart of Connemara. Passing
by Letterfleck across Tully Cross, we follow the Connemara Loop, part of the Wild Atlantic Way. Majestic
mountains and spectacular beaches alternate with the marshy highland of Lough Fee, where a play of
colours creates a magnific atmosphere. We reach the only fjord of Ireland, the 15 km / 9 miles long Killary
Harbour, flanked by peaks of up to 800 m / 2500 ft. height. It is well-known for is mussel beds of excellent
quality. In Leenaun, at the eastern end of the fjord, the bus takes us up to the scarcely populated Joyce
Country. Here we are awaited by Joe Joyce with his brilliantly trained sheepdogs. Afterwards, we cycle
through a dreamlike landscape along lakes to a point not far from Conbur, where we say farewell to our
bikes. The bus once again takes us across the green island back to Dublin. There we are again
accommodated at The Gibson Hotel. We will have our farewell dinner in a special restaurant not far from
the hotel.
7th Day Saturday: Dublin
In case you have not booked any extra nights in Dublin, a shuttle bus directly takes you to Dublin airport
(departure every 20 minutes).
Dates and prices
15.07.17 / ab 1.820 €
12.08.17 / ab 1.820 €
22.07.17 / ab 1.820 €
29.07.17 / ab 1.820 €
05.08.17 / ab 1.820 €