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An Irish Festive Retreat

  • Ireland
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  • OVERVIEW
  • ITINERARY
  • HIGHLIGHTS


itinerary Map

An Irish Festive Retreat

6 Days

The charms of the Emerald Isle make for the perfect festive retreat. Spend Christmas cosied up in a lavish Regency mansion, surrounded by open-wood fires, traditional decorations and warm Irish hospitality.

Start your trip with a night in what is largely considered to be the best hotel in Dublin, and end it in County Clare, home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the whole country. In between enjoy festive traditions, excellent food and luxury service. Along the way, you will have a chance to encounter Irish culture and customs at their best as you are welcomed affectionately for the holidays.

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ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS



Your exclusive programme courtesy of Dream Escape will be tailored to your preferences and could include:

  • Tutored wine tasting in the atmospheric cellar of a 19th century mansion.

 

  • Relax in chauffeur-driven transportation throughout your trip, allowing you to keep out the winter chill and travel in style and comfort.

 

  • Enjoy an evening of Irish music and dance for you to both watch and take part in.

 

  • On Christmas Day, you can visit a local church for a traditional Christmas service.

 

  • Marvel at the grace and speed of Ireland’s finest birds of prey during a falconry experience.

 

  • Ride in a horse-drawn carriage around the rolling hills, follies and ancient grottoes of the 614-acre estate.
  • Upon arrival, you will be treated to a panoramic tour around Ireland’s most vibrant and atmospheric city, Dublin.

 

  • Surrounded by over 5,000 books in a historic library, enjoy mulled wine and mince pies next to a roaring fire on Christmas Eve.

 

  • Be guided on a private walk through the karst, rocky landscape of the Burren, an unmissable natural wonder.

 

The accommodation for your stay will be some of the finest in Ireland. From an understated listed building in Dublin, to an historic castle that offers modern-day luxury.

The main event will of course be the magnificent Ballyfin. A long-admired property, during its extensive restoration all the original Romantic features and detailing were retained while scope for contemporary opulence was added.

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HIGHLIGHTS

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HIGHLIGHTS

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THINGS TO DO

PRIVATE WALKING TOUR OF THE BURREN

The Burren is a karst landscape made up of an extraordinarily rich geological, botanical and archaeological heritage, and is of international significance with parts of the region classed as a National Park. This limestone plateau resembles a lunar landscape; in the spring and summer months, great colour abounds against the stark landscape. It will be brought to life by a local walking guide, sharing both knowledge and passion.

FALCONRY

Experience first-hand the art of falconry. Known as the “sport of kings”, this is a wonderful opportunity to see magnificent birds of prey up close. Often including Falcons, Owls, Hawks and Eagles; in full flight, they are spectacular.

DUBLIN HIGHLIGHTS

The wide boulevard of O’Connell Street, passing the General Post Office, scene of the 1916 Easter Rising and birthplace of the Irish Nation.

PLACES VISITED

DUBLIN

Dublin is steeped in history, with Viking, medieval and Georgian influences all having left their marks. Since the time of the Vikings, Dublin has been the principal gateway to the Emerald Isle. The medieval city, with its intimate knots of small alleys and broad streets south of the river, was developed in Norman times around St Patrick’s Cathedral and Dublin Castle, and later came to symbolise British rule in Ireland. The 18th century was the “Age of Elegance”, a time of relative prosperity when the Irish gentry set about remodelling the city into one of elegance, replete with graceful terraces, wrought-iron balconies and fanlight doorways. The city became Ireland’s capital with the establishment of the Republic of Ireland in 1937, and today is regarded as one of the liveliest and most atmospheric in Europe.

THE BURREN

The Burren is truly is a special place full of wonder, beauty and discovery. It is a karst landscape made up of an extraordinarily rich geological, botanical and archaeological heritage with parts of the region classed as a National Park. This limestone plateau resembles a lunar landscape; in the spring and summer months, great colour abounds against the stark landscape. Ruined forts and castles and numerous prehistoric sites dot the landscape; the region has been aptly described as ‘one vast memorial to bygone cultures’.

  • "Everyone, from the Tour Guides to our excellent driver, were amazing. All aspects of the trip were beyond expectations. Even changing our day schedule for outside reasons (like the airline sending my bag to a city 120miles away) they were always happy to help and move the schedule around so we could keep enjoying our trip. Everyone made us feel at home and like family."

    Client of Leah Molinari, Molinari Travel, Gifted Travel Network

  • "Dream Escape was the trip of a lifetime. Excellent choice of hotels, tour guide was awesome, the planned tours were wonderful and very informative."

    Client of Trisha Rathke, VIP Travel Designs, Gifted Travel Network

  • "Dreamscape designed an itinerary that combined an exploration of Scottish history and culture and a visit to some of the filming locations for the hit TV show Outlander. The tour guides provided were personable and knowledgeable and responsive to our interests. Our driver who was with us for the entire trip was professional and pleasant and again, flexible and sensitive to our interests. The hotels were magnificent and the pacing of the trip, spending at least two nights in each hotel was perfect. The itinerary was everything we wanted!"

    Client of Susan Morley, Journeys around the World, Cadence

  • "Sally Strange was wonderful so knowledgable, friendly and fun. 100% would use her services again. We feel like we have a friend for life! We LOVED our tours, where we ate lunch, and spending the days with Sally......Thanks (once again!) for looking after our clients so well. We so appreciate you. "

    Lauren Ainsley, Black Tomato

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    Alex Martinetti

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    Clients of Kristen Meckem, Kristen Meckem Travel, An Affiliate of Brownell

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    Jennifer McCrea, Boutique Travel Advisors

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    The Pogue Family - Clients of Amy Spence, Strong Travel

  • "We are so grateful for professionalism, expertise, and purely fun personality to entertain and educate our clients in all things royal! I do believe it was a smashing success. 😊"

    Pat Bowden, Red Letter Travel, an independent affiliate of Brownell

  • "Michael does such an outstanding job with making sure every itinerary he works on with me is well thought out. He is attentive to detail and always allows for the clients interest to be reflected in their tours. He makes sure that the perfect tour operator and chauffeur is paired with each client. I wanted you to know what a pleasure it is working with Michael and knowing my clients will always be well cared for when traveling with Dream Escape! "

    Jennifer McCrea, Boutique Travel Advisors

  • "Without a doubt, what made all of it so special and unforgettable was having the true pleasure of having Sally Strange as our guide. She was truly incredible..so full of life, energy, amazing historical knowledge anywhere we visited was extraordinary. Her sense of humor and fun personality made her extra special. Sally was a winner in every way."

    Clients of Betsy Talbot, Travel by Talbot (Brownell)

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    Cathy Major, Cerulean World Travel

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    Krista Boyles, Unique Romance Travel

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    Marieta Carrrero, Boost Journeys

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    Jennifer McCrea, Boutique Travel Advisors

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    Black Tomato Clients

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    Gretchen Ashworth Stewart, Client

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    Jean Newman-Glock, Signature Travel Network

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    Sharon Delano, Frosch

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    Thomas Cohen, Client

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    Jill Jergel, Frontiers International Travel

  • "Our holiday in Scotland now tops their lists of best trips…… To their growing list of amazing and memorable first-time experiences, our sons may add fishing for trout and salmon on the River Tay; steering a motor boat on Loch Ness; and taking private guided tours on Culloden Moor Of the eight full days we were in Scotland, Alex and Mattie thought each and every day was the best"

    Michael Guadarrama & Trammi Nguyen, clients of Peter Carideo. CRC Travel

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    Max Levy, Direct client

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    Joni Gerace, The Travel Society, LLC

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    Clients of Courtney Regan, Affiliate of Brownell Travel

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    Jill A. Jergel, Frontiers International Travel

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    Donald M. Davis, President, Luxury Travel, Inc.

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    Peter Carideo, CRC Travel

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    Debra Fini, VWTI

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    Financial Times, How to Spend it

  • "It was, without doubt, one of the most spectacular weekends I have ever had"

    Country Life

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    Conde Nast Traveller Magazine

  • "The level of service they provide is outstanding. They truly care about every aspect of the trip to ensure you have a fantastic stay. Rosie is a hidden gem of a tour guide. Just fabulous."

    Yvonne Malka, Signature Travel Network, April 2018

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