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Selected Trips

    Short Breaks

    Short Breaks in Ireland are the perfect weekend getaway. Explore a single region in depth on these Self Guided trips with guided activities.

    Self Guided with Guided Activities
    Ideal Weekend Escape
    Travel At Your Own Pace

    Escape to Ireland

    Escape to the wilds of Ireland and explore a region in depth, meet with local characters, and taste delicious regional cuisine. No need to spend ages researching, booking, and planning your holidays – leave all the details to us and we’ll plan your perfect short break in Ireland.

    On our Short Breaks, you’ll spend 4 days touring some of Ireland’s most spectacular spots, getting to know mountainous landscapes, glistening beaches and quaint villages like the back of your hand. These Self Drive tours allow you the flexibility to travel at your own pace, stopping when and where you want, according to your very own preferences.

    We’ve taken some of our favourite locations and put together Short Breaks you won’t forget. Each Short Break is designed by our expert travel designers, and each itinerary comes equipped with local, hand-picked recommendations for activities, dining, and hidden corners, as well as maps, guidebooks and cosy accommodation.

    Self Guided with Guided Activities

    At least one guided experience is included on each Short Break. There are also optional guided extras for those that want additional activities, as well as accommodation upgrades if you’re hoping for a bit more luxury at the day’s end. Guided activities may range from guided hikes to archeology/heritage walks, demos with highly skilled craftspeople or an evening with a local storyteller.

    As these Short Breaks are just 4 days/3 nights with flexible pickups and drop-offs to nearby airports such as Shannon, Knock and more, they can easily be fitted into a long weekend escape.

    West Cork Escape

    Lough Hyne and other gorgeous West Cork lakes showcase stunning waterscapes and ocean vistas.

    Region: South West – Cork & Kerry
    Comfort: Classic
    Deposit From €137.50
    Difficulty: Your Own Pace
    Duration: 4 Days

    The slender and lesser travelled peninsulas of West Cork offer stunning sea views on either side. Remotely situated, West Cork is a region often overlooked by most visitors, despite it being located in southwest Ireland. The undulating hills of West Cork meander across the peninsulas, dotted with stone walls, sheep herds, and super snug farms. Ancient heritage sites are scattered throughout the region, providing a window into Ireland’s venerable past. Food – dairy produce in particular – is an art here, and many great Irish cheeses like Durrus, Gubbeen and Coolea are local to West Cork – and well worth a tasting! Spend a day hiking the mystical trails of the Sheep’s Head Way with a local guide, wander Kinsale’s colourful streets and tasty markets, and discover the wild landscapes of Beara’s mountains and coastlines. Or sail out to the paradisal gardens on Garnish Island, perhaps spotting seals and eagles on the way.

    Connemara Escape

    The mountains of Connemara, from the Twelve Bens to the Maamturks offer some of the best upland hiking in the nation.

    Region: West – Connemara, Burren & Aran Islands
    Comfort: Classic
    Deposit From €137.50
    Difficulty: At Your Own Pace
    Duration: 4 Days

    Connemara is a place of raw and unbridled beauty, manifested in the region’s vast blanket bogs, formidable mountain ranges, picturesque beaches and a picturesque coastline. This Short Break takes you away from tourist stomping grounds to Connemara’s wilder side. A region long-beloved by visitors, few venture beyond the cultivated trails and visitor centres. On this Self Drive trip, explore Connemara’s little-travelled corners. Your options include a fully guided hiked to explore hard-to-reach mountains in the national park, or perhaps enjoy a culinary adventure at an oyster farm, part of Connemara’s burgeoning aquaculture. The Aran Islands contain ancient heritage sites well worth visiting, such as clifftop forts and ruined churches. Delve into the Irish language in this island community, where you can learn a few words as a beginner. This Short Break includes options to meet with a local archeologist to learn the story of the this ancient landscape.

    Self Guided Walking - The Wicklow Way

    The Wicklow Way is Ireland’s first long distance hiking trail, traversing the hills and woodland of Wicklow Mountain National Park.

    Region: East – Dublin & Wicklow
    Comfort: Classic
    Deposit From €172.50
    Difficulty: Blue 4 – Easy to Moderate
    Duration: 5 Days

    Just south of Dublin lies the majestic Wicklow Mountains. Meandering through these beautiful peaks and hills is the Wicklow Way, Ireland’s premier long distance trail. Lush forests and heathery hills converge paint a brilliant backdrop along the trail. Historical monastic ruins, gorgeous cascades and crystal lakes await you on this self guided walking trip along the Wicklow Way in the heart of the national park. Relax in cosy B&Bs by night before treating yourself to a celebratory final night in a Deluxe-grade eco-lodge. Leave all the details to us on this self guided fully supported trip, with have the flexibility to walk at your own pace along the trail amongst your private group, knowing that your bag will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your night’s accommodation. All you have to focus on is enjoying the views, getting the best photos and what to choose for your end-of-day pint!

    Looking for Something Different?

    Week-long Self Drive Trips

    We also have longer Self Drive trips if a Short Break isn’t for you. With each trip one week long, choose from any of the five Self Drive trips that circumnavigate Ireland’s amazing coastline, or mix and match to choose the regions that interest you.

    Learn More

    Small Group Tours

    Or, you might prefer to join one of our Small Group hiking or biking trips, each with a max group size of 8. All of our Small Group trips also include a Make it Private option for those who prefer to do a trip with only your own private group.

    Learn More

    Our holidays reviewed
    in your own words

    Excellent trip, the Dingle Way is a wonderful walk/hike, a great way to see Ireland and all its beauty.

    Robert Smitherman
    Self Guided Walking - The Dingle Way
    Reviewed on 30/09/2021

    Rated 4.93 out of 5 based on 2,368 reviews

    Read More Reviews

    As Recommended By...

    You'll be in good company on a Wilderness Ireland Trip. Some of the biggest and best known names in the business have recommended us.

    Los Angeles Times
    National Geographic Adventure
    Vogue
    Men's Health
    USA Today

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