Tour 2 -
The Burren & The Aran Islands
7
Nights Total Price € 475 per person*
(*Due to increased accommodation rates during the Galway Races, a supplemental fee of 80 Euro extra per person is required for tour dates starting Saturday July 28th and/or ending Saturday August 9th 2008)
Included
in the Tour:
7 Nights B&B Accommodation,
Full Irish Breakfast, Bicycle Hire incl. Repair Kit and
Lock, Point to Point Bus Transportation, Ferry Tickets,
Luggage Transfers and Road Maps
Click here for Custom
Tour Enquiry
Day
1 (Saturday)
The
tour begins in the historic city of Galway,
the "City of the Tribes". On
your first day you get to sample some of the atmosphere
that has made Galway a mecca for musicians,
artists, actors, young people and tourists alike. The cobbled
pedestrian street that runs through the heart of Galway
city is lined with bohemian cafes, traditional pubs and
craft shops. You can also explore the banks of the River
Corrib and the many picturesque canals that pass
through the city. Of course Galway's real appeal is its
vibrant music scene and Saturday night is probably the best
night to enjoy its many bars and traditional pubs.
→ Bus
transfer to Kinvara.
Day 2 (Sunday) (50km)
Cycle
the delightfully remote Moy Road that brings
you through the heart of The Burren.
The word "Burren" means
"rocky place" and here you will see acres
of beautiful, though sometimes haunting limestone pavements.
This striking landscape comes to life in Spring with beautiful
wild flowers that are unique to this region of Ireland.
These wild flowers are used to create the fragrances available
at the Burren Perfumery & Floral Centre. This area is
dotted with a number of ancient tombs and stone forts that
can be visited en route. The day ends in the town of Lisdoonvarna,
famous locally for its spa baths and its annual
"Matchmaking" festival held in September.
Day
3 (Monday) (35-55km)
Cycling from Lisdoonvarna
you can visit the majestic Cliffs of Moher
(203m), one of Irelands most spectacular natural wonders.
You can also enjoy panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean
from Hag's Head. You will then cycle on
towards Liscannor and into the surfing
town of Lahinch where you can relax on
its beautiful beach or in its many restaurants and cafes.
Return to Lisdoonvarna via the small town
of Kilfenora, famous for its three 12th
Century high crosses.
Day
4 (Tuesday) (30km)
Cycling from Lisdoonvarna
to Doolin Pier, you will catch a ferry
to Inis Mor/ Inis Mean islands. The Islands
are an extention of the limestone landscape seen in the
Burren and the quiet roads of the islands are ideal
for cycling. The small fields, surrounded by a labyrinth
of oddly-shaped stone walls, are a joy to explore by bicycle.
On Inishmore you can also visit Dun
Aengus,one of Europe's most spectacular pre-historic
sites. The stone fort, which attracts visitors from around
the world, is situated on the edge of a 300ft cliff
that falls sheer to the Atlantic Ocean below. There are
also a number of secluded beaches that are ideal for swimming.
You will then catch the last ferry to the mainland where
you will spend the night in the windswept village of Doolin,
home to some of the best music pubs this side of the Atlantic.
Day
5 (Wednesday) (25-35km)
Cycling northwards, you take the scenic coast
road to Ballyvaughan via Black
Head and Fanore Beach. The road
follows the coast along limestone pavements that descend
steeply to the restless sea below. On a clear day, the journey
offers wonderful views across Galway Bay
to the Connemara Mountains and the Aran
Islands. Black Head is a wild,
exhilarating place to stop off on your journey North. So
is Fanore, with its broad stretch of white
sandy beach. The day ends in the village of Ballyvaughan.
Day
6 (Thursday) (40-55km)
The quaint town of Ballyvaughan
is situated on the northern edge of The
Burren and is an ideal base from which
to explore the surrounding countryside. This stage of the
tour brings you along a delightfully quiet road into the
heart of The Burren National Park.
Your tour will take you along the base of Slieve
Carran Hill into some of the remotest areas of
the region. Sites of interest along this beautiful stretch
of road include the ancient stone monuments at Cahercommaun,
Gleninsheen and the famous Poulnabrone
Dolmen. There is also a concentration of Megalithic
tombs in the area dating back more than 4000 years. The
road back to Ballyvaughan allows panoramic
views of the sun setting over Galway Bay
and you can enjoy a relaxing seafood dinner and drinks on
your return.
Day
7 (Friday) (20*-50km)
The last day of the tour will bring you along
the coast road to either Kinvara or Galway
City. Your journey will take you from the arid
landscape of the Burren into the greener farmland of County
Galway. The road follows the coastline along its
many inlets and peninsulas; some, such as Finavarra
Point and New Quay, are well worth
a stop-over. Other points of interest along the route are
Corcomore Abbey and the three ancient Churches
of Oughtmama. The Flaggy Shore,
west of New Quay, is a beautiful stretch
of coastline where impressive limestone terraces descend
steeply into the wild Atlantic below. Your journey will
take you to the quaint coastal village of Kinvara.
It is worth taking some time to explore the town's old stone
harbour which is home to a number of Galway Hookers
(traditional sailing boats), the famous Dunguaire
Castle and of course, the town's wonderful old
pubs. (*Optional Transport from Kinvara to
Galway). There are many points of interest
along the route from Kinvara to Galway.
The tranquil monastic settlement of Kilmacduagh
is worth visiting as is Oranmore Castle.
The area around Clarinbridge is renowned
for its delicious oysters and it is home to the world-famous
Clarinbridge Oyster Festival. You can stop
off and sample the delicious oysters at Paddy Burkes
Tavern or Moran's Oyster Cottage.
The tour ends back in Galway city where
you can reward yourself with refreshments in the many cafes,
restaurants and bars.
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