Touring the UK by Rail 2019

D ublin , D onegal & the C auseway C oast

N E W T O U R

From Dublin’s ‘fair city’ to the delights of Donegal, Londonderry, Belfast and back to Dublin, this tour of the north of Ireland takes in the Wild Atlantic Way, Europe’s highest sea-cliffs, the iconic Giant’s Causeway and the Titanic Exhibition on a journey combining wild, natural beauty at the edge of Europe with confident, cultural cities.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 1 Customers booking our rail-inclusive package will travel by rail to Holyhead, meeting your Tour Manager and Tour Base customers at the port. We set sail for Ireland, transferring from Dublin Port to our hotel for two nights, the Harcourt. (D) DAY 2 A morning sightseeing tour by coach introduces the main sights of Dublin , after which the remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Ireland’s capital independently. We bid farewell to Dublin for a while with dinner and live Irish music and dancing . (B,D) DAY 3 Our rail journey heads from Dublin Connolly to the west of Ireland and Sligo . From here we transfer by road to the town of Donegal , with a short stop en route across the Fermanagh border at Belleek Pottery . Our hotel in Donegal for three nights is the Central Hotel. (B,D) DAY 4 Our exploration of Donegal begins with a short walk to the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre , situated in the old Donegal Town station, with artefacts commemorating the County Donegal Railway and the Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway, at one time the largest narrow-gauge railway system in north-west Europe. We also enjoy a cruise on Donegal Bay , with great views of sea, mountains and nature, including a colony of seals, should tidal conditions allow. (B,D) ★ ★ Sightsee in Dublin’s fair city ★ ★ Let your hair down with dinner and Irish Show in Dublin ★ ★ Visit the Donegal Rail Heritage Centre ★ ★ Look out for seals on a cruise on Donegal Bay ★ ★ Visit Slieve League, Europe’s highest sea cliffs ★ ★ Tour the walls of Derry-Londonderry ★ ★ Marvel at the Giant’s Causeway, a unique natural phenomenon ★ ★ Experience Northern Ireland’s great scenic rail journey ★ ★ Visit the Titanic Experience in Belfast Also included in your Tour Fare: ★ ★ Dinner every evening ★ ★ Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class) ★ ★ Ferries and coach travel, as described ★ ★ Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Fares From £1345

Dublin

9 DAYS

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DAY 5 Our journey west continues by road along part of the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ to Slieve League , the highest sea cliffs in Europe. From the highest point on the cliffs, it’s a staggering 609m drop into the swirling Atlantic Ocean below. (B,D) DAY 6 Transferring to Derry-Londonderry, we enjoy a guided walk on the city walls of Ireland’s only completely walled city before joining arguably the most scenic stretch of railway on the island of Ireland , the track running alongside the golden sands of Benone Strand, with views of unspoilt beaches and rolling waves from the Atlantic Ocean. At Coleraine our coach awaits to transfer to the Giant’s Causeway , where we visit the Visitor Centre walk the short distance to the stones. Our rail journey continues from Coleraine to Belfast for two nights at the Maldron Hotel. (B,D) DAY 7 We visit the popular Titanic Experience . The world’s largest Titanic visitor attraction is housed at the spot where it all began. The remainder of your day is free to explore Belfast. (B,D) DAY 8 Our rail adventure continues southwards, with the Mountains of Mourne in the distance, crossing into the Irish Republic. From Drogheda to Dublin the railway skirts a pretty coastline of beaches and harbours . In Dublin we stay for a final night at the Harcourt Hotel (Academy Plaza Hotel for the May group). (B,D) DAY 9 We transfer to Dublin Port for the sea crossing to Holyhead. (B)

DEPARTS

Wednesday 1 May 2019 Wednesday 11 September 2019

FARES

FARE REGION London: Euston Greater London South of England

FIRST STANDARD RC £1615 £1480 -£20 £1660 £1505 -£25 £1685 £1520 -£25 £1695 £1535 -£25 £1620 £1495 -£25 £1600 £1465 -£20 £1450 £1415 -£15 N/A £1485 -£20 N/A £1515 -£25 £1540 £1445 -£20 £1650 £1465 -£20 £1505 £1420 -£10 £1615 £1495 -£25

East Anglia South West

Heart of England

Midlands Yorkshire North East North West South Wales North Wales

Scotland

Join & Leave at Holyhead Port

£1345

Single Room Supplement £325 8 nights’ bed, breakfast & Table d’Hôte evening meal Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class) Rail, ferry & coach travel, with transfers as described All excursions & admissions as detailed Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

HOTELS

Harcourt Hotel, Dublin This central Dublin hotel, incorporating eight Georgian listed buildings, one of which was a former home to George Bernard Shaw, is situated off the south west corner of St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin City Centre. All major attractions are within walking distance. Central Hotel, Donegal Located in the Diamond at the heart of Donegal Town, the Central offers varied dining, regular live entertainment and free WiFi throughout the hotel. Maldron City Hotel, Belfast Maldron Hotel Belfast City is a new 4 star hotel located in the heart of Belfast City within walking distance of shops, restaurants and historic landmarks.

Slieve League

Derry to Belfast Train

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Book now – online at www.railtrail.co.uk or telephone: 01538 382323

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