Heart of Ireland in 7 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We toured Ireland from Ennis to Dublin. Our weather was fantastic for Ireland. Our Tour guide Kelli was very informative, lead the tour really well. Kelli had all kinds of knowledge of our sites and was A++.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We spent two days in Dingle in a beautiful hotel. The town was charming. One afternoon we were treated to a falconry exposition and got to take part in having birds of prey fly to us and perch on our arms."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I learned so much about the history of the beautiful country of Ireland. I live in a region filled with Irish people, but knew little about the country other than its music and the popularity of St. Patrick’s Day. Our tour guide Kelli was excellent — very knowledgeable, helpful, kept things well organized. My only issue was the pace of the tour, needing to pack up and move on to the next hotel very early almost every morning. That was exhausting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed Kelli arranging for us to visit John B. Keane’s pub in Listowel and hear Billy Keane spin stories — it gave such a flavor of current and 20th century Irish culture and the importance of the pub as a meeting place in a small town. This wasn’t on the itinerary, it was a special treat that Kelli secured for us. I brought home Billy’s book and am enjoying more stories at home!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I love that Rick Steves Tours provide experiences that I wouldn't think to seek out. These things, often hands on, really provide a window into the culture of a place.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Slea Head Loop was breathtaking! Every moment was picture worthy. And the Blasket Island Center provided an important window into the past."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A great experience. I will definitely do another Rick Steve’s Tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Clliffs of Moher. What an experience! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

1) Our tour guide, Joe, was outstanding & facilitated a uniquely wonderful Irish experience. 2) Though all our fellow group members were wonderful, the group size of 26 people felt too large; about 1/2 this size would have been much more enjoyable. 3) All tour features were great but could have included more physically adventurous activities (hiking, sea outings, biking, etc); this tour felt oriented towards an elderly, less active clientele; an opportunity for better groupings/fit.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking along the coastline of Dingle Bay from the town center to the lighthouse and spending time on the beach."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

All the tour guides we had were wonderful. The agenda was well-planned between tours with the group and some free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour of Kilmainham Gaol was very moving (again, great tour guide). We also enjoyed visiting with our guide Joe's brother-in-law, Bill, at his pub in Listowel."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an incredibly knowledgeable and thoughtful guide, Joe B, whose connections in southwestern Ireland really enabled us to understand the culture and the environment.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many that I cannot choose just one. The entire Dingle Peninsula is gorgeous, and steeped in ancient history. We also loved Glendalough. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The 7 day Ireland trip was fantastic! Joe was an outstanding guide and very knowledgeable and personable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All of the activities were Wow moments but I especially enjoyed the town orientation walks with the local guides. They provided a lot of great information and history about their city."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour experience was excellent! Our tour guide, Gearoid was THE BEST. Couldn't have asked for a better guide! Loved the places chosen and the activities that were arranged for us. The tour was well organized and provided a nice balance of structured, scheduled activities with free time to explore on our own. The food and accommodations were great and I loved our tour group. Appreciated the focus on culture, history, and local experiences. Can't wait to visit Ireland again soon!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Dingle, the bus tour of Slea Head Drive, driving through the Irish countryside and being immersed in the Irish culture. I loved meeting the Irish people and learning about Irish history from Gearoid and visiting significant historic and cultural sites. Hearing traditional Irish music from the two musicians at Milltown House and listening to Billy Keane tell stories was another big highlight."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good pace, great guide, interesting places, good lodging, well organized, great communication, excellent bus and driver.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The ferry ride was fun, but the drive out on the Dingle peninsula was super fun, beautiful and educational so that day was the wow day. We were hanging off the edge of a cliff, then stretching our legs with a gorgeous view of the ocean, then a super cool interpretive center, then an ancient stone church, and finished up the day with a pub crawl. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed our tour. A great mix of group activities and self exploring. The vast majority of our stops and visits were fantastic and interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our day around the Dingle Peninsula "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was fantastic! From the guide, hotels, tour bus, meals, experiences, everything was well planned out and incredible! Our tour group was a lot of fun too!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful countryside of Ireland...it was absolutely breathtaking!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing, Everything was organized and time perfectly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Just seeing ruins everywhere. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I love the balance between structured and free time, and how local tour guides throw in some surprise personally connected to them. This is just one way Rick Steve's tours have that “something special”.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The “wow” moment for me is the education about the culture and what is special about their people that is conveyed by each guide. We loved touring Dingle and the historically significant stops along the way. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour from beginning to end! Our guide, Gearoid was THE BEST, the tour was well organized, great locations, accommodations, and I loved the tour group. It was a trip of a lifetime! I can't wait to return to Ireland someday soon.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The two live musicians at Milltown House, the Falconry experience, and learning about the Irish history from Gearoid throughout the whole trip! Also, we loved driving through the Irish countryside, being immersed in the Irish culture, going to churches and historical sites such as the Rock of Cashel and Glendalough. Not to mention visiting the author, Billy Keane, who could spin a good yarn in his pub. Those were good times together. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Gearoid, being a born and raised local to the Dingle area gave our tour a more exclusive flair. And his enthusiasm was showed his pride of showing us his country. And our driver George was great. tour a more native flair

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Trinity College Library "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was probably one of the best so far.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Birds of Prey "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, this tour was outstanding. I really enjoyed Gearoid and the local guides. I enjoyed listening to their personal thoughts about the Irish culture and history. This was my 4th Rick Steves tours and the quality is always outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Absolutely the Cliffs of Moher, Sleigh Head Drive and the Blasket Islands. Seeing so many rainbows in the countryside was amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was excellent. Gearóid was really welcoming and knowledgable as a guide. The destinations, accommodations and pace were perfect for the short time we had.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed the Blasket Interpretive Center. Stunning views, well done building and all the history in one spot. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was fantastic from start to finish! Kelli Malone made it that way!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Slea Head Drive and the Cliffs of Moher ."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We saw many sights we would not have seen on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"After getting drenched walking to a little stone church, getting back on the bus on Slea Head Drive and seeing a huge rainbow with ends touching on land and sea. The whole bus of travelers gasped."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful tour and great guide, Kelli! Lots of experiences in a short amount of time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cliffs of Moher, Slea Head Drive, and Falconry"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Relaxing, informative and fun

Favorite "WOW" moment

"St Patrick’s "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing! Our first trip overseas and we felt safe and free to discover. Loved this experience. The tour and most importantly our tour guide, Kelli and our coach driver Pam were exceptional. After day two, we booked our next tour! We are hooked.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cliffs of Mohr at the beginning of the tour was the wow moment. Simply incredible "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall it was a great experience. It went smoothly and we were pleased with it all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cliffs Of Mohr"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This trip had an excellent mix of beautiful scenery and urban gems. Sights were well chosen, though sometimes the schedule was too packed, such as the short time allotted for the Blasket Centre.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That would be a tie between the Cliffs of Moher -- where we even lucked into some sunshine -- and the breathtaking Slea Head Drive. Oh, and the falconry experience!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Jamie was fantastic. She made sure everything ran smoothly, and took care of any problems that might arise. We saw so much, I felt like we really experienced Ireland. What a wonderful country..

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I’m sorry, I cannot pick one favorite “Wow” moment. The cliffs of Moher were breathtaking. The countryside was gorgeous. The town of Dingle was charming, and the Irish were so friendly. The whole trip was ”Wow”"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 3rd Rick Steves tour so we pretty much knew what to expect and the experience delivered. The hotels were great, some even better than we expected. When we return to Dublin, we will definitely stay at the Iveagh Garden. It was a lovely hotel, in the perfect location. Jaime, our tour guide was very knowledgeable and the local tour guides in Dingle and Dublin were excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Cliffs of Mohr and touring the Slea Head drive. The scenery was just beautiful, and we had just the right amount of bus time to enjoy it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable, and our bus driver was a true professional. Lodging was clean and comfortable, and the food was excellent. This was our first Rick Steve's tour after using his books for years. We are excited to schedule another tour experience in coming years.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of the country and the learned knowledge on the trip of the hundreds of years of hardship were both "wow" moments for me."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour guide, Kelli, was terrific. Ireland is beautiful (love the hedgerows!), and its people very friendly and helpful. The tour experiences were interesting and we learned a lot. Only the weather kept our tour from being outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cliffs of Moher"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Congenial tour group, great tour and local guides, fascinating historical learning experience. Also comfortable bus accommodations with friendly driver!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two days on Dingle peninsula and the town itself."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very organized ! Kelly , our guide was superior !! Very knowledgeable, friendly, looked after us !

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cliffs of Moher "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great experience -- learned a lot from our guide Kelli and the local guides. Our group was congenial.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Rock of Cashel was a highlight. But another one was being out at the end of the Dingle peninsula in high winds -- the ocean was wild!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guide went over and above to show best of Ireland’s culture beauty and charm

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our group felt compelled to sing the Doxology together in a 1000-year old beehive church on Dingle peninsula. It was a very moving moment"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed the local attractions the guide included, Dingle Crystal, whiskey sampling, local music.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful Dingle Penninsula and learning about the Blasket Islands."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had activities on this tour I never would have had access to if I planned it myself. I’m talking about a pre dinner visit by a hot shot Irish dancer, and hearing stories by an author in his pub for tea on our way through town.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The group dinners were excellent, even for a picky eater like me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Truly educational! Stunning scenery each and every day! Amazing historical sights I'll remember forever!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing on the banks of the River Avon, watching a punting boat disappear around the bend with the Salisbury steeple rising up from the other side!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Rick Steve's tours has done it again. My husband and I had a wonderful time on the Heart of Ireland in 7days tour. There was so much to see and do that I wish we had more time in each location. Our RS guide, Gearoid and driver Martin, from McGill Coaches, were very professional, pleasant and absolute delights. Our fellow travelers, scenery, history.. I was overwhelmed. The surprises arranged for us by Geroid gave us a great look into life in Ireland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is difficult to pick a "wow" moment. I can't speak for my husband, but one of my "wow" moments was touring Kilkenny Castle. The size of the restoration and the grounds was awe inspiring. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide and driver were each so helpful, knowledgeable and personable. The fact that Gerold lived in Dingle added to our experience there.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Blasket Island Centre, having David dance for us, the birds of prey demonstration in Dingle, "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well managed and a diversity of info that wasn’t just history but covered so much more. Additional items like Irish dancers and music added by the guide which made for fun evenings.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having David (professional dancer) come to the hotel and dance for us and then answer questions, making it a very personal experience."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a great tour. I love to Ireland and our guide. I give it a very good because I prefer the 10 day tours I think to see a little bit more.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our stay in Dingle was wonderful. Gearoid did a wonderful job of bringing in local talent and I think the day tour to the outer island off of Dinglej was a wow. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Being this was my first Rick Steves' tour I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was totally blown away by the entire experience. From our amazing tour guide who made sure we experienced Ireland as much as we could in 6 days, the super friendly bus driver making sure our travels around the country were safe, the food/hotel accommodations, the people in our tour group, and the friendly people of Ireland. The whole trip was wonderful. Cannot wait to book the next adventure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our time in Dingle. From the walking and driving tours, learning about Great Blasket Island, tour of Dingle Crystal, and everything else in between. The entire time there was my WOW experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was great, the hotels, local tour guides, tour bus, destinations and especially our tour guide Gearoid.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to choose from but my favorite part of the tour was the time in Dingle."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Pascal was very good and helped us with some of our non-tour travels!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cliffs of Moher"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Pascal was a great guide to his native land. What he shared help 'color in' the black and white outline of the basics of our trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire ride out into the Dingle peninsula, and especially the Blasket Islander's experience and the Gallarus Oratory which has stood humbly for centuries in what is now a sparsely populated landscape."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I can’t rave enough about our experience. The main tour guide and other guides were personable and knowledgeable. The events were a mix of main tourist must sees and local crafts, places and people that we would not have known to do or had the chance to do if we were not on this tour. We enjoy knowing the best places, hotels and restaurants are provided as we would not know this planning on our own. This was our second Rick Steve’s tour and it did not disappoint- a great experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The day we went to Dingle and stopped and heard Billy Keene and the music and tours from there, ie. Crystal maker, Irish music, Falconry in a beautiful town at a very personable Inn. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As always, our Ireland tour was wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The drive along the "Wild Atlantic Way" in the Dingle area. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was well organized, guide was excellent and gave very informative information, sequence of tour was done well and great variety of experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The 2 days in Dingle were truly gorgeous and gave you a true sense of Ireland. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Pascal was energetic and deeply knowledgeable about Irish culture and history, making the trip very memorable and "filled in the gaps" in what our knowledge was about the history (both past and current) of Ireland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Have Pascal tell of the recent history (both from a personal and historic standpoint) as we drove from one stop to another. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour director, Pascal, was fantastic. He taught us the history of Ireland succinctly and correctly, as we would hear it again from another guide, too. He threw in personal stories which made it more interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" was learning that the Ireland Friesian cows are a small variety of America's Holstein cows and why all the sheep had multiple colors on their coats. Truly, the entire trip was "WOW". I enjoyed traversing the capital city, Dublin, and moreover the small towns were my cup of tea. The interactive falconry was amazing, visiting Dingle Crystal and seeing a glass cut was superb, the seascapes were refreshing, and the restaurants were entertaining."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well planned out tour and our guide Pascal was the best

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the Cliffs of Moher were breath taking!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour of Ireland was amazing. Pascal was amazing as our tour guide and shared so much history of Ireland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many wow moments it's hard to pick just one. One of the things that was so amazing to me was the beautiful countryside and the color."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is my first Rick Steve’s Tour and I love it!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Honestly, everything was a wow, I was so impressed with our tour guide , Pascal and his attentiveness to the group and his Ireland knowledge. I’ve learned so much about Ireland . "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We mostly enjoyed the friendly locals with playful attitudes including the TSA agents.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle Peninsula"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed the guide, the places, the food and the experience. This was our fifth Rick Steves tour and it was one of the best. We had amazing weather the entire time which helped!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had not heard of the Great Blasket Island and found the center interesting and the views beautiful. The entire time in Dingle was great, especially as our guide, Gearoid, was from Dingle and made it very personal. He was excellent. The Milltown House there was a delight and it was special to have an Irish dancer and two musicians perform for us. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Gearoid worked very hard to ensure our group had a good time. He was helpful with questions, very organized and great with suggestions for activities, meals and shopping when we were on our own. He is outstanding and made the trip outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A boat excursion suggested by our tour guide while we were in Dingle. The ride took us along the cliffs. Dingle was my absolute favorite stop. I could have stayed 3 to 4 days there."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour! Our guide, Gearoid, was fabulous. He was incredibly witty and funny, kept all of us on schedule, and shared lots of his inside knowledge about Ireland. The hotels were wonderful and located in convenient central locations, the food was superb, and the itinerary was perfect. Since it was a relatively short tour, the pace was faster and busier--which I really enjoyed. There was still plenty of time to relax and unwind, but it felt like the time spent in Ireland was optimized.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cliffs of Moher were absolutely stunning. It was our first stop on the tour, and it was the perfect introduction to Ireland. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed my Ireland in 7 Days trip. The guides were all wonderful, lodging and pre-determined restaurants were lovely, and the plentiful excursions were all uniquely memorable. High praise to Gearoid for his expert guide skills. He superbly managed our numerous adventures while entertaining and educating us along the way. He provided jovial charm and heartfelt anecdotes. It was easy to relax and enjoy the bus rides with Martin's skillful driving and cheerful demeanor.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle walking tour, Tim Collins & Slea Head Drive experience, Mary's Dublin walking tour, Cliffs of Moher, John B. Keane pub in Listowel, Blasket Island Centre Gallarus Oratory, David Geaney's dance performance, falconry and live music at Milltown House BnB, Dingle Crystal demonstration, Rock of Cashel, Glendalough, Kilmainham Gaol and Trinity College. I am grateful to have spent the initial/majority of time in Dingle, as it's quaint vibe helped me ease into the highly active tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I have high expectations for RS tours. This tour did not disappoint me.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Maybe the moon rising over Dingle Harbor. Beautiful!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very enjoyable

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Dingle Peninsula and the Great Blasket Center"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding from day one! Our tour guide Conor was a perfect guide for the tour, very personable, knowledgeable, informative and played some great Irish music on his accordion for us after dinner one night. The beautiful green rolling hills and countryside we saw on our tour were second to none. The history of Ireland itself is extraordinary and the sites we visited were amazing,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Rock of Cashel and the monastic settlement in Glendalough were beautiful! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall I have to say that my tour experience was wonderful and exceeded my expectations. From the first group outing and welcome meal, to our final evening together; the sites, informative tours and commentary, hotel accommodations, and friendly, knowledgeable personality of our guide made for a very enjoyable, memorable trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My first was our full day experiencing Dingle and Dingle Peninsula. The crystal cutting demonstration, beautiful Peninsula scenery, falconry experience, and evening spent listening to traditional Irish music provided by the O’Shea family were unexpected events I more than likely would not have experienced traveling on my own. My second was our stop at Glendalough. The setting of the monastic settlement was breathtaking, and if I return to Ireland I plan on exploring this region more thoroughly."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a good mix of planned activities and time on our own

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cliffs of Maher, music by our Guide and his friends, "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent use of time on this short tour. Saw so much in 6 days.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our fabulous guide, Connor, made last minute arrangements for the O’Sea Family to entertain us at a local pub in Dingle. When the entertainment he’d arranged the previous night cancelled he brought out his button accordion and wowed us all after a delightful dinner together. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A great tour! We experienced sites and events that we would not have had, if we did this on our own. Our tour guide Conor, as a local, gave great insight and personal experience that added to the richness of the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Dingle experience and the Glendalough site. In Dingle we enjoyed the walking tour and time to experience the town. The on-site experience of watching a craftsman at Dingle Crystal is something we would not have experienced on our own. The tour of the Dingle Peninsula lead by the retired police chief was very informative. The Glendalough site was beautiful, historic and an area where I could have spend a whole day hiking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had no idea what to expect but thought the tour was a terrific experience. I really enjoyed viewing the countryside though I sometimes wished there was more commentary about where we were and what was important in the region. But overall, the sites were very interesting and the information we received helpful and also interesting. I learned a lot and it was a great introduction to the Irish people and history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite “wow” moment was the Dublin cemetery - though it’s hard to pick. But this cemetery is gorgeous and full of history, culture and fascinating stories and tidbits."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steve's tour. Our tour guide was very experienced and helpful. Our bus driver was incredible. Driving in Ireland would have been so hard I could never have done it. Our hotels were lovely and the staff were incredibly helpful getting us onto Irish rail for our special trips on our own. The food was wonderful especially the breakfasts every morning. I can't suggest anything that could have been better.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wife has an Irish background. Her family grew up in Mill St., Ireland. Our wow moment was when we went to Mill Street and explored the church and cemetery. We took several pictures of the headstones of my wife's family. We felt a special connection to them that we never could have felt if we had not taken the tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My overall experience was outstanding. The Tour Business model was perfect. I loved the amount of touring accomplished in 7 days, the emphasis placed on punctuality, the tour guide was knowledgeable and engaging but had some difficulty keeping track of the group on his walking tours. The various local guides and bus driver were awesome. The goal of group engagement worked well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed each town and event. My favorites were the Rock and Kilkenny Castle. The Dingle Crystal session and Dublin Cemetery were terrific."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Incredible guide, nice pacing between tours and free time. Great choices for restaurants..

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hearing our guide sing in a sixth century church."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All of the activities were inspiring and informative. Our tour guide, Kathie, was so knowledgeable and her Irish history and songs were amazing. She made this tour something I’ll never forget.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Kathie singing in a beautiful church in Dublin. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything about this tour was amazing! My favorite part of visiting Ireland was our tour guide Cathie. She was such a joy to be around and made the entire experience beyond expectations! Ireland is a magical place and the Rick Steves tour made it all very special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I cannot choice one specific moment as the "most" special. It was all incredible. I did appreciate the drive to Glendalough Monastic Site. Our driver took us a beautiful scenic way. It was magical. I also loved our tour guide arranging David, the 5 time champion dancer to come give us a show. Our tour guide, Cathie, was amazing! Can't express that enough!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time made all the better because of our guide. This was our third Rick Steves tour and Cathie was the best of the best.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That’s a tough call. The Cliffs of Moher, Rock of Cashel, the Round Tower…pick one."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the tour. Our guide was so knowledgeable providing a lot of information about the history of Ireland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment was the balcony tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour, would have liked more time in Kilkenny, maybe another night. Kelli was a terrific guide, very helpful and nice. Food was very good especially the breakfasts. It would have been nice to see Irish dancing and more Irish music. Trinity college and book of Kells was great. Also liked rock of Kashel. Last hotel we stayed in was nicest with best breakfast. Falconry experience also a big hit. Dingle was a cool place. Half day tour of Dublin was outstanding and guide terrific.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Falconry, Rock of Kashel, Irish countryside and Dublin museum of archaeology "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steve's tour and it exceeded my expectations. Our guide Kelli was absolutely wonderful. George our bus driver was pleasant and courteous and a great bus driver! Many great experiences & learned so much about Ireland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Slea Head Drive and learning about the Blasket Island settlement."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This tour gave me a great introduction to the culture and history of Ireland. Our guide was clearly knowledgeable and good at sharing information about Ireland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the iconic library of Trinity College in Dublin. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Knowledgeable guide, good itinerary, great locale.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Impromptu tour by our guide through the Museum of Archaeology "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This is our 5th tour and we have enjoyed all of them; however this one seemed to be missing that unique event/meal/tour that we’ve so enjoyed in the past. Everywhere we went, there were other tourists. In the past we’ve enjoyed the unique things no one other than Rick Steves groups get to do. I also think the tour needs one more day in Kilkenny. We were a little too rushed. I also recommend a guided tour of the Kilkenny castle—others in the group agreed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed the falconry and the musicians in Dingle but per above, no real wow moment on this trip. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The places, pace, and people were a great fit for me.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle, particularly the after dinner musical performance provided to us at Milltown House."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Nice way to experience Ireland for the first time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cliffs of Moher"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The 7-Day Ireland trip was better than what I expected. Our tour guide Georoid was organized, knowledgeable and an extremely good story teller and communicator. His sense of humor was catching! In addition to having one of the best tour guides we gave ever experienced, we also had very comfortable hotels, great group meals and overall a sense of camraderie.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick one moment! So here are a few: Walking down the rugged streps to the Atlantic from the Blasket Island Visitor Center for amazing. All of the"surprises" in Dingle - The amazing Irish Tap Dance by David, the Whiskey Tasting or the Falconry experiences right at the B&B grounds. Rock of Cashel on way to Kilkenny was another wow! Oh.. and I have to mention the Cliffs of Moher."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Gearoid was a fantastic tour guide. We had an amazing tour experience. From call time in the morning, to dismissal at night Gearoid was kind, available, funny, and just pleasant to be around. I would want him to show me all of Europe - if it were an option. The program was fun with a lot to do. Ennis seems like the low point and only a gateway to the Cliffs of Mohr. If only there was a better town to start in. I'm sure it would have been nice with a longer stay.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Birding experience in Dingle was amazing. I never thought we would be the one's catching the birds - Including owls. I was trying to get them to deliver my Hogwarts letter, but no success. At least he allowed me to pet him."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

comfortable transportation and hotels, included good food, personalized tour schedule by local guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cliffs of Moher"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Far exceeded my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not being able to identify a "dud" moment. The entire trip was excellent, memorable and educational."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized. Fun activities. Great guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dolphins in Dingle."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What you get in a Rick Steve tour are tour directors who do great jobs at keeping trip organized and on track . Each tour will provide some extra special moments you would not get on your own. The expertise of the guides are top notch and the lodgings are always good quality and centrally located.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Falconery"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I really appreciated the extra little unexpected things like the irish dancer and meeting the writer son

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Irish dancer followed by listening to Irish musicians at dinner"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved all the little, unexpected things that were not on our original schedule but fit in great and gave us breaks from the bus riding. Gearoid was a fantastic tour guide, and our drive John gave us ease and confidence we were in good hands.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many great moments. We loved Dingle and Slea Head Drive the most."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was so glad to have such a great guide. He really gave me a sense of the Irish spirit.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed the small communities of Dingle and Kilkenny. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my first tour and it was terrific. The itinerary was perfect and the access to special Irish people was a treasure: musicians, dancer, raconteur, guides, etc.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Working with a falconer! Two sweet young musicians at the hotel!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a good first experience for visiting Ireland. Nice examples of urban, suburban, and rural countryside. I found Ireland to be quite lovely and I will definitely consider returning to spend more time in Dingle and Dublin.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The falconry provided by Dingle Falconry Experience at the Milltown House Guesthouse was exceptional. That was a very special treat! And staying at Clonmara was a wonderful experience. The views of Dingle Bay and their gardens was lovely."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was excellent all around! The hotels and meals were awesome and I had a fully Irish breakfast every morning. Our tour guide Kelli was extremely knowledgeable and amusing, full of good stories and commentary, caring about her group and was able to provide good recommendations for things to do on our own time. The coach driver George took great care motoring us all around Ireland and most importantly keeping us safe. A great experience from start to finish!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed the more unusual moments of the tour...the falconry visit and whiskey tasting in Dingle, plus the visit to the Great Blasket Heritage Center was very interesting. Plus you can never tire of the gorgous scenery. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a good time on this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of the countryside and the friendliness of the Irish."

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

Our tour leader, Kelli Malone, was several notches below the 5 previous tour leaders that we have had from Rick Steves. She was not friendly, was abrasive at times, tended to scold the group over minor issues, and generally avoided socializing with the group. The only meal where she actually sat with any members of the tour was the farewell dinner.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"can't really say that there was a "Wow" moment on this trip."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle Peninsula"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The accommodations were amazing, as well as the meals. Every breakfast was fit for a king and lasted a very, very long time. Ireland was amazing, your tour guide left a me quite underwhelmed and disappointed in Rick Steves Tours. I was told by other multi tour passengers, their other experiences were NOT like this one. Politics have no place in tourism and the disposition of our guide was less than friendly. There was no joy in her leadership. Happy to discuss it further..

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cliffs of Moher and the falconry experience in Dingle were my absolute favorite!!! From the staff at the Inn ❤️, the dancing and singing, Dingle was my favorite!!!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was well organized and hit the highlights of Ireland very well

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Great Blanket museum on the Dingle Peninsula"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was well planned with sights, guides and accomodations

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The private concert in Dingle for the education and experience and The Cliffs of Moher for scenery "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of Dingle Peninsula when the sun was out."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour! Learned so much about Ireland's food and culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle Peninsula "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely lovely tour guide and bus driver, and each place we visited was great - I learned so much from Lynn and all of our guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite was the tour in Dublin with Mark! Great Irish humor and "slaggin'" and enjoyed meandering through the streets and even live music in a pub."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

close to outstanding

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the rock of "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lynne our tour guide was a delight to be around and was extremely organized and helpful. Everything went as planned and we had a wonderful experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved the beautiful coastal scenery but the Irish music and friendly locals we met in pubs stole my heart. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour guide Lynn was excellent, our local guides as well, and our bus driver all made our tour extra fun and special. All our group meals were consistently first rate, and the locations on this itinerary all gorgeous.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"MY favorite wow experience was the Slea Head drive and the talk at the Blasket Island Center. We were so fortunate it was a beautiful day on Dingle! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guides were excellent. Fellow travelers were great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Slea Head drive. Views were great. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Touring Ireland was a good mix of fun, beautiful scenery, and learning history. The history of civilization on Ireland is so old, it was amazing to learn about these people of the past, how they lived and what they fought for.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All the rock structures, still standing after eight hundred to a thousand years, just amazed me. Walking where people of so many years ago also walked. The beauty of Ireland took my breath away, especially the Cliffs of Moor ."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Enjoyed the beauty of Ireland, as well as learning more about its history. A nice assortment of interesting activities, good food, and quality shopping.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to choose one, but I guess I would say seeing the Book of Kells and the Trinity College"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Heart of Ireland tour was great and our tour guide, Gearoid, was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable and provided great information about the local history, area attractions and people. He was also very organized and had us on schedule throughout the tour. There were many other great guides that we met along the way. Overall, it was an incredibly well run and informative trip. I would definitely recommend it to anyone thinking about visiting Ireland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many great moments. My favorites were the street tour in Dingle and then visiting the Blasket Islands information center. I really enjoyed learning the history at both stops."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My 4th and probably best Rick Steves tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gearoid O'Connor, our guide, rescuing a boat and pilot stranded with a dead engine in the ocean outside of Dingle Bay, next to treacherous cliffs! An excellent guide and local sailor as well!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was very well organized, and very well led.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cliffs of Moher"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

1st time using a tour for travel. Every aspect of the tour was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Looking out at the Atlantic Ocean from the Dingle Peninsula."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well organized but also fun and at times thrilling. In addition to learning about Ireland and its people from the different local guides, we had ample opportunity to explore on our own. Staying in hotels and eating in pubs or restaurants owned by locals added to the experience. Our RSE tour guide was from Dingle, one of the stops on the tour, so he knew from personal experience the area and its history. His responses to questions were spontaneous and thought provoking.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment-our group took a boat ride from Dingle harbor out into the bay and then the open sea. Our guide noticed a boat in the water with the person on board waving frantically. Our boat turned around and rescued the boat and boatman.The man was not equipped for rough water, with a dead motor, no paddle, and no way back to the harbor. The waves were carrying him further out and towards the rocks. I think we were all very proud that it was "Our" tour guide that took charge of the situation."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

First visit to Europe, fast paced tour and everything Rick Steves provided was organized and high quality. Our guide, Gearoid was excellent. He was knowledgable, accommodative but also took control of the tour to ensure we stayed on schedule and maximized our time together. Bus was fantastic and George was the best driver we’ve ever experienced.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Birds of Prey, time in Dingle and tour of Kilmainham Gaol"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide was simply excellent because he was so passionate about showing us the beautiful sites in Ireland. He went way beyond of what would have been a satisfactory tour. He brought my first trip to Ireland alive and I can’t wait to go back.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle and the and the surrounding . So incredibly green and beautiful. Most friendly people I’ve met of any country and area that I’ve been to - fyi., I traveled a lot since my mom worked for an airline."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a fantastic tour led by our excellent guide Garoid - we had a great time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Slea Head Drive"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very comprehensive. Saw what I wanted to see. Experienced wonderful cultural opportunities. Nice lodging in good locations. Had the best guide possible, fun, witty and knowledgeable!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of Irish countryside."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our third Rick Steves tour. As the other two tours were, this week was so expertly planned. It was filled with information about Ireland's past and present and packed with so many different experiences and sights. There was also plenty of time to explore as "Independent Travelers" and meet other interesting and fun members of our tour group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Dingle Peninsula: Its rugged beauty, live Irish music, warm people, great food/pubs, Irish dancing demonstration, crystal cutting, and special boat tour made for so many WOW moments. Our fantastic guide, Gearoid, grew up and still lives in Dingle. His pride for the area showed - and for good reason. It was wonderful!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a great time our guide was outstanding

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

My third tour with Rick Steves and it didn't disappoint. Tour leader and local guides really knew there stuff.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Blasket Island and interpretive center. Also, one very unexpected sea rescue by the ship's crew and our guide, Gearoid, of a man adrift in rough seas in a small fishing raft. He got lucky that day. Exciting and a good ending."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"River dance performance in Dublin and falconry in Dingle"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a great tour! Our guide and driver were amazing. The accommodations were fantastic and the sights we saw were great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is hard to pinpoint as just a moment. I think the wow moment(s) were the amazing local tour guides that we had at each sight we visited. Their level of knowledge was astounding and their abilities for interacting with us as well as their public speaking skill made each of them contribute to the experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My husband and I had a great experience visiting Ireland. We were able to see most of the country and have a unique experience in each city. Riding on a bus and not worrying about transportation was a very nice perk.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Dingle Falcon Experience!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my first RS tour and I enjoyed most the variety of activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Without doubt it was the Riverdance performance, suggested by our guide. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great time. We had a great group. Our tour guide (Gearoid) was the best. He even had two "surprises " for us that were great. I learned a lot on the trip. We saw a lot of places. The local guides were magnificent. Gearoid's banter with the guides and group members was awesome.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery at the Cliffs of Moher and the Dingle Peninsula was breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my first time to Europe and I wanted to head to Ireland. The Rick Steves tour had everything that I wanted to see and more! I have highly recommended this tour group to my friends and family.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite was both the Falconry in Dingle and Kilmainham Gaol."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

In all honesty this was my first tour and I was not expecting to be wowed every day! Not was I expecting a guide that was sooo knowledgeable and personable all in one !! But much to my surprise I got both. Our guide will be a forever friend! He could not have given a better tour! Our trip to the Cliffs of Moher was fabulous as were our days in Dingle! I cannot say enough about our wonderful guide - he has unfortunately set a very high standard for my next Rick Steves Tour!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every day in Ireland was a wow moment! One that truly sticks in my mind was the Slea Head Drive, the Blasket Centre and its beautiful scenic views! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All of the guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. The ladies at the hotel in Dingle were not very friendly or helpful in the main house. I asked for clean cups and more water and you would have thought I asked for the world. But the trip was wonderful and I had a great time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cliffs of Moher and the Dingle Peninsula "

Our guide Gearoid was excellent! He made the bus trips fun and informational. He was very helpful whenever someone had a question or needed help with something, he even went to the pharmacy for me. Our bus driver George was an exceptional driver. He was kind and caring. Each place we went on our 7-day tour had wonderful hotels and interesting things to see and do. Our guide was very helpful in places to eat and things to see. I loved Rock of Cashel I wish the chapel was a part of it

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were a few wow moments on the tour. It is hard to name just one. The cliffs were amazing to see. Of the places we stayed Dingle was my favorite. loved the tours and the wonderful things to see. Most of our group went on a boat tour of Dingle Bay, it was fantastic. Glendalough was another wow for me. The tour was excellent, and it was so peaceful on the way to the lake."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed the tour very much but I do wish that we had more time in some of the places that we visited - Adare and Glendalough for example. I know that my enjoyment of the experience was influenced by the fact that I tested positive for Covid on the third day while in Dingle. I was down and out for a night and a day and missed some of the activities. After feeling better, I wore a mask on the bus and when we were all inside but I felt terribly guilty about being on the tour at that point.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery for sure."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour in a beautiful country! Our guide was a local from one of the towns on the tour and had several "surprises" which made it that much better.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The whole tour was a "Wow" but 2 that stuck out were Rock of Cashel and Cliffs of Mother. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Gearoid and the coach driver George were second to none. Gearoid went out of his way to add little surprise items to the itinerary. The weather was outstanding which we heard from all of the locals during our time in Ireland and was rare and a special treat. We truly will cherish the experience of our tour and the time we spent in Ireland before and after. We are independent travelers and the tour just enhanced our experience. Sláinte is táinte to Rick and his team.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This question deserves more than this limited space. First and foremost every location was special, the cliffs of Moher, Dingle and the beauty of the Slea Head drive, the Falconry Experience was amazing, the pubs and the people we meet at every stop. The history of every location and the information Gearoid shared during our beautiful drive across this island nation. The history shows you why the Irish are such a proud and strong nation of people. They love to talk to you with a pint. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour! We had fantastic weather! The tour leader Gearoid was terrific and the people in the group were friendly and respectful (e.g. on time and not holding others up). The itinerary, transportation, and hotel accommodations were great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I particularly enjoyed the Dingle Peninsula and all that we did in that area. Gearoid arranged some special events for us which were terrific and added to the experience. The scenery was magnificent throughout the area."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved every bit of it! Our tour guides Kelli and Jamie were excellent, as were all of the guest tour guides along the way. All of the food and lodgings were superb.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The falconry show at the lovely bed and breakfast in Dingle!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The overall tour was a great combination of busy, mixed with enough solo time to explore on one’s own as well. Plenty of guided sights and recommendations from the guides to fill spare time. Well curated!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved the trip around the Slea Head"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Covered a lot of interesting things , good transportation, excellent guide. Location of hotels close to action.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Falconry in Dingle"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very organized. It offered exposure to such a wide array of places and people! We enjoyed getting to know our knowledgeable and skilled guides, Kelli and Jamie, and the other members of our group. And we had many opportunities to chat with folks--including our local guides, owners and workers in various establishments we visited, and other patrons in pubs and restaurants. What a rich experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the many moments during our stay in Dingle: The lovely town and people! The view of the harbor from the Milltown House. Sweet Séamus the friendly Wolfhound. Delicious meals in the conservatory. The falconry experience. Slea Head Drive. The Gallarus Oratory. So much beauty and joy in a fairly short time! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Simply put, the Heart of Ireland 7-tour was amazing. I'm a "people person" and the tour provided me with a wonderful sense of my Irish heritage and its history through the daily activities and interactions with the Irish people. Their warm welcoming spirit, humor and love of life is contagious!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Dingle Falconry Experience!! I will never forget sharing that experience with my 11 and 14 year old grandchildren. Watching these majestic birds of prey fly on to their outstretched gloved hands was worth every penny of the tour! Priceless!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Geroid was great and added some of his own unique experiences to the scheduled items on the tour. The tour was well led with ample stops for eating and bathroom breaks, and the information Geroid imparted was good for our understanding of Irish history. What he shared was backed up by the various guides that we had at our stops.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Really enjoyed the visit to the Rock of Cashel. Our guide was excellent and pretty funny."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Gearoid made sure this was truly a vacation us - no work or worry. It was great to see his smiling face every morning, ready to show us the beautiful country that he loves so much.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oddly enough, it was the farewell dinner. It was so happy/ sad. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All aspects of the tour went smoothly, our guide was great, and the group got along well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All the cliffs! Cliffs of Moher, Slea Head Drive, Blasket Visitor Center."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was well paced and the local guides were excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour of the jail was a historical highlight and the guide was excellent"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well planned, the hotels and meal locations were very good, and the tour guide did an excellent job explaining the locations and history that linked the different stops together.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment was probably seeing the Old Library at Trinity College along with the Book of Kells, but other moments which are close is the falconry experience, the Rock of Cashel and the Slea Head drive. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Had a wonderful time. Gearoid was wonderful. Hotels and accommodations were very good. George the driver was fantastic. I would have like to have seen the tour extended another day or two, but I picked the days based on my timing. 8-9 days would be ideal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Total “wow” moment was the weather, just awesome, which I know was mother natures choice. Dingle was very nice and the group decided to take a boat ride. Just beautiful and picturesque. The story telling at the pub was entertaining and informative. Ireland is a beautiful country with great people. The overall trip was a “wow” and blended well with transition from location to location "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I love that we flew to Shannon and started our trip in the quaint town of Ennis. The staff at the hotel were very helpful. Our tour guide, Gearoid was OUTSTANDING! At our welcome meeting he set the expectations for everyone and that was very helpful. His love of his country came through each day as he taught us so much about Ireland's history and culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many Wow! moments on our tour but if you force me to choose it would be taking a boat out on the Dingle Peninsula which Gearoid suggested. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle. The falconry in Dingle was fantastic and the house we stayed in while there was warm, welcoming, and had a gorgeous view. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our first tour was great! An excellent guide, great places to stay, great local guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow moments was the view from Milltown House and the trip around Slea Head Drive"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I’ve been on 1 Rick Steves Tour before and this one continued the exceptional experience I had previously. The hotels were fantastic and I loved the B and B, such wonderful hosts. It was very busy but both Kelli and George were patient, kind and helpful. I enjoy doing these tours with such a small group because you get to know most of the people on the tour. Meeting new people is fun for me. And I can’t forget the amazing experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The falconry experience was a major highlight. We were able to have different kinds of birds land on our fists. You can see them so closely and they are simply amazing! The guides were great making sure everyone had a good chance to hold them."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent breath of Ireland’s history from Stone Age to present.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Surprise David Irish dance demonstration. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my first Rick Steves tour but definitely not my last! Our guide was excellent and added so much because he was a local from Dingle.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many! Maybe Sleigh Head drive and the Basquet center. So interesting and such amazing history. I plan to read more (so many books came from the island)."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Interesting, fun, educational, beautiful, great food and a feeling of coming home. There were great surprises along the way and our group was friendly and interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having birds of prey land on my arm. And there are so many others - stunning views on the Dingle Peninsula and Glendalough, funny antidotes, wonderful history, a great walking tour of Dublin and a new appreciation for my Irish heritage. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first tour experience and it is going to be a high bar for any other tours to reach. Our tour guide was outstanding, the hotels were perfect, meals were delicious. Top notch!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was all wow!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A bucket list experience, the tour in Ireland was a spectacular blend of stepping into history, imbibing incredible natural beauty and making wonderful new friends! The variety of experiences, all related to the local people and culture, made me feel like a guest rather than a tourist.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Glendalough, with its breathtaking natural beauty and significant history, in St. Kevin's tower and the stone churches in the valley felt like the heart of the Emerald Isle. I could see why the monk chose this spot for his hermitage, which soon attracted so many to join him. Standing in a place where the Irish kept the flame of civilization alive after the Fall of Rome was an inspirational and memorable experience for me!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was great

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cliffs of Moher"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"EVERYTHING from Ennis through Dingle … the Cliffs and more"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a fabulous time on this trip. This is our 2nd Rick Steve’s tour and it did not disappoint! We brought our young adult children with us. They loved their experience especially the various tour. Geroid was a wonderful guide- very friendly and warm.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We loved the town of Dingle-the Slea Scenic Highway and Blasket Island Education Center. Plus Dingle gin-:)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We started our trip renting a car at the Dublin airport and driving through the North and Northwest of Ireland visiting relatives which was wonderful. It was great to drop the car off at Shannon airport and take a cab to Ennis where we began to explore the south of Ireland with the Rick Steves' tour. Our guide Gearoid was an enthusiastic and fun guide to Ireland - especially of his native Dingle.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about the playwright John B. Keane from his writer/journalist son writer Billy - such a unique experience that reflected so much about Irish culture."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a terrific tour. The experiences were wonderful and our guide was excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Blasket Islands, and then also the Castle at Kilkenny"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ireland and it's people are beautiful The music impressed me the way the musicians would sit in a circle like they are just jamming together and don't even know we are there. The layout of the tour covered what I was looking forward to most."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Sleah Head Drive"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Never having been on any kind of tour like this, I have nothing to compare it to, which is why I gave it a "Very Good." Not really knowing what to expect, I will say that my experience was one I will always remember fondly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! I absolutely loved Ireland! The country is gorgeous and the people are friendly. I really enjoyed the Cliffs of Moher, Slea Head Drive, and Glendalough, as well as some of the ruins and ancient buildings we had the privilege to see. I was so impressed by The Rock of Cashel as well - we just don't have sites like that in the States. The towns we visited were postcard perfect. I was not disappointed."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a great guide and the tour was everything we hoped it would be.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our stay in Dingle"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Ireland has been a dream destination for many years. The RS tour did not disappoint! It was everything I had hoped and more. The beauty and history of this country are breathtaking! And Gearoid was an amazing guide. So knowledgable and passionate about Ireland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many but The Blanket Centre really touched me. This museum was so beautiful and the views were gorgeous. The stories of the inhabitants of the Great Blanket Islands were truly inspiring. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide Kelli was outstanding and George our driver was fantastic! Tour size could have been smaller.. we were a group of 28. Hotels, meals and tours were super!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Kelli had arranged a night of Irish music and dance for us… so good! The big highlight for me was experiencing a Peregrine Falcon, then a barn owl fly and land on my leather glove. To top that, the handler brought our a huge 10lb Eagle Owl just to show us... Awesome!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had never been to Ireland before and the range of experiences for the week was a great overview and fosters more visits!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cliffs of Moher, the history we don’t learn in school and the absolute beauty of the country. "

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

I enjoyed all the places and activities on the tour, however, the tour guide was awful

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the town of Dingle and the Falconry."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Beautifully organized with multiple activities each day and plenty of surprises.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing dolphins cavorting with our boat in Dingle harbor."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Rick Steves Heart of Ireland was amazing! Our tour leader arranged everything so well. We had local guides when necessary, but each day we learned several things about the towns/counties through which we traveled. It was neither too much nor too little.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cliffs of Moher."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well-planned and gave a wonderful exposure to venues, culture and history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Dingle Peninsula and the boat ride in the ocean - absolutely gorgeous."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour packed a surprising amount of activity into a short period of time. I feel like we got a good taste of history, culture, and felt like we were in good hands throughout the duration of the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taking the dolphin boat tour in Dingle and actually seeing dolphins! It was unexpected."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized, good pacing, excellent tour guide/s, nice hotels, good food, adequate free time, and educational

Favorite "WOW" moment

"seeing the beauty of the Dingle Peninsula "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I liked the organization, the pacing, and also the local tour guides that were prearranged. All the hotels were nice.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Falconry."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The 7-day tour of Ireland hit all the high spots we wanted to see.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Great Blasket Center on a picture-perfect day. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wow! Wow! Wow! This was our first Rick Steves' tour after having used his books for years. It exceeded our expectations. Ireland is such a delightful country and the tour highlighted all of the beauty and character to be found. From the hotels to the transportation, the restaurants, the tours and the tour director, we lacked nothing. Even the weather was perfect! Thank you for the best European vacation!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is very difficult to choose one wow moment. Perhaps it was huddling with our group inside the old, ruined church in Glendalough. It was pouring rain, the walls insulated us from outside noise and we felt as those monks must have felt so many years ago. It was inspiring. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was very good. The only complaint is that it went too fast!!! Our tour guide was excellent, knowledgeable and pleasant.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rock of Cashel was amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was just the right pace for us. Tour guide and all other guides were well informed and personable. Hotels were nice and food was wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Glendalough Monastery. Amazing that it all remains intact. I hadn't realized how long such sites were viable as communities."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved all the areas we were taken to. We had guides that were informative and engaging

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cliffs of Moher were a sight to behold. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed everything about the tour. The sights, accommodations and especially the people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I didn’t really have a “wow” moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was both fantastically fun and relaxing

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our visit to interact with Billy Keane in his dad’s pub in Listowel…and the falconry/ owl experience…and Gearoid talking to us as we traveled on the bus…and going out to spot the humpback beyond Dingle Harbour"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

very impressed, I learned a lot!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the scenery! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We loved the trip! We've taken Tauck tours with our family costing over twice as much as this tour, and I was so impressed with the experiences offered and our guide. It was a great trip, we'll do another.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Slea Head road and the Blasket Islands - then the falconry experience - then the humpback whale sighting off Dingle on the boat trip - then the Cliffs of Moher! The Dublin walking tour was fantastic too..."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Just how green Ireland really is!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were so pleased with the entire tour. Our tour guide was very informative and we enjoyed his sense of humor and the history he provided to us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cliffs of Moher"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

from start to finish our tour was exceptional! the hotels/bed and breafast establishments were top notch. every meals was wonderful. the guide was very organized, informative and funny. Our bus driver was outstanding

Favorite "WOW" moment

"all the little extras that our guide thoughtfully planned out were fun and exciting. The scenery in general was wowing me every day "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a truly wonderful and fun experience visiting Ireland! Our tour took us on adventures through a country steeped with unsurpassed natural beauty and vibrant history and culture. We walked through quaint villages, sea-side towns, urban areas and historic sites. The people of Ireland lived up to their reputation of being warm and welcoming! Our transportation and accommodations were very comfortable. Our meals surpassed our expectations as there was so much variety and very delicious food!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite “wow” movement was standing atop the Cliffs Of Moher and seeing fantastic views of the Irish country side as our bus took us along the Slea Head Drive. We also participated in a falconry experience and I now have photos of a falcon and a barn owl perched on my glove! I loved interacting with these large birds of prey!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour guide, Conor, was very knowledgeable about Irish history and culture, and tied into the local scene. He also is s a really nice guy. We had a great tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Tom Delaney and Caroline Keene play at Milltown House!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Connor was nice, knowledgeable, and organized. Brought a lot of local pieces into it which was great. Loved the first 2 hotels and food was great. Aldo loved the Irish players at Milltown. It was nice not having to navigate a country we’ve never been to. Ireland is stunning. Cliffs of Moher and Dingle were our favorite. Everyone we spoke with was so nice which was surprising and has pride in their country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Scenery was breathtaking. Could not have picked better places to show us. Loved the Atlantic Way and Basket islands. Just incredible thinking we were literally on the edge of the country. Amazing "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent on All accounts!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rock of Cashel"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed the tour very much. There was plenty of free time along with the structured events. The restaurants and accommodations were all top rate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the World Champion Irish dancer at a bar in Dingle. Seeing up-close Celtic dancing was an absolute thrill!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Slea Head Drive and the Dingle Peninsula in general were my favorite. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Educational awakening to what Ireland has gone through over the centuries. The country was lovely to see, all very lush. Scenic shots at waterfront and at visited religious sites made for some fine picture captures. Dingle was my favorite portion of the tour. The falconry was a lot of fun. For all the history that was touched upon, there was too much for me to completely absorb and appreciate

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Falconry"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We usually plan our own trips. Using this tour made for a more relaxing trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle Peninsula and shoreline. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, the tour was very nice. We took the 7 day tour and probably would opt for a longer one covering more of Ireland. The stops in-between stays were just ok and Dublin was disappointing, with not very interesting tours (book of Kell and a walking tour) and lots of pubs. Tour guide was ok.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Dingle peninsula overall, with a great B&B, crystal cutting demonstration and falconry demonstration (my favorite)."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

It was good but not as impressive as other Rick Steve tours we’ve taken. The guide was friendly and knowledgeable but very matter of fact. The hotels were okay.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Dingle peninsula "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Really impressed by the geography, history and culture of Ireland. We experienced a great mix of nature, ruins, demonstrations and current events. And yes, we ate and drink wonderfully.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The wow moment was probably the Dingle peninsula and Aran Islands. The beauty of the North Atlantic and rocky coast land with the inland hills shrouded in clouds and rain was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I had an enjoyable, relaxed week exploring southern Ireland countryside. The hotels and eating places selected were all very good. The days were packed with interesting things to see and do.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cliffs of Moher was very impressive."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

First time on a group tour! Overall it was really enjoyable. Lots of pros and cons to a group tour, as I expected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Private performances by poet Gabriel Fitzmaurice and singer/songwriter Mickey MacConnell at the John B. Keane pub."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We were able to see some very interesting sights and also a taste of the local history in each location.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of the shorelines of Ireland."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very educational and enjoyable

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of the Irish countryside and coastlines"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was everything that we hoped it would be. Our tour guide Robert was a bit subdued at first, but was very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. When he started singing Irish songs in the middle of a city street, I knew that my first impression was wrong. The itinerary was full, but informative and fun. The little "extras" like the whiskey tasting, the pub visit and the dancer made it even more special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Dingle peninsula was breathtaking, as were the Cliffs of Moher, but my favorite moment was the 45 minutes I spent speaking with a security guard in the archaeology museum in Dublin on our own time. Harry brought me a chair and gave me access to a phone charger, and we proceeded to chat about all sorts of things. He epitomized what I thought of as a "typical" Irish person - friendly, funny, and opinionated but polite. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The guide, hotels, planned events were wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery in Ireland and seeing the ruins in Ireland was outstanding, but my wow moment from this tour is the Kingdom Falconry falcon/owl experience. The women shared their passion for the birds. I thought I would be afraid, but it is a highlight of our time in Ireland, and I would encourage everyone who has a chance for a falcon experience should take the opportunity, and learn more about these amazing birds!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The combination of the itinerary, hotels, meals, fellow travelers, guide and local guides provided an enjoyable experience that met our expectations. We learned a lot about Ireland's history and economy and how much its climate dictates its "personality". This was our 7th tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was the falcon landing on my arm. My wife's wow was the Slea Head Drive. "The scenery was spectacular and having the local guide on the bus to point things our ans to add context to all we saw made the drive truly memorable.""

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I have never taken a tour before this one. I have traveled extensively but prefer to plan my own itinerary. The tour exceeded my expectations! I will definitely take another Rick Steves tour. I was completely satisfied with all aspects of this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don't think I can pinpoint just one wow moment. Maybe the overall hospitality of everyone involved with the tour- Robert, our guide, all the other tour guides along the way, and the amazingly warm and friendly Irish people."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our 7th RS tour. Everything was great, hotels, tour bus, and itinerary. Our guide was a lovely man, Robert, but he did not live up to our past guides. This was his 2nd time guiding with RS and it showed. He did not communicate our schedule well, several people on the tour were confused about where they needed to be and when. As someone who'd been on tours before, I fielded many questions about what to expect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The crystal demonstration was very cool. I appreciated seeing a craftsman doing his craft up close. Also, the Irish musicians and Irish dancer were fabulous. We were lucky to see such talented people."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves Tour and it exceeded expectations. The itinerary was well planned out and provided ample time to enjoy every stop while being practical with the time. In our minds a significant part of the experience starts with the tour guide and we struck gold with Gearoid. Growing up in Ireland and specifically Dingle provided a personal, intimate perspective for the entire tour. We can’t say enough about the pleasure it was to see and learn about Ireland through Gearoid.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cliffs of Moher stand out for me. We had crystal blue skies and perfect weather for the experience which can easily have been cloudy or rainy. We know it was somewhat rare to get such a clear day and with the cliffs it provides such a panoramic view that is tough to describe due to its splendor. It really is impossible to properly describe what a beautiful landscape it really offers."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Gearoid was fantastic. He set the tone for the tour and he made it fun. He was very organized. His humor, history and stories were really great! I left my charging cord and adapter in Ennis and he figured out a way to get it to me in Dublin! And he re-scheduled our Guinness tour for us to meet the schedule better. I loved the little towns and all the history. The meals were great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The falconry/bird experience was fantastic. The boat tour, something we did on our own, as recommended by Gearoid, was also stunning. The extras that Gearoid offered: our own private dancing performance by the gentleman in Dingle. The preseco toast. Visiting the local bar and hearing the stories from the bar owner were also great. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had such a fantastic time touring with Gearoid. His knowledge, expertise, and enthusiasm about every town/attraction we visited was awesome. This was my first Rick Steve’s tour, and it definitely won’t be the last!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Favorite “wow” moment was the Dingle Peninsula. Gearoid recommended a boat tour during our free time here and it left me speechless!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip itself was amazing, but what really made it special was the tour guide and the driver. We felt safe, relaxed, and able to enjoy every moment of scenery and culture because we were in such good hands. We are already researching our next Rick Steves tour because this one was so wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our favorite "wow" moment was probably dinner on Wednesday night. It was such a lovely restaurant, the food was great, and that was the moment when we realized everyone on the tour really had become new friends. We were all conversing easily and excitedly about the trip, and about life beyond our trip. It was exactly what you hope for when you book a group tour in country that is new to you."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour offered a wonderful mix of being on a guided tour and having freedom to do some exploring on my own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The drive along the Dingle Peninsula was breathtaking!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was my 11th RS tour and it lived up to what I expect of my RS tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about the Irish Uprising in 1916 from the local guides."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour! Great guide (Joe), bus driver Pamela, and great group of fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Almost too many to mention: Dingle town and peninsula drive, Blasket Island interpretive center, visits to pubs established by famous Irish writer and Antarctic explorer, falconry, traditional Irish music, terrific restaurant choices (included in the tour). "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great group, excellent guide, beautiful country. Nice hotels, but a hot tub would have been nice. Very nice meal selections.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cliffs. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I woke up every morning waiting for what the day would bring. All my expectations were met. Loved Ireland, the people, history, etc. Joe, our tour guide, made us all feel comfortable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many but the beautiful drive along the coast was spectacular."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well planned. Accomodations were awesome. Scheduled meals were delicious.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Slea Head Drive. Falconry experience. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and I was so impressed that I am enthusiastically recommending his tours to everyone I know. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and able take us to area he was raised. This made my experience feel much more authentic and personable. I was on a seven day tour but I felt we covered many of the places I wanted to see and being led by knowledgeable local guides provided the right amount of historical knowledge with a local/national perspective that I loved!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the John B. Keanu Pub for a talk by his son Billy. Completely unexpected and wonderful. The weather also fantastic so we had beautiful scenic views throughout our trip."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized. Joe our guide was courteous, knowledgeable, and funny. Accommodations were exceptional. Coach driver Pamela was experienced and pleasant.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cliffs of Moher"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Went to Ireland and all I got was a sunburn :) Any day where having blue skies would make the experience better, we got (very lucky). Lodging was always at a great centrally located place. The Milltown house in Dingle was the best place to stay thanks to the wee baby Sheamus wolf hound that lives there. Plenty of stops along the way to experience locations off the main roads and hear stories from people who live there. Sad to leave but look forward to future trips. Thanks for everything.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle plus blue skies plus Slea Head Drive is the best. All the stops along the way added to the feel of the trip."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was good

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cliff of Moore"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first travel tour, usually we plan trips ourselves, and it exceeded my expectations. Lots of great activities yet still had plenty of free time to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Slea Head drive on the Dingle Peninsula "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I liked all the hotels we stayed at and the coach was fantastic as well. The Rock of Cashel and the Dingle Peninsula drive were my favorites."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an absolutely fantastic time and can't wait to go on another one!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire experience in Dingle! Staying at Milltown House, falconry, live Irish music, the gorgeous harbor town!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was wonderful! The tour guide was knowledgeable and glad to answer any questions. I really enjoyed how different tour guides from the local area were provided. That added to the experience immensely. The group was so friendly and we enjoyed each and every person. The accommodations and food were exceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cliffs of Moher were spectacular and the weather was wonderful that day. The falconry experience was amazing! Those gals who handle the birds were wonderful. George, our driver, did an amazing job navigating those narrow roads in a huge bus. Kudos to him! The musicians that played for us in Dingle were so enjoyable. We had such a fun time with them. Kilkenny Castle was the big surprise how they had it staged inside. Loved the Rock of Cashel and the guide was amazing. Loved the Dublin walk. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was my first time overseas. The entire trip was organized and carried out to perfection. Both Kelli and George were excellent guides. The food and the weather were better than I hoped for which made the vacation that much more enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking the streets of Dingle was my favorite part of the trip. The people in the seaside town were very friendly and the food was very good."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide gave excellent insights into Irish Culture and interesting side notes on the towns and scenery we were touring. The bus drivers was fun-loving and very attentive to us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The elective Wildlife Sea Safari tour in Dingle. The tour guide of the boat was fantastic and made the two tour very memorial. We were able to get up close to pods of Basking Sharks, Dolphins, seals lounging on the beach. We were in the middle of flocks of sea gulls, and puffins. The guide would relate stories about the myths about the Dingle Bay area. The John Keane Pub manager, Billy, was a "HOOT"!! He kept us laughing with his stories concerning the pub's local clientele. Funny!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well organized and our tour guide (Kelly) was very knowledgeable, dedicated and shared her enthusiasm throughout the tour. Our bus driver (George) also was very pleasant, courteous and did get a great job getting us around.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cliffs of Mower and the countryside in general, especially in and around the Dingle area."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the very beginning when we all meet for the first time, you v could tell we were going to have a great time. Kelli, our guide, created a greats atmosphere and she was extensively knowledgeable about all the places we traveled to and kept us organized and on time! We always felt comfortable and not rushed. Accommodations were outstanding, the meals were very good and our driver George was spectacular.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! The Cliffs of Mohr and the architecture of the cities and towns were what I thought were amazing! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Beautiful green Ireland, has an interesting history told by knowledgeable guides. As always our travel companions were friendly interesting people. There was so much to see and learn.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Falconry on the Dingle Peninsula and the Epoch museum in Dublin. (Visited on our own) . The Cliffs of Mohr did not disappoint. The music, the music, the music!! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, the Book of Kells, the countryside"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed the tour, the tour guide, and our fellow travelers. Also appreciated the bus driver who was also so courteous and friendly. I appreciate the careful thought put into our itinerary which avoided tourist-clogged sites and gave us a great sense of Ireland today and in the past.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our tour director, Dara, arranged for two musicians to give our group a private concert of Irish music in Dingle. It was wonderful to watch and listen to them play up close and to be able to talk to them about their instruments and music."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great guide, very nice fellow travelers. The bus was comfortable and the sights amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our private concert that Dara arranged. It was great!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well-guided. Great places to stay. Really excellent food!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The falconry lesson in Dingle was such a surprise! Unsurpassed!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was our first tour and we loved it. Our tour guide, Dara, was very professional, prepared, and very attentive to everyone in the group. I was impressed by the fact that almost everyone else on the tour had been on multiple prior Rick Steves tours. Some had been on over 10 prior tours. That's a lot of satisfied customers. Our hotels and B&Bs were very nice and all of the breakfasts were wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire Dingle stay - both the town, the B&B, and the tour around the island - all made up my "wow" moment. Also, our tour guide arranged for a private concert for us of traditional Irish music and that was pretty neat. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My 10th RS tour - never a disappointment

Favorite "WOW" moment

"parts of the Slea Head Loop Drive"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour is great for couples or friends traveling together, not as much fun if traveling by yourself

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle Peninsula "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Organized and helpful tour guide (Kelli), well thought out itinerary , and a great balance between many fun and memorable educational experiences as well as opportunities for free time to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One of my favorite wow experiences was our time in Dingle, which included a delicious group dinner, an informal concert of traditional Irish folk music, and a chance to see falcons and hawks close up, including having them land on our gloved arms. A truly great time!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves' tour and I was overall impressed. I have traveled with the help of his guide books throughout Europe, but the tour made things easy and also full of sights and activities. Our tour guide was amazing and shared so much history that made the trip more fun, interesting, and educational. The tough parts were moving from place to place and getting up quite early most days, and a bit of motion sickness on the bus. But overall it was great and I would do another tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The day we spent in Dingle was pretty magical. Driving the Slea Head route and taking in the scenery, the falconry experience (not something I would ever think to do on my own), and then a private dinner with a whisky tasting and musicians playing traditional Irish music. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wild Atlantic Way"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had more than one!! The Falconry experience was amazing. Loved the Rock of Cashel…so much history. One of my absolute favorites was the private tour Kelli gave us in the Museum of Archaeology. Her information was so fascinating and helped fill in some the historical background for Ireland. She was the best!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about the Blasket community. I never knew they existed and was fascinated by their history and story."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide provided interesting narration and great music while on the bus. Everyone was warm and pleasant to be with. Loved the RS buddy system as a way to keep track of the group. All stops and highlight visits were well planned. It was a great way to experience a place/country where we were not willing to drive ourselves.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A favorite experience for me was the first rate concert musicians arranged by Dara. In addition the stunning Slea Head drive and the Blasket Cultural Center. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything about the tour was outstanding. From the Guide, Dara, to the sites, the scenery, the accomodations, the group experience, the transportation (especially the Coach operator/magician George!). Can't wait to go on the next RS adventure!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visually, the Cliffs of Moher, we were fortuante to have a sunny day and they exceeded expectations. However the Irish people we met along the way, provided countless, gentle 'Wow!' moments."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was great. I wish it would have been have been around a time of year when the weather was more sunny that overcast. I would have liked to seen the sites with clearer skys.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the birds at Milltown"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved Dingle ~ Slea Head "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exploring Ireland with this group was amazing. Dara was our tour guide & everything was planned so well. Tours, hotels, dining & the little extras were excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle ~ beautiful beyond words & the bnb was magical. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I am Irish, and I loved this tour. With family members, we learned so much about Ireland. It was beautiful and despite the cool weather SO enjoyable. Enjoyed the other travellers and the tour guide was excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Had to be Cliffs of Moher. Gorgeous, majestic and the weather cooperated !! It was sunny. "