ESCORTED TOUR IRISH GARDENS, HOUSES & HORSES: THE INSIDE TRACK H O S T E D B Y PATSY FLOYD & HEATHER OSBORNE 11 – 1 5 M A Y 2 0 2 1
THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL COMPANY ESCORTED TOURS
Escorted Tour Ireland: The Inside Track
IRISH GARDENS, HOUSES & HORSES: THE INSIDE TRACK H O S T E D B Y PATSY FLOYD & HEATHER OSBORN E 11 – 15 M A Y 2 0 2 1
CONTACT Emily Pontifex – Escorted Tours Manager DIRECT LINE 020 7386 4664 TELEPHONE 020 7386 4620 EMAIL [email protected]
PATSY FLOYD Floyd by marriage, but known to all as Pats Vigors in Ireland, where she lived and worked for the first 28 years of her life. At the same time, her father Tim was boosting the fortunes of Coolmore, which he had inherited in 1968, by standing 1973 Arc winner Rheingold, and two American bred horses, Thatch and Home Guard, both trained by Vincent O’Brien. In addition to a highly successful career as a photographer, ‘Pats’ has led many garden tours for Belmond’s Royal Scotsman and gives talks all over the world. When time allows, she also enjoys her own wonderful garden back home in Wiltshire at Chalfield Manor, which she shares with her husband Robert.
HEATHER OSBORNE Also on board will be Patsy’s great friend Heather. Having lived most of her life in Ireland, no one knows their way round or the people better. As well as being an enthusiastic gardener, she has ridden out for various trainers and has even won a race in Leopardstown. She is also great fun and will make for the ideal travelling companion.
Contact Emily Pontifex – Escorted Tours Manager Direct Line 020 7386 4664 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 2
Escorted Tour Ireland: The Inside Track
QUALITY OF SERVI CE We like to think that our success has been built on a simple formula – to deliver a high standard of service before, during and after each holiday, a duty of care and commitment to you, and value for money. We aim to be totally flexible in our approach, as this allows us to create the holiday that you want and one that is easy and enjoyable to plan.
However, if you feel that there are areas in which we could improve our service to you, please do not hesitate to contact either our Managing Director Nick Van Gruisen, or Executive Director Rowan Paterson, on 020 7386 4646. You can also email them: [email protected] [email protected]
Muckross House
Contact Emily Pontifex – Escorted Tours Manager Direct Line 020 7386 4664 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 3
Escorted Tour Ireland: The Inside Track
DETAILED ITINERARY
Join us on a very special tour of Ireland to see, to feel and to enjoy the way the Irish really live. The country’s landscapes are beautiful of course, but the real beauty comes from within, from the people who make the Emerald Isle their home.
Thanks to Patsy’s exhaustive address book, we have secured rare invitations to some of Ireland’s most glorious estates and gardens, each with their own distinctive charm but all sharing that unique and engaging ‘Irishness’.
Horses have always played a huge part in daily life here, and so our tour will also include a glimpse into Ireland’s love affair of thoroughbred breeding and racing with visits to some of the world’s most renowned stables and studs.
At each of these properties, many of which would be impossible to visit without Patsy’s contacts, we will be hosted by the owners and resident experts.
And we will travel in style, aboard Belmond’s wonderful new Grand Hibernian train, whose elegant carriages each bear the name of an Irish county.
So please do join our house party on wheels. We can promise you good craic and a return home having made many Irish friends.
Contact Emily Pontifex – Escorted Tours Manager Direct Line 020 7386 4664 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 4
Escorted Tour Ireland: The Inside Track
T OUR HIGHLIGHTS
• Accommodation on Belmond’s fabulous new Grand Hibernian train. • Personal invitation to magnificent Coolmore, home to some of Europe’s finest stallions. • Private invitation to the Stack racing yard, home to the legendary Tommy of Red Rum fame, his wife Liz and son Fozzy, who together run one of the country’s most successful stables. • Exclusive visit to Fota House Arboretum and Gardens, Jameson Distillery and Muckross Estate on the shores of sparkling Lake Killarney. • Personal invitation from Countess Dunraven to her enchanting home and gardens at Kilgobbin. • An introduction to the world-famous plantsman, Carl Wright. A mine of information and fun, Carl will show us around his remarkable garden at Caher Bridge amidst the almost lunar landscapes of The Burren. • Farewell drinks with the Donohue family at their working farm, Woodville House, in County Galway.
Grand Hibernian Coolmore Farm
DAY 1: TUESDAY, 11 MAY DUBLIN / THURLES / CHARLEVILLE
Train ‘check in’ at the Westbury Hotel Dublin. Transfer to Heuston Railway Station. Board Belmond Grand Hibernian train where lunch will be served. Train departs for Thurles Station. Disembark for short drive to Coolmore Stud.
Coolmore, near Fethard County Tipperary, is headquarters of the world’s largest breeding operation of thoroughbred racehorses and is owned and managed by the Magnier family. Coolmore was also home to Patsy Floyd, who obviously has many fond memories. We will be shown some of the greatest stallions alive today and visit the stunning Coolmore Museum. It is usually not possible to visit Coolmore, so we do feel particularly privileged and grateful to be personally invited.
We return to the train for drinks and dinner onboard, followed by some local entertainment.
Overnight: Charleville.
Contact Emily Pontifex – Escorted Tours Manager Direct Line 020 7386 4664 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 5
Escorted Tour Ireland: The Inside Track
DAY 2: WEDNESDAY, 12 MAY CHARLEVILLE / LIMERICK JUNCTION / CHARLEVILLE
The train continues to Limerick Junction as breakfast is served. We disembark here and drive to Tipperary, where we have a private invitation from the Stack family to visit their renowned Racing Yard, situated at the heart of the county’s beautiful countryside. Fozzy Stack will introduce us to his racing skills and we will be able to watch the horses working on the gallops. This will be followed by a glass of wine in the home of Tommy and Liz Stack. As a jockey, Tommy is best known for leading Red Rum to victory for the third time in the Grand National. It will be a treat to spend time with the family, as well as a fun and amusing occasion.
Tommy Stack Fota Gardens
Return to the train for lunch and continue on to Cork. Afternoon visit to Fota Arboretum, previously owned by the Smith Barry family and recently restored by the Irish Heritage Society. For garden lovers, it’s a must! Roy Lancaster, the renowned gardener, thought Fota was one of the best restored and maintained gardens. We are fortunate to have Bernard, the Head Gardener, to show us around. An ideal time to admire the gardens, relax, go for a good walk or sit down in the house for a cup of tea.
We leave Fota for the short drive to the home of perhaps the most famous of Irish Whiskeys, Jameson. A private tour through the Old Midleton Distillery and on to the new state of the art training facility, the Academy, where we are honoured to be joined by a member of the Jameson family for a few tastings.
Return to the train in Cork for dinner and more entertainment.
Overnight: Charleville.
DAY 3: THURSDAY, 13 MAY CHARLEVILLE / CORK / KILLARNEY
After breakfast, disembark in Charleville for a short drive to Kilgobbin. Kilgobbin is one of Patsy’s favourite homes in Ireland and is owned by the Dunraven family. A delightful house of Georgian design full of interesting family pictures and portraits. Countess Dunraven (Geraldine) will personally guide us around her garden before coffee in her special home. This is a very private visit and we are very thankful to the Countess for her kind invitation.
Contact Emily Pontifex – Escorted Tours Manager Direct Line 020 7386 4664 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 6
Escorted Tour Ireland: The Inside Track
Board the train at Charleville and enjoy lunch on the way to Killarney, arriving around mid-afternoon. It is then only a short drive to the Muckross Estate. This stunning property is set on the side of the Killarney Lake amid many rhododendrons and shrubs. Good retail therapy is also available at the Muckross Shop, where you will be able to watch the local Weavers at work. Wine and canapés will be served while we learn the history of the local area. Return to the train for dinner.
Overnight: Killarney Station.
Killarney Muckross Estate
DAY 4: FRIDAY 14 MAY KILLARNEY / ENNIS / ATHLONE
The train departs Killarney Station fairly early while we enjoy a relaxing morning and breakfast, arriving at Ennis at 11.30am. Transfer by coach to The Burren with its extraordinary limestone pavements at Doolin, which contain a wealth of flora and fauna of Arctic, Alpine and Mediterranean diversity. It is as if you have just landed on the moon. Little wonder then that it’s been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You will be joined on the way by famous Plantsman Carl Wright, who is a mine of information and huge fun. He will instruct us on the flora in and around the rocks, before taking us to his own remarkable garden, Caher Bridge. By first clearing all the black thorn scrub and hazel, then importing tons of top-soil, Carl has exposed all the rocks and created his own piece of magic.
Late lunch on the train before departing for Woodville House and Gardens near Kilchreest Loughrea. These gardens are a huge contrast to The Burren but are still set in the wild west of Ireland. This small walled garden with its two storey Dovecote is at the centre of a working Irish farm, which the Donohue family acquired through the Land Commission one hundred years ago. We will be celebrating our last visit with the owners by learning about Irish farming and gardening in County Galway with a glass in hand. Dinner on board the train before final local entertainment.
Overnight: Athlone Station.
Contact Emily Pontifex – Escorted Tours Manager Direct Line 020 7386 4664 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 7
Escorted Tour Ireland: The Inside Track
Doolin Caher Bridge Garden
DAY 5: SATURDAY 15 MAY ATHLONE / DUBLIN
Enjoy breakfast. Arrive at Heuston Station, Dublin at approximately 8.50am where arrangements end.
Contact Emily Pontifex – Escorted Tours Manager Direct Line 020 7386 4664 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 8
Escorted Tour Ireland: The Inside Track
BELMOND GRAND HIBERNIAN
Be enchanted by the magic of the Emerald Isle on board Ireland’s first luxury sleeper train. Settle into one of 20 spacious cabins, all en-suites with picture windows, full-length wardrobes, dressing tables and duck down bedding – a tranquil haven on a journey you will remember for years to come. Inspired by Dublin’s Georgian architecture, the décor of Belmond Grand Hibernian is one of refined, modern luxury with touches of Irish flair in the tweed and tartan furnishings.
The train glides through picturesque landscapes of patchwork fields and rocky coasts. Marvel at the passing scenery from the comfort of your private cabin, or from the Observation Car, Kildare, which oozes the elegance of a classic saloon. The two sleek restaurant cars serve exquisite regional cuisine, whilst the crew provide warm hospitality and five-star service throughout.
Contact Emily Pontifex – Escorted Tours Manager Direct Line 020 7386 4664 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 9
Escorted Tour Ireland: The Inside Track
Contact Emily Pontifex – Escorted Tours Manager Direct Line 020 7386 4664 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 10
Escorted Tour Ireland: The Inside Track
T O U R P R I C E
COST £ 5,130 P E R P E R S O N
Single Supplement £2,590 per person
PRICE INCLUDES • Accommodation on Belmond Grand Hibernian • All meals and drinks as per itinerary / onboard the train • All visits and excursions as per the itinerary • All transportation as detailed in the itinerary • All entrance fees
PRICE EXCLUDES • Travel to and from Dublin • Travel insurance • Items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls / laundry etc.) • Gratuities to guide/s and Belmond Grand Hibernian onboard staff • Government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme May 2020
CHANGES TO THE ITIN ERARY Please note, that certain elements of this itinerary, and/or the order of events, may well be subject to alteration due to circumstances beyond our control.
PEACE OF MIND You will probably be aware of the difficulties many travellers faced with obtaining refunds when their holidays were disrupted or cancelled as a result of such events as ash cloud, strike, snow and political unrest. By booking both your flights and land arrangements with us, not only are you guaranteed the peace of mind that comes with full financial protection but also all the round the clock assistance we are able to offer, should the need arise.
FITNESS TO TRAVEL Whilst we do not impose any age limitations on joining a tour, participants must be reasonably fit. The very nature of the sightseeing involved in our tours (and the difficulties of direct access by coach in various places) means that a considerable amount of walking and standing is unavoidable on almost all tours. We regret that our tours are not suitable for people who have difficulty in walking, may require wheelchair
Contact Emily Pontifex – Escorted Tours Manager Direct Line 020 7386 4664 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 11
Escorted Tour Ireland: The Inside Track
assistance at any time, or are unable to keep pace with the group. If you are in any doubt as to the suitability of a tour, please make this known to us before you book and we will advise you accordingly. The Ultimate Travel Company reserves the right to decline a reservation without necessarily giving a reason. Your tour leader may also refuse to take participants on particular excursions if they feel that the rest of the group will be held up.
HEALTH REQUIR EMENTS No special precautions are required for travel to Ireland, and no inoculations are necessary.
Please check recommended practice with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic. Detailed medical advice can be found on: http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations.aspx.
PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION British Nationals and US Nationals do not require a visa for Ireland, however you must make sure that your passport is valid for your duration of your stay. Ireland, along with the UK, is a member of the Common Travel Area. British nationals travelling from the UK don’t need a passport to visit Ireland. However, Irish immigration officers will check the ID of all passengers arriving by air from the UK and may ask for proof of nationality, particularly if you were born outside the UK. You are therefore advised to take your British passport with you. Before travelling, check with your carrier about their ID requirements, as most airlines and other transport providers won’t carry passengers to and from Ireland unless they’ve seen satisfactory photographic ID.
F C O A D V I C E We recommend that you periodically review the travel advice issued by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, which relates to all aspects of your destination, at www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo.
Contact Emily Pontifex – Escorted Tours Manager Direct Line 020 7386 4664 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 12
Escorted Tour Ireland: The Inside Track
WHY CHOOSE US ?
We have been organising bespoke, tailor-made holidays and escorted group tours around the world since the early 1990s. The opportunity that we identified then was for a travel company with the knowledge and enthusiasm of a smaller specialist, but with the range and buying power of a much larger organisation, and we like to think that we have maintained this balance over the years.
More importantly, we try to be an easy and friendly company to deal with, and because most of us have had the good fortune to work abroad, we are able to approach travel in a sensitive and intelligent way.
W H A T W E O FFER? First-hand knowledge and personal service is at the core of what we offer. Our consultants travel to all the destinations that we feature on a very regular basis, so that the advice you receive is accurate and up-to- date. They will also look after you from the outset and assume full responsibility for ensuring that your travel plans are designed and delivered as requested.
Planning a holiday should be an enjoyable and effortless experience, and we will do all that we can to ensure that this is the case.
O U R R EPUTATION We have grown largely through personal recommendation and repeat business, and so we treat our reputation with care. The directors and owners of the company, led by Nick Van Gruisen, are very much ‘hands on’ so immediate decisions can be taken to ensure the standard of service that our clients have come to expect is maintained.
L O C A L R EPRESENTATION Equally crucial is the quality of our local associates and suppliers. It is they who look after you on holiday and it is their guides, vehicles and general support service that will determine your enjoyment of it. We therefore take great care to ensure that our ground handlers have the requisite expertise, efficiency and creativity, and also the ability to deal sensitively and swiftly with any situation that might arise. The fact that we have worked together for many years and know each other well is a further bonus.
RESPONSIBLE T RAVEL As a company with a passion for travel, we understand the vital support that tourism can provide to communities and fragile habitats throughout the world. At the same time, we are aware that tourism can have a negative impact and are committed to doing what we can to minimise this risk.
Contact Emily Pontifex – Escorted Tours Manager Direct Line 020 7386 4664 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 13
Escorted Tour Ireland: The Inside Track
In 2007, an independent body completed an Environmental Audit on all aspects of The Ultimate Travel Company. This covered not only our own practices but those of our worldwide suppliers, thereby ensuring that we all met the necessary environmental and employment criteria.
The audit also measured the carbon footprint produced by our London office and by our international travel, and we now offset this with an annual donation to Social Change and Development, a small but dynamic tree planting initiative in India.
Further initiatives include a ‘charity donation’ scheme, whereby we ask clients for a voluntary contribution of £10 which we then match. As a result of this initiative, a handful of small overseas charities, and the healthcare, environmental and educational projects that they run, now share an annual donation of more than $100,000.
If you want further details of these initiatives, please ring Nick Van Gruisen on 02073864646.
E X T R A V ALUE It can be difficult at times to recognise the extra value promised by travel companies. Generally speaking, we all offer the same flight, the same hotel, the same excursion, the same sunset, and at similar prices….indeed in many ways, the same holiday experience!
Here, at The Ultimate Travel Company, we strive to go further. While we believe that the diversity of destination, intimate product knowledge and personal service we offer already sets us apart, we supply all our clients with detailed information on all aspects of their forthcoming journey, a 10% discount voucher at Daunt Books (described by The Daily Telegraph as ‘the most beautiful bookshop in London – designed for travellers who like reading’) and a welcome home ‘surprise’.
Honeymooners can also look forward to a wedding gift on arrival at their chosen destination.
Moreover, we continually monitor your movements while you are away so that we can offer any assistance that might be required, effectively and without delay. And if genuine problems do arise as a result of any error on our part (few as these may be!), we will not shy away from our own responsibilities and our commitment to you.
Contact Emily Pontifex – Escorted Tours Manager Direct Line 020 7386 4664 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 14