SelfSelf----guidedguided Cycling Tour

Tour description Clare and Day 1 Arrival The barren moonscape of the Burren, the imposing Cliffs of Moher, and the lively tradi- Day 2 48 km tional Irish music in this area attract visitors from all over the world. Heading west along To Spanish Point small back roads to the Atlantic coast, we stay by the stunning silvery beach at Spanish Point. Day 3 46 km To On our bicycles, we ride on the coastline roads and stop at the cliffs of Moher, justifiably Day 4 50 km one of Ireland’s most famous sights. From the cliffs you can look seven hundred feet To straight down into the open ocean. We stop in the town of Doolin, well known for its musical pubs, where you can hear world-class folk music and song. A great craic is virtu- Day 5 ally guaranteed! Rest Day Ballyvaughan Day 6 38 km Biking along the coastal route, you will find Celtic crosses in the ground around rugged To To Kinvarra Burren. Our day in Ballyvaughan can be spent by taking a historic walking tour of the city, exploring the medieval castles and ancient forts, or simply enjoying typical Irish fla- Day 7 49 km vor over a pint of Guinness! To Ennis Day 8 End of Services

Tour Details Daily departures: April 18 to October 3

Cost: $1595 per person

Single Supplement: On request Fast Facts

 Seven nights charming accommoda- E-Bike Info : Bike Rental: $175 tion with full Irish breakfast  E-bike rental: $350 Length: 8 days / 7 nights  One evening meal in Ballyvaughan  Limited supplies, reservations Grade: Moderate  Daily luggage transfers recommended upon booking Starts / Ends: Ennis  Detailed route notes and maps  GPS tracks available (on request)

Active Journeys Contact: 11----800800800----597597597----55945594 or 416416----236236236----50115011 Email: [email protected]

Day 1 Individual arrival for the tour is in the town of Ennis, which is very close to Shannon airport.

Day 2 To Spanish Point 48 km Head out towards West Clare, cycling along quiet country roads through rolling green fields to the Coast, where you stay the night at Spanish Point named after those Spanish Ships from the Armada which sank here in 1588. You spend the night in a Hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean where the breakers roll in.

Day 3 To Doolin 46 km Cycling along quiet roads you eventually come to the popular holiday town of where you stop for lunch. In the after- noon visit the spectacular Cliffs of Moher rising 660ft up from the Atlantic waves below, making them the highest marine based cliffs in Europe. You can stroll along the cliff face and watch the birds gliding in the updraft. After visiting the cliffs you head to the village of Doolin.

Day 4 To Ballyvaughan 50 km In the morning you begin to see the first hints of the limestone landscape of the Burren and visit the monastic site at and its stone high crosses. Later you can stop off for lunch at the matchmaking town of . The afternoon's cycle is a beautiful run where the road hugs the coastline with Gal- way Bay and the Aran on your left and the limestone cliffs of the Burren on your right. You stop for two nights in a comfortable hotel in the seaside village of Ballyvaughan.

Day 5 Rest day The day can be spent doing a wide variety of activities. You can join a wonderful four-hour walking tour of the Burren with a local man who is a very entertaining character and an ency- clopedia of knowledge on the area. There is also an optional short cycle to the Cisterian Abbey or you can visit the nearby Ailwee Caves. Or spend a relaxing day in this attractive village.

Day 6 To Kinvarra 38 km The cycle heads straight into the heart of the Burren where you visit the Burrens most famous historical sight, the Poul- nabroune In the afternoon cycle through quiet back roads to visit the Burren Perfumery, which makes a wide variety of per- fumes using the local flora and has a wonderful slide show illustrating the beautiful and unique botany of this region. You then descend through a limestone lunar landscape to the pret- ty seaside village of Kinvarra.

Day 7 To Ennis 49 km For the last day you head back into the Burren through anoth- er limestone moonscape, passing Lough Buny and the impres- sive Mullaghmore before stopping for lunch in Corafin. In the afternoon you visit a 16th Century Tower House and an even older monastic sight. This is also the site of the famous battle of Dysert O'Dea where the Irish Chieftains defeated the Nor- mans and kept them out of Clare for another 200 years.

Day 8 After breakfast you make your own way home.

What to Expect What will the weather be like? Getting There The daytime temperature will be around 15 to mid-20 degrees C ( 60’s to 70’s F), From Dublin airport to Ennis: with moderate rainfall. It often rains in Ireland, making the countryside lush and green. It is usually misty and not torrential downpours, but rain gear is still nec- Take the Airlink shuttle service into essary, both a jacket and a pair of pants. Dublin city where you can transfer to a train to Ennis from Heuston Station, How many hours of cycling a day? (be warned this bus requires exact cur- Be prepared to ride between 4 to 6 hours daily. rency on the bus which is approximately How fit do I need to be? €6 for a single adult ticket into the city). The fitter the better, so you will be able to ride to your next village and hotel. Although the terrain is undulating, the mileage is not too high and this would be The train takes approx. 2hrs 20mins, one of our least challenging tours in Ireland. Details of all trains are on IrishRail .

From Shannon airport: What is the food like? We have included a full Irish breakfast each day. For lunch, you can stop in a pub There is a bus service to Ennis available, and local restaurant for a full meal or mid-day snack. For dinner, your notes will approx. €16 per person (Check BusEir- suggest a location. eann for info).

A taxi from Shannon airport to Ennis What are the hotels like? They are chosen for their charm and location. Properties are charming B&Bs and should cost approximately €35 . small hotels, well - located in the towns. All the rooms have private facilities.

Extra Services How to book your holiday  Contact our office to make sure there is space available. We have a selection of hotels available for you, both before and after the tour. One of our travel planners will walk you through the entire process. Hotels in City, Dublin and Shannon can be arranged for you, ranging from B&B’s to  Download the reservation form from our site and send in deluxe accommodation. the completed form by fax or email. Once this is done, your space is confirmed and pre-departure packet will be sent.

 A deposit is required immediately, and final payment is re- quired 60 days prior to the trip departure. Terms & condi- tions are outlined in our Reservation Form.

 Plan your air travel as soon as possible.

 We encourage you to purchase travel insurance, either through us or a travel insurance provider directly.

 Ensure you are in proper health for the trip chosen. Contact us for more information on vaccinations, inoculations, and fitness requirements.