Waterford's Crystal, Gardens & Suir Valley

Day1

We make our way to the Holiday Inn Bristol Filton for our overnight stay. Here we will get the opportunity to relax a little before dinner, maybe enjoy the leisure facilities on offer (indoor pool, saune & gym) don't worry about your suitcases as these will be taken to your room for you.

Day 2

After breakfast we make our way to Pembroke for our early afternoon sailing to Rosslare enoying the scenery as we travel. Boarding our Ferry early afternoon where we have time to relax and take in the fresh sea air, arriving at The Treacy's Waterford Hotel early evening in time for a bit of own time to unpack or mayvbe have a quick swim before dinner in the indoor pool.

Day 3

Today we take a trip to the Waterford Crystal Factory where we will be taken on the factory tour. There will be lots to see and learn from this tour including how they mould the crystal, mark it, cut it in some cases scuplt it, engrave the crysta and then check its quality. There wil also be an opportunity to visit the store to purchase a piece of crystal to remember your visit with. There will also be time today to explore Waterford City under your own steam. Waterford is Irelands oldest city offering a treasure trove of ancient artefacts & elegant architecture.

Day 4

This morning we visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship & Irish Emigrant Experince in New Ross,on the banks of the River Barrow. The Dunbrody Famine Ship is one of the premier tourist attractions in the South East of Ireland. Centred on an authentic reproduction of an 1840’s emigrant vessel, it provides a world-class interpretation of the famine emigrant experience. Then onwards to Johnstown Castle where we will visit the castle, grounds & Irish Agriculture Museum. Explore the turreted castle’s sumptuous interiors to understand what life was like for the colourful characters who lived and worked here, and connect with nature in the surrounding parkland and tree-dotted gardens.

Day 5

We make our way to the heritage narrow gauge railway of Waterford & Suir Valley in Bilberry this morning, where we board our train for a one way journey along the picturesque banks of the River Suir to the famous Mount Congreve Gardens where we enjoy a 1 hour guided garden tour. Home to one of the largest collections of plants in Ireland, the gardens offer a spectacular display of blooms throughout the year including azaleas, camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons in the spring and the appearance of over 90 different varieties of hydrangeas in full flower in the summer. At lunchtime, we enjoy a soup and sandwich lunch. We then head back to our hotel along the scenic Copper Coast via the seaside resort of Tramore.

Day 6

After a hearty breakfast we make our way home. Due to the time of our ferry home, a lunch voucher to spend on board is included.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner