The only problem with gifting a loved one a getaway is that it can quickly get a little bit pricey– especially if your heart calls you to travel overseas– right?

Not necessarily! Planning a luxury vacation doesn’t have to break the bank. My friends over at Great Value Vacations offer a variety of affordable Ireland vacation getaway options.

That makes it easier than ever to plan a holiday you and your loved one will never forget.

I’m sharing everything you need to know about the Great Value Vacations 6 Night vacation package to visit Ireland for under $800 per person including airfare–Ireland’s Wonderful West: Adare Villa Vacation.

I can’t believe this trip is so affordable. Sometimes airfare alone can run $800 and you’re so much more with these Ireland travel packages.

Here’s what I’m covering in this post about Ireland travel:

• Fast facts about vacationing in Ireland
• What makes this vacation a holiday to remember
• Tips for planning a vacation you and your loved one will never forget

Book your Ireland Vacation Package with Great Value Vacations here

About Ireland’s Wonderful West

When you dream of traveling to Europe, you probably think about the big 3 European travel destinations: France, Italy, and Spain.

These destinations are all breathtaking and can be surprisingly affordable if you’re smart about booking. However, today it’s all about one of Europe’s often overlooked treasures: Ireland.

Traveling to Ireland is like stepping into a painting. There are vast, glittering seascapes, picturesque villages, and stunning castles to explore.

Everywhere you go, you are surrounded by lush, green scenery– they don’t call Ireland the “Emerald Isle” for nothing. I adored Ireland so much from my brief five days stay there. I absolutely can’t wait to go back!

Why a Vacation in Adare Ireland is One You Won’t Forget

If going to Ireland is like stepping into a painting, visiting Adare is like stepping into a fairytale story book.

Adare is overflowing with charm– from thatched roof cottages to shops that have been serving the locals for generations.

Despite its proximity to world-famous Irish attractions like the Cliffs of Moher on the Wild Atlantic Way, Andare has maintained an old world community feel.

Chat with friendly locals who are eager to share the beauty of their home with visitors, or simply immerse yourself in the bustling community. Either way you can’t go wrong.

Beyond Andare itself, Ireland’s Wonderful West vacation package makes it easy to explore quintessential Irish landmarks.

The trip includes a full-size car rental and admission to the stunning Cliffs of Moher and historic Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, and if you’re feeling adventurous you can pick up additional excursions to tour Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry or Ring of Cork.

Still not convinced that Adare makes for an amazing vacation?

This is what makes this vacation package truly memorable, in my opinion: you can knock so many destinations off your bucket list (Blarney Stone, anyone?) for under $800 including airfare to fly to Ireland. It really is a great value.

Tips for Making Your Ireland Vacation Memorable

Traveling isn’t just about having experiences,  it’s also about building memories that will last you a lifetime. So how can you make sure that your next travel experience is one that you’ll be telling stories about for years to come?

Here are my suggestions:

• Be smart about booking
• Do your research
• Spend time indoors and out

• Booking Smart is the Key to Enjoying Your Trip

  Nobody wants to spend their entire getaway worrying about whether or not they can afford to pick up a souvenir or grab a pint of Guinness.

  Make sure you find an Ireland vacation package like Ireland’s Wonderful West package by Great Value Vacations.

  That way, you don’t have to sacrifice quality accommodations or break the bank getting to your destination, which gives you more budget for seeking out adventures.

• Do Your Research So You Know Exactly Where You Want to Go

  On the average Saturday night with your loved one, it can be difficult to pick a place to eat. We’ve all been there.

  But making decisions about where to go, what to see, and where to chow down definitely don’t get any easier in a new city!

  Don’t spend your vacation trying to figure out what you want to do on vacation. Do some research online or pick up a travel guide from your local library before you head out.

• A Memorable Vacation is All About Balance

  Here’s the million dollar question: is travel about seeing places or experiencing cultures? Ask a handful of travelers what they think, and every one of them will likely have a different opinion on the matter.

  The truth is, both experiencing the natural beauty of your destination and immersing yourself in the local culture are important– which means you should plan to do both on your next vacation.

  Balancing outdoor activities (hiking, sightseeing, exploring) and indoor activities (museums, shopping) helps you get the most out of your getaway– in other words, it helps make your trip as memorable as possible.

Everybody wants their vacation to be unforgettable– especially if you’re gifting a vacation to someone you care about.

Booking your next trip with Great Value Vacations is an easy way to make sure your next trip is budget-friendly and full of experiences you and your loved one will never forget.

Things to do in Adare, Ireland

Castle Tour

A must-visit place when you go to Ireland is a castle. And when you’re in Adare the castle to visit is the Desmond Castle, a 13th century Norman castle. For 300 years, the Earls of Kildare owned the castle until 1536 when it was presented to the Earls of Desmond, where the current name of the castle came from. Go to the Adare Heritage Center to book your tours and learn from the stories about this castle from your knowledgeable guide.

Walking Tours

You can best discover the beauty of nature and architecture of Adare on foot. James Cavanagh can take you on walking tour of Adare and its historic places including medieval monasteries. The Adare Village and Riverbank Pavement Walk can take you about 30 minute walking along Maigue. Knockfierna or Hill of Fairies is a 9km round trip and takes about 2.5 hours along beautiful County Limerick. There are many other walking tours in and around Adare that can suit different levels of fitness such as Curraghchase Trails, Lough Gur Guided Walking Tours, The Great Southern Trail, Ballyhoura Trails, Limerick City Walks and others.

READ: HOW TO MAKE YOUR IRELAND VACATION ONE YOU’LL NEVER FORGET

Falconry and Archery

If you’re tired of traditional outdoor activities, why don’t you try falconry and archery? These two activities have been part of Ireland’s rich history. Be up close to some of the falcons with the help of the resident falconer at the Adare Manor. Archery may have been used for hunting and combat in the days of the past, but these days it’s for those who want to enjoy the sport or just for a fun activity. Take advantage of archery lessons with the backdrop of a beautiful garden, also in the Manor.

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Golf

The two 18-hole golf courses in Adare are located in historical and beautiful places. The Adare Manor Golf Club, built in 1900, is set in the old ruins of Franciscan Abbey and Adare Castle. The Golf Course at Adare Manor is set along the banks of Maigue. There’s also a Pitch and Putt course in Adare and more golf courses around Adare.

Religious Tours

In the middle of Adare Golf Club are the ruins of the Franciscan friary founded by Earl of Kildare in 1464. North of Adare, you may also visit the Church of Ireland parish church, which is formerly used as an Augustinian priory and was founded in 1316. Church of the Holy Trinity is a Catholic church that used to be a Trinitarian priory in the 13th century.

Eat

The Restaurant 1826 Adare is a thatched cottage built in 1826 and now serves halibut, crayfish and other dishes. At Oakroom Restaurant you will have a candlelight dinner with Irish dishes.

See how you can afford a trip to Ireland!

If you’ve spent any time in Ireland, then you’ve more than likely heard of the Ring of Kerry. It is a justifiably famous and stunningly beautiful route through the wild and untamed southernmost part of Ireland. However, Ireland  has another ring that is just as beautiful and wild with unique attractions and some of the best artisan food in the country. Introducing the Ring of Cork.

The Ring of Cork takes you on a journey where you will time-travel to heritage sites, enjoy picturesque villages and visit attractions while soaking up the breathtakingly beautiful scenery that is a part of the Ring of Cork? Start your journey in Cork City, grab a cheap and comfortable hotel handily located for the open road like the Travelodge Cork Airport Hotel and get ready for one of the great Irish travel secrets.

What is the Ring of Cork?

Let’s get into the nitty gritty of what exactly is the Ring of Cork. It takes in all the area around the second city of the Republic of Ireland, Cork City, and encompasses quaint villages like Castlemartyr, coastal settlements like Crosshaven and heritage towns like Cobh and Youghal along its sixty-six miles of road-ringing East Cork.

You could motor around the Ring in a day but to really enjoy yourself, set at least a long weekend aside while you also could pass a very enjoyable week taking in all the sights.

What to See and What to Do on the Ring of Cork

You could take the scenery almost for granted on the Ring of Cork, there are so many scenic spots along the way but it’s definitely worth stopping at Ballycottton Lighthouse for the amazing cliffside views of the Atlantic Ocean or so you can walk on the nearby beach of Paradise!

If you like your historical towns, then the Ring of Cork is made for you. You can choose from the beautifully maintained narrow winding streets of the medieval town of Youghal with its eccentric town crier whose position dates back all the way to Walter Raleigh. Or pick the Cobh Heritage Centre with its Titanic Experience museum marking the last stop of the ill-fated RMS Titanic as well as the iconic Spike Island nearby which has been a monastery, fort and prison.

Prefer more modern attractions? Then the Ring of Cork will grant your wish with the Cork Fota Wildlife Park where you can meet some of the more exotic local wildlife like rhinos and cheetahs. For a more adult experience, the Jameson Distillery in Midleton is really worth a stop off, at least if you’re not driving, for a dram of one of the best Irish whiskies out there.

For the family you can drive back in time and park up at Ireland’s only drive-in cinema, Movie Junction in Carrigtohill.

Feed on the Delights of the Ring of Cork

Perhaps the incredible scenery and many interesting place to stop and investigate aren’t quite enough to sway you. Well, then let me put my final argument in favour of the Ring of Cork, the local food.

Without exaggeration, the concentration of artisan food producers from eastern Cork is unrivaled anywhere else in Ireland. The quality and variety of food on offer in the many top class restaurants and pubs is quite astonishing for Ireland while the local produce available in the various farmer’s markets in towns like Midleton is stunning.

It’s not just the obvious lamb, beef and dairy that are for sale on the Ring, you’ve also got amazing fresh seafood and a real artisan tradition of ice cream in Cobh and Youghal, especially for those summer months. You’ll never go hungry when you journey around the food-heavenly Ring of Cork.

After you visit the Ring of Cork be sure to explore the Cliffs of Moher.

Learn more at the Ring of Cork Tourism site.

Why You Should Visit The Cliffs of Moher Region

Cliffs of Moher

Every year, about 1.5 million tourists visit the Cliffs of Moher. It is ranked as one of the most visited tourist destinations in Ireland.

Most rightfully so because just by looking at the pictures you will see how Instagram-worthy the cliffs are, from the different angles and from the different views. When you actually go there, the sea cliffs will take your breath away.

There are different ways to view the beauty of Cliff Moher. Most go to the official Visitor’s Center that was built on the hillside approaching the cliffs.

The visitor’s center has media and displays showing a bird’s eye view of the cliffs, underwater caves as well as geology, and flora and fauna of the sea cliffs.

Read More: How to Make Your Ireland Vacation One You’ll Never Forget

There are also two paths that run along the cliffs – one official one passing the Visitor Center and O’Brien’s Tower and an unofficial path that is closer to the edge.

To view the cliffs from the sea level, take ferry trips; to view them from up above, take fixed-wing aircraft tours from Connemara Airport.

You may find the cliffs will look familiar if you’ve seen the movies Princess Bride and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince since some scenes were filmed here. Some music videos were also filmed in this breathtaking location as well.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park

About an hour away from the famous sea cliffs is another popular destination in the MidWestern region of Ireland, the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.

The Bunratty Castle was built in 1425 and restored in 1954 with 15th and 16th-century furnishings and artworks. Shannon Heritage is proud to say that this is “the most complete and authentic medieval castle in Ireland.”

There’s a drawbridge, towers and other things you imagine a castle should have.

The Bunratty Castle is most popular for its medieval banquet which has been open to the public since 1963. It is a great night of song, dance, and good food.

You will be entertained by actors acting as hostesses, butlers, Lords and ladies of the castle. Musicians also play pipes, harps, and fiddles.

Read More: Wonderful Things To Do In Adare, Ireland

A tour of Bunratty Castle is not complete without a tour of the Bunratty Folk Park.

There are 30 buildings on 26 acres in this open-air museum, one of which is the Ardcroney Church of Ireland church which was moved and reopend in the Park in 1998.

This “living” village by the castle has a doctor’s house, grocery, post office, printers, a school ad many different houses.

Immerse in the way the Irish lived in the 19th century by meeting costumed characters like Bean a Ti or woman of the house, RIC or Royal Irish Constabulary policeman, a school teacher and many more.

Don’t forget to visit the Bunratty Fairy Village as well as the Bunratty Walled Garden.

If these exciting tourist destinations in Ireland won’t get you excited then I’m not sure what will. Put these in your must-visit list when you go to Ireland and fall in love with this beautiful country.