Experience Southwestern Ireland in the fall in all of its cozy and breathtaking splendor. Join a Maine-based group of adventurers to hike along gorgeous coastal cliffs, enjoy traditional activities like baking brown bread and playing music with local folk musicians, and take part in optional health and wellness activities like yoga. See the itinerary section for full details!
The founder of Maine Yoga Adventures, Holly Twining, will accompany the group and lead an optional daily morning yoga practice on each day of the trip, so you can start each day with mindfulness and clarity! We may even get an extra yoga practice in for the evening, gentle and with wine in hand.
Please note: airfare is not included. Upon booking, we will recommend a direct flight from Boston to Shannon airport so the group can fly together. Please refrain from booking your flight until the trip is confirmed with the minimum number of participants (we'll let you know when this happens)!
Includes 24/7 Support for the duration of the program
Twin or Single occupancy
Private coach transportation as noted in the itinerary
Daily excursions and activities as noted in the itinerary
Morning Yoga class each day
Daily Breakfast, Welcome & Farewell Dinners
Health, Evacuation, Cancellation and Delay Coverage
Meals beyond breakfast and welcome/farewell dinners (recommendations provided)
Aside from tea/coffee/table water, additional drinks are not included
Flights are not included
Tips are not included
● Make your own way to the airport
● Recommended flight: Aer Lingus EI 134 (cost not included; dinner and breakfast typically served)
● 6:35p Depart Boston Logan International (Overnight Flight)
● Upon early morning arrival at Shannon airport, go through customs and proceed to the arrivals hall where you will meet your program guide/coordinator. Guide/coordinator will remain with your group until departure on October 27th
● Transfer by private coach to Dingle
● Stop by 'Ireland’s prettiest village' before heading to Killarney
● Enjoy a scenic hike to Torc Waterfall in Killarney National Park
● Tour Muckross Creamery, run by Catherine and John Fleming, known for award-winning artisan ice cream made from their own farm’s milk; learn how to make brown bread from Catherine and then savor homemade scones and brown bread in a traditional 1820s farmhouse
● Continue along the Dingle Peninsula and experience breathtaking views of glorious beaches and lush shorelines
● Discover the rich traditions and mysterious culture of the area, including its status as a Gaeltacht region where Irish is the daily language
● Afterwards, transfer to local guesthouse
● Check-in (or drop bags at reception until guaranteed check-in time)
● Remainder of the day free to rest and refresh
● Welcome dinner at local restaurant (cost included)
Overnight at Heaton's Dingle or similar
● Breakfast at guesthouse
● Enjoy a yoga session at the guesthouse with your leader (space provided, yoga class taught by group leader Holly)
● Blow away the last of the jet lag with a hike on part of The Dingle Way – Slí Chorca Dhuibhne – explore a diverse and beautiful walking trail with panoramic vistas of sea, mountain, and islands, unique birds and plants, and ancient sites spanning 6000 years
● Enjoy fantastic views of the Ring of Kerry, Dingle Bay, and the Skellig Islands
● Afternoon free to rest and explore the town on your own
● Lunch and dinner on own expense
● Overnight at Heaton's Dingle or similar
● Breakfast at guesthouse
● Enjoy a yoga session at the guesthouse with your leader (space provided, yoga class taught by group leader Holly)
● Spend the day at An Diseart, a community center focused on Celtic Spirituality, Culture, and local Heritage, including the following activities
● Join a yoga session with a local instructor (cost included)
● Followed by a walking meditation at the labyrinth in the Diseart Gardens (tour included)
● Explore and enjoy the sensory and biodiversity garden
● Lunch and dinner on own expense
● Overnight at Heaton's Dingle or similar
● Breakfast at guesthouse
● Enjoy a yoga session at the guesthouse with your leader (space provided, yoga class taught by group leader Holly)
● After your morning yoga, depart by private coach for a full-day excursion to Slea Head, the most westerly part of Ireland
● Visit the Blasket Centre in Dunquin to learn about the traditional island life and literary legacy of the remote Blasket Islands (tour included)
● Continue the Slea Head drive with visits to local craftspeople, including a pottery and a leather maker
● Head back to Dingle town
● Lunch and dinner on own expense
Overnight at Heaton's Dingle or similar
● Breakfast at guesthouse
● Enjoy a yoga session at the guesthouse with your leader (space provided, yoga class taught by group leader Holly)
● Rest of the morning free to relax, visit the local bookshop and art galleries, or book an individual wellness activity with local practitioners (available upon request)
● Lunch on own expense
● Enjoy an afternoon session with traditional Irish musicians. These talented women will play and sing for you and share their love for Irish traditional music
● Farewell dinner at local restaurant (cost included)
Overnight at Heaton's Dingle or similar
● Breakfast at guesthouse, followed by check-out
● Transfer to Shannon airport via private coach for your flight home
● Part ways with your guide/coordinator
● Flight details TBD; airfare not included
AEA designs and manages customized study abroad and other group programs specific to interests and budget in nearly 100 countries.
