Custom Self-Driving Tours of Ireland

This photography trip to England and Ireland was our third personalized trip arranged by the KimKim Team, which speaks to our satisfaction with their service. The KimKim Team was extremely accommodating and their local agent, Svetlana Frolova, worked with us for a customized trip that met or exceeded our expectations. Together we agreed on the itinerary , dates and days for each leg of the trip, types of hotels and B&Bs we wanted to stay at, special options to experience the local culture, and the best photographic scenery to see. She arranged for us to have a car and driver for the Ireland portion of the trip. We experienced the best Irish music in Ireland today, visited an oyster fam and ate fresh oysters right out of the sea, and rode through the Gap of Dunloe in an open horse-pulled cart, during which we were regaled with local lore and stories by the cart driver. The boutique hotels either were of interesting historical importance or were long-time family-run businesses that added a personal touch to their hospitality. Our driver, Roger O’Connor, was a real professional, who had driven the highways and byways of Ireland for years from Dublin to Galway and North. He was a wonderful conversationalist, knowledgeable in the area’s hidden charms, small out of the way beautiful sights, and best restaurants and pubs in each town or city. We are sure to be traveling again in the future with KimKim.

Our sister adventure to Ireland was special in every way. Our specialist Claire, listened to our interests and packed in so many things we loved. We loved the independent driving and free time we had to explore, along with very well-planned and well-timed booked experiences. The flow of the itinerary and timing was amazing---so we were always able to arrive in destinations on time and explore. We loved our drive around Dingle with Aodan, and our drive in northern Ireland with James, who even "went off course" at our request to go find ancestors in rural Derry. Also, the cab tour in Belfast was eye-opening and had so many personal touches and stories to bring it to life. And the weather was so perfect to top it all off.

Hotel Review

The Pipers Rest

Doolin

Authenticity & Character

Location

only steps to the pubs and village, yet quiet and country setting.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Enjoy a Traditional Afternoon Tea at Lough Eske

Donegal town

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Bluestack mountains guided walks ( Moderate difficulty )

Ireland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Giant's Causeway Clifftop Experience

Ireland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Belfast Political Taxi Tour

Belfast

Quality of Experience

Transport

Guided Killarney National Park Walking Tour

Killarney

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A Private Day Tour of the Dingle Peninsula

Ireland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Galway Theatre and literature walking tour

Galway

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Cliffs of Moher Cruise from Doolin ( 50 min)

Doolin

Quality of Experience

Traditional working sheep farm and Sheepdog demonstration

Ireland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Welcome to Doolin

Doolin

A perfect start to our trip. One of our favorite spots. We had delicious meals, and amazing music both nights.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Svetlana was amazing to work with and planned the most perfect Ireland vacation for us. We were there to celebrate my mom's retirement from teaching (40 years in education!) and we got a taste of everything! There were so many places that we never would have thought to even check out and because of Svetlana's expertise, we were able to experience them. Our daughter's (3 & 5) had the best time at the beaches. Inchydoney beach was one of their favorites. We got so lucky with a beautiful day and they had so much fun playing in the sand. She also booked us a visit to a Pet farm where we got to see baby goats and other animals. One of our highlights was going to see a Sheep dog and Sheering demonstration. The guide was so great with our girls and he even brought out a special baby sheep for out daughters to bottle feed, they loved it!

All of the accommodations that Svetlana booked for us were wonderful. We absolutely loved the Cahernane house, the staff there was wonderful and the breakfast was delicious. It wasn't too far from town and an easy walk to restaurants and shopping. Our other favorite was the Lodge at Ashford Castle. We loved walking the grounds and enjoying the beauty around us. The staff was very welcoming and again, the breakfast was top notch.

I can go on and on and on about how wonderful our vacation was and how beyond helpful Svetlana was before and during our trip. We were nervous to do such a big trip in a foreign country with our young daughters, but working with Svetlana made it so easy. She took care of everything and even my husband said how nice it was to have everything taken care of before we got there. We just showed up to our hotels or to our excursions with our confirmation numbers and never had a problem. It honestly made things so easy.

We are so grateful and will be talking about this trip for years to come!

Hotel Reviews

The Samuel Hotel

Dublin

It was a good hotel and a great place for a night. It was nice that the local transit had a stop right behind it which made it easy to get to and from without having to move our car. The parking for the car was a bit out of the way and took a while to get too and from. The elevators were not so convenient. You needed your room key to activate it each and every time and if you got in without using it, there were not buttons to get you to the floor you needed to go. The staff was friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Lodge at Ashford Castle

Cong

This hotel was simply amazing. The location is gorgeous and the staff is very welcoming and helpful. We stayed in a Junior suit that was two stories and it was the best for a family. The breakfast was one of the best we had while on our vacation in Ireland. I wish we would have known more about the hotel before our trip and would have booked an extra day just to enjoy all the the hotel has to offer.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cahernane House Manor Hotel

Killarney

Absolutely loved this hotel! The rooms were gorgeous and the staff was beyond amazing and they were so friendly to our girls. The breakfast was delicious and we loved that we got to order something hot to go along with the yogurt and baked goods. Our girls loved running around on the grounds and seeing the deer that were just hanging around right by. It was an easy 20 minute walk into town.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clayton Hotel Cork City

cork

The rooms were nothing special, just a regular room. Our girls did love that they each got their own twin bed. The location was amazing with the pubs and restaurants right around the corner. Very easy to walk. The staff was nice and the breakfast was decent.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Davenport Hotel

Dublin

The area was great and walkable. The staff was friendly and the breakfast was delicious.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms were very spacious. Plenty of room for all of your things

Activity Reviews

Traditional Dance, Music & Dinner

Dublin

Not sure how we got so lucky, but we were seated right up front against the stage. We were a little worried that it was going to be too late or too long for our girls, but they wanted to stay the whole time and loved watching the dancers. It was a great way to end our trip.

Quality of Experience

Food

Nothing special, but it was nice that they had a kids menu.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sheep Dog & Shearing

Ireland

I can't remember his name, but the owner of the farm was so welcoming and informative. He was so great with our girls as well. They loved getting to bottle feed the baby sheep and had so much fun walking around with them in the little area we were in. The setting is absolutely beautiful as well.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport