Day 1: Arrival to Ireland and drive to County Donegal

Individual travel to Dublin. We meet at Dublin Airport during the morning. Afterwards we will head northwest to County Donegal with a comfortable minivan. The next few days you will be taking pictures in this region.

The untouched and secluded Donegal is still far away from the big tourist streams and is a paradise for nature lovers. Look forward to wild and rough landscapes with dark mountain lakes, idyllic country roads and a winding coast with impressive cliffs and dreamlike sandy beaches.

We will put together the exact daily programme for the next few days on site at short notice in order to be able to respond to the respective weather and lighting conditions. We will mainly be on the road photographing during the sunrise and sunset. If the weather permits and the sky is clear, we will also go out at nights to photograph the Milky Way.

Thanks to the small group size, we can cater to your individual needs and discuss photographic topics of your choice and put them into practice straight away (e.g. long exposures, use of filters, photography at night, etc.). We will also have time for image discussions or tutorials on image editing.

Day 2 – 4 – On the road in the north-western part of the wild Atlantic way

We spend three full days in the northwest of Ireland. Among other things you will discover and have a chance to photograph the north-western part of the Wild Atlantic Way. The wild west coast of Ireland is the longest coastal route in the world and its section here in Donegal is particularly beautiful. Here nature plays the leading role: from the impressive cliffs, impressive rock arches amidst rushing waves, picturesque lighthouses, dramatic landscapes to the aurora borealis, which can dance across the sky in clear nights.

A visit to the Glenveagh National Park, which is reminiscent of a landscape from JRR Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings”, will also be included during our stay. The highest mountain of Donegal, the majestic Mount Errigal, towers over this beautiful landscape.

Day 5 -6 – Off to the east to the Causeway Coastal Route

Today we continue to Northern Ireland to the legendary Causeway Coastal Route. This stretches from Derry – Londonderry to Belfast and leads to some of Ireland’s most famous landmarks such as the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site of 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns falling into the thundering ocean.

The region of the Causeway Costal Route is a true paradise, with countless sandy beaches, fishing villages, green valleys and enchanted castle ruins, offering fantastic photo opportunities. It’s no wonder that you can follow in the footsteps of Game of Thrones. Many scenes from this award-winning TV series were shot here in Northern Ireland.

The next two days we will be on the move from the sunrise to sunset. If the weather does not play along, this won’t prevent us from taking pictures. Especially when the sky is overcast, the roaring surf of the sea, cliffs and castles can be excellently photographed and result in atmospheric, mystical pictures.

Day 7 – Back along the east coast of Ireland

After breakfast and check-out, the last leg of the journey takes you along the east coast of Ireland towards Dublin. This region offers an impressive variety of photo opportunities. Along the way, you will photograph dramatic cliffs, historic castles and idyllic harbors.

Arrival and check-in at our last accommodation of the trip in the late afternoon. The hotel is just a short walk from the beautiful, long sandy beach. On a clear day, you can photograph the offshore islands from the beach in a variety of light.

Day 8 – End of the tour

The photo tour ends after breakfast. You will be driven to the airport in good time for your individual journey home or onwards.

For whom is this photo tour suitable?

This photo tour is aimed at both beginners and advanced photographers. You have a basic knowledge of shutter speed, aperture and ISO and are be able to set these on your camera. On this photo tour, you will be individually supervised according to your photography skills.

Weather

The Irish weather is always bit of a surprise. Sun, clouds and rain keeps changing. Perfect for photography! The months from April to mid-June has normally most sunny days and are therefore considered the best travel time for Ireland. In spring, from February to April, the average maximum temperature is between 8 and 12°C. April is considered particularly pleasant.

Clothing

In Ireland the weather can change very quickly. Wind, sun, rain and rarely snow can occur in both spring and autumn. We therefore recommend breathable functional clothing based on the layer principle, which transports perspiration to the outside layers without losing heat and dries quickly. Well-worn hiking shoes with an appropriate profile sole are also important. Make sure to bring rain jacket and rain trousers to keep you dry in case of rain. If you also want to take pictures from the water at the photo locations, we strongly recommend taking waterproof boots or sandals / crocs (Attention: the water can be very cold at this time of year).

Fitness level

You have a good basic level of fitness to be able to take part in short, moderate hikes on the local hiking trails. The hiking trails in Ireland (if they exist at all) can sometimes be a little uneven or boggy, as they usually lead through moorland and heathland or in streams and gorges. Certain places may involve a walking time of around 1 hour per trail. The hiking trails are mostly on flat terrain or involve an incline. Individual photo locations may be somewhat exposed. However, if you are afraid of heights, there is always the option of taking photos from a little further back.

Photo tour itinerary

We will put together the exact daily program on site at short notice in order to be able to deal with the respective weather and light conditions. In order to capture images at the right time and with the best light during the golden and blue hour, we will be out and about especially during the times of sunrise and sunset. In between, during noon or in the afternoon, you will have free time to rest a little, explore the surroundings or, if you wish, take part in picture reviews and tutorials. If you wish or if fantastic weather and light moods arise, we can also include another photo session in the afternoon.

Half double room

Single travellers can book half of a double room. If there is no other guest who wants to share the room, the single room surcharge will apply.

Insurance

We strongly advise you to purchase insurance for cancellation and return journey costs, which will be needed in the event of a secluded region being evacuated, a local hospital stay or return travel costs to your home country.

Travel information FDFA

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) regularly publishes information on countries where there are potential security or other risks. The FDFA’s travel advice is based on its own sources of information that are considered to be trustworthy. This travel advice can be found on the FDFA website: www.eda.admin.ch

The Terms and Conditions

TCs of Amazing Views Adventure Tours apply, as well as all other conditions which are listed in the descriptions for the respective trips.

Prices

We reserve the right to change prices (especially due to exchange rate fluctuations).