Itinerary

Day 1 Spin through the classic Irish landscape: green hills, small farms, quaint cottages and woolly sheep  Listen to the lilt of Gaelic in Ballyvourney Arriving in Gougane Barra, a town surrounded by lush forest and mountains, spot the 300-year-old church set on a tiny island  Villages painted in cheery colors line our country roads to Ballylickey.

Day 2 A private whiskey tasting with expert John Moriarty Bike past streams and waterfalls in scenic Glengarriff State Forest Reserve en route to a unique sculpture garden  A gradual five-mile climb leads to magnificent Caha Pass, complete with tunnels and sweeping views of Kenmare Bay.

Day 3 The hospitality of the acclaimed Park Hotel Kenmare  On the sparsely populated Beara Peninsula, pedal by pristine lakes, stately cliffs and glacier-carved mountains Check out Kenmare's shops, discover an impressive prehistoric stone circle or just relax at the hotel - spa time, anyone?  How's your Irish accent? Our friend and guide Mike Murphy gives pointers over a pint.

Day 4 An evening with a well-known Irish storyteller at a local pub  Gorgeous cycling routes wind through Moll's Gap and the Gap of Dunloe, a narrow pass cutting between the Purple Mountains and MacGillycuddy's Reeks.

Days 5-6 Soak up fascinating history and lively village culture  Peaceful country roads lead you to some of the most dazzling spots along the magnificent Ring of Kerry Ferry to Valentina Island, often overlooked by visitors Spin through the farmlands around Killorglin in the shadow of mountain peaks.

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