Galway Bay Hotel is a luxurious, four-star hotel located just 5 minutes from Galway City on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. With sweeping views across Galway Bay and the Clare hills, guests can enjoy the hotel’s picturesque setting while also being close to some of the most popular activities and attractions on the Wild Atlantic Way. With its stunning location on the Salthill Promenade, just minutes from Galway City Centre, it is easy to see why visitors return to the award-winning, four-star Galway Bay Hotel year after year. As well as offering easy access to both the seaside and the city, Galway Bay Hotel is located at the halfway point of the Wild Atlantic Way making it an ideal base for exploring the beautiful landscapes of Connemara and beyond. For a drink with friends and a casual bite to eat, guests can visit the Atlantic Bar where you’ll experience all the warmth and character of a traditional Irish pub with four-star service. Guests can also make use of the heated swimming pool and hotel gym or arrange a pampering treatment in the hotel’s beauty rooms.  

Day 1 – Depart from Spalding at 6.30am, with a couple of convenience stops on route to our ferry departing from Holyhead at 2.45pm, arriving in Dublin at 6pm. We expect to arrive at our hotel about 9.30pm.

Day 2 – Depart the hotel at 10am, with our tour guide, today heading North. Take a step back in time on this relaxed day out visiting the quaint village of Cong (filming location of ‘The Quiet Man’) on route to the County Mayo coastal town of Westport. Just east of Cong lies Moytura House, the former home of parents of Oscar Wilde. Take time to walk through the colourful town of Westport with its many independent retail shops. The Carrowbeg river flows quietly through the town. The streets and bridges are adorned with hanging baskets of beautiful seasonal flowers, all maintained by the local tidy town's committee. Choose between a visit to Westport House or a short coach ride out to the base of Croagh Patrick, only days before the annual pilgrimage on Reek Sunday, the last Sunday in July every year. After lunch head towards Museum of Country life near Castlebar. This is a hidden wonder of The National Museum of Ireland. Lose yourself in the stories and tales of a forgotten era.  Journey back to Galway, via Knock and Tuam, home of the Saw Doctors and the N17!

Day 3 – Depart the hotel at 9.30am, with our tour guide, heading out towards The Cliffs of Moher. Take the scenic route through the mysterious rocky limestone landscape of the Burren with its underground caverns, streams and rare flora.  Stand in absolute awe of the Cliffs of Moher overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. On a clear day look out towards the neighbouring Aran Islands and across to Galway Bay. On route you will have the opportunity to view signs of life in the unique mountainous area dating back 100s and 1000s of years.  Time for light lunch in the village of Liscannor before heading back towards Galway along the coastal route via the villages of Doolin, Fanore, Ballyvaughan and Kinvara, home of the Galway Hookers.

Day 4 – Depart from the hotel at 9.15am to Kylemore Abbey. Located just over one hour from Galway City, Kylemore Abbey is one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions. Kylemore Castle was built in the late 1800s by Mitchell Henry MP, a wealthy businessman, and liberal politician. Inspired by his love for his wife Margaret, and his hopes for his beloved Ireland, Henry created an estate boasting ‘all the innovations of the modern age’. An enlightened landlord and vocal advocate of the Irish people, Henry poured his life’s energy into creating an estate that would showcase what could be achieved in the remote wilds of Connemara. Today Kylemore Abbey is owned and run by the Benedictine community who have been in residence here since 1920. Come to Kylemore and enjoy the new visitor experience in the Abbey, From Generation to Generation…..the story of Kylemore Abbey. Experience woodland and lakeshore walks, magnificent buildings and Ireland’s largest Walled Garden. Enjoy wholesome food and delicious home-baking in our Café or Garden Tea House. History talks take place three times a day in the Abbey and tours of the Walled Garden take place throughout the summer.
Browse our Craft and Design Shop for unique gifts including Kylemore Abbey Pottery and award-winning chocolates handmade by the Benedictine nuns. Discover the beauty, history, and romance of Ireland’s most intriguing estate in the heart of the Connemara countryside. Early afternoon we make our way to the Killary Fjord for a 90-minute cruise. The cruise offers an incredible opportunity to survey the dramatic sweep of the rugged, North Connemara landscape, shaped both by nature and by our ancestors. The Fjord passes between the Twelve Bens and majestic Maumturk mountain ranges to the South in County Galway and the mighty Mweelrea massif, Connacht’s highest mountain, to the North in County Mayo. At the most Westerly point lies the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean and breathtaking views of the many islands that are scattered along our western shores. The sheltered waters of the Killary Fjord are perfect for many types of aquacultures and you will see at close quarters the mussel ropes and the circular salmon farms that produce some of the finest seafood that Ireland has to offer. On land, the hills are dotted with sheep, producing the world-famous Connemara Lamb. Towards the mouth of the fjord, you will see a small Island, Inish Barna or Fox Rock to the locals. Here there is a Victorian navigation marker, faced with green Connemara marble. The area where the Killary meets the sea is rich in local lore and mythology and you will learn all about Big Ned Joyce, the time that British and German U boats studiously ignored each other in a storm and see the final resting place of Diarmuid O’Duibhne who stole the beautiful Grainne from Fion MacCumhail on the eve of his wedding. The point that the boat turns for its leisurely return to Nancy’s point is the most likely spot to catch a glimpse of the Killary’s playful pod of Dolphins. They will often swim alongside the Connemara Lady and, if you are lucky, these fascinating creatures will put on a show, leaping clear of the water and racing the bow wave at breakneck speeds.

Day 5 – Free time in Galway. There is lots to do in Galway on your free day, explore the Latin Quarter, Quay Street, Eyre Square. Visit the City Museum, walk along the Salthill promenade, visit the Spanish Arch, dive into the Atlantic from the diving board along the promenade, visit Galway Cathedral, or even take a day trip to the Aran Islands.

Day 6 – Depart from the hotel at 10.30am, for the 2.45pm ferry from Dublin, arriving in Holyhead at 6pm. We expect to be back in Spalding about midnight.

The total price for this package is £899 per person. A deposit of £100 per person is required to reserve a place; the remaining balance will be due by Friday 24th April 2026. The remaining balance may be paid in instalments if you wish but must be paid in full by the due date.

This price will include bed (two sharing a twin or double room), full English breakfast, 4 three course evening meals (first evening not included) and all excursions listed in the itinerary. There are three single rooms available to us for a supplement of £200 per person. Any special requests must be notified when making your booking.

We are now offering a taxi service from our old pick-up point in Long Sutton, outside the Baptist Church in West Street, to Spalding Bus Station for all our 2026 holidays. The cost of this will be an extra £15 per person for the return journey. The taxi will depart from Long Sutton 50 minutes before the Spalding departure time. If you would like to book the taxi, please mention this when you make your holiday booking


Please note that insurance is not included, we recommend that you take out your own insurance

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