Okay, I'll be the first to admit it - I'm usually NOT a fan of guided tours on vacation. I'd much rather wander and explore at my own pace. But when my partner's multigenerational family of 12 descended on the Emerald Isle for a Thanksgiving, I reluctantly agreed to 2 full days of tours with Val and Your Irish Tour. And let me tell you - that decision single-handedly made our Ireland trip the magical memory I'll forever cherish most!
Val was somehow both easygoing yet meticulously organized in crafting an itinerary suited to our group’s needs. From the moment we jumped out at our first stop at a very unique gas station (which I won't spoil for you) - the laughing, stories and mighty craic with our hilarious tour guide Val never ceased. Much to my astonishment, Val skillfully wrangled our group of toddlers, grandmas, and curious historians alike with patience, passion and panache at every turn. By the end of the day, I had seen beautiful landscapes I couldn't even have imagined, I'd learned so much about Ireland's history and culture, and my ribs and cheeks were genuinely sore from laughing so much.
On day 2, I was actually looking forward to another full day of fun and adventure with Val, which was not how I thought two days of touring would have me feeling! Val and his magic fun bus picked us up again early, ready for more hilarity and adventure. His cheerful punctuality never faltered over the miles, as he seamlessly navigated his bus through the winding roads while we all shared an adventure, funny stories and laughs.
From cliffside cobblestones to volcanic giants and medieval abbeys, he took us on a kaleidoscope tour of emerald sights until Ireland’s magical soul had merged with our own.
Val’s greatest gift is his bottomless passion for Ireland's living history, evident in colorful tales that had landscapes springing to life with magical vividness. He recounted ancient legends of battling giants turning to stony sentinels along the coast. He shared heartbreakingly heroic stories of valiant uprisings by tragedy-tempered rebels that took on new poignancy as we walked the very streets where formative moments unfolded. With each ruined monastery or modest cottage brought lovingly to life through vivid tales of important visitors or quirky inhabitants over the years, Val painted a rich cultural tapestry that gave profoundly deeper meaning to the sights. He doesn’t just show you Ireland - he reveals hidden Ireland. Thanks to Val’s passionate storytelling, by tour’s end we not only saw Ireland, but began to intimately understand her complex, endearing soul.
So if you seek not just sightseeing, but storytelling... not just transit, but transcendence... and not just a guide, but a magical friend unlocking Ireland's secrets? Then be sure to book Val and Your Irish Tour for an unforgettably heartwarming tour of the best of Ireland.