SONAS – The Happiness Tour
- 6 Nights
- Dates on request
- Galway / Connemara / Burren
SONAS* – a tour to make you happy
What is it that truly makes us happy? We will find out as we travel through amazing landscapes, explore the wonders of nature and meet lovely people.
*SONAS is the Irish word for happiness, wellbeing and bliss.
Tour Highlights:
- a course in Happiness
- simple Qigong exercises and meditations
- Atlantic Ocean
- Burren Karst landscape
- City of Culture – Galway
- Nature Reserve – Coole Park
- Wellness
Summary
For several decades science is looking into the idea of Happiness. With experiments and research we are trying to figure out how happiness works in our brain. What scientists found out is that we are mostly mistaken in our ideas about what makes us happy.
The ‘Wisdom of everyday life’ has been a concern of mine for a long time and today as a Happiness coach I can offer this extraordinary combination of travelling and practical exercises. I will tell you about the newest research on the topic of happiness and with exercises and talks we will find out how much gratefulness, kindness, savouring, exercise and rest and contact with people have on our feeling of happiness. We will visit the ocean, the forest, historical places and a city. During the week you are going to practice some simple Qigong movements.
At the end of our trip you will take home a piece of happiness and the knowledge where to find it at home.
Sonas ort – may you be happy!
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival Galway City or Shannon Airport
Welcome in Ireland – today you are travelling either to Galway city by bus or train or you fly direct to Shannon Airport in the West of the country. We spend the rest of the day to make ourselves at home, get to know each other. We go for a little stroll and have a tasty dinner together. Overnight stay and breakfast in Armorica Boutique Guest House in Oranmore or similar
Day 2 Taking stock – breathing deeply – Burren and Ocean
After a splendid breakfast we travel into the magical stone landscape of the Burren. The ocean will help us to breathe deeply and maybe you even like to immerse yourself into its waters. The Burren, the stoney place, hides many treasures, only on close inspection they become visible. This landscape invites us to have a look at our opinions about happiness, life and ourselves.
Overnight stay and breakfast in Armorica Boutique Guest House in Oranmore or similar
Day 3 Savouring – a coastal walk and ocean harvest
We are going to savour everything we do today. This includes a walk, rest and fabulous food. Besides food that we know we will try something new. We will see, what the ocean has to offer, seaweed for example. We will use this seaweed and cook our own dinner. Tasty? Maybe? Certainly healthy… l
Overnight stay and breakfast in Armorica Boutique Guest House in Oranmore or similar
Day 4 Gratefulness – Forest Walk and Historic Places
Gratefulness is our topic today. We are going to look at where we came from and at events on our life path. One of the oldest companions of humans are trees, we were close, but have lost touch, we ‘use’ them, though they are so much more than timber and fruit. A forest is a great place for gratefulness. On our way we will take a stop at a historic site, a monastery maybe, to connect to ancestors and history.
Overnight stay and breakfast in Armorica Boutique Guest House in Oranmore or similar
Day 5 Kindness – time in Galway City
Research shows that contact with other people and being kind to each other makes us happy. The culture city Galway is known for its atmosphere and its friendliness, an ideal place for an experiment. Later in the day we will travel out to the bogs of Connemara, here we will spend the rest of our journey.
Overnight stay and breakfast in Screebe House Hotel in Connemara or similar
Day 6 Exercise, rest and conclusion – Connemara
On our last day we will rest, walk, run, swim in this wonderful landscape of bogs, lakes and mountains. We will end our trip with chats and talks and silence. A last task will give you the opportunity to bring happiness home with you.
Overnight stay and breakfast in Screebe House Hotel in Connemara or similar
Day 7 Departure – from Galway or Shannon Airport
After an eventful week full of new ideas and experiences it is time to go home happily. I will bring you back to Galway, from here you can take the bus or train to Dublin or Shannon. Please contact me if you would like to extend your trip or make arrangements for an alternative travel back home.
Slán abhaile – Safe journey home!
Services included in the tour price:
- 4x Overnight stays and breakfast in Armorica
- Boutique Guest House in Oranmore or similar
- 2x Overnight stays and breakfast in Screebe House Hotel in Connemara or similar
- SONAS course and materials
- Support by a certified Happiness-Coach
- Transfer and bus- or train ticket on departure (Shannon Airport transfer with additional cost)
- Private chauffeur and guide throughout your stay
- Round trip according to your tour programme (Programme subject to change)
- All travels in a modern Minibus
- Information materials for your tour
Services not included:
Flights, personal expenses, gratuities, food and drinks
Return journeys are organised individually.
Further Information:
Tour date: on request
Minimum number of participants: 2 participants
Maximum number of participants: 8 participants
Tour Prices:
per person sharing a double/twin room (flights not included)
per person travelling in a group of 7: on request
per person travelling in a group of 6: on request
per person travelling in a group of 5: on request
per person travelling in a group of 4: on request
Single room supplement on request
Notice: Single rooms are rare in Ireland, you will usually get a double room to use for a single booking. For that reason prices for single rooms tend to be quite high.
Our Terms and Conditions are essential for this and all future business relationships. You can review our T&Cs on this website or we will send them to you on request.
Tours with Andrea – why are they unique?
If you prefer to travel in a small group of likeminded people, friends or family, if you are looking for excellent personal service and an easy way to travel while you have the freedom to follow your own interests, I prepared these tours for you.
Together we will explore Ireland, the highlights and the hidden corners. I will introduce you to Ireland’s culture and history and also find you culinary treats and specialities. You will truly discover this beautiful country.
I will personally prepare your travel with you and by the time I meet you at the airport it will be as if we have met before.
Please choose from wonderful tours relating to different themes and a variety of regions. Or contact me about a bespoke individual tour programme.
Insider Tips
You will see hidden places away from mass tourism and you find stops and routes on our itinerary that you will not find on a standard coach tour. I have many contacts all across Ireland to use for any special requests.
I love Ireland
I will show you the genuine Ireland. I live in the country you are visiting. During the Winter time I go and find new ideas and contacts, excellent accommodation and interesting places.
Small Groups
We travel in small groups, meeting local people. We have an abundance of leisure to relax and unwind. We have the time for unplanned detours, should the opportunity arise.
Our Services
We are here
We are at home here, we have the local knowledge and contacts to give you a truly unique experience. If you are not used to driving on the left hand side you will enjoy being chauffeured free of worries. We book your accommodation, events and activities and I am there for you to support you if needed.
Transport
Our vehicle for chauffeured tours is a practically new Volkswagen Transporter for maximum 8 guests, for 2021 we are limiting our guest numbers to 6. Sitting a bit higher than in a limousine you will have a great view and see more of the landscape passing by. For extended tours we have plenty of room for your luggage.
Sustainability and climate change
Environmental awareness is an important part of our travel philosophy. We prioritise partners and businesses who engage themselves in climate protection. The preservation of Ireland's natural habitats and precious historic sites is important to us. To counter CO2 emissions caused by travel we will plant a native Irish tree for each guest on one of our extended tours. Only a small part of Ireland's extensive forests is still existing today, with your help we want to support the natural reforestation of this island. Talk to us to find out more.
Peace of Mind
Andaire is registered with the Irish Tourist board and you will see the white and green logo of the Covid-19-Safety charter on our website which shows you we have been educated in infection control and adhere to strict hygiene measures and are also subject to spot checks. You can find us on the Directory of Covid-19 Compliant Businesses. Our chauffeurs and vehicles are fully licensed and insured.
