A Pot O'Gold for Families in Counties Cork & Kerry

Finding bliss on a family vacation is easy. All it takes is getting rid of the non-essentials. No e-mail. No video games. No gadgets that begin with the letter "i." Then hightail it to a beautiful place. Like Ireland. Out here, on two wheels, it's easy to feel connected to your surroundings - and to each other. Gaze at the clouds. Listen to birdsong. Feel the wind on your face. Visit quaint villages like Ballylickey and Gougane Barra. And share a giggle as you pronounce their names. There's an ancient fortress for all to explore, whiskey tasting for adults and sheepshearing for kids. Ease, simplicity and a family vacation that suits you to a T.

Day 1 Spin through the classic Irish landscape: green hills, small farms, quaint cottages and woolly sheep  Revel in the lilt of Gaelic in Inchigeelagh 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 The hospitality of the acclaimed Park Hotel Kenmare 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 Bonane Valley A festive Irish dance and music demonstration is sure to get your feet stomping!

Day 3 A private whiskey tasting with expert John Moriarty for adults, while youngsters indulge in fish n' chips  Pedal by pristine lakes, stately cliffs and glacier-carved mountains on the sparsely populated Beara Peninsula  A lively sheepshearing demonstration inspires kids to give it a whirl The younger set learns about "soloing" during a game of Gaelic football, giving grown-ups the chance to browse Kenmare's boutiques, discover an impressive prehistoric stone circle or just relax at the hotel - spa time, anyone?

Day 4 Soak up fascinating history and lively village culture  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 An evening with a well-known Irish storyteller  Wind past ancient churches, cemeteries and working farms to beautiful Caragh Lake  The incredible scenery just does not quit! Feast your eyes on spectacular ice-scraped Glencar Valley  Relish the joyous energy of Killarney, full of pubs and shops Make your way to 15th-century Ross Castle by bike or horse-drawn cart for a fun and interesting tour.