Hi Mustapha,
Happy to hear you're thinking of visiting the island of Ireland!
Both options you’re considering have their own advantages: Going with a local tour operator can be a great way to benefit from local knowledge, stories, and insights that you might not come across on your own. It also takes the stress out of planning transport and logistics, meaning you can fully focus on your surroundings. You can find an
overview of tour operators here, many of which offer customised options. On the other hand, travelling independently can be an adventurous experience in itself.
Renting a car gives you the freedom to set your own pace, linger at places you're particularly enjoying, and explore smaller towns or scenic routes off the beaten track. You can also use the
great public transport networks to reach most sights across the island.
Since you’re looking for a balance of history and nature, I’d suggest taking a look at the
destinations page on our website, which gives a good overview of different regions and what there is to do there. This itinerary page
here and this one
here are also worth a look as they have sample routes that combine heritage sites, castles, and natural sites, which might help you decide what interests you most.
I hope that helps you make up your mind, but I'm sure it'll be the right decision either way!
Let me know if you need any other tips or ideas!
Alex