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 . Irish Adventure 9 Days Escorted Tour of Ireland TOUR HIGHLIGHTS - 6th Century Glendalough - Ireland - Cliffs of Moher - Boyne Valley - February tour of Ireland  map It is all about Irish hospitality and staying in places where you are a house guest rather than a customer 2008 Irish Adventure Itinerary Easter Tour of Ireland Day 1: Depart U.S. for Dublin Depart your U.S. gateway city in the evening and fly through the night to Ireland to start your vacation. Day 2: Dublin Castle & Guinness Arrive at Dublin Airport and proceed through immigration and pick up your baggage. Group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If you arrive later than noon, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm join a local guide for a sightseeing tour of central Dublin. See the main streets, prominent public buildings and the famous Georgian houses with colorful doors. Tour Dublin Castle to view the elegantly-furnished State Apartments and discover important events that have taken place. Visit the Guinness Storehouse to learn about this popular dark brew and enjoy a creamy pint in the rooftop bar with a 360° view of central Dublin. You are free to dine independently this evening. Day 3: 6th Century Glendalough & Waterford This morning leave Dublin to see the delightful scenery of the Wicklow Mountains on the way to Glendalough. Learn about St. Kevin's 6th century monastery in the Glendalough Visitor Centre and walk through the site to see its round tower, church ruins and Celtic crosses. Continue to Waterford, home of the renowned handcut crystal and check into your hotel. You may spend some time looking around the city center. Sip a welcome drink with your tour group before dinner. Afterwards take a brief walking tour around the historic city center with a local guide. (B, D)
Day 5: Ring of Kerry Tour Distant mountains fill the horizon and guide you to the coast where gentle waves lap at rocky inlets sheltering scattered villages, and whitewashed cottages dot the landscape. Experience highlights of Ireland's natural scenery on this full day tour around the Ring of Kerry. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks Mountains on one side and the Atlantic coastline on the other. Panoramic vistas change constantly and frequent stops permit plenty of photo opportunities. Start by viewing the "Essence of Kerry" audio visual show at the Gap of Dunloe and then drive through Killorglin, Cahirciveen and Waterville at the end of the peninsula. On the return pass through the colorful village of Sneem and stop at Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney. Enjoy some free time in Killarney before dinner in your hotel. (B, D) .jpg) Day 6: Cliffs of Moher & Galway Depart
Killarney and travel north through the village of Listowel to Tarbert. Take a
20-minute ferry ride across the River Shannon estuary and drive along the
coastline of County Clare. View the Cliffs of Moher, one of the country's most
magnificent rock formations that rise to heights of almost 700 feet above the
churning Atlantic swells. Pass through the Burren, an area of rocky limestone
hills where a number of unique flowers thrive. This region also contains many
dolmens, prehistoric monuments formed by large limestone slabs. Drive around
Galway Bay before arriving at your hotel in Galway. (B, D) Day 7: Connemara & Westport Drive around the main sights of Galway before heading to Moycullen to visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory. This family-owned business creates specialty pieces with Irish motifs and colored crystal. Then see part of Connemara, a scenic region of misty hills, shimmering lakes and bogland. Travel via Maam Cross and Leenane to Westport, an attractive town with wide tree-lined streets and a central square. Take a look around the town to see some of the many Georgian houses and the River Carrowbeg, which flows through the center. Continue through the wild scenery of County Mayo to your hotel in Ballina. (B, D)  Day 8: Strokestown Park House & Abbey Tavern Travel to
County Leitrim to visit Strokestown Park House. There are three parts to see -
the 18th century mansion with its original furnishings; the four-acre walled
garden restored to look as it would have during the heyday of the estate; and
the Famine Museum, which uses a combinations or original documents and images
to explain the circumstances of the Great Irish Famine of the 1840s. Drive
through the midland region of Ireland and check into your hotel in Malahide, on
the north side of Dublin. Malahide is a charming town on the coast, which
retains a village atmosphere while offering up-market shops and pubs. This
evening drive to nearby Howth to the popular Abbey Tavern for a hearty dinner
and an evening of entertaining traditional Irish songs and step dancing. (B, D)
Day 9: Depart for HomeFor those of you booked on our 9-day, complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. If you have booked our 10-day tour, spend an additional night in Dublin with an independent Dublin sightseeing tour pass (valid for 24 hours) and a taxi transfer to Dublin Airport on final day. (B) Day 10: Return to the U.S. from Dublin Taxi transfer to Dublin Airport. (B) 2008 Irish Adventure What's Included 9 days/7 nights/13 meals Tea and scones at an Irish farmhouse Group transfers on arrival and departure Tour of Dublin with a local guide Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout Tour & a pint at the Guinness Storehouse Services of a professional Irish driver/guide Walking tour of Waterford with a local guide Superior & first class hotels with private bath/shower for 7 nights Ferry ride across the River Shannon Full Irish breakfast daily (B) Visits and admissions to Dublin Castle, Glendalough Visitor Centre,Waterford Crystal Factory, Blarney Woollen Mills, Essence of Kerry AV show, Cliffs of Moher, Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory and Strokestown Park House 6 dinners (D) including - Traditional Irish evening with dinner and entertainment at the Abbey Tavern - 5 table d’hote dinners Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap Welcome get-together drink All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person 2008: Your Hotels Stay at the following (or similar): Mount Herbert Hotel, Dublin (1 night) • Dooley’s Hotel,Waterford (1 night) • International Hotel, Killarney (2 nights) • Westwood Hotel, Galway (1 night) • Downhill Hotel, Ballina (1 night) • Grand Hotel, Malahide, Dublin (1 or 2 nights) |
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