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Ireland - BackIrish Melody Family Vacation BEST OF IRELAND TOUR An Irish Melody -11 Day Special Irish Escorted Tour - our best Ireland itinerary GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP GUIDED TOUR OF IRELAND - FAMILY VACATION- THIS BEST OF IRELAND TOUR IS LIMITED TO 15 PERSONS This very special small group guided tour combines enriching experiences in the heritage towns of Ireland with some extraordinary accommodations at guest houses, hotels, and inns, and even a stay in a romantic castle in Ireland - a perfect Ireland itinerary. Enjoy the music of magical evenings. Listen to a tale well told, a song well sung, applaud a dance well done. Fun adventures include boat trips, bicycling, horseback riding and traditional music. This is an escorted family vacation with activities for children in Ireland. Join in, take part, you’re very welcome. Thursday - DEPART FROM HOME Your vacation begins the moment you board your flight. Destination: SHANNON. The atmosphere is relaxed, the comfort and warmth enveloping, and your enjoyment of the time spent with us is assured. This truly is the best Ireland tour.  Friday - ADARE/DINGLE Travel to the quaint village of Adare, distinguished by its charming thatched cottages. The Dingle Peninsula is one of the natural wonders of Ireland. The Dingle Peninsula is home to many wonders - second highest mountain range in the country, a wealth of archaeological sites, home to some of the finest traditional music, dance and the Irish language. The dramatic mountains sweep down to golden beaches and stark rocks. Optional bike ride this afternoon. At Dingle's pubs spontaneous music sessions often erupt. The most amazing musicians will treat you to a storm of Irish music. Be swept away on the tides of the Irish traditional music, transported into the vibrant, musical, spirited soul of the Irish, who have withstood centuries of everything from famine to war and still held on to humor, music, and family. Saturday - DINGLE - DOLPHIN WATCH The greens of the hills contrast with the wildness of the scenes to make Dingle an enchanted place. Dingle is a native Gaelic speaking area and the lilt of this ancient tongue adds an element of mystery to this hauntingly beautiful place. Here is the land of "Ryan's Daughter". Today's adventure is a dolphin watch to discover Fungie, the bottle-nosed local celebrity. The Dingle Peninsula experience is one you will remember for a long time to come. (B) Sunday - GAP OF DUNLOE/BLARNEY/KINSALE - HORSES AND SHIPS Travel to Killarney and visit the Gap of Dunloe by pony and trap. The famed Gap is a four-mile gulch carved by glaciers, enhanced by the purple mountains and Macgillicuddy's Reeks. Travel to Blarney, with a chance to kiss "The Stone". Kinsale, one of the most historic and picturesque towns in Cork has quaint cobbled streets, gourmet restaurants and yachts moored in the harbor. (B)  Monday - COBH/KILKENNY - TITANIC AND WITCHES You take the scenic route to Cobh, departure point for many emigrants, and the last port of call for the "Titanic". Many of the passengers are buried in the local graveyard. Then, you are off to medieval Kilkenny, the setting for one of Ireland's finest cathedrals. The town itself is closely associated with witchcraft. Dame Alice Kyteler was tried for witchcraft here in the 14th century. (B) Tuesday - DUBLIN/CABRA CASTLE Tour Trinity College Library containing the famous "Book of Kells". See the Bank of Ireland - Ireland's first Parliament, St. Patrick's and the Georgian "doors" of Dublin. Visit the Guinness Brewery, where you taste the famous stout. Travel to your castle home. Enjoy your dinner at this sprawling, grey stone castle, built in 1669. Its halls and courtyards once echoed to the footsteps of Oliver Cromwell and James II. Today the former Corney Castle offers a tranquil sanctuary to the busy wayfarers of modern times. Set in 100 acres of parkland, Cabra Castle's rooms offer unique antiques and paintings. Leisure facilities include a 9 hole golf course, enclosed gardens and Lady's Lake and walks through the forest park. Situated in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, just 1 ½ hours from Dublin (B,D) What our clients say
 Wednesday - WESTPORT - THE RUGGED WEST Travel to scenic Carrick-on-Shannon, a boating haven, to Boyle, known for its romantic abbey ruins and to Castlebar and Westport. Travel through scenes of tin roofed barns and herds of meandering sheep on your way to County Mayo. You are free to sightsee this evening or join other passengers for dinner in Westport Ireland. (B) Thursday - WALKING Westport is by far the most attractive town in Mayo, with a wide expanse of sea dotted with islands and framed by mountain ranges. Traditional shops - ironmongers and the like dot the streets. Visit Westport House, home of Lord Sligo. Optional: climb Croagh Patrick, a holy mountain pilgrimage site since 441 AD. Caution! This is only for the very fit. (B)  Friday - CONNEMARA/GALWAY/DOOLIN -
MUSIC Travel to Roundstone in Connemara, known for the making of traditional Irish instruments, such as the bodhrán. Visit Galway, the cultural capital of the West. Move on to Lisdoonvarna, site of the 'Matchmaking Festival' to the fishing village of Doolin. It is said that three of the best pubs in Ireland are here. (B) Saturday - ARAN ISLANDS - BY BOAT For centuries, this craggy landscape has been the home for Irish speaking fishermen and their families, where the famed off-white Aran sweaters originated. These are lands that time has forgotten. Inisheer is the smallest island. You travel by steamer to the docks and walk to tour the island and return to Doolin. (B) Sunday - SHANNON/HOME You soon approach the majestic Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the breaking sea. Return home with great memories of the new friends you've made. (B) Transfers and hotels available in Dublin available at added cost. Irish Melody Includes: * Round trip airfare from New York, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles at added cost. See flight schedule here. * Airport transfers according to schedule below. * Minibus or motorcoach transportation * Driver/guide throughout * First-class accommodations for 9 nights; room with private bath * 9 hearty Irish breakfasts (B), 1 castle dinner (D) * All taxes and service charges. * All sightseeing and entrance fees. Some highlights:
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