ESCORTED
6 days Dublin/Dublin
A unique and intimate travel experience combining first class hotels and wonderful Irish B&Bs
- Airport transfers on days 2 and 7
- Accommodations in hotels and B&B’s in twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower as listed or similar; hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling
- 5 breakfasts (B) and 3 three-course dinners with choice of entrée and coffee (D)
- Services of a professional Irish Driver/Guide
- Private luxury motorcoach with air-conditioning, extra leg room and emergency washroom
- Complete sightseeing program including:
St. Patrick’s Cathedral; Trinity College Library; Blarney Castle; Ring of Kerry; Cliffs of Moher; Galway Cathedral; Clonmacnoise - Inside visits and special features as shown in bold in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable
- Portfolio of travel documents
GROUP AIRPORT TRANSFERS
ARRIVAL transfers at Dublin Airport will operate at 7 a.m., 9:30 a.m. & 12 noon
RETURN transfers from the last Dublin hotel will depart the hotel at 6 a.m., 8 a.m. & 10 a.m.
DUBLIN – Jurys Inn Christchurch (F)
KILLARNEY – B&B accommodation with private bath
GALWAY – B&B accommodation with private bath
DUBLIN – Grand Canal (F)
ITINERARY
Day 1, Sat. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.
Day 2, Sun. ARRIVE IN DUBLIN, IRELAND. at Dublin
Welcome to Dublin, one of Europe’s liveliest cities. At 2 p.m. your voyage of discovery begins on a city tour with a local guide that brings to life Dublin’s architectural treasures and history stretching back more than 1,000 years. Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, founded in 1190, tour Dublin’s beautiful Georgian squares, walk the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College to its famed library and see its truly unique world treasure – the 8th-century Book of Kells. Later, join your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a delicious Welcome Dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day 3, Mon. DUBLIN / BLARNEY / KILLARNEY. at Killarney
After driving through the Curragh, the heart of Ireland’s equestrian country, view the Rock of Cashel, an impressive pre-Christian settlement. The dramatic limestone rock, crowned with secular and religious buildings, dominates the flat countryside for miles around. Travel on to County Cork to visit Blarney Castle with its magical stone that gives the gift of eloquence for a kiss. There is time to stop at Blarney Woollen Mills to shop for Waterford crystal and other handicrafts before continuing on to bustling Killarney. The town on the lakes is famous for its lively pubs and open, cheerful atmosphere, full of what the Irish call “craic!” – Gaelic for fun. Be sure of a hearty welcome from your Killarney hosts. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant. (B,D)
Day 4, Tue. THE RING OF KERRY. at Killarney
Travel the road that winds around the beautiful Iveragh Peninsula, better known as The Ring of Kerry. It is undoubtedly one of the most magical places in all Ireland. Here mountains, valleys, lakes and sea blend into a landscape that is often breathtaking beyond words. Back in Killarney, the rest of the day is free. (B)
Day 5, Wed. KILLARNEY / CLIFFS OF MOHER / GALWAY at Galway
This morning cross the Shannon estuary by ferry and enter County Clare. Stop for a walk along the Cliffs of Moher, rising approximately 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic waves. Then travel north across the Burren, a suddenly stark and barren landscape. Next, on to tour Galway, “City of the Tribes,” including Galway Cathedral. Later, settle into your Galway “home.” This evening, drop in at Rathbaun Farm and meet a Galway farming family as they carry out their everyday chores. Watch as the farmer shears a sheep and maneuvers his flock with the help of his dog. Enjoy dinner at the farmhouse before returning to your Galway home for the night. (B,D)
Day 6, Thu. GALWAY / DUBLIN at Dublin
Travel across the plains of Meath to Clonmacnoise, an ancient monastic site founded by St. Ciaran in 545 A.D. Then, return to Dublin, where your evening is free. (B)
Day 7, Fri. DEPART DUBLIN. at Dublin
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)
