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Small Group Escorted Tours
From 16 to 24 passengers
Discover Authentic Ireland
12 Days, 16 meals
From $2,349 per person
Spend
12 days discovering authentic Ireland on this small-group
escorted tour that brings you personal experiences
far off the beaten path. Sip tea fireside during an
evening of storytelling. Tour the Dingle Peninsula
and the Aran Islands. Travel the Burren’s vast
limestone landscape and spend a day exploring the
wilds of the Connemara. Shop at the Spiddal Irish
Craft Village. Visit Croagh Patrick. Find your seat
in Ireland’s oldest pub, The Brazen Head, for
an evening of “food, folk and fairies.”
- Dublin, Westport, Killary Harbor
Cruise, Galway, The Burren, Dingle Peninsula, Kinsale
- Multiple night stays in Ireland’s
premier resort destinations of Westport and Kinsale.
- Visit the 19th-century Kylemore
Abbey, home of the Benedictine order of nuns in
Ireland.
- Travel one of the most majestic
coastal routes in the world, the Dingle Peninsula.
- Tour the epicenter of Irish horse
breeding, the Irish National Stud, in Kildare.
TOUR DETAILS
Air
1: Overnight Flight
Begin
your discovery of Ireland and delve into the ancient
and contemporary history, culture and scenic wonders
of Ireland. Day
2: Dublin, Ireland - Tour Begins
Your tour begins today in Dublin. Start your
exploration of Ireland with a delightful panoramic
sightseeing tour of Dublin. See O’Connell
Street, Grafton Street, Trinity College and
Dublin’s magnificent rows of Georgian
town homes. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers
at The Brazen Head, Dublin’s oldest pub,
for a traditional Irish meal and an entertaining
discussion on Irish folklore.
Day
3: Dublin - Croagh Patrick - Westport
Depart Dublin, traveling through central
Ireland to Strokestown Park. A guided visit
of the park features the restored 18th-century
Georgian mansion and 4-acre pleasure garden
with its famous herbaceous border, as well as
the Famine Museum, which documents the hardships
experienced by tenant farmers during the Great
Irish Famine. Continue to the base of Croagh
Patrick, Ireland’s Holy Mountain, where
Saint Patrick fasted for 40 days in 441 AD.
Learn about this pilgrimage site at the Croagh
Patrick Visitor Centre and see the nearby National
Famine Monument. Overnight in the “heritage
town” of Westport. |
To travel
to Ireland is to experience its magical aura
|
Day 4:
Westport
This morning, enjoy a guided walking tour
of Westport. The remainder of the day is at leisure
to explore Westport and its environs at your own pace.
You may wish to return to nearby Croagh Patrick for
a hike to its summit, plan an exciting cruise on Clew
Bay where you can discover some of its 365 islands,
or visit the Westport House and Park where you can
explore this lovely manor house and its grounds. An
optional guided excursion is available to nearby Achill
Island.
Day 5:
Westport - Killary Harbor - Galway
Enjoy a delightful day of sightseeing
in the Gaelic-speaking Connemara region, known for
its sweeping views of boglands, misty mountains and
picturesque seaside villages where the locals maintain
their Irish language and traditional lifestyles. Enjoy
a delightful cruise* on Killary Harbor, the only fjord
in all of Ireland. Next, visit the 19th-century Kylemore
Abbey, home of Benedictine nuns. Continue to Spiddal
where you will visit an Irish craft village featuring
handicrafts including traditional instruments, jewelry,
woodturning and Irish language-themed items. Your
day ends in the lovely city of Galway.
Day 6:
Galway - Aran Islands - Galway
This morning, a brief panoramic tour
introduces “The City of Tribes.” Then,
step back in time with a visit to the Aran Islands
(weather permitting). Following a quick ferry ride,
a guided sightseeing tour introduces the rich language,
culture and heritage of this unique region. A visit
is included to the prehistoric hill fort, Dun Aengus,
situated against dramatic sea cliffs. This evening,
spend some free time exploring Galway's lively pedestrain
area.
Day 7:
Galway - Limerick - Tralee
This morning, travel through the vast
limestone landscape of the Burren, known for its stark
beauty and Neolithic tombs. Visit Dysert O’Dea
Castle and the Dysert O’Dea Archeology Trail,
containing ruins that date back 3,000 years - including
Romanesque churches, high crosses, tower houses, stone
and earthen forts and holy wells. Your exploration
of western Ireland continues with a panoramic tour
of Limerick showcasing King John's Castle and Treaty
Stone. Learn about the fascinating history of the
"city of the violated treaty." Your journey
ends in Tralee, renowned for its annual international
beauty pageant, the Rose of Tralee, where all girls
of Irish decent are eligible for the title. Tonight,
relax by the fire during a Gaelic lecture.
Day 8:
Tralee - Dingle Peninsula - Tralee
Travel one of the most majestic coastal
routes in the world, the Dingle Peninsula. Spectacular
views of the Atlantic Ocean await you along the 32
mile Slea Head drive. See charming coastal villages
such as Ventry, Dunquin and Ballyferriter. In the
distance you will see the once inhabited Blasket Islands.
Learn about the Blasket islanders and their unique
literary achievements during a tour of the Blasket
Island Centre.
Day 9:
Tralee - Lough Hyne - Clonakilty - Kinsale
This morning, travel through one of the loveliest
portions of the Ring of Kerry and the pretty town
of Kenmare. Next, enjoy an eco-tour of Lough Hyne
salt water marine lake and nature reserve. Discover
the unique life forms that reside here in Ireland’s
only salt pond. Continue to a farm house in the lovely
town of Clonakilty on Ireland’s south coast
where you will enjoy an Irish baking demonstration.
Of course, you’ll get to sample the cook’s
creation during a home-cooked lunch. End your day
in the magnificent town of Kinsale, Ireland’s
culinary capital, known for its fresh seafood.
Day 10:
Kinsale
Enjoy a full day experiencing the
charms of Kinsale. Begin your day with a locally guided
tour of the town, including a stop at Charles Fort.
Your afternoon is free to relax or perhaps enjoy one
of the local pubs or superb restaurants. Explore the
unique art galleries, antique shops and boutiques.
| Day
11: Kinsale – Rock of Cashel - Kildare
- Dunboyne
Depart the south coast today
and head to the Rock of Cashel for a visit to
the historic spot where St. Patrick preached
and, as legend has it, rid the Emerald Isle
of snakes. Continue to County Kildare to visit
the Irish National Stud. The tradition of pedigree
horse breeding dates back centuries in this
region. Your visit includes a guided tour of
this historic home to the world's finest thoroughbred
horses, as well as the Japanese Garden. Tonight,
enjoy a farewell dinner with your traveling
companions in the village of Dunboyne just outside
of Dublin.
Day
12: Dunboyne - Tour Ends
Your tour ends today in Dunboyne.
TOUR DATES & RATES:
| March 6, 2010 |
$2,349 |
| April 17, 2010 |
$2,449 |
NOTE:
Tour prices are Land Only rates based
on per person double occupancy. Please call
for triple or child occupancy rates. Some dates
may feature various changes in hotels, sightseeing
and inclusions. Please confirm your specific
itinerary at the time of booking.
Airfare is additional and is available with
free roundtrip sedan service that takes you
from your home to the airport when you purchase
an air-inclusive tour.*
*This personalized
service - including gratuities - is Included
in many U.S. cities within a 50 mile radius
of more than 80 airport gateways. Other restrictions
may apply; call for details. |
Dingle Peninsula
Kylemore Abbey
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Call today for further
details and availability.
800-863-9067
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