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8 Days Irish Spirit Tour Package
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Priced From: $998 pp Dbl. Occ. (Land Only)
Dates: Feb - Nov
Itinerary
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 Tour & Old Jameson Distillery
Arrive at Dublin Airport, proceed through immigration and pick up your baggage. Go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall where personnel will arrange a 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. Your hotel is located in Ballsbridge, one of Dublin's most prestigious addresses. At 2:00 pm join your group and a local guide for an introductory look around central Dublin. See the fashionable shopping areas around Grafton and Nassau Streets, view the many elegant Georgian townhouses and pass the Dail where the government convenes. Visit the Old Jameson Distillery to see the different stages of whiskey making and enjoy a sample at the end of the tour. Back at your hotel meet with your guide and fellow travelers for a welcome drink and discuss your itinerary.
Day 3: Rock of Cashel & Blarney Woollen Mills
Depart Dublin to travel through the Irish countryside where you can see the "Forty Shades of Green" as you pass many farms. Visit the Rock of Cashel, where Brian Boru was crowned King of Munster in 977. See the 12th century, highly decorated Cormac's Chapel, the large cruciform cathedral and a round tower. Just outside Cork shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills, renowned for their quality Irish merchandise, or take a walk around the charming village green. While it is not included in the tour, you will have time to climb to the ramparts of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone. Continue your drive to your hotel in the center of Killarney. After dinner you may like to sample one of the many singing bars. (B, D)
Day 4: Ring of Kerry & Muckross Gardens
Today you will discover the wonderful scenery of Killarney as you drive around the famous Ring of Kerry. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Ireland's highest mountains, and the varied Atlantic coast. You will be amazed at the breathtaking views and you will stop for photos at the most dramatic scenes. Continue through the remote villages of Cahirciveen and Waterville. On the return, pass through the colorful village of Sneem and stop at Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney. Stop for a stroll through the splendid Muckross Gardens on the shores of Muckross Lake. Enjoy some free time in Killarney before dinner in your hotel. (B, D)
Day 5: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Depart Killarney and travel north through the village of Listowel to Tarbert. Take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon and drive along the coastline of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher. This wall of limestone rises to heights of almost 700 feet above the churning Atlantic swells. Walk along the top of the cliffs to O'Brien's Tower for great views. Drive through the Burren, an area of rounded limestone hills where rock has weathered into amazing rock formations and around the shores of Galway Bay. Take a short orientation tour around central Galway before checking into your hotel. (B, D)
Day 6: Connemara & Kylemore Abbey
Today explore another of Ireland's famous scenic regions-Connemara, where the constantly-changing cloud formations give hills, lakes and peat bogs an added dimension. Travel alongside Galway Bay to Spiddal where most locals speak the Irish language. Pass the granite hills and sparkling lakes of the Inagh Valley on the way to Kylemore Abbey. This 19th century mansion, set beside a charming lake, is today a prestigious girls' school. Several elegant reception rooms and the ornate church are open to view. Stop in Moycullen at the Celtic Connemara Crystal Factory, which specializes in Celtic designs cut into colored creations. Watch skilled craftsmen cut the crystal and learn about the symbolism of the motifs before returning to Galway for some leisure time before dinner. (B, D)
Day 7: 6th Century Clonmacnoise & Abbey Tavern
Drive to the center of the country to visit Clonmacnoise. This early Christian monastic site was founded by St. Ciaran in 545 AD, when Christianity flourished throughout Ireland. See round towers, church ruins and Celtic crosses with elaborate carvings, all in a picturesque setting on the banks of the River Shannon. Continue to the greater metropolitan area of Dublin once more and check into the same hotel. In the evening drive to the Abbey Tavern for a hearty dinner followed by a lively show of traditional music, songs and step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 8: Depart for Home
For those of you booked on our 8-day tour, complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. (B)
B=Breakfast, CB=Continental Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Highlights
Abbey Tavern Traditional Show & Dinner
Tour & Tasting at Old Jameson Distillery
Rock of Cashel
Ring of Kerry
Lakes of Killarney
Cliffs of Moher
Scenic Connemara Drive
Catamaran Cruise
Clonmacnoise Early Christian Monastery
Your Accommodations:
Stay at the following (or similar):
Bewleys Hotel Ballsbridge - Dublin - 1 night(s)
Killarney Towers Hotel & Leisure Centre - Killarney, Co Kerry - 2 night(s)
Courtyard by Marriott, Galway - Galway City, Co Galway - 2 night(s)
Bewleys Hotel Ballsbridge - Dublin - 1 night(s)
What's Included
- Group transfers on arrival and departure
- Tour of Dublin with a local guide
- Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
- Whiskey tasting and tour of Old Jameson Distillery
- Services of a professional Irish driver/guide
- Ferry ride across the River Shannon
- First class hotels with private bath/shower for 6 nights
- Visits and admissions to Rock of Cashel, Blarney Woollen Mills, Muckross Gardens, Cliffs of Moher, Kylemore Abbey, Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory and Clonmacnoise
- 6 full Irish breakfasts (B)
- Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
- 5 dinners (D) including - Traditional Irish evening with dinner and entertainment at the Abbey Tavern - 4 table d'hote dinners
- All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person
Save time, money and stress!
For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our Ireland vacation specialist.
Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
11/09
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