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 2008 Irish Castles & Gardens
TOUR HIGHLIGHTSNational Botanic GardensCarton House Hotel & SpaBirr Castle GardensKylemore AbbeyCliffs of MoherMuckross House and Jaunting Car RideDublin Castle"Orient Express" Pullman Car dinnerOld Jameson Distillery "Shindig"Irish National Stud & Japanese GardensDublin TourDeluxe and Castle hotels throughoutWhat Your Tour Includes 9 days/7 nights/14 mealsWelcome get-together drinkGroup transfers on arrival and departureTour of Dublin with a local guideSightseeing by luxury coach throughoutFerry ride across the River ShannonServices of a professional Irish tour directorHorse-drawn jaunting car ride in KillarneyDeluxe & castle hotels with private bath/shower for 7 nightsVisits and admissions to Dublin Castle, National Botanic Gardens, Birr Castle Gardens, Kylemore Abbey & Gardens, Cliffs of Moher, Muckross House & Gardens and Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens7 full Irish breakfasts (B)Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap7 dinners (D) including - "Shindig" at the Old Jameson Distillery in Dublin - Pullman Restaurant, Orient Express railway carriages - Farewell dinner at Killashee House Hotel - 4 table d'hote dinnersAll local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person
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| Call (800) 395-9550 for more information or to book today! Mention code 6305307 | | CIE Tours | | Offer valid through 8/31/2008 | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Depart U.S. for Dublin | Depart U.S. for Dublin : Take an overnight flight across the Atlantic and relax as you start your vacation. | | Day 2 | Carton House Hotel & Spa | Carton House Hotel & Spa : Arrive in Dublin Airport, complete immigration formalities and pick up your luggage. Go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall to arrange a group transfer to your hotel at 7:00 am, 10:00 am or 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. The balance of the day is at leisure to explore the facilities of your delightful resort hotel, where the movie, "Barry Lyndon," was filmed. You may head for the spa, the golf course or walk around the spacious grounds. In the evening enjoy a welcome drink and discuss your itinerary with your tour director and fellow travelers. Afterwards dine in your hotel. (D) | | Day 3 | Dublin | Dublin Castle & Shindig Evening : This morning discover the delights of central Dublin with your tour director. See major buildings, parks and, of course, Dublin's famous Georgian doors. Stop at Dublin Castle for a guided tour around the State Apartments, dignified chambers where many historic events have been held. Visit the National Botanic Gardens to view splendid Victorian glasshouses and collections of plants. Return to your hotel or, if you prefer, stay in central Dublin. In the evening attend a "Shindig" at the Old Jameson Distillery. See whiskey-making processes as you tour the distillery before sitting down to a dinner of Irish specialties, followed by a fun entertainment program. (B, D) | | Day 4 | Birr Castle Gardens & Glenlo Abbey | Birr Castle Gardens & Glenlo Abbey : Drive west through farming country to the center of Ireland to the heritage town of Birr. Visit Birr Castle Gardens, which offer formal gardens, the tallest box hedges in the world, hornbeam cloisters and over 1,000 different species of trees and shrubs. Also see the giant telescope which was the largest in the world when completed in the 1840's. Drive around the main points of interest in Galway city and spend some time on your own before heading to the shores of Lough Corrib to your distinctive hotel, which was formerly an abbey. Arrive by mid-afternoon so that you can relax and enjoy the hotel's great setting and facilities. In the evening dine in the elegant River Room Restaurant with views of Lough Corrib. (B, D) | | Day 5 | Connemara | Connemara & Kylemore Abbey : Drive through the open countryside of Connemara to admire sweeping views of misty mountains and shimmering lakes. Explore the Inagh Valley where sheep graze freely and people hand-cut peat from the bogs. Visit the 19th century neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey, now a prestigious girls' school to see the exquisite chapel and reception rooms. Then visit the Victorian Walled Garden, restored in 2000 with a kitchen garden and a flower garden both planted to reflect the style of the late Victorian era. Continue your drive to Clifden, the "Capital" of Connemara and stop to look around the town before returning through Maam Cross to your hotel. Tonight enjoy a special dining experience in the Pullman Restaurant, luxury railroad cars built in 1927 for the Orient Express. (B, D) | | Day 6 | Killarney | Cliffs of Moher & Killarney : Drive south through the outskirts of Galway and around Galway Bay. Travel through part of the Burren, a unique region of limestone hills, on the way to the County Clare coast to view the Cliffs of Moher. This impressive wall of rock rises almost 700 feet above the Atlantic breakers and you can see the Aran Islands on a clear day. Visit the recently-opened Visitor Centre where the geology of the region is explained. Continue your journey south to take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary and into the mountainous County Kerry. Travel to Killarney your delightful deluxe hotel, which is located at the gateway to the scenic Gap of Dunloe, a few miles outside the town. (B, D) | | Day 7 | Killarney | Muckross House & Killarney : Drive to the market town of Kenmare where traditional buildings are brightly painted and enhanced with flowers. Drive up through Moll's Gap, a wonderful vantage point on the Ring of Kerry and stop at Ladies' View. Visit Muckross House, a delightful 19th century furnished mansion on the shores of Muckross Lake, where your guide will tell you about the influential owners and visitors. Take a walk around the charming gardens before driving to Killarney. Here travel in the traditional manner by a horse-drawn car through the Killarney National Park to Ross Castle, picturesquely set with Lough Leane and the Macgillycuddy's Reeks in the background. Take some time to look around the compact town of Killarney before returning to your hotel. You may like to stroll in the charming gardens with the castle ruins or use the health facilities before dining in the hotel restaurant. (B, D) | | Day 8 | Adare | Adare & Japanese Gardens : Leave your castle hotel and drive to the village of Adare, renowned for its picturesque thatched cottages and colorful gardens. Travel through the outskirts of Limerick and the midland region of Ireland to Kildare to visit the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens. Here you can learn about horse breeding and see some of the valuable animals before touring the lovely Japanese Gardens, considered the best in Europe. They were laid out in 1908 and represent the "Life of Man" through the placement of trees, shrubs and rocks in classical Japanese manner. A short drive will take you to the gracious Victorian manor house hotel set in 80 acres of gardens. Relax before sitting down to dinner with your fellow travelers in an elegant setting. (B, D) | | Day 9 | Depart Dublin for Home | Depart Dublin for Home : This morning take a group transfer from Kildare to Dublin Airport where your tour concludes at 10:00 am. After check-in, you'll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before U.S. Immigration pre-clearance and boarding your flight for the journey home. If you need to arrive at Dublin Airport before 10:00 am, your tour director will arrange an early group transfer. (B) |
| | | Carton House - Maynooth, Co Kildare | | Glenlo Abbey Hotel - Galway City, Co Galway | | Dunloe Castle Hotel - Killarney, Co Kerry | | Killashee House Hotel - Naas, Co Kildare |
| | Coach Tour and River Cruise prices are based on two people sharing rooms; for single prices, click on preferred travel date below to view next screen.Taxes, security fees and fuel surcharges are not included. This list indicates brochure rates and dates. Air price is based on departures from New York. Additional add-on airfares from other cities will be available after clicking on Book Now! The air inclusive prices below are for general information only and not a reflection of current seat availability.We highly recommend that you review our general conditions page for full details on terms, conditions, and penalties. |
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