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 2008 Irish Classic
TOUR HIGHLIGHTSDublin CastleGlendalough 6th Century Monastic SiteCliffs of MoherJaunting Car Ride and Muckross HouseFoynes Flying Boat MuseumAchill Island ExcursionBelleek Pottery Factory VisitGiant's CausewayWaterford Crystal Factory VisitIrish National Stud & Japanese GardensDownpatrick & Mount Stewart HouseBlarney Woolen MillsBunratty Castle Medieval BanquetWalking Tours of Belfast Westport & DerryCobh Heritage CenterWhat Your Tour Includes 13 days/11 nights/21 mealsFerry ride across Strangford LoughGroup transfers on arrival and departureTour of Belfast with a local guideSightseeing by luxury coach throughoutWalking tours of Derry,Westport & WaterfordServices of a professional Irish tour directorDay tour to Achill IslandSuperior first class hotels with private bath/shower for 11 nightsHorse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney11 full Irish breakfasts (B)Visits and admissions to Dublin Castle, Glendalough Visitor Centre, St. Patrick Centre, Down Cathedral, Mount Stewart House and Gardens, Giant's Causeway, Triona Design, Belleek Pottery Factory, Cliffs of Moher, Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Muckross House & Gardens, Blarney Woollen Mills, Cobh Heritage Centre,Waterford Crystal Factory and Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens10 dinners (D) including - Dinner and traditional Irish entertainment in Dublin - Medieval banquet and entertainment at Bunratty Castle - Farewell dinner at Dunboyne Castle Hotel - 7 table d'hote dinnersDeluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strapWelcome get-together drinkAll 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 6305311 | | CIE Tours | | Offer valid through 8/31/2008 | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Depart U.S. for Dublin | Depart U.S. for Dublin : Welcome aboard your overnight flight to Dublin. Relax with dinner and entertainment. | | Day 2 | Dublin | Arrive Ireland & Dublin Castle : 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 between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm tour the city center, stopping to visit Dublin Castle's State Apartments to view historical portraits and superb furnishings. In the evening meet your fellow travelers over a welcome drink and your tour director will assist you in choosing a local restaurant to dine independently. | | Day 3 | Dublin | 6th Century Glendalough & Traditional Music : This morning discover the Wicklow Mountains, located south of Dublin. Drive through the lovely scenery and visit Glendalough, a 6th century monastic site founded by St. Kevin. Learn about monastic life in early Christian Ireland and then walk through the ruins of the many churches and a round tower. Return to Dun Laoghaire where the afternoon is at leisure for independent activities. In the evening drive to a popular Dublin venue for a great dinner of Irish specialties, which is followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs and intricate step-dancing. (B, D) | | Day 4 | Downpatrick & Mount Stewart | Downpatrick & Mount Stewart : Drive north via Warrenpoint, past the gentle slopes of the Mourne Mountains and follow the shoreline to Downpatrick. Visit the St. Patrick Centre to learn about Ireland's patron saint and see his reputed burial place in Down Cathedral, marked by a huge granite boulder. Cross Strangford Lough by ferry to visit Mount Stewart House and Gardens. The famous gardens at Mount Stewart were planted in the 1920's by Edith, Lady Londonderry, and have been nominated a World Heritage Site. The house tour includes world-famous paintings and stories about the prominent political figures to whom the Londonderry family played host. Check into your hotel in Belfast. (B, D) | | Day 5 | Derry | Belfast, Giant's Causeway & Derry : See the highlights of Belfast with a local guide, including Victorian buildings, the Harland and Wolff Shipyards, where the Titanic was built and some of the suburbs around the Shankill and Falls Road. Drive north to experience wonderful views of mountains, valleys and coastline as you travel along the "Nine Glens of Antrim," a famous scenic drive. Stop at the Giant's Causeway, hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. The enormous rocks have spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. Drive to Derry and in the evening join a local guide for a short walking tour around the ancient city center, surrounded by the medieval city walls. (B, D) | | Day 6 | Westport | Belleek China & Westport : Journey south to Ballybofey and through the scenery of the Blue Stack Mountains to Ardara. Stop at Triona Design to see how locally-produced wool is spun and woven. Enjoy tea and scones before driving to Donegal town. Take a guided tour around the Belleek Pottery Factory to see craftspeople making delicate and ornate pieces in fine china. Travel through Sligo, often referred to as "Yeats' Country", and the rocky landscape of Mayo. Continue to Westport where your hotel is located in the central square. (B, D) | | Day 7 | Achill Island | Achill Island Excursion : After a late breakfast travel around Clew Bay, reputed to have 365 islands. Drive via Newport and across the Curraun Peninsula to reach Achill Island, joined to the mainland by a bridge. Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful and wild scenic views of steeply sloped mountains plunging into the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. Near Slievemore see the Deserted Village, the remains of nearly 100 stone cottages abandoned around the time of the 1840's Famine. Also see stretches of windswept bogland and golden beaches. Return to Westport for a brief walking tour with a local guide around this attractive estate town, which was laid out in 1780. (B, D) | | Day 8 | Cliffs of Moher | Cliffs Of Moher & Bunratty Banquet : Travel to Galway City and take a panoramic tour to see the main sights. Then spend some time on your own before driving through the Burren, limestone hills with unique flora and prehistoric stone monuments. View the majestic Cliffs of Moher, a rocky wall that rises nearly 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic Ocean. Drive to Bunratty and check into your hotel, located beside Bunratty Castle. You may like to visit Durty Nelly's Pub or the Bunratty Folk Park. In the evening head to 15th century Bunratty Castle for a jolly medieval-style dinner where the Lords and Ladies serenade you with favorite songs. (B, D) | | Day 9 | Killarney | Flying Boat Museum & Killarney's Lakes : Drive through the outskirts of Limerick and along by the River Shannon to Foynes to visit the Flying Boat Museum. In the early days of flight, during the 1930's and early 1940's, this was the landing place for Pan Am Clippers from the United States and Europe. The museum recreates the infancy of aviation through displays of memorabilia. Journey into the mountainous scenery of County Kerry and stop in Listowel. This town is renowned as the birthplace of J. B. Keane, a popular 20th century playwright. Continue to Killarney and check into your hotel in the center of town. (B, D) | | Day 10 | Killarney | Jaunting Car Ride & Muckross House : Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride to view lakes and mountains on the way to Muckross House. Tour the delightful 19th century furnished mansion on the shores of Muckross Lake while the guide tells you about the influential owners and visitors. Take a walk around the charming gardens. Drive to the delightful town of Kenmare where traditional buildings are gaily 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 before returning to Killarney. (B, D) | | Day 11 | Waterford | Cobh Heritage & Waterford Crystal : Drive through the mountains of Kerry and make a brief stop at the Blarney Woollen Mills. Next visit Cobh Heritage Centre, located in the old train station through which all emigrants passed to embark on the journey to the United States. See the many hardships travelers had to endure. Continue along the south coast to Waterford to tour the Waterford Crystal Factory and watch how this popular crystal is created. In the showrooms see a wide range of tableware and special trophies. Check into your hotel, once the home of Thomas Francis Meagher, first governor of Montana. After dinner, join a local guide for a stroll around the historic city center. (B, D) | | Day 12 | Kilkenny | Medieval Kilkenny & National Stud : Drive north to Kilkenny and stop to look around the town, which is dominated by a huge castle. In medieval times the town was a prosperous trading center and the narrow streets still follow ancient routes. Travel north to Kildare and visit the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens. As a nation, the Irish are very interested in horses and the Stud will tell you about the valuable breeding industry. The Japanese Gardens symbolize the "Life of Man" through plants and rocks. Then head to the village of Dunboyne, on the outskirts of Dublin. Check into Dunboyne Castle Hotel and relax for a while before enjoying a farewell dinner with your group. (B, D) | | Day 13 | Dublin | Dublin to U.S.A. : Complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am and 12:00 noon. 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. (B) |
| | | Royal Marine Hotel - Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin | | Europa Hotel - Belfast City, Belfast | | City Hotel - Derry City, Co Derry | | Wyatt Hotel - Westport, Co Mayo | | Bunratty Castle Hotel - Bunratty, Co Clare | | Killarney Plaza Hotel - Killarney, Co Kerry | | Granville Hotel - Waterford City, Co Waterford | | Dunboyne Castle Hotel - Dunboyne, Co Meath |
| | 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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