DELUXE IRELAND

ESCORTED
10 days Dublin/Dublin

From Dublin to the remote wilderness of Connemara, experience elegant accommodation and superb cuisine with a distinctively Irish warmth and hospitality

INCLUDES

• Airport transfers on days 2 and 11
• Twin-bedded rooms in the deluxe hotels shown; hotel taxes, service charges and tips for ­baggage handling
• 9 breakfasts (B), 1 morning ­coffee (MC) and 5 three-course ­dinners with choice of entree and ­coffee (D)
• Services of a professional Irish Tour Director
• Private luxury motorcoach with air- conditioning, extra leg room and emergency washroom
• Complete sightseeing program as detailed in the itinerary, including:
  Waterford Crystal Factory; Cobh Heritage Centre; Blarney Castle; Ring of Kerry; jaunting car ride; Muckross House; Flying Boat Museum; Cliffs of Moher; Kylemore Abbey; “Moonriver” cruise; St. Patrick’s Cathedral; Trinity College Library
• 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 - Four Seasons (DLX)
CORK - Hayfield Manor (DLX)
KILLARNEY - Aghadoe Heights (DLX)
NEWMARKET - Dromoland Castle (DLX) or Adare Manor (DLX) in Adare
CONG - Ashford Castle (DLX)
DUBLIN - Westbury Hotel (DLX)

ITINERARY

Day 2 ARRIVE IN DUBLIN, IRELAND. at Dublin

Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel, the luxurious Four Seasons, located within the Royal Dublin Society Show Grounds. This Georgian style property offers premier rooms in a period style ambience: a perfect way to relax after your flight.
This evening join your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a Cocktail Reception.

Day 3 DUBLIN / WATERFORD / CORK. at Cork

Travel through the serene Wicklow Mountains to the monastic ruins at Glendalough. On to the ancient town of Waterford with its colorful terrace houses, cafés and bars overlooking the quayside. At the Waterford Crystal Factory, enjoy a tour and watch master craftsmen at work in the centuries-old tradition of glass blowing and engraving. There is time afterward to enjoy the splendid showrooms and
perhaps select a special piece of the sparkling glass to take home. End the day in Cork. (B,D)

Day 4 CORK / COBH / BLARNEY / ­KILLARNEY. at Killarney

Visit Cobh, a Vic­torian seafront town. The Heritage Centre brings the Queenstown (as Cobh was once named) story of emigration alive, with exhibits, photo­graphs and original film footage. Queenstown was also the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic. Next is Blarney Castle with its magical stone that gives the gift of eloquence for a kiss. Wander across to the Blarney Woollen Mills for traditional Irish crafts and knitwear. Then on to Killarney and your beautiful hotel and spa set on a lush hill overlooking the lakes. (B,D)

Day 5 THE RING OF KERRY. at Killarney

The road that winds around the beautiful Iveragh Peninsula is better known as The Ring of Kerry. Here mountains, valleys, lakes and sea blend into a breath­taking landscape. Return to Killarney and enjoy a jaunting car ride to Muckross House, an elegant mansion set on the shores of Muckross Lake. (B)

Day 6 KILLARNEY / NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS (Dromoland Castle) or ADARE (Adare Manor). at Killarney

This morning, visit the Flying Boat Museum at Foynes, which became the centre of the aviation world from 1939 to 1945. On July 9th 1939, Pan Am's luxury Flying Boat, the "Yankee Clipper" landed at Foynes. This was the first commercial passenger flight on a direct route from the USA to Europe. (B,D) Dromoland Castle - The castle dates back to the 16th century and is one of the most famous ­baronial castles in Ireland. Its romantic ­gardens, ­luxurious accommodation, prestigious dining room, and splendid wood and stone carvings, combine old world charm with the facilities the new world demands. Adare Manor - Surrounded by formal gardens and parklands, Adare Manor is an elegant 19th century manor house. It offers luxurious rooms, fine dining, an indoor pool, and a championship golf course.

Day 7 NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS or ADARE / CLIFFS OF MOHER / GALWAY / CONG (Ashford Castle). at Cong

Drive west into Clare to see the Cliffs of Moher. These limestone ramparts rise approximately 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Then, north across the Burren, a stark landscape dotted with rare flora. Next see Galway Cathedral. Then, drive through Headford and into the majestic grounds of Ashford Castle. (B,D)

Stately Ashford Castle was the country estate of Lord Ardilaun and of the Guinness­ ­family for almost a century, until it was transformed into a luxury hotel in 1939. Set on the north shores of Lough Corrib, Ashford offers the finest in country living – an elegant dining room, a lavishly decorated Great Hall, beautiful grounds, a 9-hole golf course, and fishing or cruising on the lake.

Day 8 CONNEMARA EXCURSION. at Cong

In the remote west of Ireland, visit Kylemore Abbey, a castellated neo-Gothic mansion. Journey back via Recess and the Maam Valley with time to enjoy Ashford Castle and all its splendor before an exquisite dinner. (B,D)

Day 9 CONG / DUBLIN. at Dublin

Travel to Carrick-on-Shannon. Stop for a ­morning cruise aboard the Moon River and enjoy coffee and scones. Return to Dublin and enjoy your city center hotel. The ­balance of the day is at leisure. (B,MC)

Day 10 TOUR HISTORIC DUBLIN. at Dublin

On a city tour, pass Christ Church on the way to stately St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a legacy of religious power from the 12th century. On to the seat of learning at the heart of Dublin – Trinity College. Walk across the cobbled squares to the old library and see one of Ireland’s greatest treasures – the 8th century Book of Kells. Spend the afternoon ex­plor­­ing the city’s shops, squares, galleries and museums or relax in a café or pub. (B)

Day 11, Sun. DEPART DUBLIN. (B) at Dublin