Here we go again with Paula and Travis Escorting to the lush landscapes, charming cities, and friendly people of Ireland. You’ll enjoy some of Ireland’s most magnificent scenery as well as its most famous towns. We’ll start and end in Dublin with Highlights that include the 668-foot Cliffs of Moher on Ireland’s west coast, where you’ll savor breathtaking views of these sheer cliffs dropping into the ocean, and the Ring of Kerry, a 100-mile panoramic drive through rugged and awe-inspiring landscapes. Words cannot capture the magnificence of this natural beauty; it must be witnessed in person!
From the scenic beauty to the unique interactions and experiences with the down-to-earth locals, this Ireland tour is sure to delight all of your senses, and at a price you just can’t miss!
Hope you will join us on this Magical Tour September 19th - 29th, 2018.
Day 1—CANADA TO DUBLIN
Depart Charlottetown for our flights that included an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.
Day 2 - Welcome to Dublin
DUBLIN ARRIVAL & SIGHTSEEING
After landing at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities. Then our driver/guide will welcome us to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the coach. Take an orientation drive around Dublin city center. Dublin is one of the liveliest capitals in Europe but there are plenty of historical places also. See the main thoroughfares of O’Connell Street and Nassau Street, the shopping streets and some lovely public parks. Stop to visit the Guinness Storehouse to see exhibits on how this world-famous stout was first created and why it is so popular today. Finish your visit in the roof-top bar, Gravity, overlooking the city center where you can sample a draft Guinness and enjoy the view of the city. Then drive to our hotel and check in. After you settle into you room you may like to rest or explore some of the city on your own. In the evening, you are free to choose from the many restaurants and pubs that Nass has to offer. OVERNIGHT: Killashee Hotel House, Nass (1 Night)
Day 3
IRISH NATIONAL STUD & KILKENNY CASTLE
This morning, depart Dublin and drive to Kildare, which is in the heart of Ireland's horse country. A visit to the Irish National Stud will show you the history and current trends of horse-breeding in Ireland. See some of the magnificent horses and learn about horse-breeding. Then take a walk around the Japanese Gardens which were established in 1908 and represent the "Life of Man" from cradle to grave in the traditional Japanese style of gardening. Also see the charming St. Fiachra’s Garden with water features and beehive huts. Continue your drive south to Kilkenny for a visit to Kilkenny Castle, home of the Butlers, Earls and Dukes of Ormonde. The castle was first built in 1192 and added to over the centuries. Restored to 1830’s splendor, it houses wonderful paintings and furniture. Then check into your hotel and enjoy some time to settle in before joining your group for dinner. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: Newport Hotel, Kilkenny (1 Night)
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Day 4
HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL & BLARNEY CASTLE
This morning board the coach and travel south to Waterford, a riverfront city of Viking origins, famous for its hand-cut crystal. Upon arrival tour the House of Waterford Crystal to learn about glass blowing and cutting and see one-of-a-kind masterpieces. After your visit depart Waterford and travel along the south coast via Dungarvan and Youghal. Then drive through the outskirts of Cork to Blarney where you may climb to the battlements of Blarney Castle to kiss the “Stone of Eloquence.” Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products of all types. You will also have time to browse around the village, charmingly set around a large village green. Then journey west through the rugged countryside through Killarney, widely celebrated for its setting overlooking lakes and mountains. Then we’ll check into our hotel and enjoy the balance of the afternoon to relax or freshen up before a traditional Irish dinner with your fellow travelers. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: The Ash Hotel, Tralee (2 nights)
Day 5
RING OF KERRY & SKELLIG EXPERIENCE
Today admire breathtaking vistas of mountains, cliffs and beaches on Ireland’s most popular drive. See a variety of natural beauty as you drive 100 miles around this scenic route. Cross to Valencia Island by bridge to visit the Skellig Experience, which describes the way of life of early Christian monks who built their monastery on one of the offshore islands. Also learn about the many birds that nest in the Skelligs. A number of stops will allow you to admire the spectacular scenery and take a brief walk around the colorful village of Sneem. This evening enjoy dinner and entertainment at Kate Kearney’s Cottage, which is picturesquely situated at the entrance to what must be the most beautiful glaciated valley in Ireland, the Gap of Dunloe. The Irish night consists of a superb meal and traditional entertainment, which includes songs and musicians playing a wide array of instruments along with costumed dancers doing the jig and other traditional sets. OVERNIGHT: The Ash Hotel,Tralee
Day 6
CLIFFS OF MOHER & BURREN
After a hearty Irish breakfast, depart Killarney and travel north through the village of Listowel to Tarbert. Take a 20-minute ferry ride across the River Shannon estuary and drive along the coastline of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher, one of the country’s most magnificent rock formations that rise to heights of almost 700 feet above the churning Atlantic swells. Pass through the Burren Country, an area of rocky limestone hills where a number of unique flowers thrive. This region also contains many dolmens, prehistoric monuments formed by large limestone slabs. Drive around Galway Bay before arriving at your hotel in Galway. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure to relax or do some exploring on your own before joining your group for dinner. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: Ardilaun House Hotel, Galway (2 nights)
Day 7
WESTPORT HOUSE & ACHILL ISLAND TOUR
This morning travel through the rolling hills and rugged countryside of Ireland’s pastures and into Westport. Upon arrival, stop to visit Westport House, an elegant 18th century residence with many fine features that is still home to Lord Altamont. Then drive 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. Also see stretches of windswept bogland and golden beaches. Return to Galway and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure for independent activities and dining. OVERNIGHT: Ardilaun House Hotel, Galway
Day 8
STROKESTOWN HOUSE
Today, leave Galway and travel through the countryside to Strokestown to visit the Strokestown Park House which dates from the 17th century. This fine mansion shows the lifestyle of the affluent owners and also the conditions of the servants and farmers of the area, particularly during the Famine era of the 1840s when many Irish emigrated to the United States. The Museum of the Famine shows a large collection of documents relating to conditions during that dreadful time. Then journey east to Trim to check into your hotel. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: Cabra Castle, Kings court (1night)
Day 9
TRINITY COLLEGE & OLD JAMESON DISTILLERY
After a hearty Irish breakfast, depart Trim and admire the beautiful scenery on your way South to Dublin. Upon arrival, stop to visit, Trinity College to view the 8th century Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of the gospels. Next stop at the Old Jameson Distillery where you can learn about distillation processes for this “water of life.” Displays explain how barley and water are combined, distilled, aged and bottled and at the end of the tour enjoy a sample. This evening we’ll head to Ireland's oldest and most famous Traditional Irish pub “Brazen Head” where we’ll enjoy dinner and some traditional Irish music for our last night. OVERNIGHT: Riu Plaza The Gresham, Dublin (2 nights)
Day 10—The entire day is free in Dublin, where you can choose from a wide variety of pursuits. There are plenty of museums of Irish interests such as the National Museum, the National Gallery of the Writers Museum. There are plenty of shops on Nassau Street and the pedestrianized Grafton Street or Henry Street and you may like to explore the Temple Bars and visit some of the traditional pubs. In the evening, you are free to choose from many restaurants and pubs that Dublin has to offer. OVERNIGHT: Riu Plaza The Gresham, Dublin
Day 11—RETURN TO CANADA
All too soon, your vacation in Ireland has come to the end. Transfer to Dublin Airport in plenty of time to check in for your flight flying west across the Atlantic Ocean back home.
*** Itinerary & Hotels subject to change***
( Sold out ) On Request Only
Small Group Exclusive Tour pricing including flights from Charlottetown
(other gateways on request)
* Price per person $2990.00 (based on 2 sharing a room) plus $760.00 air taxes & fees
(including flights from Charlottetown)
* Price per person $3564.00 (based on 1 in a room) plus $760.00 air taxes & fees
(including flights from Charlottetown)
Deposit $750.00 per person to secure your space
Final Due June 28th, 2018.
Escorted by Paula and Travis
Video from 2016 Group ( Please view )