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......................... Sample Itinerary ..............................
2012 IRISH WELCOME TOUR
5/20 – 5/29/2011
$2950.00 per person with air (if available as of 3/15/11)
(Single Supplement $350.00)
Highlights:
• Medieval Banquet with Entertainment
• Kate Kearney's Cottage Dinner & Music
• Abbey Tavern Dinner & Traditional Show
• 2-Night Stay in a Real Irish Home
• “Titanic” History Walk
• Clonmacnoise Monastery
Your Accommodations
Stay at the following (or similar):
• Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty (2 night)
• Town & Country Homes, Killarney (2 nights)
• B & B Ireland, Killarney, Co. Kerry (2 nights)
• Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny (1 night)
• Ashling Hotel, Dublin (2 nights)
• Galway Bay Hotel, Galway (1 night)
10 Day Itinerary Including Airfare from USA
Day 1 - Fri: Overnight Flight to Shannon
Depart your North American gateway city and travel through the night to Shannon.
Land only tour starts on day 3.
Day 2 – Sat: Bunratty Castle Hotel pre-night (B)
Day 3 - Sun: Bunratty & Medieval Banquet
Land in Shannon Airport! After immigration control and picking up your baggage, go
to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall. This desk is not always staffed but will act
as a meeting point for your complimentary transfers which are available between 7:
00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later than 12:00 noon, transfer to the
hotel at your own expense. Spend the day at leisure in Bunratty. There's plenty to do
right beside your hotel - Bunratty Folk Park, Durty Nelly's Pub and shopping. This
evening meet your fellow travelers over a welcome drink and join in the fun of a
medieval banquet at nearby Bunratty Castle. (D)
Day 4 - Mon: Cliffs of Moher & Killarney
Drive to the coast to view the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, which rise to almost 700 feet
above the wild Atlantic breakers and stretch along the coast for five miles. Then
head south for a short ferry ride across the River Shannon. Stop in the charming
village of Listowel for a stroll around before continuing through mountainous
countryside to Killarney. Take a look around this bustling, compact town before
checking in to your home and meeting your Irish family. In the evening drive to Kate
Kearney's Cottage for dinner and traditional Irish entertainment with popular songs,
dances and a lot of laughs. (B, D)
Day 5 - Tue: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience
Admire breathtaking vistas of mountains, cliffs and beaches on Ireland's most
popular drive - the 100-mile Ring of Kerry. Enjoy the variety of scenery as you travel
to the westernmost part of the Iveragh Peninsula. Drive through Killorglin and
Cahirciveen to cross by bridge to Valencia Island. Visit the Skellig Experience, which
explains how early monks lived in harsh conditions on the rocky offshore islands.
Today the islands form a haven for seabirds. Take a brief walk around the colorful
village of Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap for stunning views of the Lakes of
Killarney. Return to Killarney for a home-style dinner with your host family. (B, D)
Day 6 - Wed: Blarney & Titanic Walk
Leaving Killarney, head to the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can find excellent
Irish merchandise. You will have time to walk around the village green or, if you feel
energetic, you may climb Blarney Castle to kiss the “Stone of Eloquence.” Drive
through the outskirts of Cork to the harbor town of Cobh, the last port of call for the
Titanic. Take a guided walk around this picturesque town and dockside with a local
historian to see places relating to the Titanic's last scheduled stop. Travel past the
Galtee Mountains and stop for photos at the Rock of Cashel on the way to the
charming little city of Kilkenny. (B, D)
Day 7 - Thu: Kilkenny Castle & Abbey Tavern
This morning tour the massive Kilkenny Castle, home of the Butlers, Earls and Dukes
of Ormonde, who held power over the region for centuries. The castle was first built
in 1192 and you will learn about the region as you see wonderful paintings and
furniture. A few miles south of Kilkenny visit Nicholas Mosse Pottery to watch
potters create charming pieces inspired by the Irish countryside. Travel into the
metropolitan area of Dublin to your hotel located in the city center close to Temple
Bar and enjoy some time on your own. Drive to the Abbey Tavern in Howth for a
traditional dinner followed by a great show with plenty of Irish music and intricate
step dancing. (B, D)
Day 8 - Fri: Dublin Tour & Kilmainham Gaol
Take a half-day guided tour of Dublin, founded by Vikings over 1,000 years ago. See
elegant Georgian squares with townhouses and their famous brightly-painted doors;
view the lush vegetation of St. Stephen's Green and the stark figures of the Famine
Memorial on the banks of the River Liffey. Finally visit Kilmainham Gaol to see how
penal establishments were operated in past centuries. Learn about the leaders of
the 1916 Uprising who were imprisoned and shot here, changing Irish history. The
balance of the day is at leisure and you may choose to return to your hotel or use
your voucher for an independent open-top bus tour with a visit to Guinness or
Jameson included. (B)
Day 9 - Sat: Clonmacnoise & Galway Bay
Depart Dublin and journey across the rolling pastures of Ireland's heartland to visit
Clonmacnoise. This monastic settlement was founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran and is
set on the banks of the tranquil River Shannon. Drive to Galway city and take a
panoramic tour around the city center to see Eyre Square, Galway Cathedral and the
Spanish Arch. Then spend some time on your own before driving to your hotel,
which is set on the shores of the famous Galway Bay. (B, D)
Day 10 - Sun: Return Home from Shannon
Bid farewell to Galway and take a group transfer to Shannon Airport where your tour
concludes at 10:30 am. Check in for your flight in good time and you may like to shop
at the duty-free stores. If you need to arrive at Shannon Airport before 10:30 am,
your tour director will coordinate an early group transfer once you are on tour.
When booking your flights home, it is important to remember that Galway is 60 miles
from Shannon and the drive takes 1½ hours. Do not spoil your last night in Ireland by
booking too early a flight. (B)
2012 IRISH WELCOME TOUR
5/20 – 5/29/2011
$2950.00 per person with air (if available as of 3/15/11)
(Single Supplement $350.00)
Highlights:
• Medieval Banquet with Entertainment
• Kate Kearney's Cottage Dinner & Music
• Abbey Tavern Dinner & Traditional Show
• 2-Night Stay in a Real Irish Home
• “Titanic” History Walk
• Clonmacnoise Monastery
Your Accommodations
Stay at the following (or similar):
• Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty (2 night)
• Town & Country Homes, Killarney (2 nights)
• B & B Ireland, Killarney, Co. Kerry (2 nights)
• Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny (1 night)
• Ashling Hotel, Dublin (2 nights)
• Galway Bay Hotel, Galway (1 night)
10 Day Itinerary Including Airfare from USA
Day 1 - Fri: Overnight Flight to Shannon
Depart your North American gateway city and travel through the night to Shannon.
Land only tour starts on day 3.
Day 2 – Sat: Bunratty Castle Hotel pre-night (B)
Day 3 - Sun: Bunratty & Medieval Banquet
Land in Shannon Airport! After immigration control and picking up your baggage, go
to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall. This desk is not always staffed but will act
as a meeting point for your complimentary transfers which are available between 7:
00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later than 12:00 noon, transfer to the
hotel at your own expense. Spend the day at leisure in Bunratty. There's plenty to do
right beside your hotel - Bunratty Folk Park, Durty Nelly's Pub and shopping. This
evening meet your fellow travelers over a welcome drink and join in the fun of a
medieval banquet at nearby Bunratty Castle. (D)
Day 4 - Mon: Cliffs of Moher & Killarney
Drive to the coast to view the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, which rise to almost 700 feet
above the wild Atlantic breakers and stretch along the coast for five miles. Then
head south for a short ferry ride across the River Shannon. Stop in the charming
village of Listowel for a stroll around before continuing through mountainous
countryside to Killarney. Take a look around this bustling, compact town before
checking in to your home and meeting your Irish family. In the evening drive to Kate
Kearney's Cottage for dinner and traditional Irish entertainment with popular songs,
dances and a lot of laughs. (B, D)
Day 5 - Tue: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience
Admire breathtaking vistas of mountains, cliffs and beaches on Ireland's most
popular drive - the 100-mile Ring of Kerry. Enjoy the variety of scenery as you travel
to the westernmost part of the Iveragh Peninsula. Drive through Killorglin and
Cahirciveen to cross by bridge to Valencia Island. Visit the Skellig Experience, which
explains how early monks lived in harsh conditions on the rocky offshore islands.
Today the islands form a haven for seabirds. Take a brief walk around the colorful
village of Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap for stunning views of the Lakes of
Killarney. Return to Killarney for a home-style dinner with your host family. (B, D)
Day 6 - Wed: Blarney & Titanic Walk
Leaving Killarney, head to the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can find excellent
Irish merchandise. You will have time to walk around the village green or, if you feel
energetic, you may climb Blarney Castle to kiss the “Stone of Eloquence.” Drive
through the outskirts of Cork to the harbor town of Cobh, the last port of call for the
Titanic. Take a guided walk around this picturesque town and dockside with a local
historian to see places relating to the Titanic's last scheduled stop. Travel past the
Galtee Mountains and stop for photos at the Rock of Cashel on the way to the
charming little city of Kilkenny. (B, D)
Day 7 - Thu: Kilkenny Castle & Abbey Tavern
This morning tour the massive Kilkenny Castle, home of the Butlers, Earls and Dukes
of Ormonde, who held power over the region for centuries. The castle was first built
in 1192 and you will learn about the region as you see wonderful paintings and
furniture. A few miles south of Kilkenny visit Nicholas Mosse Pottery to watch
potters create charming pieces inspired by the Irish countryside. Travel into the
metropolitan area of Dublin to your hotel located in the city center close to Temple
Bar and enjoy some time on your own. Drive to the Abbey Tavern in Howth for a
traditional dinner followed by a great show with plenty of Irish music and intricate
step dancing. (B, D)
Day 8 - Fri: Dublin Tour & Kilmainham Gaol
Take a half-day guided tour of Dublin, founded by Vikings over 1,000 years ago. See
elegant Georgian squares with townhouses and their famous brightly-painted doors;
view the lush vegetation of St. Stephen's Green and the stark figures of the Famine
Memorial on the banks of the River Liffey. Finally visit Kilmainham Gaol to see how
penal establishments were operated in past centuries. Learn about the leaders of
the 1916 Uprising who were imprisoned and shot here, changing Irish history. The
balance of the day is at leisure and you may choose to return to your hotel or use
your voucher for an independent open-top bus tour with a visit to Guinness or
Jameson included. (B)
Day 9 - Sat: Clonmacnoise & Galway Bay
Depart Dublin and journey across the rolling pastures of Ireland's heartland to visit
Clonmacnoise. This monastic settlement was founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran and is
set on the banks of the tranquil River Shannon. Drive to Galway city and take a
panoramic tour around the city center to see Eyre Square, Galway Cathedral and the
Spanish Arch. Then spend some time on your own before driving to your hotel,
which is set on the shores of the famous Galway Bay. (B, D)
Day 10 - Sun: Return Home from Shannon
Bid farewell to Galway and take a group transfer to Shannon Airport where your tour
concludes at 10:30 am. Check in for your flight in good time and you may like to shop
at the duty-free stores. If you need to arrive at Shannon Airport before 10:30 am,
your tour director will coordinate an early group transfer once you are on tour.
When booking your flights home, it is important to remember that Galway is 60 miles
from Shannon and the drive takes 1½ hours. Do not spoil your last night in Ireland by
booking too early a flight. (B)