Thursday,
July 17: UNITED STATES TO DUBLIN
Depart the United States and enjoy your overnight flight across the
Atlantic. Dinner and Continental Breakfast will be served en route.
Friday, July 18: DUBLIN ARRIVAL & SIGHTSEEING
After arriving at Dublin Airport and completing customs and
immigration formalities, your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome
you 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 lovely public parks. Stop to
tour Dublin Castle to see the State Apartments where many state
functions are held in the richly decorated chambers. Next 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 your hotel and check in. After you settle into your room
you may like to rest or explore some of the city on your own before
dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: STEPHEN'S GREEN HOTEL, DUBLIN
Saturday, July 19: BLARNEY CASTLE & CORK TOUR
Depart Dublin and drive through the prosperous farming country
and marketing towns of the midland region of Ireland. Continue south
past the gentle slopes of the Galtee Mountains to visit Blarney
Castle where you may climb to the battlements to acquire the “gift
of eloquence” by kissing the famous stone. Also visit the Blarney
Woollen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products which
they will ship and insure for you. Then drive a few miles into Cork
city and take a tour of the main areas of Cork including Shandon
Church, a famous Cork landmark dating from 1722. Also see the
Gothic-revival St. Finbarr's Cathedral, named for the patron saint
of the city. Then transfer to your hotel and check in. Enjoy the
balance of the day free for individual pursuits. In the evening join
your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KINGSLEY HOTEL, CORK
Sunday, July 20: DAY TRIP
TO COBH
This morning drive a short distance east of Cork to Cobh, the harbor
town which was the last port of call for many ocean liners that
carried emigrants to the New World. Embark on a guided walking
tour of the Titanic Trail which will show you around the lovely
streets of Cobh, revealing many aspects of the port's history. Visit
the Office of The White Star Line, the pier from which Titanic
passengers departed, St. Colman’s Cathedral, the Holy Ground, and
the site of the landing of Lusitania victims while learning of
emigrant, military, and maritime history. Next visit the Cobh
Heritage Centre, which depicts the varied history of emigration from
Ireland and many European countries to the United States over the
past 150 years. Then visit the Philip Gray Fine Art Gallery, the
objective and vision of which is to create a warm environment for
visitors and collectors to come and immerse themselves in original
paintings and ultimately learn more about his creativity and
inspiration. After your visits, return to Cork and enjoy some time
to relax and freshen up before dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KINGSLEY HOTEL, CORK
Monday, July 21: KINSALE TOUR & FREE TIME
Depart Cork late morning and travel south to the town of Kinsale.
Upon arrival, embark on a brief walking tour with a local guide to
learn the history of Kinsale which was founded in 1177 by the
Anglo-Normans and grew as a port town during the 18th century. Today
the harbor is favored by owners of yachts and other pleasure boats.
The town has steep, narrow streets with many fine Georgian homes
and, with its many award-winning restaurants and pubs, Kinsale is
renowned as “the gourmet capital” of Ireland. The afternoon
and evening are free in Kinsale for independent shopping,
sightseeing, dining and much more. Return to Cork for your overnight
stay.
OVERNIGHT: KINGSLEY HOTEL, CORK
Tuesday, July 22: MUCKROSS HOUSE AND
KILLARNEY
Today depart Cork city and drive south through County Cork.
Continue your travels along the coastline, popular for sports and
vacations, and through many attractive little fishing towns such as Clonakilty, Skibbereen, and Bantry. Travel on through
Glengarriff, which is renowned for sheltered bays where sub-tropical
plants flourish. Cross the Caha to Kenmare and on to Moll’s
Gap for views of Killarney, its three lakes, and mountains.
Stop just outside Killarney visit the delightful Muckross House, a
19th century furnished mansion with an interesting history and U.S.
connections. Then drive into Killarney and check into your hotel.
Enjoy some time to relax and settle in before joining your group for
dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY PLAZA HOTEL, KILLARNEY
Wednesday, July 23: DINGLE PENINSULA
TOUR
Today discover the beauties of the Dingle Peninsula on our drive
along the shore to view vistas of heathery mountains, sandy
stretches of beach, and rocky headlands. There will be frequent
stops at strategic locations to admire the views and take photos.
Stop in the town of Dingle before continuing to the western tip of
the peninsula. Here the scenery becomes wilder as the influence of
the open Atlantic Ocean strengthens. You will pass early Christian
monastic beehive huts and small fishing villages. Return to
Killarney for a free evening.
OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY PLAZA HOTEL, KILLARNEY
Thursday, July 24: CLIFFS OF MOHER & SPANISH
POINT
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. Continue south through Lahinch to Spanish
Point and check into your hotel. Enjoy the balance of the day at
leisure before joining your group for dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: BELLBRIDGE HOUSE HOTEL, SPANISH POINT
Friday, July 25: GALWAY SIGHTSEEING & FREE
TIME
Today embark on a panoramic tour to see the principal sights of
Galway. Visit the large modern cathedral set on an island on
the River Corrib, the Spanish Arch in the Claddagh area, the City
Museum, National University of Galway, and the Cathedral of Our
Lady, which is built on the site of the former county jail. Then
enjoy some free time around Eyre Square, the hub of the city. Most
of the shops are within walking distance and there are also many
quaint pubs where Irish traditional music is played. Return to
Spanish Point and enjoy some time to relax and freshen up before
joining your group for a farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: BELLBRIDGE HOUSE HOTEL, SPANISH POINT
Saturday, July 26:
RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
Sadly, today your Irish vacation has come to its final day.
Transfer from Spanish Point to Shannon Airport in good time to check
in for your flight. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty
free stores. Then clear U.S. Immigration before boarding your
aircraft and flying across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United
States.
The Tour Package Price of $2995.00
Includes:
(Package Price is per person based on double occupancy - single
occupancy supplement of $500.00 applies)
Round trip Airfare to & from Ireland
Departure Taxes & Local Taxes & Fuel Surcharges
CIE Tours Driver/Guide & Luxury Motor Coach
Porterage of Luggage
10 days and 8 nights in First Class Hotels
Full Irish Breakfast (except morning of arrival)
6 Tabled d’hote Dinners
Entrance fees to selected sites
~
**Please note: Deposit of $300 per person is
due as soon as possible to ensure your reservation**
*** Final payment is due by May 1st 2008 ***
Please contact
Gerry or
Lois or call
215-527-8219
for information on signing up for the tour!
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