8 Day Irish Elegance Tour 2012
HIGHLIGHTS
• Dublin: Visit St Patrick’s Cathedral and tour some of the elegant squares. Visit the old library of Trinity College to see the 8th Century Book of Kells.
• Cashel: Take a guided tour of the Rock, former seat of Irish kings.
• Blarney: Visit the Castle and kiss the Blarney stone.
• Killarney: Enjoy a scenic tour around the Ring of Kerry with dramatic mountains, valleys, lakes and sea vistas. Join a qualified guide for a two and a half hour hike over wooded paths and lake shore trails.
• Shannon Estuary: Cross by ferry.
• Cliffs of Moher: Stop by the Exhibition Centre and look out to the Atlantic Ocean from the majestic cliffs.
• Burren: Drive through the rocky limestone landscape.
• Rathbaun Farm: Join the Connolly family for afternoon tea and glimpse the daily workings of a traditional sheep-farm.
• Galway: See the Roman Catholic Cathedral.
• Connemara: Visit the turreted neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey.
• Killary Fjord: Enjoy the scenic views as you cruise the serene waters of Ireland’s only fjord.
• Scenic drives: Wicklow Mountains, Ring of Kerry, the ‘Burren’, Connemara.
Itinerary:
Day 1 - ARRIVE DUBLIN
Welcome to Dublin! On arrival at Dublin Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for the tour hotel at 07:00, 09:30 & 12:00. Later, join your Tour Director for a city tour that brings to life Dublin’s architectural treasures and history stretching back more than 1,000 years. Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, founded in 1190, tour Dublin’s beautiful Georgian squares, walk the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College to its famed library and see the 8th century Book of Kells. Back at your hotel, join your Tour Director and fellow guests for a Welcome Reception with drink and a light meal.
Hotel: Burlington/Herbert Park
Meals: Welcome Reception
Day 2 - DUBLIN – BLARNEY – KILLARNEY
Depart Dublin, and pass the green meadows where many of the finest Irish racehorses are bred, as well as the famous Curragh Racecourse. Stop at the Rock of Cashel, an impressive pre-Christian settlement. The dramatic limestone rock, crowned with secular and religious buildings, dominates the flat countryside for miles around. A local guide will point out some of the cathedrals and historic sites on an orientation tour. Then continue on to the village of Blarney. Climb to the ramparts of Blarney Castle and kiss its magical stone to ensure a lifetime of eloquence. There is also time to browse through Blarney Woollen Mills to shop for Irish knitwear and crafts. Afterwards, head to bustling Killarney. If you fancy a ‘pint of porter’, this town on the lakes is famous for its lively pubs, so why not join in the ‘craic’ tonight.
Hotel: Killarney Towers
Meals: Full Breakfast / Dinner
Day 3 - THE RING OF KERRY EXCURSION
Travel the road that winds around the beautiful Iveragh Peninsula, better known as the Ring of Kerry. It is undoubtedly one of the most magical places in all Ireland. Here mountains, valleys, lakes and sea blend into a landscape that is often breathtaking beyond words. Stopping at Torc Waterfall for photos, there is a chance to join a hike with a qualified guide along the lake shore and past the farmlands of the Muckross Estate, admiring the spectacular scenery. Walk by West Meadow Bay and visit Muckross Abbey. For those who do not want to join the hike, the motorcoach will return you to Killarney, where the balance of the day is free.
Meals: Full Breakfast
Day 4 - KILLARNEY – CONNEMARA
This morning cross the Shannon estuary by ferry and enter County Clare. Stop at the Exhibition Centre and enjoy a walk along the Cliffs of Moher, rising approximately 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic waves. Then travel north across the Burren, a suddenly stark and barren landscape. Drop in for afternoon tea at Rathbaun Farm and meet a Galway farming family as they carry out their everyday chores. Watch as the farmer shears a sheep and maneuvers his flock with the help of his dog. Next, on to tour Galway, “City of the Tribes,” including lovely Galway Cathedral. Tonight your hotel is spectacularly set on the shores of Galway Bay.
Hotel: Connemara Coast
Meals: Full Breakfast / Afternoon Tea / Dinner
Day 5 - KILLARY FJORD EXCURSION
Embark on a superb day through a wonderland of rivers, lakes and silent hills. Head for Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord, boasting some of the finest scenery in the land. Board a boat for a cruise through the calm waters; relax on board, enjoy the spectacular, uninterrupted views of the fjord and mountains beyond. Later, on the way back to your hotel, stop at lake side Kylemore Abbey, a castellated neo-Gothic mansion, occupied today by a Benedictine community of nuns who came from Ypres after World War I.
Meals: Full Breakfast / Dinner
Day 6 - CONNEMARA – CONG (ASHFORD CASTLE)
Cong, a village with a deliberate old-world feel, and the setting for The Quiet Man. Cong is also where you enter into the grounds of majestic Ashford Castle. Ashford Castle provides a romantic backdrop in superior surroundings, offering guests both relaxation and comfort. There are many opportunities to explore the vast estate with fishing on Lough Corrib, equestrian pursuits, golf, falconry and trail walking. Or simply relax in the castle’s luxurious interiors and enjoy your favourite novel or pamper yourself at the spa. Dining at Ashford Castle ranks among the finest culinary experiences in the world. Creative cooking, seasonal ingredients and an innovative menu await at your Highlight Celebration dinner tonight.
Hotel: Ashford Castle
Meals: Full Breakfast / Celebration Dinner
Day 7 - CONG – DUBLIN
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning and perhaps a stroll on the estate. Then cross the midlands to Dublin where the balance of the day is free for independent activities and maybe some last minute shopping.
Hotel: Burlington/Herbert Park
Meals: Full Breakfast
Day 8 - RETURN TO CANADA
Your tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Departure transfers arrive at Dublin Airport at 07:30, 09:30 & 11:30.
Meals: Full Breakfast
Tour Pace: Ireland’s compact landscape means the driving distances are not great. Therefore, the tour pace is relatively easy going. This is complemented by the two-night stays in Killarney and Galway Bay.
Hotels: We have carefully selected hotels to give you a great touring experience in style. From the amazing views of the Connemara Coast Hotel to the elegance of historic Ashford Castle, you are sure to be enchanted and delighted!
INCLUDED FIRST CLASS SERVICES
• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours
• Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Insight Traveller Welcome pack
• Airport arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 and Day 8(Should your flights not coincide with these transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport)
INCLUDED QUALITY DINING
• A Welcome Reception with light informal meal (WR)
• Enjoy a delicious four-course Highlight Celebration Dinner at Ashford Castle* (CD)
• 7 full Breakfasts (FB), 1 Afternoon Tea (AT) and 3 three-course Evening Meals with choice, plus tea or coffee (D)
• *Please note that the dress code for Ashford Castle dinner is Smart Casual - jacket & tie for men is required.
Dates & rates:
Tour leaves Dublin Saturday and Wednesdays, and returns to Dublin Sundays and Thursdays
April 28: $2050
May 5 – May 23: $2075
May 26 – August 25: $2165
September 1 – September 22: $2195
September 29 & October 6: $2025
All rates are in Canadian Dollars, per person, based on double occupancy.
Single Supplement: $600
Triple Reduction: please call our office
