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2010 Emerald Supreme 13days – CIE13D

2010 Emerald Supreme 13days – CIE13D
Highlights:

• Ireland's Best Deluxe & Castle Hotels
• Prize-Winning Dromoland & Ashford Castles 
•  Special Dining Experiences
• Ring of Kerry Tour
• Catamaran Cruise in Connemara
• Slieve League Sea Cliffs
• Giant's Causeway
• Opportunities for Golf & Spa Treatments

Itinerary:
Day 1 - Fri: Georgian Dublin & National Gallery
Land at Dublin Airport and transfer to your hotel in the heart of Georgian Dublin between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. At 3:00 pm take a leisurely walking tour with a local guide to learn about the development of elegant Georgian town houses. Walk through Merrion Square to the National Gallery, which features centuries of European collections and many Irish artists. In the evening meet your tour director and fellow travelers for a welcome drink. The evening is free for independent dining.

Day 2 - Sat: Book of Kells & Theater Evening
This morning drive around central Dublin's public buildings, colorful parks and bustling shopping streets. See the River Liffey, O'Connell Street, the Famine Memorial and St. Stephen's Green. Visit Trinity College's campus and the Old Library to view the priceless 8th century Book of Kells. The afternoon is at leisure and you may use your open-top bus tour voucher and visit Guinness or Jameson. Dine at the Cellar Restaurant in your hotel before heading to the world-famous Abbey or Gate Theatre for a performance. (B, D)

Day 3 - Sun: Rock of Cashel & Sheep Farm Visit
Depart Dublin and travel south to visit the Rock of Cashel, where Brian Boru was crowned King of Munster in 977. See the 12th century highly-decorated Cormac's Chapel, the large cruciform cathedral and round tower. At a nearby farmhouse sample home-made scones with tea and watch trained dogs round up sheep. Drive south past the Galtee Mountains, through the town of Mallow and on to Killarney. Check in to your hotel and enjoy a superb dinner in the fine restaurant. (B, D)

Day 4 - Mon: Ring of Kerry & Killeen House Restaurant
Today experience the Ring of Kerry drive where every bend in 100 miles of road reveals breathtaking views of mountains and Atlantic Ocean. At the tip of the peninsula visit the Skellig Experience, which shows the austere conditions of monastic life on the nearby rocky islands. Return through the attractive village of Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap for panoramic views of Killarney. In the evening savor delicious cuisine and a welcoming atmosphere at award-winning Killeen House Restaurant. (B, D)

Day 5 - Tue: Cliffs of Moher & Dromoland Castle
Take a ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary to visit the Cliffs of Moher, majestic walls of rock, which extend five miles along the coast. Journey through part of the Burren Country to your lovely castle hotel. After check in you may choose to relax in the wonderful setting or take a short drive to Bunratty Village for an opportunity to visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park or the 200-year-old pub of Durty Nelly's. In the evening savor gourmet dining in your elegant hotel. (B, D)

Day 6 - Wed: Ennis Walking Tour & Ashford Castle
Drive to the market town of Ennis, a centuries-old settlement with narrow, twisting streets. Join a local guide for a walking tour around the main points of interest, including Ennis Friary. Travel into Galway for a brief drive through the city center and free time to browse around on your own. Continue north to Cong for a 2-night stay at the famous Ashford Castle Hotel. In the evening drive to the nearby village of Clonbur for an informal dinner with local entertainment at Burkes Pub. (B, D)

Day 7 - Thu: Connemara & “The Quiet Man” Walk
Travel through Connemara to Leenane and embark on a catamaran cruise around Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord. As you sip an Irish coffee, see remains of houses and potato patches abandoned during the 1840's Famine as well as stunning scenery. Return to Cong to take a short walking tour to see movie locations of the 1952 movie, “The Quiet Man.” Dine in Ashford's lovely restaurant and afterwards listen to music in the Dungeon Bar. (B, D)

Day 8 - Fri: Museum of Country Life & Belleek China
Outside Castlebar visit the Museum of Country Life to view exhibits of domestic goods showing traditional country lifestyles. Travel through the stark landscape of County Mayo into County Sligo to view W. B. Yeats' grave near Ben Bulben Mountain. In Belleek tour the Belleek Pottery Factory to see the creation of fine decorative china. Your next hotel, situated in glorious scenery a few miles outside Donegal town, is noted for outstanding cuisine and views. (B, D)

Day 9 - Sat: Slieve League Cliffs & Donegal
Drive to the fishing port of Killybegs and on to Teelin to view Slieve League sea cliffs, the highest in Europe reaching 1,972 feet. The cliffs drop straight down to the wild Atlantic waves creating marvelous views. Enjoy coffee or tea with home-baked scones before driving through the majestic Glengesh Pass to Ardara. Visit Triona Design to see demonstrations of spinning, weaving and knitting. Spend some time in Donegal town before returning to your hotel. (B, D)

Day 10 - Sun: Derry Walk & Giant's Causeway
Join a local guide for a walking tour around Derry to see the medieval city walls, the Diamond and St. Columb's Cathedral. Pause for photos at ruined Dunluce Castle before visiting the Giant's Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Drive along the scenic coastal route of the “Nine Glens of Antrim” and continue south to your hotel in the coastal resort of Newcastle at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. (B, D)

Day 11 - Mon: Mount Stewart & Belfast
Visit Down Cathedral to learn about Saint Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, and see his reputed burial place. Cross Strangford Lough by ferry to tour Mount Stewart House with its world-famous paintings and furnishings and stroll around the gardens, now a World Heritage Site. See the highlights of Belfast with a local guide, including Victorian buildings, the Harland and Wolff Shipyards, where the Titanic was built, the Shankill and Falls Road. Enjoy a pub lunch at the ornate Victorian bar, Crown Liquor Saloon, before returning to your hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 12 - Tue: Battle of the Boyne & Abbey Tavern
Drive south past the Mourne Mountains to Drogheda to visit the Battle of the Boyne Centre. Learn about the 1690 conflict between King William III and his father-in-law, King James II, for dominance over the British throne and religious power in Ireland. Then travel into Dublin and check in to your hotel once again. Enjoy a farewell dinner at the Abbey Tavern's Loft Restaurant in Howth followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs and a display of step-dancing. (B, D)

Day 13 - Wed: Depart Dublin for Home
Complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. (B)

Tour Includes:
·  Group transfers on arrival and departure
·  Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
·  Dublin open-top bus tour
·  Visit and a drink at Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery
·  Services of a professional Irish driver/guide
·  Deluxe and castle hotels with private bath/shower for 12 nights
·  12 full Irish breakfasts (B)
·  11 dinners (D) including
- Pre-theater dinner in Cellar Restaurant in Dublin
- Killeen House Restaurant in Killarney
- Dinner & entertainment in Burkes Pub in Clonbur
- Farewell dinner in the Loft Restaurant and traditional show at the Abbey Tavern in Dublin
- 7 table d'hote dinners
·  Lunch at the Crown Liquor Saloon in Belfast (L)
·  Welcome get-together drink
·  Walking tour of Georgian Dublin with a local guide
·  Abbey Theatre performance
·  Farmhouse tea and scones with sheepdog display
·  Ferry rides across the River Shannon and Strangford Lough
·  Walking tours of Ennis and Derry
·  Catamaran cruise of Killary Fjord with Irish coffee
·  “The Quiet Man” walking tour of Cong
·  Slieve League Sea Cliffs followed by home-baked scones with coffee or tea
·  Tour of Belfast with a local guide
·  Visits and admissions to National Gallery, Book of Kells at Trinity College, Rock of Cashel, Skellig Experience, Cliffs of Moher, Ennis Friary, Museum of Country Life, W. B. Yeats' Grave, Belleek Pottery Factory, Triona Design, Giant's Causeway, Down Cathedral, Mount Stewart House & Gardens and Battle of the Boyne Centre
·  Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
·  All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person

Hotels:
Stay at the following (or similar):

• 2 nights Merrion Hotel, Dublin  
• 2 nights Killarney Park Hotel, Kerry  
• 1 night Dromoland Castle Hotel, Clare
• 2 nights Ashford Castle, Mayo  
• 2 nights Harveys Point Country Hotel, Donegal
• 2 nights Slieve Donard Hotel, Down
• 1 night Merrion Hotel, Dublin

Dates & Rates:
May 28: $4688
Jun 25: $4878
Jul 23: $4878
Aug 20: $4878
Sep 17: $4878
Oct 15: $4458
Nov 12: $3798

Single Supplement: $1828
All rates in US dollars.

Tour departs Dublin Fridays and Returns to Dublin Wednesdays