2012 Emerald Supreme 12 Day Tour

12 Day Emerald Supreme Tour 2012

Highlights:

• Ireland's Best Deluxe & Castle Hotels
• Dromoland & Ashford Castles
• Abbey or Gate Theatre
• Slieve League Sea Cliffs
• Giant's Causeway & Belfast

Day 1: Dublin & Russborough House
Your tour starts at Dublin Airport with a transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm take a short ride through the Wicklow Mountains for a guided tour around Russborough House, noted for its art and photography collections. In the evening discuss your itinerary with your tour director over a welcome drink.
Day 2: Book of Kells & Theatre Evening
This morning tour central Dublin as you drive past Leinster House, the seat of government, and St. Stephen's Green. Cross the River Liffey to see O'Connell Street and pause at the Famine Memorial. Walk through Trinity College to visit the Old Library where the priceless 8th century manuscript of the Book of Kells is housed. In the afternoon you may take an independent open-top bus tour and visit Guinness or Jameson. Dine in the hotel restaurant before heading to a play at the world-famous Abbey or Gate Theatre. (B, D)
Day 3: Rock of Cashel & Sheep Farm Visit
Visit the Rock of Cashel, where Brian Boru was crowned King of Munster in 977. See the 12th century Cormac's Chapel with its Hiberno-Romanesque decorations, the large cruciform cathedral and a round tower. At a nearby farmhouse sample home-made scones with tea and watch trained dogs round up sheep. Drive to Killarney, famous for its scenic location. Check in to your hotel and enjoy a superb dinner in the fine restaurant. (B, D)
Day 4: Ring of Kerry & Killeen House Restaurant
Today experience the Ring of Kerry drive for breathtaking views of mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. You will have plenty of stops to admire or photograph scenic vistas. Visit the Skellig Experience, which shows early Christian monastic life on the nearby rocky islands. Today the islands form a sanctuary for sea birds. Return through Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap for panoramic views. Enjoy delicious cuisine at the award-winning Killeen House Restaurant. (B, D)
Day 5: Cliffs of Moher & Dromoland Castle
Take a ferry across the River Shannon to reach the Cliffs of Moher, majestic walls of rock, which extend five miles along the coast. You may walk to O'Brien's Tower for a view of the Aran Islands. Journey through the Burren to the lovely Dromoland Castle Hotel. 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 Durty Nelly's Pub. Experience gourmet dining in the hotel's elegant dining room. (B, D)
Day 6: Galway & Ashford Castle
Take a panoramic tour around Galway to see the Cathedral, the Claddagh area and the Spanish Arch. Have free time to browse around the main areas near Eyre Square and continue to Cong for a two-night stay at the famous Ashford Castle Hotel, arriving in time to unwind in wonderful surroundings or use leisure facilities. Dine in Ashford's lovely restaurant and afterwards listen to music in the Dungeon Bar. (B, D)
Day 7: 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. Take a walking tour around Cong to see movie locations of the 1952 production of “The Quiet Man.” In the evening drive to Clonbur for an informal dinner with local entertainment at Eddie's Pub. (B, D)
Day 8: Museum of Country Life & Belleek China
Visit the Museum of Country Life to view exhibits of domestic goods in daily use during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Travel to County Sligo, associated with the poet, W. B. Yeats, and view his grave, near Ben Bulben Mountain. Tour the Belleek Pottery Factory to see how delicate china is formed and decorated by skilled craftspeople. Harvey's Point Hotel is set in glorious scenery a few miles outside Donegal town and is noted for its outstanding cuisine. (B, D)
Day 9: 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 breathtaking views. Enjoy coffee or tea with home-baked scones before driving through the majestic Glengesh Pass to Ardara. County Donegal is renowned for its rugged scenery, sheep and Donegal tweed. Visit Triona Design to see demonstrations of spinning, weaving and knitting. (B, D)
Day 10: Derry Walk & Giant's Causeway
Take a walking tour around Derry's medieval walls, which completely encircle the old city. Learn about the history as you pass the Diamond and St. Columb's Cathedral. Pause for photos at Dunluce Castle before visiting the Giant's Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago. Experience wonderful views along the “Nine Glens of Antrim.” In Belfast check in to your elegant Victorian hotel, built as the headquarters of the Ulster Bank. Dine in the Great Room Restaurant, once the main Banking Hall. (B, D)
Day 11: Belfast Tour & Titanic Quarter
A local guide will show you the highlights of Belfast, including Victorian buildings, the imposing City Hall and the Shankill and Falls Road areas where late 20th century struggles were played out. See the newly-restored Titanic Quarter where the famous liner was built in 1912. Drive past the gentle slopes of the Mourne Mountains to Dublin and check in to your hotel. Enjoy a farewell dinner at the Abbey Tavern's Loft Restaurant in Howth followed by a lively show of songs and step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 12: Tour Ends Dublin Airport
Group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. (B)
Your Hotels
Deluxe & Castle:

• Westbury Hotel, Dublin (2 nights)
• Killarney Park Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
• Dromoland Castle Hotel, Newmarket-on-Fergus (1 night)
• Ashford Castle Hotel, Cong (2 nights)
• Harvey's Point Hotel, Donegal (2 nights)
• Merchant Hotel, Belfast (1 night)
• Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin (1 night)

Tour Includes:
• Group transfers at start and end of tour
• Sightseeing by luxury coach
• Professional tour director
• 11 nights in hotels listed above
• Full breakfast daily except on day 1 (B)
• 10 dinners (D) including:
  - Pre-theatre dinner in Dublin
  - Killeen House Restaurant in Killarney
  - Dinner and entertainment at Eddie's Pub in Clonbur
  - Farewell dinner in the Loft Restaurant and traditional show at the Abbey Tavern
  - 6 table d'hote dinners
• Welcome get-together drink
• Tour of Dublin with a local guide
• Abbey or Gate Theatre performance
• Farmhouse tea and scones with sheepdog display
• Ferry ride across the River Shannon
• 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
• Walking tour of Derry
• Tour of Belfast and Titanic Quarter with a local guide
• Dublin open-top bus tour with a visit and drink at Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery
• Visits and admissions to Russborough House, Book of Kells at Trinity College, Rock of Cashel, Skellig Experience, Cliffs of Moher, Museum of Country Life, W. B. Yeats' Grave, Belleek Pottery Factory, Triona Design and Giant's Causeway
• Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
• All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person

Dates & rates:
Tour starts in Dublin Fridays and ends in Dublin Tuesdays.
April 27: $4378
May 11: $4648
Jun 8 – August 3: $4879
October 12: $4398
October 26: $4098

All rates in US Dollars, per person, based on double occupancy.
Single Supplement: $1824