12 Day Irish Classic Tour 2012

12 Day Irish Classic Tour 2012

Highlights:

• Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet
• Taylor's Three Rock Dinner/Show
• Giant's Causeway
• Westport House
• Historic Derry & Waterford Walks
• Jaunting Car Ride

Day 1: Dublin Sightseeing
Start in Dublin Airport with a group 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 tour Dublin to see elegant Georgian townhouses, pass St. Stephen's Green and cross the River Liffey to view the Famine Memorial and drive along O'Connell Street. Tour Dublin Castle's State Apartments where major events from Irish history and modern politics take place in the gracious chambers. In the evening meet your tour director over a welcome drink to discuss your trip and he will help you choose a restaurant to dine independently.
Day 2: St. Patrick's Grave & Belfast
Drive north to visit Down Cathedral to see St. Patrick's reputed burial site, marked by a huge boulder. Learn about his life and times in the nearby St. Patrick Centre. Visit the stately mansion of Castle Ward. This mid-Georgian mansion is an architectural curiosity of its time, built in two distinct architectural styles: Classical and Gothic. The house together with Victorian laundry, playroom and saw-mill show you how the estate worked. Drive to Belfast and relax before dinner. (B, D)
Day 3: Belfast & Titanic Quarter
A local guide will show you Belfast's Victorian buildings, the imposing City Hall in Donegall Square and the Shankill and Falls Road areas where many 20th century political events took place. Also visit the Titanic Quarter to see the Harland and Wolff Shipyards, where the famous liner was built in 1912. Enjoy some free time to look around on your own. The imposing City Hall is within easy walking distance and the ornate Victorian pub, Crown Liquor Saloon, is just across the street. (B, D)
Day 4: Giant's Causeway & Derry
Drive north along the scenic route of the “Nine Glens of Antrim,” for lovely views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Stop at the Giant's Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity 60 million years ago which have spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. Continue to Derry and join a local guide for a short walking tour around the defensive walls that encircle the compact old city. (B, D)
Day 5: Donegal & Westport
Travel through the rugged countryside of Donegal, renowned for heathery hills and the mountain sheep that roam freely. Fine tweeds produced from their wool. In Ardara visit Triona Design to see demonstrations of spinning, weaving and knitting and sip a creamy Irish coffee. Stop in Donegal town to browse around and pause at W. B. Yeats' Grave in Sligo, a region that he loved to write about. Drive to Westport and enjoy free time before dinner. (B, D)
Day 6: Achill Island & Westport House
Travel around Clew Bay to Achill Island, joined to the mainland by bridge. Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful views of steeply-sloped mountains plunging into the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. See the Deserted Village, ruins of cottages abandoned during the 1840's Famine. Visit the stately Westport House, designed by Richard Cassels in 1731. The mansion overlooks Clew Bay and contains a wealth of interesting portraits, furniture, silver and porcelain. (B, D)
Day 7: Cliffs Of Moher & Bunratty Banquet
Travel to Galway City for a panoramic tour and free time. Drive through the limestone hills of the Burren to view the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a pre-Christian burial site. Walk along the majestic Cliffs of Moher, a rocky wall that rises nearly 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic Ocean. At Bunratty check in to your hotel, right beside 15th century Bunratty Castle, the Bunratty Folk Park and Durty Nelly's Pub. Head to Bunratty Castle for a jolly medieval-style dinner where the lords and ladies serenade you. (B, D)
Day 8: Flying Boat Museum & Dingle Peninsula
Drive through the outskirts of Limerick and alongside the River Shannon to visit Foynes Flying Boat Museum. During the 1930's and early 1940's, aircraft landed on the River Shannon and the museum's memorabilia recreates this era. Journey into County Kerry and along the Dingle Peninsula for glorious scenic views. Stop in the town of Dingle before going up the Connor Pass for more panoramas. Then head to your hotel in Killarney. (B, D)
Day 9: Killarney & Jaunting Car Ride
Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride to Ross Castle for views of Lough Leane, Killarney's largest lake. Drive to the delightful town of Kenmare where brightly-painted buildings are enhanced with flowers. Enjoy spectacular mountain scenery at Moll's Gap and continue along part of the Ring of Kerry, pausing at Ladies' View. Return to Killarney and relax or go shopping before dinner. (B, D)
Day 10: Cobh Heritage Centre
Travel through the mountains of Kerry and make a brief stop at the Blarney Woollen Mills. Next visit Cobh Heritage Centre, located in the old train station through which all emigrants passed. Displays show the many hardships that people endured in the search for a better life. Drive to Dungarvan to the Marine Bar for a creamy Irish coffee and an informal traditional music session. Continue to Waterford, check in to your hotel and join a local guide for a stroll around the historic city. (B, D)
Day 11: Waterford Crystal & Taylor's Three Rock Pub
Visit the House of Waterford Crystal to see how molten glass is blown into shapes before being cut by hand by experts and view priceless trophies. Stop in Kilkenny for a look around the prosperous medieval trading city and visit the Irish National Stud to learn about the valuable horse breeding industry. In Dublin, this evening's destination is Taylor's Three Rock Pub for dinner with traditional Irish songs and intricate step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 12: Tour Ends Dublin Airport
Take a group transfer to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. (B)
Your Hotels:
Superior First Class:

• Conrad Hilton Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin (1 night)
• Europa Hotel, Belfast (2 nights)
• City Hotel, Derry (1 night)
• Hotel Westport, Westport (2 nights)
• Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty (1 night)
• Killarney Plhaza Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
• Granville Hotel, Waterford (1 night)
• Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, 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:
  - Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet
  - Dinner and traditional entertainment at Taylor's Three Rock Pub
  - 8 table d'hote dinners
• Welcome get-together drink
• Tours of Dublin and Belfast
• Walking tours of Derry and Waterford with local guides
• Day tour to Achill Island
• Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
• Irish coffee and music session at the Marine Bar in Dungarvan
• Visits and admissions to Dublin Castle, Down Cathedral, St. Patrick Centre, Castle Ward, Titanic Quarter, Giant's Causeway, Triona Design, W. B. Yeats' Grave, Westport House, Poulnabrone Dolmen, Cliffs of Moher, Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Blarney Woollen Mills, Cobh Heritage Centre, House of Waterford Crystal and Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens
• Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
• All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person

Dates & Rates:
Tour leaves Dublin Thursdays and Saturdays, and returns to Dublin Mondays and Wednesdays
April 7 – 14: $2198
April 21 & 26: $2278
April 28 – May 12: $2358
May 19: $2398
May 24 – September 22: $2488
September 27: $2368
October 6 & 11: $2248
October 20 & 25: $2068
November 10: $1898

All rates in US Dollars, per person, based on double occupancy

Single Supplement: $668