11 Day The Irish Experience 2012

11 Day Irish Experience Tour 2012
Highlights

• Dublin
• Belfast
• Giant's Causeway
• Londonderry/Derry
• Omagh
• Belleek
• Limerick
• Adare
• Killarney
• Blarney
• Waterford
• Kilkenny
• Kildare

Itinerary:
Day 1
ARRIVE DUBLIN
Welcome to Dublin, the capital of Ireland! Relax or take time to explore this wonderful city. This evening, meet and get to know your companions and Travel Director at a Welcome Pub Reception, which includes a typical pub meal and drinks.

Meal(s): (Welcome Reception)
Hotel: Mespil (F)
 
Day 2
DUBLIN - BELFAST
Your Local Guide takes you on a morning sightseeing tour starting at Trinity College, where you see the ancient illuminated manuscript the 'Book of Kells'. View St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle and Phoenix Park. See the Boyne Valley, site of the famous battle, on your way to Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland.

Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)
Hotel: Stormont (SF)
 
Day 3
BELFAST - GIANT'S CAUSEWAY - LONDONDERRY/DERRY (2 NIGHTS)
See City Hall, Queen’s University and the historic Stormont Castle, which is home of the Northern Ireland Executive, on your sightseeing tour with an expert Local Guide. Travel along the beautiful Antrim coast road through scenic glens and arrive at Ballycastle, famous for its annual Lammas Fair dating back 400 years. Walk across the huge basalt columns rising from the sea when you visit Giant’s Causeway. Join your companions this evening for a Highlight Dinner in a local restaurant.

Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Hotel: Everglades (SF)
 
Day 4
LONDONDERRY/DERRY SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
Walk along the walls of Derry − the last walled city in Ireland − with commentary from your expert Local Guide. View the 17th century St. Columb's Cathedral and the quay from which Irish emigrants sailed to the New World. The afternoon is free to explore on your own. Consider an excursion to the beautiful Inishowen Peninsula.

Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
 
Day 5
LONDONDERRY/DERRY - BALLINA
Travel south through lush countryside to Omagh. At Ulster-American Folk Park learn about the lifestyle and experiences of the immigrants who left Ulster for the New World in the 18th and 19th centuries. Visit the famous pottery factory at Belleek in County Fermanagh, where delicate hand-crafted porcelain has been produced for over 100 years. Dine tonight at your hotel in Ballina.

Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Downhill House (F)
 
Day 6
BALLINA - CONNEMARA - GALWAY
Admire the spectacular scenery around Connemara, renowned for its beauty and tranquility. The picture-postcard scenery continues along the shores of Lough Corrib to Galway, where your orientation shows you the main sights of the city including the Spanish Arch and Galway Cathedral.

Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)
Hotel: Maldron (F)
 
Day 7
GALWAY - KILLARNEY (2 NIGHTS)
View St. Mary’s Cathedral, King John’s Castle and the Treaty Stone in Limerick. See Adare, one of the prettiest villages in Ireland, which once boasted three monasteries.

Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)
Hotel: Eviston House (F)
 
Day 8
RING OF KERRY EXCURSION
Your drive around the 'Ring of Kerry' is scenic and memorable. Plunging cliffs, picturesque lakes, granite mountains and a jagged coastline make this a photographer’s paradise! Admire Dingle Bay, the South Kerry Mountains and Ladies View. Tonight, experience a delicious Be My Guest dinner in an Irish farm house, and be entertained with unique story-telling!

Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)
 
Day 9
KILLARNEY - BLARNEY - WATERFORD
Visit Blarney Castle in County Cork. Kiss the famous Blarney Stone − it will give you the ‘gift of the gab’! See Youghal, the quaint fishing village where Moby Dick was filmed. Visit the Waterford Crystal Showroom and buy some famous sparkling crystal!

Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Fitzwilton (F)
 
Day 10
WATERFORD - DUBLIN
See the medieval town of Kilkenny on the banks of the River Nore. Visit the Irish National Stud and the stunning Japanese Garden. In Dublin, celebrate with your companions and Travel Director at a Farewell Dinner.

Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Hotel: Maldron Cardiff Lane (F)
 
Day 11
DUBLIN - CANADA
Bid a fond farewell to your fellow travelers at the end of this wonderful Irish experience, as you prepare to return home with memories to cherish. Transfers are available. Conditions apply.

Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)
What's Included
Sightseeing Highlights

• Dublin Views of St. Patrick's Cathedral and Dublin Castle. Visit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells.
• Belfast See City Hall and Queen's University.
• Giant's Causeway Visit this spectacular geological formation.
• Londonderry/Derry Walking tour along the City Walls including views of St. Columb's Cathedral with an expert Local Guide.
• Omagh Visit the Ulster-American Folk Park.
• Belleek Visit the Pottery Centre.
• Limerick Orientation of the Treaty Stone, St. Mary's Cathedral and King John's Castle.
• Adare View Ireland's prettiest village with its thatched cottages.
• Killarney Ring of Kerry excursion including Dingle Bay, Ladies View and the lakes of Killarney.
• Blarney Kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle.
• Waterford Visit the Waterford Crystal showroom.
• Kilkenny Visit the medieval city.
• Kildare Visit the National Stud and the Japanese Garden.

Insider Highlights

• Hidden Treasure Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure experience, unique to your itinerary, courtesy of your expert Travel Director.
• Be My Guest Traditional dinner in an Irish family farmhouse.
• Local Speciality Enjoy a factory tour and showroom visit of Waterford Crystal.
• Local Speciality Visit the Irish National Stud, home to some of Ireland’s finest thoroughbreds.
• Local Speciality Visit Belleek pottery factory in County Fermanagh.

Dining Highlights

• Welcome Pub Reception in Dublin, which includes a Traditional Irish pub meal and Welcome Drinks.
• 10 full breakfasts.
• 3 three-course dinners.
• Local Highlight Dinner with wine in Londonderry restaurant.
• Be My Guest dinner in a farmhouse.
• Farewell Dinner with wine in Dublin.

First Class Travel Highlights

• A choice of hotel accommodation featuring twin rooms and private facilities.
• All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
• Travel by luxury air-conditioned coach on sightseeing tours and transfers.
• The services of a Trafalgar Local Host at Trafalgar’s recommended hotels.
• A qualified Local Guide in Dublin, Belfast and Londonderry/Derry.
• Audio Headsets on all guided visits and included sightseeing.
• Capture treasured memories of your trip with a complimentary group photo taken at a landmark location.
• A stylish wallet, travel documents, keepsake booklet and map.

Dates & Rates:
Tour leaves Dublin Saturdays, and return to Dublin Wednesdays.
April 28 – August 25: $2399
September 1 – 22: $2425
October 6 – 20: $2399

All rates are in Canadian Dollars, per person, based on double occupancy.
Single Supplement: please call our office
Triple Reduction: please call our office