7 Day Irish FlingTour 2012

7 Day Irish FlingTour 2012

Highlights:

• Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet
• Cliffs of Moher
• Jaunting Car Ride
• Killarney's Lakes
• Cobh Heritage Centre
• Guinness Brewery
• Irish Coffee & Traditional Music in Dungarvan

Day 1: Shannon & Bunratty Castle Banquet
Your tour starts at Shannon Airport with a group transfer to your nearby hotel, available between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later than 12:00 noon, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm take a drive to the coast to view the Cliffs of Moher, an awesome wall of rock that plunges into the Atlantic Ocean. Return to your hotel where you'll have free time to take a stroll through the Bunratty Folk Park or visit the cozy Durty Nelly's Pub. Join your tour director for a welcome drink before heading to 15th century Bunratty Castle for a jolly medieval-style dinner where the Lords and Ladies serenade you with favorite songs. (D)
Day 2: Flying Boat Museum & Dingle Peninsula
Drive through the outskirts of Limerick and alongside the River Shannon to visit Foynes Flying Boat Museum. The museum recreates the early days of flight, during the 1930's and early 1940's. Irish coffee was first created here. Journey into the mountains of County Kerry and out along the Dingle Peninsula for glorious scenic views of mountains and sandy beaches. Stop for a while in the town of Dingle before going up the Connor Pass for panoramic views. Then head to Killarney and check in to your hotel. (B, D)
Day 3: Jaunting Car Ride & Moll's Gap
Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride to Ross Castle to view Lough Leane, largest of Killarney's lakes. Drive to the delightful town of Kenmare where traditional buildings are brightly painted and enhanced with flowers. Join the Ring of Kerry route at the vantage point of Moll's Gap, where you get great views of mountains and valleys. Pause at Ladies' View to see the Three Lakes of Killarney with the town in the background. Return to Killarney for free time to look around the town, go shopping or use the leisure facilities in your hotel. (B, D)
Day 4: Cobh Heritage & Traditional Music Session
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 travelers passed when emigrating to the United States. Displays show the many hardships that people endured in the search for a better life. Drive to Dungarvan to sample a creamy Irish coffee at the Marine Bar and listen to a local group of musicians play an informal traditional music session. Continue to Waterford and check in to your hotel, once the home of Thomas Francis Meagher, first governor of Montana. After dinner, join a local guide for a stroll around the historic city. (B, D)
Day 5: Waterford Crystal & National Stud
Visit the House of Waterford Crystal to see how skilled craftspeople form molten glass and then cut it by hand. View priceless trophies and a wide range of glassware in the showrooms. Stop in Kilkenny for a look around the prosperous medieval trading city where narrow streets still follow ancient routes. Visit the Irish National Stud to learn about the valuable horse breeding industry. Walk through the Japanese Gardens, which symbolize the “Life of Man” through plants and rocks. 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 6: Explore Dublin City
Today you are free to tour Dublin as you wish. Use your independent open-top city bus tour voucher, which is valid for a 24-hour period. You may stay on the bus for the entire loop of the city's places of interest or get off at 23 stops near major attractions. We also include admission to either the Guinness Storehouse or the Old Jameson Distillery to see stout or whiskey production techniques and enjoy a drink of the finished product. (B)
Day 7: Tour Ends Dublin Airport
Use your taxi transfer to arrive in Dublin Airport in ample time to check in for your flight. (B)
Your Hotels
Superior first class:

• Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty (1 night)
• Killarney Plaza Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
• Granville Hotel, Waterford (1 night)
• Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin (2 nights)

Tour Includes:

• Group transfers at start and end of tour
• Sightseeing by luxury coach
• Professional tour director
• 6 nights in hotels listed above
• Full breakfast daily except on day 1 (B)
• 5 dinners (D) including
  - Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet
  - Dinner and traditional entertainment at Taylor's Three Rock Pub
  - 3 table d'hote dinners
• Welcome get-together drink
• Walking tour of Waterford with a local guide
• Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
• Irish coffee and music session at the Marine Bar in Dungarvan
• Dublin open-top bus tour with a visit and drink at Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery
• Visits and admissions to 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 Shannon Fridays & Wednesdays, and returns to Dublin Thursdays and Tuesdays.
April 6 – 20: $1288
April 27: $1388
May 2- September 19: $1498
September 21: $1418
September 28 – October 17: $1328
October 26: $1248
October 31 & November 16: $1168

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

Single Supplement: $378