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Northern Supreme CIE8D

2010 Northern Supreme 8 days
Highlights:

• Ireland 's Best Deluxe & Castle Hotels
• Prize-Winning Ashford Castle
• Special Dining Experiences
• Abbey Tavern Dinner & Show
• Giant's Causeway
• Opportunities for Golf & Spa Treatments

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Thu: Ashford Castle & “The Quiet Man” Walk
Land at Shannon Airport and transfer to Cong to the famous Ashford Castle Hotel. Settle in and enjoy the lakeside location and amenities of this wonderful hotel. At 3:00 pm take a short walking tour around the village of Cong , famous for the making of the 1952 movie of “The Quiet Man” with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. See many of the places that featured in the movie, including Cong Abbey and the Quiet Man Cottage. Dine in Ashford's lovely restaurant and afterwards listen to music in the Dungeon Bar. (B, D)

Day 2 - Fri: Museum of Country Life & Belleek China
Outside Castlebar visit the Museum of Country Life to view exhibits of domestic goods and a movie showing how country people lived during the 19 th and early 20 th centuries. Travel north through the stark landscape of County Mayo into County Sligo, associated with the Nobel prize-winning poet, W. B. Yeats. View his grave, situated near the distinctive outline of Ben Bulben Mountain. Continue to Belleek for a tour of the Belleek Pottery Factory, founded in the mid-19 th century to create employment. See how delicate china is formed and decorated by skilled craftspeople. Your next hotel is situated in glorious scenery a few miles outside Donegal town and is noted for its outstanding cuisine and views. (B, D)

Day 3 - Sat: Slieve League Cliffs & Donegal
County Donegal is renowned for its majestic and wild countryside as well as its woolen goods. 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 4 - Sun: Derry Walk & Giant's Causeway
Travel to Derry for a walking tour with a local guide to see the medieval walls, which completely encircle the city center. Learn about the history of this settlement up until recent times as you pass the Diamond and St. Columb's Cathedral. Drive along the north coast and pause for photos at the ruins of Dunluce Castle before visiting the Giant's Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Experience wonderful views of mountains, valleys and bays as you travel along the “Nine Glens of Antrim” and through the towns of Ballycastle and Glenarm. Continue south to your hotel in the coastal resort of Newcastle at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. (B, D)

Day 5 - Mon: Mount Stewart & Belfast
Visit Down Cathedral to learn about Saint Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, and see his reputed burial place, marked with a huge boulder. Cross Strangford Lough by ferry to explore Mount Stewart House and Gardens. The house tour includes world-famous paintings and furnishings and the gardens, developed in the 1920's, have been nominated 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 and areas around the Shankill and Falls Road. Enjoy a pub lunch at the ornate Victorian bar, Crown Liquor Saloon, before returning direct to your hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 6 - Tue: Battle of the Boyne & Abbey Tavern
Drive south past the lovely slopes of 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, located in the heart of the Georgian area and with many places of interest within easy reach. Enjoy a farewell dinner at the Abbey Tavern's Loft Restaurant in Howth before heading downstairs for a lively show of traditional Irish songs and a display of step-dancing. (B, D)

Day 7 - Wed: Dublin Tour & Guinness Visit
The entire day is at leisure so you may schedule sightseeing as you wish. Use your open-top bus tour voucher to explore Dublin city center - you may get on and off at any of the 23 stops along the route, which take in Dublin's most popular sights. Take a tour around 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 8- Thu: Depart Dublin for Home
Take a taxi transfer to Dublin Airport in good time for your flight home. After check-in, you'll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before U.S. Immigration pre-clearance and boarding your flight for the journey home. (B)

Tour Includes:
·  Group transfers on arrival and departure
·  Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
·  Dublin open-top bus tour with complimentary 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 7 nights
·  7 full Irish breakfasts (B)
·  6 dinners (D) including

• Farewell dinner in the Loft Restaurant and traditional show at the Abbey Tavern in Dublin
• 5 table d'hote dinners

·  Lunch at the Crown Liquor Saloon in Belfast (L)
·  Welcome get-together drink
·  “The Quiet Man” walking tour of Cong
·  Slieve League Sea Cliffs followed by home-baked scones with coffee or tea
·  Walking tour of Derry
·  Ferry ride across Strangford Lough
·  Tour of Belfast with a local guide
·  Visits and admissions to 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)

• 1 night Ashford Castle, Mayo
• 2 nights Harveys Point Country Hotel, Donegal
• 2 nights Slieve Donard Hotel, Down
• 2 nights Merrion Hotel, Dublin

Dates & rates:
May 6, 2010 - $2658
June 3, 2010 - $2758
Jul 1, 2010 - $2758
Jul 29, 2010 - $2758
Aug 26, 2010 - $2758
Sep 23, 2010 - $2758
Oct 21, 2010 - $2548
Nov 18, 2010 - $2368

Single Supplement: $1108