8 Day Northern Supreme Tour 2012

8 Day Northern Supreme Tour 2012

Highlights:

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

Itinerary:
Day 1: Shannon Airport & Ashford Castle
Your tour starts at Shannon Airport with a transfer to the famous Ashford Castle Hotel, located in Cong. It's a two-hour drive so when you arrive at the hotel, settle in and enjoy the lakeside location and amenities of this wonderful hotel. Enjoy a welcome drink before dining in Ashford's lovely restaurant and afterwards listen to music in the Dungeon Bar. (D)
Day 2: 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. Return to Cong to take a short walking tour to see movie locations of the 1952 production of “The Quiet Man.” In the evening drive to the nearby village of Clonbur for an informal dinner with local entertainment at Eddie's Pub. (B, D)
Day 3: Museum of Country Life & Belleek China
Outside Castlebar visit the Museum of Country Life to view exhibits of domestic goods showing how country people lived during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Travel north to County Sligo, associated with the Nobel prize-winning poet, W. B. Yeats. View his grave, situated near the distinctive outline of 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 and views. (B, D)
Day 4: 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 majestic and wild countryside as well as its mountainy sheep which produce wool to make the famous Donegal tweed. 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 5: Derry Walk & Giant's Causeway
Take a walking tour around Derry's medieval walls, which completely encircle the old city. Learn about the history of the city as you pass the Diamond and St. Columb's Cathedral. 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 along the “Nine Glens of Antrim” as you head towards Belfast. Check in to your elegant Victorian hotel, built as the headquarters of the Ulster Bank with many architectural details. Experience fine dining in the elegant Great Room Restaurant, once the main Banking Hall. (B, D)
Day 6: 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 at the Harland and Wolff Shipyards in 1912. Drive south 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 traditional Irish songs and a display of step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 7: Dublin City 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 - you may get on and off at any of the 23 stops along the route, which include Dublin's most popular attractions. 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: Tour Ends Dublin Airport
Take a taxi transfer to Dublin Airport in good time for your flight home. (B)
Your Hotels
Deluxe & Castles:

• Ashford Castle Hotel, Cong (2 nights)
• Harvey's Point Hotel, Donegal (2 nights)
• The Merchant Hotel, Belfast (1 night)
• Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin (2 nights)

Tour Includes:

• Group transfers at start and end of tour
• Sightseeing by luxury coach
• Professional tour director
• 7 nights in hotels listed above
• Full breakfast daily except on day 1 (B)
• 6 dinners (D) including
  - Dinner and entertainment at Eddie's Pub in Clonbur
  - Farewell dinner in the Loft Restaurant and traditional show at the Abbey Tavern
  - 4 table d'hote dinners
• Welcome get-together drink
• 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 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 begins in Shannon and ends in Dublin Wednesdays
April 4: $2548
May 2 & 16: $2688
Jun 13 – August 8: $2798
October 17: $2568
October 31 & Nov 14: $2368

All rates in US Dollars, per person, based on double occupancy
Single Supplement: $1158