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Emerald Isle 2012
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Tour Operator |
Globus |
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Tour Code |
GH2 |
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Vacation Quality |
First Class |
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Vacation Type |
Escorted Tour |
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Number of Days |
10 |
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Countries Visited |
Ireland
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City Highlights |
Aran Islands, Avoca, Cliffs of Moher, Dublin, Galway, Glendalough, Kildare, Killarney, Limerick, Ring of Kerry, Waterford |
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Dublin Welcome dinner; orientation driveKildare Guided tour of the Irish National StudStrokestown House Guided tour of the house and Famine Museum, and visit the gardensKnock Visit the religious siteKylemore Visit the Benedictine abbeyConnemara Visit a marble workshopGalway OrientationAran Islands Ferry to and from Inishmore, hear a presentation on life on the island by a local historian, take a minibus tour with a driver-guide, visit Dun AengusRathbaun Farm See the farmer at work, bake your own scones, and enjoy morning coffee in the farmhouse Kilfenora Visit The Burren CentreCliffs of Moher Savor the spectacular viewsLimerick Orientation drive, visit King John’s CastleAdare Admire the thatched cottagesRing of Kerry Scenic peninsula driveKillarney Horse-drawn jaunting car rideBlarney Visit the famous villageWaterford Guided tour of the House of Waterford CrystalAvoca Guided tour of the handweaving millGlendalough Guided tour of St. Kevin’s center of Irish ChristianityNote: - Due to the adventurous style of the Aran Islands excursion we recommend you bring suitable outdoor wear and comfortable shoes.
MEALS
Full Irish breakfast (B); 4 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in Dublin
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Day 1: Arrive in Dublin, Ireland
. Check into your hotel. At 3 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for an afternoon orientation drive through statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and past St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day 2: Dublin–Kildare–Strokestown–Knock–Claremorris.
Horse-racing country this morning. Drive across the Curragh to the IRISH NATIONAL STUD at Kildare, whose thoroughbreds command respect on the racecourses of the world. Then, north to Longford for a visit to STROKESTOWN HOUSE for a guided tour of the restored 1740s mansion, a stroll through its fine gardens, and at the Famine Museum, an insight into the circumstances of the Great Irish Famine of the 1840s. Stop in Knock, a village that attracts pilgrims from all over the world since townsfolk saw apparitions, before arriving in Claremorris, in the heart of beautiful County Mayo, for your overnight stay. (B,D)
Day 3: Claremorris–Kylemore–Galway.
Via Westport, head for the unspoiled region of Connemara, an area known for its hardy breed of ponies. Visit KYLEMORE ABBEY, a massive yet graceful castle acquired by Benedictine nuns as a precious heirloom for Ireland. At Moycullen, visit the Joyce family at their MARBLE WORKSHOP before arriving in the port city of Galway. Tonight’s recommendation: an optional evening at Dunguaire Castle, where the intimate banquet has an enlightening literary theme. (B)
Day 4: Galway. Excursion to the Aran Islands.
At Rossaveal, board a comfortable, modern FERRY for the 45-minute crossing to Kilronan on Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands and where Gaelic is the first language of the islanders. Your fascinating day continues with a presentation on life on Inishmore by an island historian. After a lunch break, board a minibus to enjoy your driver/Local Guide’s commentary on a tour of the island, ending with a visit to clifftop DUN AENGUS, one of the most spectacular and dramatic prehistoric stone forts in Europe. Back in Kilronan, board your ferry back to the mainland. There are plenty of dining options in Galway this evening. (B)
Day 5: Galway–Kilfenora–Cliffs of Moher–Limerick.
A real Irish farm experience at RATHBAUN FARM this morning. Try your hand at scone making, and learn from the farmer about sheep shearing and dog whistling. Afterwards, enjoy coffee and your scones fresh from the oven. Take the scenic route across the desolate limestone plateau known as The Burren, and stop for photos of prehistoric Poulnabrone Dolmen. At Kilfenora, take in THE BURREN CENTRE and learn about the time when this area lay beneath a warm tropical sea. In the nearby churchyard of the ancient cathedral, see the greatest concentration of high crosses in Ireland. At the CLIFFS OF MOHER, rising 668 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, savor the breathtaking panorama of the Clare coast. Tonight’s optional excursion is to a traditional Irish night, a fun ceili of song and dance in the setting of a village barn at Bunratty. (B)
Day 6: Limerick–Adare–Killarney.
On this morning’s Limerick city tour, view the Treaty Stone and St. Mary’s Cathedral, and visit KING JOHN’S CASTLE in the medieval heritage precinct. South now via quaint Adare with its thatched cottages to the popular resort of Killarney, your destination for the next two nights. Later, maybe an entertaining optional evening in Tralee with dinner followed by tickets for Siamsa Tire National Folk Theatre. (B)
Day 7: Killarney. Ring of Kerry Excursion.
Join the famed RING OF KERRY for a 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip. Plenty to focus your camera on here: sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and the breathtaking panorama of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Back in Killarney, a special treat: a fun-filled horse-drawn JAUNTING CAR RIDE through the national park with glorious vistas of the Lakes of Killarney and ancient Ross Castle. (B,D)
Day 8: Killarney–Blarney–Waterford.
Across the Kerry Mountains, drive into County Cork for a visit to Blarney, renowned for its castle and magical Kissing Stone. Time for lunch, to walk up to the castle, and to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts. In the afternoon, proceed via Cork, Youghal, and Dungarvan to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings in 853. Here, enjoy a visit to the HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL. (B,D)
Day 9: Waterford–Avoca–Glendalough–Dublin.
Today’s agenda: Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798; Ireland’s oldest HANDWEAVING MILL at Avoca; and GLENDALOUGH, the early Christian monastic site founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. See the engaging audiovisual Ireland of the Monasteries, then let your Local Guide show you the remains of this ecclesiastical settlement. Back in Dublin tonight, why not join your traveling companions for a fitting farewell to Ireland: an optional cabaret evening with dinner and entertainment. (B)
Day 10: Dublin
. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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DUBLIN Hilton City (SF), CLAREMORRIS McWilliam Park (F), GALWAY Radisson Blu (SF), LIMERICK Strand (SF), KILLARNEY Killarney Towers (SF), WATERFORD Tower (F), DUBLIN Hilton Kilmainham (SF) Dates and prices do not include international air travel. When planning your trip, allow one extra day before tour date for travel between the USA and Europe.Prices based on double room occupancy.Single room supplement: $364Triple room reduction per person: $35Extra nights per person in Dublin:in single room $180, in twin room $120, in triple room $114
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| Touring Date | Land & Air | Land Only | | Jun 01, 2012 - Jun 10, 2012 | Call Us | $1,919 | | Jun 08, 2012 - Jun 17, 2012 | Call Us | $1,919 | | Jun 15, 2012 - Jun 24, 2012 | Call Us | $1,919 | | Jun 29, 2012 - Jul 08, 2012 | Call Us | $1,919 | | Jul 06, 2012 - Jul 15, 2012 | Call Us | $1,919 | | Jul 13, 2012 - Jul 22, 2012 | Call Us | $1,919 | | Jul 20, 2012 - Jul 29, 2012 | Call Us | $1,919 | | Jul 27, 2012 - Aug 05, 2012 | Call Us | $1,919 | | Aug 03, 2012 - Aug 12, 2012 | Call Us | $1,919 | | Aug 10, 2012 - Aug 19, 2012 | Call Us | $1,919 | | Aug 24, 2012 - Sep 02, 2012 | Call Us | $1,919 | | Sep 14, 2012 - Sep 23, 2012 | Call Us | $1,939 | | Sep 21, 2012 - Sep 30, 2012 | Call Us | $1,919 | | Sep 28, 2012 - Oct 07, 2012 | Call Us | $1,919 | | Oct 05, 2012 - Oct 14, 2012 | Call Us | $1,899 |
* All prices are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. Please call us toll free at 1 800 232 6459 to confirm availability and current pricing on all our discounted specials. The prices on this website are not guaranteed until a deposit has been made. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in these prices until a booking has been confirmed by one of our agents.
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