Please join us in Ireland for our 10 day Elegant Ireland tour. Only 20 max occupancy. What better way to experience this land of history. Bring your family or friends for a trip of a lifetime.
Rates $2700.00 a person based on 2 in a room
Deposit is $250.00 a person by December 16, 2017
Final payment due 65 days prior to travel.
2018 ELEGANT IRELAND 10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS
Day 1: DUBLIN ARRIVAL & BOOK OF KELLS Tour begins 2:00 PM, Dublin hotel. Set off for a guided tour of Dublin to see the most prominent buildings and memorials. View rows of elegant Georgian townhouses with brightly painted doors. Enjoy a guided walking tour through Trinity College’s campus to view the Book of Kells. In the evening join your group for a welcome drink before heading to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner and a lively show. (D) Day 2: CLONMACNOISE MONASTIC SITE & GALWAY Journey across the rolling pastures of Ireland’s heartland to visit Clonmacnoise. This monastic settlement was founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran and is set on the banks of the mighty River Shannon. Highlights include elaborate high Celtic crosses decorated with biblical scenes, church ruins and two round towers. Head to Galway for a walking tour with a local guide to explore the narrow medieval streets. See the Claddagh, once a fishing village, where the famous ring originated. (B, D) Day 3: LOUGH CORRIB CRUISE & CONNEMARA Embark on the Corrib Princess for a cruise on Lough Corrib to enjoy the scenery and sip an Irish coffee. Then drive through Connemara to admire granite hills, sparkling lakes and peat bogs. At Kylemore Abbey tour elegant rooms and the charming church set beside a tranquil lake. Enjoy a casual lunch and enjoy more views of Connemara before returning to Galway where the evening is free to explore the city on your own. (B, L) Day 4: CLIFFS OF MOHER & ENNIS Immerse yourself in traditional farm life and watch a farmer demonstrate how his trained dogs herd mountain sheep. Sit down to tea or coffee with some home baking. Travel through the Burren to view the Cliffs of Moher which stretch along the coast for five miles and reach heights of almost 700 feet (200m). Enjoy a walking tour of the charming town of Ennis. Dating back to the 11th century, Ennis is full of character with its narrow streetscapes, quaint shops and shop fronts. (B, D) Day 5: FLYING BOAT & MARITIME MUSEUM & KILLARNEY Cross the wide River Shannon Estuary on a short ferry ride and drive along the river shore to Foynes. Visit the Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum, which recalls the early days of air travel, during the 1930s and early 1940s, when Pan Am Clippers used to land on the water. Stop in Listowel for a look around and lunch on your own before heading to the picturesque town of Killarney. Dine in Killeen House Restaurant, renowned for a warm welcome and excellent food. (B, D) Day 6: DINGLE PENINSULA & BLASKET CENTER Explore the scenic Dingle Peninsula to experience wonderful views of heathery mountains, sandy beaches and rocky headlands. Visit the Blasket Center in Dunquin to learn about the offshore Blasket Islands, inhabited until 1953 by hardy farming and fishing families. Stop in Dingle to browse around and choose a restaurant for lunch on your own. In Castlemaine stop at the charming, old-fashioned Murphy’s Pub to savor an Irish coffee before returning to your hotel in Killarney. (B, D) Day 7: KILLARNEY’S JAUNTING CAR & CORK COASTLINE Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the peaceful Killarney National Park and along the shores of Lough Leane, largest of Killarney’s lakes. Stop at the mighty Ross Castle to admire the unspoiled scenery. Drive to the delightful town of Kenmare for a look around on your own. Then head across the Beara Peninsula and through Glengarriff, renowned for its palm trees and mild weather. Relax as you continue along the lovely County Cork coast and through the towns of Bantry and Skibbereen before arriving in Rosscarbery. (B, D) Day 8: CHARLES FORT & HISTORIC KINSALE Travel along the coast to view Timoleague Franciscan Friary, founded in 1240 by two prominent families, MacCarthys and de Barrys. View the picturesque ruins of the church and living quarters. Then head to Kinsale, renowned for medieval sea trade, fishing and yachting. Join a local guide to visit the huge Charles Fort before taking a gentle stroll through the town to see many old buildings and learn about the long history of trade and shipping with mainland Europe. (B, D) Day 9: BLARNEY STONE & DUNBOYNE CASTLE Journey to Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone or stroll through the colorful gardens. Treat yourself to quality Irish-made products at the Blarney Woollen Mills. Head north, stopping for photos at the stately Rock of Cashel, a limestone outcrop containing church ruins. Arrive at your luxurious castle hotel, located on the outskirts of Dublin. This property blends the elegant old mansion with state-of-the-art designed guest rooms. Enjoy a farewell dinner – a fitting end to your vacation. (B, D) Day 10: TOUR ENDS AT DUNBOYNE CASTLE Your tour ends after breakfast. The hotel is about 15 miles from either Dublin Airport or Dublin city center. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner
Authentic Local Experiences:
Discover the rich history of Dublin’s Trinity College as you embark on a walking tour with a local guide.
Immerse yourself in country life as you watch a farmer work with highly skilled dogs to herd sheep and sit down to tea or coffee with some home baking.
Trip Highlights:
Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle
Built nearly 600 years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, this stronghold has been attracting attention ever since. Millions have flocked to Blarney to kiss the legendary Stone of Eloquence, found at the top of the tower, making it one of Ireland’s greatest treasures.
Blasket Centre
Blasket Centre
The Blasket Centre on the mainland in Dún Chaoin on the tip of the Dingle Peninsula is a fascinating heritage centre/museum honouring the unique community who lived on the remote Blasket Islands until their evacuation in 1953. The Blasket Centre tells the story of island life, subsistence fishing and farming,
Book of Kells
Book of Kells
Visitors walk through the city-center campus of Trinity College to view this world-famous 9th century gospel manuscript housed in the magnificent Old Library. See the ’Turning Darkness into Light’ exhibition, the Book of Kells and other related manuscripts in the Treasury and the magnificent 18th century Long Room.
Charles Fort
Charles Fort
A star fort located on the water’s edge, at the southern end of the village of Summer Cove, on Kinsale harbour, County Limerick, Ireland. James’ Fort is located on the other side of the harbour. Charles Fort is built on the site of an earlier stronghold known as Ringcurran Castle, which featured prominently during the Siege of Kinsale in 1601. The fort, which is named after Charles II, was designed by the Surveyor-general Sir William Robinson – architect of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
Cliffs of Moher
Cliffs of Moher
One of Ireland’s top visitor attractions, the cliffs are 700 feet high and extend for 5 miles over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O’Brien’s Tower stands proudly on a headland and one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay and Connemara. The cliffs are home to major colonies of cliff nesting seabirds.
Clonmacnoise Monastic Site
Clonmacnoise Monastic Site
This great monastery was founded in 548 by St Ciaran and was a great centre of learning in medieval times. Many manuscripts were written there. Today see three high crosses and the ruins of a cathedral, seven churches and two round towers set on a mound beside the River Shannon.
Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum
Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum
On July 9th 1939, the luxury Pan Am Flying Boat, the ’Yankee Clipper’ landed at Foynes and the Museum is dedicated to recalling the time when Foynes became the center of the aviation world from 1939 to 1945. Irish Coffee was first created here in 1942
Kylemore Abbey
Kylemore Abbey
This Abbey is home to an order of Benedictine Nuns. See the fairy tale castle and Abbey set in an area of great natural beauty in Connemara. Visit the restored rooms of the Abbey and learn about its history and tales of tragedy and romance.
Lough Corrib Cruise
Lough Corrib Cruise
Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a cruise on the all-weather Corrib Princess. As you cruise on Lough Corrib, Ireland’s 2nd largest lake enjoy unsurpassed views as you pass castles and various sites of both historical and cultural interest.
Sheepdog Demonstration
Sheepdog Demonstration
Sheep farming is an important part of country life and watch a farmer with his working dogs control a flock of sheep. See how agile dogs obey various commands to round up sheep, especially useful in mountainous regions.
Timoleague Franciscan Friary
Dining Experiences:
Eight dinners including a dinner and show at Merry Ploughboy Pub, and dinner at the award-winning Killeen House.
Hotels:
Radisson Blu St Helen's Hotel - Dublin Dublin
This gorgeous hotel is located on a sprawling estate dating back to 1750. The accommodation is a sumptuous retreat from bustling Dublin life. Choose from 151 rooms and suites offering lavish amenities, and be sure to try award-winning cuisine at the numerous on-site dining venues. A fitness center, beauty treatments and meeting rooms are all available as well. It is located on Stillorgan Road, 5 miles south of Dublin city center and 12 miles from Dublin Airport with good city bus services nearby. Hotel parking.
Dublin (1 night)
Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa - Galway
Retreat and unwind at this hotel, where guests enjoy sophisticated surroundings highlighted by black granite and walnut accents. At Restaurant Marinas chefs use the finest quality ingredients to design creative dishes. 282 rooms are decorated in a choice of 3 styles. Scandinavian, Maritime and Classic and offer all modern conveniences The hotel features premier services at the Spirit One Spa. Set on Lough Atalia Road, it’s a 5-minute walk from Eyre Square in the center of Galway city with views out to Galway Bay. Hotel parking.
Galway (2 nights)
Old Ground Hotel
Old Ground Hotel Ennis
A long-established, traditional hotel where the warmth of a country house blends with the style of a contemporary hotel. Enjoy traditional decor and blazing fires in the public spaces. The elegant dining room and Town Hall Bistro are renowned for excellent cuisine. Guest rooms offer every amenity for a comfortable stay. Located in the center of the charming market town of Ennis and within easy walking distance of shops, cafes and pubs. Shannon Airport is 15 miles away. Hotel parking.
Ennis (1 night)
Aghadoe Heights Hotel Killarney
Killarney (2 nights
Celtic Ross Hotel Rosscarbery
This modern family-owned hotel is set right on the West Cork coastline on the Wild Atlantic Way. 66 comfortable bedrooms, many with seaviews over Rosscarbery Bay, offer great facilities. The Kingfisher Bar & Bistro focuses on dishes featuring seasonal and local produce while the extensive Leisure Centre features a pool, steam room, sauna and gym.
Rosscarbery (2 nights)
Dunboyne Castle Hotel Dunboyne
This 18th century mansion has been lovingly restored and carefully expanded to create a spacious, modern property for a pleasant stay. Large guest rooms are designed for a tranquil night’s rest. Guests can enjoy full Irish breakfasts and fine dining in the elegant restaurant or relax in one of the cozy bars. The spa and leisure center offers excellent facilities. Located beside Dunboyne village, just 15 miles from Dublin Airport and 14 miles from Dublin city center. Hotel parking.
Dublin (1 night)
