DAY 1, Saturday - Depart for Ireland
Depart for Ireland
DAY 2, Sunday - Arrive in Dublin
Upon arrival in Dublin, transfer to your hotel. Most flights arrive in the early morning and your room may not be ready for you. In this case, leave your luggage with the concierge and your Tour Manager will provide suggestions for you to explore the city on your own. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by dinner
Overnight: Dublin
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Monday - Dublin City Tour
Begin the exploration of Dublin with a drive through Phoenix Park, one of Europe's largest walled city parks. More than green space, it is home to numerous monuments. You might also see fallow deer grazing in the fields. Continue on to view St. Patrick's Cathedral, the National Cathedral of Ireland founded in 1191. Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels, was dean of the cathedral from 1713 to 1745. On O'Connell Street, admire the handsome buildings that line the city's main thoroughfare. The afternoon is at leisure in the Irish capital. Perhaps visit the Guinness Storehouse, follow in the footsteps of your favorite writer, or browse the shops and museums. Tonight, join the optional Dinner at Taylors Three Rock. Spend an evening filled with traditional Irish song & dance, accompanied by delectable Irish food
Optional: Dinner at Taylors Three Rock
Overnight: Dublin
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Tuesday - County Wicklow, Travel to Kilkenny
Drive south from Dublin to Glendalough in County Wicklow, for a short stop at the mystical 6th century monastic site with its round tower before driving through the hilly rolling countryside of County Kildare. Arrive in Kilkenny, a small city located on the banks of the River Nore and visit the 12th century Kilkenny Castle. Explore the castle's richly decorated rooms, such as the Long Gallery, Drawing Room, and Library. Dinner is at the hotel this evening
Overnight: Kilkenny
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5, Wednesday - Waterford, Jameson Distillery, Travel to Cork
This morning, drive to Waterford, Ireland's oldest city. Embark on a guided tour of Waterford and immerse yourself in its rich Viking and medieval heritage. Continue along the coast through the seaside resort of Youghal. Next, tour the Midleton Jameson Distillery and learn about Irish whiskey-making. Conclude with a tasting of some of their famous whiskeys. Travel to Cork and check into the hotel with time to settle in before dinner tonight
Overnight: Cork
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6, Thursday - Blarney Castle, Kinsale
Start the day with a visit to the 15th century Blarney Castle, where you will have the opportunity to kiss the famous Blarney Stone. Spend some free time for shopping at the Blarney Woollen Mills before continuing to Kinsale, a fishing port of great significance in Irish history. A former trading post, the town is known for its 800-year-old church, and Georgian houses. The maritime and military history will come to life on a guided walking tour with a local guide. Return to Cork, where the remainder of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Cork
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Friday - English Market, Limerick
Visit the historic English Market, renowned for its wide variety of fresh seafood, artisan cheeses, organic produce, and traditional specialties like drisheen and buttered eggs. Stroll through the lively stalls and interact with the friendly vendors. Afterward, walk to a nearby restaurant for lunch. Savor a delicious meal, prepared using the finest ingredients from the English Market. In the afternoon, continue to Limerick and view the imposing King John's Castle**. This castle was built in the 13th century on the banks of River Shannon to safeguard the city. Tonight, perhaps participate in the optional Medieval Banquet* dinner for a lively evening of music, singing, and storytelling
* The Medieval Banquet will be at Bunratty or Knappogue castle depending on availability.
** For the Aug 23 departure, King John's Castle will be replaced by Desmond Castle.
Optional: Medieval Banquet (PM)
Overnight: Limerick
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 8, Saturday - Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Travel to Sligo
First stop is at the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. This rock wall towers 700 feet over the crashing surf of the Atlantic. It's sure to be one of the most spectacular meetings of land and water you're likely to see. Then head to Galway, a seafaring town steeped in tradition. Spend free time to discover the historic squares and pubs of this colorful town and to view Galway Cathedral. Later, travel to Sligo for overnight. This lovely town was home to a young William Butler Yeats. The poet died in 1939 in France, and ten years later his remains were reinterred in the village of Drumcliff, just north of Sligo town. Savor dinner at your hotel this evening
Overnight: Sligo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9, Sunday - Donegal, Slieve League
Begin a full day excursion with a drive into County Donegal, with its soaring sea cliffs, white sandy beaches, jaw-dropping landscapes and welcoming atmosphere. Visit the towering Slieve League cliffs, that stretch towards the horizon and admire the stunning panorama before you. At almost 2000 feet, they are among the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Later, drive back to Sligo
Overnight: Sligo
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10, Monday - Derry City Tour, Giant's Causeway
First stop today is Derry (Londonderry) in Northern Ireland. Take a guided walking tour around the 17th century city wall. View the Guildhall, Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall and St. Columb's Cathedral. Proceed to the Bogside district and the symbolic Peace Bridge. Local legend and lore make visiting Ireland especially unique and there is no shortage of tales to accompany Giant's Causeway, your next stop. The giant Finn McCool is said to have created this geological wonder so he could walk to Scotland to confront another giant. From there, the story varies. Today, a massive floor of 40,000 hexagonal stones stretches into the sea. Later, continue to Belfast
Overnight: Belfast
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11, Tuesday - Belfast City Tour
Today, embark on a morning sightseeing tour of Belfast. The city is located on the western shores of Belfast Lough, at the mouth of the River Lagan. To the northwest, mountains rise to the Antrim Plateau. This lovely setting has given the city a microclimate that nurtures its green spaces. Its location on calm waters has made it ideal for shipbuilding; the most famous vessel christened here was the Titanic. Start the half day tour by exploring the Titanic Experience, a nine-gallery museum in the dockyard where the ship was built. It's a city rich in history, architecture, and culture, with its share of political upheavals. Visit a neighborhood in West Belfast, where buildings are still scarred from The Troubles, which came to an end with the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Next, view the university district and botanic garden, and visit the Ulster Museum*. Finish at the colonnaded façade and towering dome of the Edwardian City Hall. Tonight, during dinner, bid farewell to your Tour Manager
*For the Sep 20 departure, the Ulster Museum will be closed due to a local event.
Overnight: Belfast
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12, Wednesday - Depart Ireland
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
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