Mystical Ireland Tour
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Day 1: Depart U.S. for Dublin
Welcome aboard your overnight flight to Dublin. Relax with dinner and entertainment.
Day 2: Arrive Ireland & Tour Glendalough
Arrive in Dublin Airport, complete immigration formalities and pick up your luggage. Go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall to arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. Your hotel, an elegant Victorian mansion, overlooks Dublin Bay and Dun Laoghaire Harbour. At 2:00 pm drive through the Wicklow Mountains to visit Glendalough, a 6th century monastic site. In the evening meet your fellow travelers over a welcome drink and discuss your itinerary. Your tour director will assist you in choosing a charming local restaurant to dine independently.
Day 3: Dublin Castle & Taylor's Three Evening
See Dublin highlights and take a guided tour through Dublin Castle's Estate Apartments. In the afternoon take an independent open-top bus tour with a visit to Guinness or Jameson. Head to Taylor's Three Rock pub for dinner and a lively show.(B,D)
Day 4: Downpatrick & Mount Stewart
Drive north past the Mourne Mountains to Downpatrick. Visit Down Cathedral to learn about Ireland's patron saint and see his reputed burial place. Cross Strangford Lough by ferry to visit Mount Stewart House and Gardens. The famous gardens at Mount Stewart were planted in the 1920's by Edith, Lady Londonderry, and have been nominated a World Heritage Site. The house tour includes world-famous paintings and stories about the prominent political figures to whom the Londonderry family played host. Check into your hotel in Belfast. (B, D)
Day 5: Belfast, Giant's Causeway & Derry
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. Drive north along the "Nine Glens of Antrim," a scenic drive with views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Stop at the Giant's Causeway, hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. The enormous rocks have spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. Continue to Derry and join a local guide for a short walking tour around the ancient city center, surrounded by the medieval city walls. (B, D)
Day 6: Ulster American Folk Park & Belleek China
Visit the Ulster American Folk Park, which traces the story of emigrants and shows how they lived. Take a guided tour around the Belleek Pottery Factory to see craftspeople making delicate and ornate pieces in fine china. Travel through Sligo, often referred to as "Yeats' Country", and the rocky landscape of Mayo. Continue to Westport where your hotel is located in the town center. (B, D)
Day 7: Achill Island Excursion & Westport
After a late breakfast travel around Clew Bay, reputed to have 365 islands, and across the Curraun Peninsula to Achill Island, joined to the mainland by a bridge. Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful views of steeply-sloped mountains plunging into the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. Near Slievemore see the Deserted Village, the remains of nearly 100 stone cottages abandoned around the time of the 1840's Famine. Also see stretches of windswept bogland and golden beaches. Return to Westport in time to take a stroll to explore this attractive estate town, which was laid out in 1780. (B, D)
Day 8: Cliffs Of Moher & Bunratty Medieval Banquet
Travel to Galway City and take a tour to see the main sights. Spend some time on your own before driving through the Burren, limestone hills with unique flora and prehistoric stone monuments. View the majestic Cliffs of Moher, a rocky wall that rises nearly 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic Ocean. Drive to Bunratty and check into your hotel, right beside Bunratty Castle, the Bunratty Folk Park and Durty Nelly's Pub. In the evening head to 15th century Bunratty Castle for a jolly medieval-style dinner where the Lords and Ladies serenade you with favorite songs. (B, D)
Day 9: Return to U.S.
Take a group transfer to nearby Shannon Airport where your tour concludes at 10:30 am. 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)
B=Breakfast, CB=Continental Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner