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Day 1: Depart U.S. for
London
Depart U.S. on your overnight flight to London. Relax with
meal and entertainment services.
Day 2: London Arrival
Welcome to London! After immigration and baggage claim, take
an independent coach transfer to your hotel, conveniently
located in Kensington, near the Victoria & Albert Museum
and within
easy reach of the shops of Knightsbridge, including the famous
Harrods, Hyde Park and Oxford Street. Coaches operate frequently.
Days 2, 3 & 4: London
You may schedule your time as you wish for these three days.
London has many attractions
to choose from whatever your interests – history, art,
theater, sports, shopping – it’s all waiting for
you. Take a sightseeing tour by double-decker bus to see the
main attractions and find your
way around the city (voucher is valid for 24-hour period).
Use the included theater pass to choose
from a selection of exciting shows in the West End, London’s
theater area. Your “London for
Less” pass offers discounts on a variety of attractions
and eateries in central London. (CB)
Day 5: Dublin Flight
& Tour
Transfer to Heathrow Airport this morning to check in for
your flight to Dublin which takes just over
one hour. (London to Dublin flight is not included in land
only price – please ensure that you have
an airline ticket for this segment.) Arrive in Dublin Airport
and go to the CIE Tours desk in the International Arrivals
Hall where personnel will arrange a group transfer to your
hotel before
12:00 noon. If you arrive later than noon, you will need to
transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm take
a sightseeing tour of central Dublin to see the prominent
public buildings, elegant Georgian townhouses and peaceful
gardens. Note the contrasts between centuries-old historic
places and modern streets, which pulse with activity. Visit
Trinity College’s Old Library to view the early illuminated
manuscript of the Book of Kells and learn about its creation.
Then tour the Old Jameson Distillery, where you can see the
many steps needed to create Irish whiskey and sample some.
Join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink and your tour
director will advise you on restaurants to dine independently.
(CB)
Day 6: Clonmacnoise &
Galway
Leave Dublin and journey across the rolling pastures of Ireland’s
heartland to visit Clonmacnoise. This monastic settlement
was founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran and was an important center
of learning. See highly decorated high crosses, round towers
and ruins of many churches, all set on the banks of the tranquil
River Shannon. Drive to Galway and drive around the main sights
of the city before checking into your hotel, located in the
center. Enjoy some free time to browse around on your own
as Galway has many pedestrianized streets and lots of fun
specialty stores and pubs. Savor dinner in the elegant dining
room of your hotel. (B, D)
Day 7: Clifden &
Kylemore Abbey
Today tour Connemara and admire sweeping views of misty mountains
and shimmering lakes.
You will see sheep grazing freely and tracts of bogland where
people hand-cut peat for home
heating. Stop in Spiddal where you may hear locals chatting
in the Irish language. Continue to
Clifden for another stop in this delightful market town set
between the Twelve Bens and sandy
bays. Visit Kylemore Abbey, a 19th century neo-Gothic mansion,
which is now a prestigious girls’ school. Tour the exquisite
chapel and reception rooms and stroll by the peaceful lake
shore. Drive via Maam Cross, in the heart of Connemara and
back to your hotel in Galway in ample time for dinner. (B,
D)
Day 8: Cliffs of Moher
& Killarney
Drive south around Galway Bay to see the Cliffs of Moher,
which rise almost 700 feet above the
pounding Atlantic surf. Then cross the wide River Shannon
Estuary on a short ferry ride to Tarbert
and travel through Listowel and Castleisland to Killarney.
This little town is world-famous due
to its exquisite location beside lakes and mountains. After
checking into your hotel, head out to
view some of the scenery. Take a horse-drawn jaunting car
ride through the grounds of the
Killarney National Park to Muckross House and Gardens. Tour
the house with a local guide to
learn about the history and lifestyles of previous owners
and perhaps stroll through the gardens
on the shores of Muckross Lake. (B, D)
Day 9: Ring of Kerry
& Killeen House
Embark on Ireland’s most popular scenic drive - the
Ring of Kerry. This circular tour will reveal
constantly-changing vistas of mountains, open Atlantic Ocean,
beaches and cliffs. Drive through the remote towns of Cahirciveen
and Waterville and return through the colorful village of
Sneem.
Enjoy plenty of breaks to admire the natural beauty all along
the way. At Moll’s Gap, stop to view the three lakes
with the mountains and town in the background. Return to Killarney
and enjoy some free time to look around the town before dinner,
which will be served in the friendly and award-winning Killeen
House Restaurant. (B, D)
Day 10: Blarney Castle
& Cobh
Depart Killarney and drive through Macroom to Blarney. Walk
through the grounds and climb the
steps of fabled Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone
of Eloquence.” Also visit the Blarney
Woollen Mills for quality Irish-made goods. Bypass Cork city
as you drive to the port town of Cobh. Visit the Cobh Heritage
Centre, which traces the history of emigration from Ireland
to the United States. Learn about travel conditions for the
many Irish emigrants on the early sailing ships and steam
vessels. Follow the coastal route to Waterford for dinner
and overnight stay. This evening a local historian will give
you a talk on the history of Waterford. (B, D)
Day 11: Waterford Crystal
& Dinner Show
Visit the Waterford Crystal Factory to see the cutting and
polishing of this fine product and also
the excellent display of trophies and stemware in the showrooms.
Head north to Kilkenny with its
intriguing medieval streets and buildings and stroll through
narrow streets or view the massive
castle from its rose gardens. Drive to Dublin and check into
the same hotel. Take some time to
admire the views or even stroll along the pier, a favorite
haunt of Dubliners. In the evening drive to either the Merry
Ploughboy Pub or the Abbey Tavern. Both venues offer great
food and a lively
traditional Irish show. (B, D)
Day 12: Depart for Home
or Extra Day in Dublin
For those booked on our 12-day tour, complimentary group transfers
are provided to Dublin Airport
to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. After check-in,
you’ll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before
U.S. Immigration preclearance and boarding your flight for
the journey home. If you have booked our 13-day tour, spend
an additional night in Dublin with an independent Dublin sightseeing
tour pass (valid for 24 hours) and a taxi transfer to Dublin
Airport on the final day. (B)
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Ireland
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