Jewels of Ireland - 15 Days/14 Nights

Tour begins 2:00 PM at your Dublin hotel. Experience a panoramic tour of the capital city of Dublin. Then take a guided tour of Dublin Castle, the seat of power and government for many centuries, and see the State Apartments. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dining independently this evening.

Enjoy touring Dublin independently, on a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour. Plus choose a visit to one of Dublin’s top attractions — Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Distillery, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, or GPO Witness History. Enjoy a dinner of Irish specialties and a lively show. (B, D)

Head south to Kinsale, a picturesque old fishing town now renowned for sailing, art galleries, and gourmet food. Join a local guide for a short walk around Kinsale’s historic streets. Then take some time to explore Kinsale on your own before returning to your hotel for dinner. (B, D)

Travel to Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” or walk through the gardens. Travel to Killarney for some free time and a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through Killarney National Park to view Ross Castle and Kenmare Estate. Enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening. (B, D)

Explore Slea Head to view the heathery mountains, sandy beaches, and green landscapes of the Dingle Peninsula. Visit the Blasket Centre in Dunquin to learn about the offshore Blasket Islands. Enjoy some free time in Dingle. Visit the South Pole Inn and sip a creamy Irish coffee while hearing about the daring exploits of Antarctic explorer Tom Crean, who left his explorer days behind to open the pub. Continue on to Killarney for a free evening and independent dining. (B)

Visit the Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum, which recalls air travel in the 1930s and 1940s. Drive to the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. In the evening, head to a castle for a medieval-style banquet with traditional songs and stories. (B, D)

Travel through the rounded limestone hills of the Burren to Caherconnell and watch skilled dogs round up sheep. Stop in a charming Burren village to explore independently. Head to Galway for a guided walking tour around the central attractions – the narrow streets, the medieval city walls, and Lynch’s Castle. Enjoy free time to explore before dinner. (B, D)

Drive through Connemara to Leenane for a catamaran cruise (seasonal only) of Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord. Travel on to see Kylemore Abbey and enjoy lunch in this majestic setting. Spend a free evening in Galway. (B, L)

Travel north through County Mayo. Stop in County Fermanagh and visit Belleek Pottery to see craftspeople create their renowned fine china. Visit Donegal Castle, built by the O'Donnell chieftains in the 15th century and restored in the 1990s after falling into ruin for centuries. Have dinner in your hotel this evening. (B, D)

Enjoy a coastal drive to view the Slieve League, Europe’s highest sea cliffs. Continue on to visit Triona Design for demonstrations of spinning, weaving, and knitting. Enjoy some free time to explore before returning to the hotel for dinner. (B, D)

Meet with a local guide for a walking tour to see Derry’s medieval walls, the Diamond, and St. Columb’s Cathedral. Explore the Giant’s Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago. Travel along the scenic Nine Glens of Antrim before heading to Belfast. (B, D)

Tour Belfast and see a city filled with grand Victorian buildings. Visit Titanic Belfast and discover the city’s rich maritime history including the shipyards where the RMS Titanic was built in 1912. Visit Hillsborough Castle, the residence of the Secretary of State of Northern Ireland. Drive to Kingscourt to Cabra Castle Hotel, built in 1760, and enjoy free time there. After dinner, experience a lively step-dancing display. (B, D)

Visit Brú na Bóinne to learn about the 5,000-year-old burial tombs of Newgrange and Knowth, with a visit to one of the tombs. Enjoy a free afternoon before having a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B, D)

Explore Dublin independently. Guests who have not used their vouchers on Day 2 may use them today to do the Hop-On, Hop-Off tour and choice of attractions. Otherwise, this vibrant city is yours to discover as you like. In the evening, dine independently at your choice of one of the many restaurants or pubs that Dublin has to offer. (B)

Your tour ends after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner   >