- → Itinerary
Itinerary
DAY 1 USA / DUBLIN: Fly transatlantic overnight from Chicago to Dublin Ireland. Dinner is served and in-flight entertainment is provided.
DAY 2 ARRIVE IN DUBLIN, IRELAND: Welcome to Ireland! After collecting your bags, you will meet with your driver in the arrivals hall at Dublin Airport. Depart and make your way to a local pub for your first full Irish breakfast of the week! Then head into the Wicklow Mountains to Glendalough where you’ll learn about St. Kevin’s 6th century monastery in the Glendalough Visitor Centre and walk through the deep valley to view the picturesque ruins of a round tower, churches and Celtic crosses. Later, continue to Newtownmountkennedy for dinner and overnight. (B/D)
DAY 3 NEWTOWNMOUNTKENNEDY / KILKENNY / MIDLETON / CORK: Departing from County Wicklow, travel south towards County Cork. Your first stop today will be in the medieval city of Kilkenny to visit Kilkenny Castle, built in the 13th century and home to the powerful Butler family for almost 600 years. Continue to visit the Old Midleton Distillery, home of Jameson Irish Whiskey, a local specialty, and taste the triple-distilled, twice-as-smooth whiskey. Later this afternoon, arrive at the beautiful Hayfield Manor Hotel for dinner and overnight. (B/D)
DAY 4 CORK / BLARNEY / BANTRY / KILLARNEY: After breakfast, depart from Hayfield Manor and make your way to visit Blarney Castle with its magical stone that gives the gift of eloquence for a kiss. There is time to stop at Blarney Woollen Mills to shop before departing on a glorious drive to the Beara Peninsula. Our first stop will be Bantry House, which was built in 1720 and has scenic views of Bantry Bay. Then on to a boat ride to Garnish Island, home to an Italianate garden landscape, viewing seals on the rocks of Bantry Bay. Drive through Glengarriff and Kenmare, stopping to see the stone circle, drive over the Caha Mountains and Moll’s Gap – picturesque views of the Lakes of Killarney. Killarney is a busy tourist town – great fun with a cheerful atmosphere. Your evening is free in Killarney. (B)
DAY 5 DINGLE PENINSULA EXCURSION: Today, begin by heading out to the beautiful Dingle Peninsula. This peninsula is a Gaeltacht, a unique area where the Irish language is preserved. We’ll drive to the Gallarus Oratory – a tiny stone church – built between the 6th and 9th century, which preserved Christianity in Ireland; Slea Head; beehive huts; views of the Blasket Islands; harbors; beaches; all spectacular! There is time to explore the town of Dingle, a colorful fishing port. Later, return to Killarney for dinner and overnight. (B/D)
DAY 6 KILLARNEY / CLIFFS OF MOHER / LIMERICK: After breakfast, depart Killarney and head north towards County Clare. Cross the River Shannon by ferry and head to the dramatic, near-vertical Cliffs of Moher, rising 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic waves. From the cliffs on a clear day you can see the Aran Islands and Galway Bay. O’Brien’s Tower stands near the highest point and has served as a viewing point for visitors for hundreds of years. Afterward, enjoy some free time in the Shannon area before making your way to your hotel in Limerick. Enjoy dinner in your hotel. (B/D)
DAY 7 LIMERICK / DUBLIN FOOD TRAIL: After breakfast you depart from Limerick early this morning and make your way toward Dublin. When you arrive in Dublin, depart on a Dublin Tasting Walk. Visit a range of bakeries, food halls, street markets, cheese mongers, delicatessens, and other specialty shops. You’ll meet those who have produced and traded great food for generations as well as recent arrivals who use great Irish produce to bring new international and contemporary tastes to the table. As you enjoy the food, you’ll also learn a little about the culture and history of each neighborhood. Afterward, visit the Guinness Storehouse. Raise a mug of the “black stuff” and drink in Dublin views at the Gravity Bar. This evening you are free in Dublin. (B/L)
DAY 8 DUBLIN: Enjoy a day at leisure in Dublin. (B)
DAY 9 DUBLIN / USA: After breakfast, bid farewell to Ireland as transfers begin to Dublin airport, where after check-in you will have plenty of time for your last-minute duty-free shopping. Your flight to the US arrives the same day. Have a safe journey! (B)
- → Inclusions
Inclusions
- Round-trip air from Chicago to Dublin
- Newtownmountkennedy – 1 night, 5-Star Druids Glen Hotel
- Cork – 1 night, 5-Star Hayfield Manor Hotel
- Killarney – 2 nights, 4-Star Brehon Hotel
- Limerick – 1 night, 4-Star Strand Hotel
- Dublin – 2 nights, 4-Star Davenport Hotel
- Breakfast each morning, including a pub breakfast on day of arrival
- 4, three-course dinners dinner
- Luxury motorcoach with services of a professional Irish driver/guide
- Glendalough Excursion
- Kilkenny Castle
- Old Midleton Distillery
- Blarney Castle
- Bantry House
- Boat excursion to Garnish Island*
- Dingle Peninsula Excursion
- Gallarus Oratory
- The Cliffs of Moher
- Dublin Food Trail – Guided walking tour and tastings
- The Guinness Storehouse
- Portfolio of travel documents
- Porterage of one suitcase per person
- 24-hour emergency customer service while in Ireland
This is a Private Group Journey based on a minimum of 25 participants to operate. Rates are per person based on double occupancy. Departure taxes and fuel surcharges are included. Single supplement is additional $780.00. Air inclusive rates are subject to availability and are based on departure from Chicago on Aer Lingus. Rate includes round-trip economy class airfare, including carrier and government-imposed taxes and fees, and the September 11th Security Fee of $5.60 per enplanement originating at a U.S. airport. Fluctuations in exchange rates may affect some taxes or fees. Child/infant discounts are not available, and stopovers are not permitted. Baggage fees may apply; please check with carrier for specific policies. Not eligible for accrual of frequent flyer points/mileage. Above mentioned hotels are subject to change. Cancellations/Changes: Rates are non-refundable. Substantial restrictions apply for cancellation/change, and depend upon the package type. Trip protection is recommended. The applicable Travel Protection Plan will be applied to your purchase. Additional details will be provided on your Itinerary and Travel Protection Plan Voucher travel documents upon purchase. For travelers on offered Escorted Vacations, Golf, or Cruise Vacations, travel protection is provided by Trip Mate Inc. This coverage is designed to protect your travel investment with a full cash refund less the cost of the insurance and cancellation fees for the following covered reasons such as death, sickness, injury or certain other covered reasons. Full description of coverage can be found by visiting http://tripmate.com/wpF421S. The cost of this protection is 9% of the total cost of your trip and must be purchased at time of booking. All claims are to be made to Trip Mate Inc. 1-800-888-7292 or 9225 Ward Parkway,