The Best of Ireland

• Itinerary
• Prices & Information

Day 1 – Overnight Flight
Our flight to Ireland departs today.  Sit back, relax, and enjoy your comfortable jet aircraft. Dinner and breakfast will be served.
Included Meals: Inflight Dinner & Breakfast

Day 2 – Arrive in Shannon to Killarney
Arrive this morning into Shannon, the gateway to the West of Ireland. Depart for a charming stop in Adare Village, known as the “prettiest little village” in all of Ireland.  Get a glimpse of lovely lakes and green countryside before arriving in the picturesque Killarney. Experience a traditional jaunting cart ride along the lovely lakeside gardens to Muckross House for a tour of this grand 19th-century mansion.  Settle into The Malton Hotel, a stunning Victorian hotel and much-loved Irish landmark, nestled close to the heart of the town.  Tonight join us for a special welcome dinner at the hotel.
Included Meals: Dinner
Hotel: The Malton Hotel

Day 3 – Killarney
After breakfast, experience some of the most breathtaking scenery in all of the world as we motor along “The Ring of Kerry,” featuring sweeping coastal vistas of the rugged mountains and the Atlantic coastline of Iveragh Peninsula.  Stops will allow us to admire and photograph stunning scenery including “Ladies View.”  Stop at a tiny farm for a sheep dog demonstration with the stunning ocean as a backdrop.  Cross to Valencia Island and visit the Skellig Experience, which depicts life as it was for the early Christian Monks.  Later enjoy an included dinner at a favorite restaurant.  This evening at your leisure.  Some may want to join in an optional (extra cost) Irish Riverdance Show.  
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 – Killarney to Waterford
Cross the Derrynasaggart Mountains, to the ruins of Blarney Castle and its magical Stone of Eloquence.  It is here that travelers spend good money to kiss a stone and hope to receive the gift of guile!  You may try it and see!  Browse in the famous Blarney Woolen Mills with opportunity to make some purchases.  Later, we’ll proceed through Cobh, the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic.  Discover the role that Cobh has played in maritime history at the Cobh Heritage Center and learn about the more than 2.5 million people who emigrated to the New World from this port.  We will also have a chance to see the special Titanic Exhibition.  Later experience why Ireland is called the “Emerald Isle” as we motor along the coast through Dungarvan and Younghal, where the views are dramatic and awe-inspiring!  Arrive in Waterford and visit the world-renowned Waterford Crystal Factory with a chance to browse and make some purchases.  Watch the artisans at their crafts of blowing and polishing glass.  Since 1783 Waterford has produced ornate handcrafted tableware and decorative pieces.  Your luxury hotel awaits you this evening set in a peaceful setting with extensive grounds amidst the scenic backdrop of the Carlow countryside.  Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Mount Wolseley Hotel

Day 5 – Waterford to Dublin
Visit Kilkenny, Ireland’s best-preserved medieval city, which features narrow streets and graceful buildings characteristic of the 13th century.  We’ll explore Kilkenny Castle, built in the 12th century filled with many beautiful treasures.  Continue along the Wicklow Gap and mountains with towering peaks and lush forests to Glendalough Monastic Site, truly a lovely region of Ireland. Arrive in Dublin, Ireland’s capital.  Indeed a beautiful place, Dublin represents the Emerald Isle better than any other city—full of quaint pubs, magnificent churches, grand buildings, and fine museums where the experience is endless.  Located in the heart of the city close to Grafton Street and many of the best restaurants, our luxury hotel awaits us to settle in. For dinner you’ll be free to choose from Dublin’s many legendary pubs and restaurants nearby.  Some may want to join in an optional excursion (extra cost) to Guinness Brewery and/or a musical pub tour and dinner at the famous Temple Bar.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Davenport Hotel

Day 6 – Dublin Discovery
A city tour reveals the many treasures of this amazing city as we motor along statue-lined O’Connell Street and elegant Georgian Squares. See the delightful 21 two-story brick Georgian row houses displaying their intricate glass-laced doorways.  We’ll visit famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the national cathedral, and Trinity College—the first University in Ireland, rich in tradition and home to the Book of Kells.  A leisure afternoon allows much-needed time for browsing along Grafton Street and the many shops and attractions surrounding your nicely located hotel.  This evening we’re off to Merry Ploughboys Pub for dinner and fine entertainment.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 – Dublin to Sligo
We’ll motor through the emerald green rolling hillsides cradling some of Ireland’s lovely lakes, intriguing abandoned abbeys, and castles revealing hints of years past. We’ll visit the magnificent restored ruins of Cistercian Abbey, founded in 1161, which withstood the wars between the MacDermotts and the O’Connors.  Pass through the little town of Boyle, situated at the foot of the Curlieu Mountains.  A brief stop will be made in the tiny village of Belleek, with time to make purchases at the world-renowned Belleek Pottery.  We’ll travel the region of poet William Butler Yeats and visit his final resting place at Drumcliffe below the majestic Benbulben.  Dinner is at the hotel this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Lough Allen Hotel Sligo

Day 8 – Sligo – Donegal – Sligo
Take in some of Ireland’s most dramatic scenery, boasting magnificent mountains and low valleys.  Our drive encompasses the lush green meadows and sweeping coastline of Donegal.  Later, we’ll visit the splendid Glenveagh National Park and Castle—this 14,000-hectare estate is considered by many to be Ireland’s finest national park.  The core of the park is the Glenveagh Estate, originally the home of the notorious landlord John George Adair, much despised for his eviction of Irish tenant farmers in 1861.  He built the castle in the 1870’s.  Today this fairy-tale setting includes woodlands, herds of red deer, alpine gardens, a sylvan lake, and the highest mountain in Donegal: Mount Errigal.  Wild and rugged, County Donegal is associated with the ancient kingdom of Ulster.  It is one of few locations where the native Irish tongue, Gaelic, is spoken.  A special lunch experience is arranged at the Lobster Pot in Burtonport, a harbor and fishing town.  Enjoy food and fun as we visit with the owners of the pub from Minnesota!  Our highest hopes of Ireland’s scenery are constantly satisfied as we meander along the breathtaking coastline on the way back to our hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9 – Sligo to Galway
After breakfast, we’ll visit Kylemore Abbey nestled in the Connemara Mountains.  We’ll skirt along the rugged roads between the beautiful stone walled fields as we travel south toward  Galway. We’ll arrive at our hotel in Galway, located in the heart of the city center.  You will have opportunity to stroll the charming street of Galway just steps from your hotel.  You may choose an optional (extra cost) dinner and entertainment at a medieval castle this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Radisson SAS

Day 10 – Galway
Today motor along the Atlantic coast to visit the majestic Cliffs of Moher—featuring awesome, rugged beauty. These mighty cliffs rise more than 700 feet above sea level while stretching along the Atlantic Ocean.  Experience the breathtaking Blackhead Coastal Drive  before we witness the strange landscapes of The Burren featuring limestone plateau.  This evening you are special guests at Moran’s-on-the-Weir, a picturesque and infamous thatched Morans Oyster Cottage in Clarenbridge, where you may sample some of the best seafood to be found anywhere in the world.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Day 11 – Galway to Home
Following breakfast, we will transfer via Limerick City to Shannon Airport for our onward flights to the USA.  We’ll take with us the fond memories gained along the way. 
Included Meals: Breakfast