Pamper Yourself
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Exploring the Emerald Isle
Exploring the Emerald Isle Sunday, July 14 – Wednesday, July 24, 2024 11 Days
13 Meals Included:
- 9 Breakfast
- 4 Dinners
Day 1: Sunday, July 14, 2024
Overnight Flight Anticipation mounts as you wind your way toward Ireland and its many wonders. Rich history, rolling hills and warm smiles lie ahead in Dublin, Killarney, and Galway. You’re setting off to explore the amazing “Emerald Isle.”
Day 2: Monday, July 15, 2024
Arrive Dublin, Ireland – Tour Begins There is no better place to begin your journey than Dublin, Ireland’s dynamic capital city. Discover a city brimming with history and warmth. Leave your bags at your hotel this morning and enjoy a welcome reception before setting off on a walking tour of the “Fair City.” See the historic center, exploring Grafton Street, St. Stephen’s Green, the General Post Office, and the River Liffey. You’ll also tour the medieval Christ Church Cathedral* and its imposing crypt. Return to your hotel this evening for a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers. Today dinner will be included. HOTEL: Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin
Day 3: Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Dublin The day is yours to discover the city as you see fit. Perhaps you’ll purchase an optional tour to enhance your experience, or enjoy the leisure time on your own to explore the many cultural offerings of delightful Dublin. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 4: Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Dublin – Kilkenny – Killarney Leave Dublin behind this morning as you step back in time to visit the country’s medieval capital – Kilkenny. Meander its historic streets and soak up the unique sights of this 12th century city built on both banks of the River Nore. Enjoy time to explore the town or Kilkenny Castle on your own. Next, travel to historic Blarney Castle. Make your way to the top of the castle, lie back and kiss the famous Blarney Stone. Legend has it that if you do, you will be blessed with the “gift of eloquence.” This evening, cross into County Kerry and continue on to charming Killarney, your home for the next three nights. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. HOTEL: The Lake Hotel, Killarney
Day 5: Thursday, July 18, 2024
Killarney – Dingle Peninsula – Killarney This morning is yours to enjoy a leisurely-paced start to the day, or you may choose to purchase an optional tour. Afterwards, set off to follow what is perhaps Ireland’s most majestic coastal route – the stunning Dingle Peninsula. Travel to the town of Dingle and drive the beautiful Slea Head road, where some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes are found. At Slea Head, locals may remind you that beyond the water, “the next parish over is Boston.” Return to Killarney this evening. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 6: Friday, July 19, 2024
Killarney – Ring of Kerry – Gap of Dunloe – Killarney This morning, visit Muckross House. Enjoy time to explore this Victorian mansion by the shores of Muckross Lake and its extensive gardens. Then, take in the rugged coastline as you loop your way around the picturesque Ring of Kerry. Marvel at the vistas created by windswept cliffs, rugged mountains, lakes, and picturesque villages. This world-famous trail is part of an unspoiled region that is home to the types of plunging cliffs and miles of brilliant greenery for which the Emerald Isle is known. At the Gap of Dunloe, shop for local artisan-made crafts and enjoy a five-course tasting menu highlighting the “flavors of Kerry.”
Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 7: Saturday, July 20, 2024
Killarney – Cliffs of Moher – Galway Today, depart Killarney and take to the countryside. Experience the customs and daily life of a traditional Irish family and enjoy homemade scones and tea during a memorable visit to the Molanna Dairy Farm. Experience the Ireland you’ve always imagined at the Cliffs of Moher, where mossy cliffs plunge 700 feet into the ocean for awe-inspiring views of the mighty Atlantic and the Aran Islands. Peek into Irish culture at a sheep farm, where you’ll watch a dog-herding demonstration and meet the friendly canine workers. This evening, arrive in Galway, a lively city of medieval relics and modern flare. Today breakfast will be included. HOTEL: Ardilaun Hotel, Galway
Day 8: Sunday, July 21, 2024
Galway Take your morning into your own hands as you choose how to start the day. Perhaps you will peruse one of the city’s many museums or go shopping along bustling Quay Street before heading to a pub for a drink with the locals. You may also choose to purchase an optional experience. Regardless of your decision, meet up with your fellow travelers this afternoon to explore the city with a local guide who will showcase “The City of Tribes.” The night is free for reminiscing about the day as you find your own authentic taste of Irish culture. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 9: Monday, July 22, 2024
Galway – Connemara – Galway Set out on a day trip to the rural Connemara region. Arrive at Kylemore Abbey where you will discover Kylemore Castle and its Victorian Walled Garden. With cafés and shops, as well as trails through the woodlands and lakeshores, there is much to enjoy as you explore the grounds set in Connemara’s remote wilds. Enjoy lunch at one of the cafés to top off your visit! Next, head to Connemara National Park where you may choose to set off on a walking trail and immerse yourself in the mountainous, woodland landscape. Or you may choose to purchase an optional excursion this afternoon instead. This evening, return to Galway. Today breakfast and lunch will be included.
Day 10: Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Galway – Kingscourt This morning, leave the Atlantic coast behind as you head east. Arrive at the Brú na Bóinne visitor center where you will visit the Neolithic prehistoric passage tomb, Newgrange. Continue on to the regal grounds of a historic castle where you will stay the night. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the castle and toast the end of an unforgettable trip! Today breakfast and dinner will be included. HOTEL: Cabra Castle, Kingscourt
Day 11: Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Kingscourt – Tour Ends Your tour comes to an end in Kingscourt. Wish the Emerald Isle goodbye as you depart for home. Today breakfast will be included. Please Note: Alternate hotels may be used. Economy air rate and schedule are applicable for groups of 10 or more traveling on the same flights and dates. To complete your tour, we include roundtrip airport-to-hotel transfers when purchasing our airfare with your tour. If you have arranged for your own air, we are pleased to provide you the option of purchasing these transfers. Please note that all transfers will leave at pre-scheduled times. Travel with just 19-24 travelers on this tour where a smaller group setting means a more personal travel experience.
*Christ Church Cathedral is a working cathedral, so closure may occur unexpectedly. Single accommodations are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis.
Smaller buses, which may not be lavatory equipped, may be used on this program. In this case, frequent stops are made during travel periods.
Hotel check-in on your day of arrival is 3:00 p.m. Rooms may not be available prior to that time.
Air passengers will arrive into and depart from Dublin.
All transfers will arrive into and depart from Dublin airport.
Due to included features at the beginning of your tour, to get the most from your tour, all flights should arrive into Dublin airport no later than 8:00 AM on day 2.
Your tour ends in Kingscourt; return flights should depart no earlier than 11:00 AM to allow adequate time to transfer from your hotel to the airport.
IDENTIFICATION Passports are required for this tour at your expense. Certain countries require a minimum of 6 months passport validity from date of return home. You are strongly urged to contact the appropriate consulate for details. Visit www.travel.state.gov for the U.S. State Department for the latest details about passports and visa requirements. IMPORTANT: We recommend that our clients traveling abroad take a photocopy of their passport and applicable visas. It should be packed separately from your actual passport and visa. We also recommend leaving a copy at home with your emergency contact. This tour is Activity Level 3. You’re an on-the-go traveler. You don’t want to miss a thing, so walking and standing for longer periods of time (2-3 hours) isn’t a big deal. A moderately paced two-and-a-half-hour walking tour, covering several miles, hills, and uneven surfaces, is no problem for you. Walking four miles over the course of a day is very doable, as is climbing into and out of various modes of transportation (tuk-tuk, cable car, zodiac, etc.). You can climb three flights of stairs easily and handle altitudes between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. Expect some longer days with early mornings or late nights balanced with free time to recharge or set out on your own adventure. This level is not a fit for travelers who require mobility assistance devices.