UNIVERSAL TOURS
Day 1: DEPART THE UNITED STATES
Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.
Day 2: DUBLIN ARRIVAL
After landing at Dublin Airport complete customs and immigration formalities. Your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the coach. Next stop to have breakfast with your group at a local restaurant or pub. Then continue your travel through Irelands countryside into Inch and stop at Foleys Bar and Restaurant to enjoy lunch. After transfer to your hotel in Dingle check in and settle into your room. In the evening join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 3: DINGLE PENINSULA
This morning discover the beauties of the Dingle Peninsula once described by the National Geographic Traveler as the most beautiful place on earth. Drive along the south shore of the peninsula for plenty of vistas of heathery mountains sandy stretches of beach stunning green landscapes and rocky headlands. Pause at strategic locations to admire the views and take photos. Continue on to Slea Head at the western tip of the peninsula. This excursion will give you excellent views of mountains and coastline and looking over to the Iveragh Peninsula. Then travel into Dunquin and stop to visit the Blasket Centre to learn about the Blasket Islands inhabited until 1953 by hardy families who eked out a living by farming and fishing. After return to your hotel in Dingle where the rest of the afternoon is free for independent activities. Tonight dine with your group in the hotel restaurant.
Day 4: DINGLE SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast tour the Dingle Distillery a quaint little distillery which has created a distinctive Irish twist of their own whiskey gin and vodka. Then continue on to enjoy a cruise along Dingle Bay. As you cruise around the harbor and into the bay you will learn about local and maritime history. Return to your hotel and spend some time at leisure before dining with your fellow travelers in the hotel restaurant.
Day 5: KILLARNEY AT LEISURE
Today travel into the town of Killarney and stop to enjoy some time at leisure to browse shop and sightsee independently. You may like to visit St. Marys Catholic Cathedral with its soaring spire or the Franciscan Friary with superb stained glass windows. You could also visit the Transport Museum containing a fine collection of vintage cars or take a walk to Ross Castle on the shores of Lough Leane. Another possible short excursion would be a jaunting car ride to Muckross House. Return to your hotel in Dingle where you may like to relax or freshen up before dining with your group in the hotel restaurant.
Day 6: CLIFFS OF MOHER
Departing Dingle journey into Tarbert and take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary. Next travel along the coast of scenic County Clare and stop to visit the Cliffs of Moher one of Irelands most beloved natural landmarks. See magical vistas overlooking the shimmering Atlantic Ocean along with Irelands Western coastline. Then continue on to visit Caherconnell Farm where you will have the opportunity to experience farm life and see sheepdogs working in their natural environment. After transfer to your hotel in the bustling city of Galway check in and settle into your room. You may like to rest or explore some of the city before meeting your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 7: GALWAY SIGHTSEEING
This morning join a local guide for a gentle walking tour of Galway. See the medieval city walls Lynchs Castle and the narrow streets. After return to your nearby hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure to relax shop or sightsee. This evening join your group for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 8: CONNEMARA SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast travel through the Connemara Region to admire the sweeping views of boglands and misty mountains. As you drive along you will see many sheep that graze freely and also tracts of bogland where some people hand-cut peat for home heating. Stop at Kylemore Abbey for a tour of the elegant mansion and church set beside a tranquil lake. Learn of the tales of tragedy romance and royal visits. Also walk through the magical Victorian walled garden. Return to your hotel in Galway and spend some time at leisure before meeting your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 9: RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
All too soon your vacation has come to its final day. Transfer to Dublin Airport in good time to check in for your flight. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores before boarding your aircraft and flying across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.
CONFIRMED HOTELS
Dingle Benners Hotel, DINGLE 4 nights
Hotel Meyrick, GALWAY 3 nights
TOUR INCLUDES
Exclusive transport by luxury motorcoach with a driver/guide
Meet and greet service with one group transfer upon arrival and departure at the airport
Hotel accommodation based on twin bedded rooms with private bath as listed for 07 nights
Full breakfasts (08)
Breakfast upon arrival at a local restaurant or pub
Lunch (01):
Lunch at Foley's Bar & Restaurant
Dinners (07):
Table d'hôte dinners (07)
Dingle Bay Cruise
Passage on the Tarbert Ferry
Caherconnell Farm w/Sheepdog demonstration
Guided walking tour of Galway
Visits and admission fees to:
Slea Head
Blasket Centre
Dingle Distillery
Cliffs of Moher
Kylemore Abbey
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap