AAA Rochester
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 have breakfast with your group at a local restaurant or pub. Then set off on an orientation drive around Dublin city center. See the main thoroughfares of OConnell Street Nassau Street and some lovely public parks as you pass by many historical sites. Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and enjoy some free time before joining your fellow travelers for a welcome drink. After spend the remainder of the day at leisure for individual pursuits and dining.
Day 3: DUBLIN TO BELFAST
This morning journey into Craigavon to visit the Armagh Cider Company a family run farm with more than 12 different award-winning ciders. Enjoy a tour of the mill to see how apples go from blossom to bottle followed by a tasting of the finished product. After travel into Belfast and embark on a guided tour to see the Albert Memorial the Opera House and Crown Liquor Saloon. You might also view Linen Hall Library Belfast waterfront and the imposing City Hall which was completed in 1906. Transfer to your nearby hotel check in and enjoy the balance of the day free to sightsee shop and dine on your own.
Day 4: NINE GLENS OF ANTRIM
Departing Belfast drive along the coast to experience one of Irelands popular scenic routes. Here youll see the Nine Glens of Antrim which offer wonderful views of mountains valleys and coastline. Stop to visit the Giants Causeway an impressive area of hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago by cooling lava which has given rise to many legends. Continue your journey into Derry check into your hotel and settle into your room. Tonight you might like to sample the local cuisine by dining at a nearby venue.
Day 5: DERRY SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast join a local guide for a walking tour of Derry to see the Guildhall St. Columbs Cathedral the Diamond and the 16th century walls. Next travel to visit Glenveagh National Park where high walls and conifers provide shelter for an amazing collection of exotic plants from all over the world. Then drive into Donegal to visit Donegal Castle which incorporates the gabled tower of a 15th century house built by the ODonnell family. Partially restored the castle reflects a long and turbulent history. Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. This evening you may like to dine in one of the many traditional or modern dinner venues located within the town.
Day 6: SLIEVE LEAGUE SEA CLIFFS
Today journey to the Cyndi Graham Handweaving Studio to enjoy a handweaving demonstration followed by some free time to browse Cyndis stunning collection. Next travel to visit Slieve League Sea Cliffs where the highest point reaches 1972 feet making them the highest in Europe. The cliffs drop straight down to the wild Atlantic waves below and you will see marvelous vistas. While here enjoy a cup of tea and freshly baked scones with your group. Then head into Ardara to see demonstrations of spinning weaving and knitting at Triona Designs. Return to your hotel in Donegal for a free evening.
Day 7: BELLEEK POTTERY
Leaving Donegal drive into Belleek to visit the Belleek Pottery Factory. While here see how skilled craftspeople form and decorate clay to produce delicate porcelain masterpieces. Then continue on to visit Atlantic Sheepdogs where you will have the opportunity to experience farm life and see some of the worlds smartest sheepdogs working in their natural environment. Transfer to your hotel in Westport check in and enjoy some free time before joining your fellow travelers for an authentic Irish dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 8: ACHILL ISLAND
This morning set off around Clew Bay through Newport and along Curraun Peninsula to reach Achill Island joined to the mainland by a bridge. Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful and wild scenic views of steeply sloped mountains plunging into the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. Head back to your hotel in Westport for an evening at leisure.
Day 9: KYLEMORE ABBEY
Departing Westport travel to visit 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. Next drive into Adare and set off on a guided walking tour to see the highlights of the village. Adare is famous for its attractive main street of thatched houses and colorful gardens. Transfer to your nearby hotel check in and settle into your room. In the evening you may like to dine in one of the many restaurants or pubs that Adare has to offer.
Day 10: CLIFFS OF MOHER
Today drive along the coast of scenic County Clare 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. After take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary before continuing your travel into Killarney. Upon arrival check into your hotel settle into your room and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. Tonight you might like to grab an independent bite to eat at one of the many charming dinner venues located within the town.
Day 11: RING OF KERRY
After breakfast set off to explore the Ring of Kerry which consist of over 100 miles of marvelous scenery. See some of Irelands highest peaks on one side of the road and a coastline scattered with golden beaches and rocky headlands on the other. There will also be plenty of stops to take-in the scenery and to snap photos. Next cross to Valencia Island to visit the Skellig Experience which describes the life of early monks who led austere lives on the nearby islands. Return to your hotel in Killarney and spend the rest of the day free for individual sightseeing shopping dining and more.
Day 12: BLARNEY CASTLE
Leaving Killarney drive into Blarney where you can climb the battlements of Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence. After travel into Kinsale and set off on a brief walking tour with a local guide to learn the history of the town. Kinsale has been a favorite for artists due to its steep narrow streets quirky shopfronts and many fine Georgian houses. Today it is renowned as the gourmet capital of Ireland as there are many award-winning restaurants and pubs. Transfer to your hotel in Cork check in and spend the balance of the day at leisure. This evening you may like to dine in one of the many fine restaurants or pubs scattered throughout the city.
Day 13: CORK TO DUBLIN
This morning journey into County Kilkenny and stop to enjoy some free time to explore around the village of Freshford on your own. After continue your travel through Irelands countryside into Dublin check into your hotel and settle into your room. Tonight you may like to dine in one of the citys lively dinner venues.
Day 14: BRU NA BOINNE VISITOR CENTRE
Today travel into County Meath to visit the Boyne Valley Visitor Centre (not confirmed until within 30 days of departure). While here learn about the nearby passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth constructed over 5000 years ago. After head back into Dublin to visit EPIC Ireland which celebrates the dramatic story of the spread of Irish culture around the globe and how Ireland has changed throughout the years. Return to your nearby hotel where you might like to relax or freshen up before tonights farewell festivities.
This evening drive to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs dancing and music.
Day 15: 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 back to the United States.
CONFIRMED HOTELS
Camden Court Hotel, Dublin 1 night
Grand Central Hotel, Belfast 1 night
Ebrington Hotel, Derry 1 night
Mill Park Hotel, Donegal 2 nights
Westport Coast Hotel, Westport 2 nights
Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel, Adare 1 night
Killarney Avenue Hotel, Killarney 2 nights
Kingsley Hotel, Cork 1 night
Camden Court Hotel, Dublin 2 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 13 nights
Full breakfasts (14)
Dinners (01):
Dublin Irish Night w/dinner & entertainment
Welcome get-together drink
Tour of Belfast with a local guide
Guided walking tours of Derry, Adare & Kinsale
Slieve League Cliffs w/tea & scones
Sheepdog trials at Atlantic Sheepdog
Passage on the Tarbert Ferry
Visits and admission fees to:
Armagh Cider Mill
Giant's Causeway
Glenveagh National Park
Donegal Castle
Cyndi Graham Handweavers Studio
Triona Design
Belleek Pottery
Achill Island
Kylemore Abbey
Cliffs of Moher
Skellig Experience
Blarney Castle
Boyne Valley Visitor Centre
EPIC Ireland
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap