BOBBIES TRAVEL
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 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 Stop to tour Guinness Storehouse to see exhibits on how this world-famous stout was first created and why it is so popular today Finish your visit in the roof-top bar where you can sample a draft of Guinness Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and enjoy some free time before tonights welcome festivities
This evening head to Rolys Bistro to enjoy a delightful dinner with your fellow travelers
Day 3: TRINITY COLLEGE
Today visit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells an 8th century illuminated manuscript of the gospels and the Old Library Then travel into County Meath and stop to visit the Boyne Valley Visitor Centre While here learn about the nearby passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth constructed over 5000 years ago Also visit the actual tomb of Newgrange which is aligned to the mid-winter sunrise so that the beam of the rising sun falls directly into the chamber After continue on to visit the Hill of Tara seat of the High Kings of Ireland which was at the height of its power in the early centuries after Christ It is also the site of a passage-tomb dating from the late Stone Age Head back to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day free to sightsee shop and dine on your own
Day 4: DISTILLERY VISIT
Leaving Dublin journey into the midlands of Ireland for an independently arranged visit to Tullamore Dew Distillery Following head to a local venue to have a tasty light lunch with your group Then travel into Athlone and stop at Seans Bar Irelands oldest Pub to enjoy a drink with your fellow travelers After travel into Galway and join a local guide for a gentle walking tour of the city See the medieval city walls Lynchs Castle and the narrow streets Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure Tonight you might like to dine in one of the citys lively dinner venues
Day 5: ARAN ISLANDS & DUN AENGUS
After breakfast set off on a short ferry ride from Rossaveal to Inis Mor the largest of the three Aran Islands These rocky islands are renowned for the hardy islanders who maintained traditional fishing and farming The Irish language is still spoken widely Next take a minibus ride to Dun Aengus a huge pre-historic fortress perched on sheer cliffs which fall away to the Atlantic Ocean below Have a look around Kilronan before heading back to your hotel in Galway This evening you may like to sit down at a quaint restaurant or lively pub for an independent dinner
Day 6: CLIFFS OF MOHER
This morning 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 journey into Killarney Upon arrival check into your hotel settle into your room and enjoy some free time before tonights festivities
In the evening head to the Celtic Whiskey Bar to enjoy a wonderful dinner with your group followed by whiskey and chocolate pairing
Day 7: RING OF KERRY
Today 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 While here also enjoy a panoramic tour of the beautiful Island Head back to your hotel in Killarney for an evening at leisure
Day 8: DINGLE PENINSULA DRIVE
After breakfast 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 Next travel just outside of Dingle to see the Fahan Beehive Huts which are also known at Caher Conor See several interconnected huts which once might have been a family dwelling Return to your hotel in Killarney in time to dine with your group in the hotel restaurant
Day 9: KILLARNEY TO KINSALE
Leaving Killarney travel through Irelands rolling hills into the charming seaside town of Kinsale check into your hotel and spend the balance of the day at leisure Originally a Georgian garrison town and harbor it is a popular yachting center today You might like to roam around the steep streets with brightly painted houses and flowers Kinsale is dubbed the Gourmet Capital of Ireland so there are many wonderful places to choose from to dine this evening
Day 10: KINSALE SIGHTSEEING
This morning set off on a brief walking tour with a local guide to learn the history of Kinsale The town has been a favorite for artists due to its steep narrow streets quirky shopfronts and many fine Georgian houses Return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day free for individual pursuits and dining
Day 11: BLARNEY CASTLE
Today drive into Blarney where you can climb the battlements of Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence Next travel into County Tipperary and stop to visit the Rock of Cashel While here see majestic church ruins that are clustered high on a limestone outcrop overlooking the surrounding countryside Continue your journey into Kilkenny and set off on a guided walking tour of the town The humorous and informative guide will show you many sites which help make stories about the past come to life Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and settle into your room This evening join your fellow travelers for a wonderful farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant
Day 12: 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
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin 2 nights
Salthill Hotel, Galway 2 nights
Great Southerm Hotel, Killarney 3 nights
Actons Hotel, Kinsale 2 nights
Lyrath Estate Hotel & Spa, Kilkenny 1 night
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 10 nights
Full breakfasts (10)
Dinners (04):
Table d'hôte dinners (02)
Welcome dinner at a local venue
Dinner at the Celtic Whiskey Bar w/chocolate & whiskey pairing
Drink at Sean's Bar
Guided walking tours of Galway, Kinsale & Kilkenny
Aran Islands & Dun Aengus
Passage on the Tarbert Ferry
Visits and admission fees to:
Guinness Storehouse
Trinity College (Book of Kells)
Boyne Valley Visitor Centre (not confirmed until within 30 days of departure)
Hill of Tara
Kilbeggan Distillery
Cliffs of Moher
Skellig Experience
Fahan Beehive Huts
Blarney Castle
Rock of Cashel
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap