CRUISE PLANNERS
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 St Patricks Cathedral which is almost as old as the city itself and famous for its connections with the brilliantly eccentric Dean Jonathan Swift Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and enjoy some time at leisure before a festive evening with your group
Tonight enjoy dinner as you cruise along Dublins Grand Canal While on board there will be traditional entertainment
Day 3: GUINNESS STOREHOUSE
Today 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 Head back to your nearby hotel and spend the balance of the day free to sightsee shop and dine on your own
Day 4: KILKENNY SIGHTSEEING
Leaving Dublin 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 Next drive into New Ross to visit the Dunbrody Emigrant Ship a replica of a sailing vessel built in 1845 to transport emigrants from Ireland to North America The visit will give you an insight as to what life on board ship was like as well as filling you in on the history of the famine years Continue your travel into Waterford check into your hotel and settle into your room Tonight join your group for dinner in the hotel restaurant
Day 5: MIDLETON DISTILLERY EXPERIENCE
This morning drive into Dungarvan and stop at Marine Bar to have a drink with your group Then travel to Midleton to visit the Midleton Distillery Experience Discover how whiskey is made as you walk through the old buildings At the end of your tour enjoy a sample of the finished product Next journey into Blarney where you can climb the battlements of Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence Continue into Killarney check into your hotel and settle into your room You might like to relax or freshen up before tonights festivities
This evening travel to Kate Kearneys Cottage which is situated at the entrance of the Gap of Dunloe Your Irish Night will consist of a superb meal and entertainment
Day 6: RING OF KERRY
After breakfast embark on a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the Killarney National Park Next 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 Then 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 for an evening at leisure
Day 7: CLIFFS OF MOHER
Departing Killarney travel into Tarbert and take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary Next drive 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 Following head to the Caherconnell Farm where you will have the opportunity to experience farm life and see sheepdogs working in their natural environment Continue your journey into Ennis check into your hotel and enjoy some free time before this evenings festivities
Tonight join in the fun and feasting at Knappogue Castle Your medieval-style banquet is served in the Great Hall of the 15th century castle During and after the meal the lords and ladies of the castle will transport you in spirit to the Middle Ages with their songs and stories
Day 8: BURREN SIGHTSEEING
Today pass through the Burren an area of rocky limestone hills where several unique flowers thrive This region also contains many dolmens prehistoric monuments formed by large limestone slabs Continue your journey into Galway and embark on a panoramic tour to see the principal sights of the city See the Spanish Arch in the Claddagh area the City Museum and the Cathedral of Our Lady which is built on the site of the former county jail Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and settle into your room You might like to rest or explore some of the city before meeting your group in the hotel restaurant for a delicious meal
Day 9: CONNEMARA SIGHTSEEING
This morning 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 tracts of bogland where some people hand-cut peat for home heating Stop 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 Then drive into Leenane and set off on a short catamaran cruise aboard the Connemara Lady through Killary Harbour Irelands only fjord Enjoy the onboard commentary as you admire the views from this narrow inlet which is surrounded by hills and cliffs Head back to your hotel in Galway and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure Tonight you might like to dine in one of the citys lively dinner venues
Day 10: CONG SIGHTSEEING
Leaving Galway drive into Cong and embark on a walking tour of the village a place made famous by the 1952 movie of The Quiet Man featuring John Wayne and Maureen OHara Discover places featured in the movie and see some of the movie memorabilia in the Quiet Man Heritage Cottage Continue your journey into Derry check into your hotel and enjoy some free time to settle into your room
In the evening head to the Walled City Brewery which has offered locally flavored craft and artisan beers for over a decade While here enjoy an authentic Irish dinner with your fellow travelers
Day 11: 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 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 Belfast and stop to visit Titanic Belfast to learn about the evolution of the Titanic from concept until her ill-fated end in 1912 Transfer to your nearby hotel check in and settle into your room Tonight dine in the hotel restaurant with your group
Day 12: IRELAND TO SCOTLAND
Departing Belfast take a short ferry ride to Cairnryan located on the western banks of Scotland Upon arrival meet your Tour Director who will welcome you to Scotland and escort you and your luggage to the coach Next embark on an orientation tour of Edinburgh Scotlands capital city Your knowledgeable guide will share many fascinating stories about the historic city as you travel along Princes Street and eventually make your way to the famed Royal Mile Stop to tour the imposing Edinburgh Castle perched high above the city on volcanic rock and dominates the skyline The castle has been involved in many historical conflicts from the War of Scottish Independence to the Jacobite Rising in 1745 and even acted as a military prison during both World Wars Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and settle into your room In the evening join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant
Day 13: ST ANDREWS SIGHTSEEING
Today journey into St Andrews where golf originated Upon arrival stop to visit the R&A World Golf Museum to explore the history of golf See the outstanding collection of sporting memorabilia which is connected to the medieval origins of the beloved game Next head to St Andrews Links for a guided walking tour of Old Course considered the oldest golf course in the world and commonly known as The Cathedral of Golf After enjoy some time at leisure to explore around the historic town on your own Head back to your hotel in Edinburgh and enjoy some free time before this evenings festivities
Tonight head to a unique Scottish venue for dinner followed by a traditional Scottish ceilidh The night includes lively music dancing and of course the ceremonial Haggis
Day 14: EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO
This morning head to The Chocolatarium for a guided Chocolate and Whisky tour where you will learn hands on how to make Whisky truffles before trying a sample Also enjoy whisky and chocolate pairings specially chosen to bring out the best flavor in both After visit the Real Mary Close a preserved 17th century underground street Discover authentic truths about Edinburghs dark past and find out what it was really like for the people who lived worked and died on the Close Head back to your hotel in time to join your fellow travelers for a wonderful farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant
After dinner experience the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo a tremendous outdoor spectacle held annually See many international performers both military and civilian set against the incredible backdrop of Edinburgh Castle
Day 15: RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
All too soon your vacation has come to its final day Transfer to Edinburgh 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 2 nights
Tower Hotel & Leisure Centre, Waterford 1 night
Great Southern Hotel, Killarney 2 nights
Old Ground Hotel, Ennis 1 nights
Galmont Hotel, Galway 2 nights
Maldron Hotel, Derry 1 nights
Europa Hotel, Belfast 1 nights
Doubletree by Hilton City Centre, Edinburgh 3 nights
TOUR INCLUDES
Exclusive transport by luxury motorcoach with a driver/guide in Ireland and driver & tour director in Scotland
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 (13)
Dinners (10):
Table d'hôte dinners (05)
Dublin Canal Dinner Cruise
Kate Kearney's Irish Night w/dinner & entertainment
Medieval Banquet at an Irish Castle
Dinner at the Walled City Brewery
Scottish Evening in Edinburgh w/dinner & entertainment
Walking tour of Kilkenny & Derry with a local guide
Drink at Marine Bar
Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
Passage on the Tarbert Ferry
Connemara Seacruise
'The 'Quiet Man' walking tour of Cong
Sheepdog trials at Atlantic Sheepdog
Ferry to Scotland
Welcome get-together drink
Guided walking tour of St. Andrews Old Course
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Visits and admission fees to:
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Guinness Storehouse
Dunbrody Emigrant Ship
Old Midleton Distillery
Blarney Castle
Skellig Experience
Cliffs of Moher
Kylemore Abbey
Giant's Causeway
Titanic Belfast
Edinburgh Castle
Royal & Ancient Golf Museum
Chocolatarium
Real Mary Kings Close
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap