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Day 1: DEPART THE UNITED STATES
Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy inflight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.
Day 2: SHANNON ARRIVAL
After landing at Shannon 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. Drive a short distance to the Inn at Dromoland and stop to enjoy breakfast with your group. Then travel 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 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 journey into Galway check into your hotel and settle into your room. In the evening join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant]
Day 3: CONNEMARA SIGHTSEEING
Today 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 handcut 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. Head back to your hotel in Galway in time to dine with your group in the hotel restaurant.]
Day 4: ARAN ISLANDS & DUN AENGUS
This morning set off on a short ferry ride from Galway City 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 prehistoric 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 for a free evening.
Day 5: FOYNES FLYING BOAT MUSEUM
Leaving Galway journey into Foynes to visit the Flying Boat Museum which recalls the early days of air travel during the 1930s and early 1940s. Irish coffee was first created here to warm frozen weary travelers and you will learn how to make a perfect one and then drink it. Next head into Listowel and stop at John B. Keanes Bar which is where the author who the pub is named after wrote many of his famous masterpieces. While here enjoy a chat with your group along with a cup of tea and fresh baked scones. Continue your travel into Dingle check into your hotel and settle into your room. This evening meet your group in the hotel restaurant for a delicious meal.
Day 6: 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 visit the Blasket Islands inhabited until 1953 by hardy families who eked out a living by farming and fishing. Head back to your hotel in Dingle and enjoy some free time before joining your group for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 7: DINGLE CRYSTAL
Today visit Dingle Crystal for some free time to shop or browse for quality made Dingle Crystal. The unique weight design and cut differ from other Irish crystal. Then drive into Dunquin and stop to visit the Blasket Centre to learn about the Blasket Islands and the community who inhabited the island until 1953. Next head to Kruger Kavanaghs Pub to enjoy a drink with your group. Return to your hotel in Dingle where the balance of the day is free for independent exploring and dining.
Day 8: DINGLE TO KILLARNEY
Departing Dingle journey through the Irish countryside into Killarney. Upon arrival set off on a horsedrawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the Killarney National Park. Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and settle into your room. You might like to rest or explore some of the charming town before meeting your group in the hotel restaurant for dinner.
Day 9: RING OF KERRY
This morning 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 takein 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. Then journey to the Gap of Dunloe to visit Moriartys Gift Shop. Since the shop opened in 1964 Moriartys has become a landmark destination for shoppers. Head back to your hotel in Killarney and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. In the evening you might like to dine in one of the many traditional or modern dinner venues scattered around the quaint town.
Day 10: KILLARNEY AT LEISURE
Spend the morning and afternoon completely at leisure to shop and sightsee independently in Killarney. You might like to visit St. Marys Catholic Cathedral with its soaring spire or the Franciscan Friary with superb stainedglass windows. Or perhaps you may like to visit the Transport Museum containing a fine collection of vintage cars or take a walk to Ross Castle on the shores of Lough Leane. Later in the day you might like to return to your hotel to freshen up before this evenings farewell festivities.
Tonight travel to Kate Kearneys Cottage which is situated at the entrance of the Gap of Dunloe. Your Irish Night will consist of a drink with a superb meal and entertainment.
Day 11: RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
All too soon your vacation has come to its final day. Transfer to Shannon 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
Park House Hotel, Galway 3 nights
Dingle Skellig Hotel, Dingle 3 nights
Killarney Plaza Hotel, Killarney 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 09 nights
Full breakfasts (10)
Dinners (06):
Table d'hôte dinners (05)
Kate Kearney's Irish Night w/dinner & entertainment
Welcome get-together drink
Foynes Flying Boat Museum w/Irish coffee
John B. Keane's Bar w/tea & scones
Drink at Kruger Kavanagh's Pub
Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
Visits and admission fees to:
Cliffs of Moher
Kylemore Abbey
Blasket Island (subject to availability)
Dingle Crystal
Blasket Centre
Skellig Experience
Moriarty's Gift Shop
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap