Garvan Northern Swing
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 journey to Rolys Bistro to enjoy an authentic Irish breakfast with your group Then travel to visit the Glasnevin Museum Irelands national necropolis for a guided tour of the final resting place of some of the most prominent people in Irelands history Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and enjoy some free time to freshen up 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 SIGHTSEEING
This morning set off with a local guide who will show you around Dublin The city has been molded through the centuries by economic political and artistic influences that has shaped its architecture Stop to visit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells an 8th century illuminated manuscript of the gospels and the Old Library Return to your hotel where you might like to relax or freshen up before a festive evening with your group
Tonight join your group for tasteful cuisine prepared with the finest ingredients at Fallon and Byrne Restaurant along with one drink per person
Day 4: DUBLIN TO BELFAST
Leaving Dublin travel to Long Meadow Cider to enjoy unch with your fellow travelers Then continue your drive 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 spend the rest of the day free to sightsee shop and dine on your own
Day 5: NINE GLENS OF ANTRIM
Today embark on a guided tour of Belfast 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 After 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 Continue on 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 Return to your hotel in Belfast and enjoy some free time to freshen up before tonights festivities
This evening head to The Crosskeys Inn to enjoy a classic Irish dinner with your group including one drink per person
Day 6: DERRY SIGHTSEEING
Departing Belfast journey into Derry and join a local guide for a walking tour to see the Guildhall St Columbs Cathedral the Diamond and the 16th century walls Stop at the Walled City Brewery which has offered locally flavored craft and artisan beers for over a decade While here enjoy lunch with your fellow travelers After continue on to visit the Grianan of Aileach one of Irelands greatest circular ring forts Archaeologists say that majority of the fort dates to around 500 BC On site you can also visit Grianan of Aileach Visitor Center housed in a former 150-year-old stone church Transfer to your hotel in Letterkenny check in and settle into your room In the evening dine in the hotel restaurant with your group including one drink per person
Day 7: SLIEVE LEAGUE SEA CLIFFS
After breakfast visit the 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 have a cup of tea and freshly baked scones with your group Head back to your hotel in Letterkenny and spend some time at leisure to freshen up before a festive evening
Tonight have dinner along with one drink per person in the award-winning restaurant at the Castle Grove House which overlooks the stunning Lough Swilly
Day 8: ATLANTIC SHEEPDOGS
Leaving Letterkenny travel 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 Continue your journey into Westport and set off on a walking tour of the town which is one of the few planned towns in Ireland created by James Wyatt in 1780 Among the most picturesque features of the town is the promenade (the Mall) and the little stone bridges along the River Carrow Beg Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and enjoy some free time to relax or freshen up before having dinner in the hotel restaurant with your group along with one drink per person
Day 9: ACHILL ISLAND & DESERTED VILLAGE
This morning travel 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 Stop to view the deserted village which provides a haunting reminder of times past on Achill Island Then head to the Beehive Craft and Coffee Shop for a delightful lunch with your group Return to your hotel in Westport for a free evening
Day 10: LOUGH CORRIB CRUISE
Today embark on a cruise on Lough Corrib which is the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland Measuring 68 square miles and with 365 islands this lake is one of the cleanest in all of Europe Lough Corrib contains many islands with historic ruins and a wealth of wildlife Then 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 Continue your journey into Galway check into your hotel and settle into your room In the evening enjoy dinner with one drink per person in the hotel restaurant with your fellow travelers
Day 11: GALWAY AT LEISURE
Enjoy the morning and afternoon free to explore Galway on your own You may like to visit the Claddagh Ring Museum Lynchs Castle or the Computers and Communication Museum of Ireland Or perhaps you might like to visit the Galway Aquarium Bunowen Castle or simply just walk through Eyre Square Later in the day you might like to head backto your hotel to freshen up before tonights farewell festivities
This evening drive to Caprice to enjoy a wonderful dinner with your fellow travelers along with one drink per person
Day 12: 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
Westbury Hotel, Dublin 2 nights
Grand Central Hotel, Belfast 2 nights
Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny 2 nights
Westport Plaza Hotel, Westport 2 nights
Park House Hotel, Galway 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 10 nights
Full breakfasts (11)
Lunches (04)
Dinners (06):
Table d'hôte dinners (02)
Dinner at Fallon & Byrne Restaurant
Dinner at Crosskeys Inn
Dinner at Castle Grove House
Farewell dinner at Blake's Brasserie
Welcome get-together drink
Tours of Dublin & Belfast with a local guide
Guided walking tours of Derry & Westport
Slieve League Cliffs w/tea & scones
Sheepdog trials at Atlantic Sheepdog
Achill Island & Deserted Village
Lough Corrib Cruise
Aran Islands & Dun Aengus
Visits and admission fees to:
Pearse Lyons Distillery
Croke Park GAA Museum & Skyline tour
Titanic Belfast
Giant's Causeway
Grianan of Aileach Visitor Centre
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap