Blue Skies 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 visit the Old Jameson Distillery which was voted Worlds leading Distillery Tour in 2018 and 2019 While here enjoy a fully guided immersive tour to learn about the history and process of whiskey making End with a comparative whiskey tasting and complimentary Jameson cocktail 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: HILL OF SLANE
Leaving Dublin travel to visit the Hill of Slane the site of a 6th century monastery and church However the ruins that can be seen today date back to the 16th century The church tower has a narrow spiral stairway that leads to a flat roof with panoramic views of Meath Then continue on to visit the Games of Thrones Studio where you will see iconic costumes props weapons and even some of the famous sets from the hit television show Transfer to your hotel in Belfast check in and settle into your room In the evening join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant
Day 4: GIANTS CAUSEWAY
Departing Belfast 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 After visit the nearby Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge which spans a chasm of some eighty feet deep This swinging rope bridge is not for the faint-hearted but the coastal views are wonderful even without crossing the bridge Continue your drive into Donegal check into your hotel and enjoy some free time before meeting your fellow travelers in the hotel restaurant for a delicious meal
Day 5: GRIANAN OF AILEACH VISITOR CENTER
After breakfast head to 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 Next drive into Burt to visit the stunning St Aengus Church which was designed by Liam McCormick in the mid-1960s After set off on a panoramic tour of County Donegal which is renowned for wool production Return to your hotel in Donegal town for an evening at leisure
Day 6: SLIEVE LEAGUE SEA CLIFFS
Today 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 Then journey into Ardara to see demonstrations of spinning weaving and knitting at Triona Designs After travel to the nearby Nancys of Ardara which offers a warm atmosphere and traditional flavor Enjoy a traditional Irish dinner with your group before heading back to your hotel in Donegal for a free evening
Day 7: DONEGAL AT LEISURE
Spend the morning and afternoon day free to relax or sightsee around the busy shopping town of Donegal You may like to walk through the Diamond the central pedestrianized plaza You may wish to visit the Daniel ODonnell Museum or the ruins of the Abbey of Four Masters You could also visit the ruins of Donegal Castle which incorporates the gabled tower of a 15th century house built by the ODonnell family This evening dine with your fellow travelers in the hotel restaurant
Day 8: MOON RIVER CRUISE
Leaving Donegal journey into Carrick-on-Shannon and set off on a Moon River Cruise While on board enjoy the breathtaking scenery associated with the River Shannon Next drive into Adare and embark 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 have dinner in the hotel restaurant with your group
Day 9: CLIFFS OF MOHER CRUISE
After breakfast drive into the town of Doolin where you will board a ferry and set off on a voyage of discovery along the shoreline to view the majestic Cliffs of Moher On a clear day you may be able to see as far as the Kerry Mountains Aran Islands and the Twelve Bens of Connemara After enjoy some time at leisure to explore around the charming small seaside village of Doolin on your own Traditionally a fishing village Doolin is now renowned worldwide as the traditional music capital of Ireland You may wish to explore the Doolin Cave Doolin Craft Gallery or visit one of the many pubs of this fine village Return to your hotel in Adare where the rest of the day is free for independent exploring and dining
Day 10: DINGLE PENINSULA DRIVE
Today 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 drive into Dingle town and stop to enjoy some free time to explore the area on your own Dingle is an area situated below Slievanea Mountain and faces comfortably onto the sheltered harbor As a market town and fishing port Dingle has long been well supplied with pubs and opportunities to hear traditional Irish music Head back to your hotel in Adare and spend the balance of the day at leisure Tonight you may like to sit down at a quaint restaurant or lively pub for an independent dinner
Day 11: KILLARNEY SIGHTSEEING
This morning travel into Killarney and set off on a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the Killarney National Park After enjoy some time at leisure to explore around the charming town independently You may like to visit St Marys Catholic Cathedral with its soaring spire or the Franciscan Friary with superb stained-glass windows You could also 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 head back to your hotel in Adare In the evening meet your group for dinner in the hotel restaurant
Day 12: IRISH NATIONAL STUD & GARDENS
Departing Adare drive into Kildare to visit the Irish National Stud which will show you the history and current trends of horse-breeding in Ireland before viewing the magnificent horses Also take a walk around the truly spectacular Japanese Gardens an artistic representation of the Life of Man from cradle to grave Continue your travel into Dublin check into your hotel and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure Later in the day you might like to freshen up before tonights farewell festivities
This evening head to Taylors Three Rock for quality Irish food that is accompanied with lively music and dance
Day 13: 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
Fitzwilliam Hotel, Dublin 1 night
Europa Hotel, Belfast 1 night
Harveys Point Hotel, Donegal 4 nights
Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel, Adare 4 nights
Fitzwilliam Hotel, Dublin 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 11 nights
Full breakfasts (11)
Dinners (07):
Table d'hôte dinners (05)
Dinner at Nancy's of Ardara
Dublin Irish Night w/dinner & entertainment
Welcome get-together drink
Slieve League Cliffs w/tea & scones
Moon River Cruise
Guided walking tour of Adare
Cliffs of Moher Cruise
Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
Visits and admission fees to:
Old Jameson Distillery
Hill of Slane
Game of Thrones Studio
Giant's Causeway
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Grianan of Aileach
St. Aengus's Church
Triona Design
Irish National Stud & Gardens
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap