Ireland with Michael
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. At 9am join your group in the Arrivals Hall before meeting your CIE Tours driver/guide and boarding your luxury motorcoach. Next journey into Wexford and set off on a guided walking tour to see the highlights of the town. Travel the winding narrow streets and view the town walls before continuing on to view the famous bull ring Selskar Abbey and Theater Royal. Transfer to your nearby hotel check in and settle into your room. In the evening join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 3: HOOK LIGHTHOUSE
Today travel to visit the Hook Lighthouse one of the oldest lighthouses in the world and the oldest operating lighthouse in Ireland. Then continue on to visit Johnstown Castle Gardens with over two hundred different kinds of trees and shrubs. The ornamental grounds are set aside the exquisite 19th century Johnstown Castle. Head back to your hotel in Wexford and enjoy some free time before meeting your group for a private concert at your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure for independent exploring and dining.
Day 4: HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL
This morning journey into Waterford and stop to tour the House of Waterford Crystal to learn about glass blowing cutting and see one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Next visit the 18th century Bishops Palace set in the heart of the city. The museum is furnished to show life in Georgian times in Ireland. Continue your drive into Cork check into your hotel and settle into your room. This evening you might like to sample the local cuisine by dining at a nearby venue.
Day 5: JAMESON MIDLETON DISTILLERY
Leaving Cork travel into 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 drive into Blarney where you can climb the battlements of Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence. Continue your journey into Killarney check into your hotel and spend some time at leisure before dining in the hotel restaurant with your group.
Day 6: RING OF KERRY
After breakfast set off to explore the Ring of Kerry which consists 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. Continue to Ladies View for more spectacular view of Killarneys lakes and mountains. Then drive along Molls Gap a panoramic route visited by thousands of tourists each year. Head back into Killarney and stop to visit Muckross House a 19th century mansion built for the Herbert family. View elegant rooms and rich furnishings before strolling through the gardens. Return to your nearby hotel for an evening at leisure. Tonight you may like to dine in one of the many traditional or modern dinner venues located within the charming town.
Day 7: KILKENNY CASTLE
Today bid Michael farewell before traveling into Kilkenny. Upon arrival stop to visit Kilkenny Castle home of the Butlers Earls and Dukes of Ormonde. The castle estate boasts both formal and informal gardens which overlooks the Nore River. Also located on the grounds of Kilkenny Castle visit the Kilkenny Design Center Irelands leading center for contemporary craft and design. Explore the space and admire the various artisan stalls. Next journey to the Malzards Pub to take part in a Hurling Experience which will provide you with insight into the ancient Celtic activity of hurling. Transfer to your nearby hotel check in and settle into your room. Spend the rest of the day free to sightsee shop and dine on your own.
Day 8: POWERSCOURT HOUSE & GARDENS
This morning travel to just outside of the charming village of Enniskerry to visit Powerscourt House the former home of Lord Powerscourt. Experience the delightful terraced Italian gardens and abundant floral displays. Also view the superb collection of trees shrubs and flowers gathered from all around the world. Next visit the Powerscourt Distillery known for its Fercullen Whiskey. Here see a presentation led by food historian Santina Kennedy before enjoying a whiskey and local food pairing. Continue your drive into Dublin check into your hotel and settle into your room. You might like to relax or freshen up before a festive evening with your group.
In the evening join the festivities at the Irish House Party which not only offers great food but also traditional Irish entertainment in an intimate setting.
Day 9: HOP ON HOP OFF DUBLIN
Spend the day at leisure in Dublin where you can choose from a wide variety of pursuits. Use your Hop on Hop off pass to visit several places so you can get better acquainted with the city. There are also plenty of museums of Irish interest such as the National Museum the National Gallery or the Writers Museum. You may also want to shop along Nassau Street the pedestrianized Grafton Street or Henry Street. This evening you might like to dine in one of the many restaurants or pubs that Dublin has to offer.
Day 10: 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
Ferrycarrig Hotel, Wexford 2 nights
River Lee Hotel, Cork 1 night
Killarney Plaza Hotel, Killarney 2 nights
River Court Hotel, Kilkenny 1 night
Davenport Hotel, Dublin 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 08 nights
Full breakfasts (08)
Dinners (03):
Table d'hôte dinners (02)
Dinner at Taylor's Three Rock
Guided walking tour of Wexford
Dublin open-top bus tour
Visits and admission fees to:
Hook Lighthouse
Johnstown Castle Gardens
House of Waterford Crystal
Bishops Palace Museum
Jameson Midleton Distillery
Blarney Castle
Kilkenny Castle
Kilkenny Design Centre
Malzard Hurling Experience
Powerscourt House & Gardens
Fercullen Distillery
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap