GroupIT 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 Transfer to your hotel independently where rooms will be ready for check-in You might like to relax after your long flight before enjoying the balance of the day at leisure in Dublin where you can choose from a wide variety of pursuits There are plenty of museums of Irish interest such as the National Museum the National Gallery or Epic Ireland There are also plenty of shops along Nassau Street and the pedestrianized Grafton Street or Henry Street You may like to explore Temple Bar or visit some of the traditional pubs In the evening you might like to dine in one of the many traditional or modern dinner venues located within the city (No coaching or guide services today)
Day 3: DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING
At 9am meet your CIE Tours driver/guide in the lobby of your hotel before boarding your luxury motorcoach Next 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 Head back to your nearby hotel for some free time before this evenings festivities
Tonight drive to Trocadero a theatre restaurant decorated with lavish red velvet curtains and photos of famous actors Here enjoy a traditional Irish dinner with your group
Day 4: HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL
Leaving Dublin travel into Dungarvan and stop at Marine Bar to enjoy a drink with your group Next travel through the Irish countryside into Waterford and stop to tour the House of Waterford Crystal While here learn about glass blowing cutting and see one-of-a-kind masterpieces Continue your drive into Cork check into your hotel and settle into your room This evening join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant
Day 5: CORK SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast set off on a guided walking tour of Cork to see Shandon Church a famous Cork landmark dating from 1722 and Crawford Art Gallery Also view Paul Street known for its trendy restaurants and shops of all types Stop to visit the English Market which first opened in 1788 The market allows consumers to explore and sample a variety of produce from all corners of the globe Then drive into Blarney where you can climb the battlements of Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence Continue along Molls Gap a panoramic route visited by thousands of tourists each year Transfer to your hotel in Killarney check in and settle into your room In the evening meet your group in the hotel restaurant for a delicious meal
Day 6: DINGLE PENINSULA DRIVE
Today embark on a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the Killarney National Park Then set off to 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 Continue on to visit Gabriel Kavanagh Farm where you will have the opportunity to see some sheepdogs work in their natural environment Return to your hotel and enjoy some free time before a festive evening with your group
Tonight drive to Paidi O Ses Pub to enjoy a classic Irish dinner with your fellow travelers
Day 7: JOHN B KEANES BAR
Departing Killarney drive 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 talk with your group along with a cup of tea and fresh baked scones Next travel into Tarbert and take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary Then travel 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 Continue your travel into Galway and join a local guide for a gentle walking tour of the city See the medieval city walls Lynchs Castle and the narrow streets After check into the nearby luxurious Glenlo Abbey Hotel for your stay This evening join your fellow travelers for dinner in Glenlo Abbeys fine hotel restaurant
Day 8: CONNEMARA SIGHTSEEING
This morning pass 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 Next 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 After continue on 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 and spend some time at leisure to freshen up before tonights festivities
In the evening enjoy dinner at the Pullmans Restaurant located on the grounds of Glenlo Abbey Hotel Prior to being a restaurant the train car was featured in the Agatha Christie film Murder on the Orient Express
Day 9: BALLINTUBBER ABBEY
Leaving Galway journey north to visit Ballintubber Abbey which is known as the Abbey that refused to die The abbey has the unique status of being Irelands only royal Abbey which has been in continuous use for more than 780 years Then travel into Belleek and stop to visit the Belleek Pottery Factory to see how skilled craftspeople form and decorate clay to produce delicate porcelain masterpieces Next head into Ardara to see demonstrations of spinning weaving and knitting at Triona Designs Continue your drive into Derry check into your hotel and settle into your room You might like to relax or freshen up before this evenings festivities
Tonight head to the Walled City Brewery which has offered locally flavored craft and artisan beers for over a decade While here enjoy a traditional Irish dinner with your fellow travelers
Day 10: GIANTS CAUSEWAY
Today 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 drive into Belfast check into your hotel and spend some time at leisure before meeting your group for dinner at a local pub or restaurant
Day 11: BELFAST SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast embark on a guided tour to of Belfast to view the political and religious murals scattered throughout the city which tell the story of past and present Political and religious divisions are often visually document in the murals Next set off with a local guide on a walking tour to see the Albert Memorial Opera House Crown Liquor Saloon and many other buildings that are in the historic city center Transfer to your nearby hotel check in and spend the rest of the day free for individual sightseeing shopping dining and more
Day 12: TITANIC BELFAST
This morning visit Titanic Belfast to learn about the evolution of the Titanic from concept until her ill-fated end in 1912 Next journey to Long Meadow Cider to enjoy a tasting before having a picnic lunch with your fellow travelers After travel into Kingscourt and check into the beautiful Cabra Castle Hotel Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure to enjoy Cabra Castles exceptional service Experience what its like living as a Landed Gentry while also surrounded by wonderful scenery and complete luxury You may wish to play a round of golf horseback ride or even fish There is also tennis and archery available for guests who stay at the hotel In the evening join your fellow travelers for a superb farewell dinner in Cabra Castles hotel restaurant
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
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin 2 nights
River Lee Hotel, Cork 1 night
Great Southern Hotel, Killarney 2 nights
Glenlo Abbey Hotel, Galway 2 nights
Everglades Hotel, Derry 1 night
Europa Hotel, Belfast 2 nights
Cabra Castle Hotel, Kingscourt 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)
Lunches (01)
Dinners (09):
Table d'hôte dinners (04)
Dinner at Trocadero Restaurant
Dinner at Paidi O Se's Pub
Dinner at Pullman Restaurant (subject to availability)
Dinner at Walled City Brewery
Dinner at a local venue
Tour of Dublin with a local guide
Scones at local Farmhouse
Guided walking tours of Cork, Galway, Derry & Belfast
Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
Sheepdog trials at Gabriel Kavanagh Farm
John B. Keane's Bar w/tea & scones
Passage on the Tarbert Ferry
Lough Corrib Cruise
Visits and admission fees to:
Trinity College (Book of Kells)
House of Waterford Crystal
English Market
Blarney Castle
Cliffs of Moher
Kylemore Abbey
Ballintubber Abbey
Belleek Pottery
Triona Design
Giant's Causeway
Titanic Belfast
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap