Rhodes Family
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 have breakfast with your group at a local restaurant or pub. Then 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. Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and enjoy the balance of the day free for independent exploring and dining.
Day 3: BRU NA BOINNE VISITOR CENTRE
Today travel into County Meath to visit the Boyne Valley Visitor Centre (not confirmed until within 30 days of departure). While here learn about the nearby passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth constructed over 5000 years ago. Also visit one of the actual tomb sites. Head back into Dublin and stop to tour Guinness Storehouse to see exhibits on how this world-famous stout was first created and why it is so popular today. Finish your visit in the roof-top bar where you can sample a draft of Guinness. Return to your nearby hotel where you might like to relax or freshen up before tonights festivities.
This evening take a drive to the town of Glencullen to discover the old-world atmosphere of Johnnie Foxs Pub as you enjoy dinner and some traditional entertainment.
Day 4: GLENDALOUGH VISITOR CENTRE
Leaving Dublin journey into County Wicklow and stop at Ballinastoe Wood for some free time to hike the majestic boardwalk trail. Next visit the nearby 6th century monastic ruins of Glendalough. The visitor centre explains how St. Kevin founded this settlement at a time when Christianity was burgeoning throughout Ireland. Continue your drive into Kilkenny check into your hotel and settle into your room. Tonight you might like to dine in one of the many traditional or modern dinner venues scattered around the town.
Day 5: WATERFORD SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast travel into Waterford and set off on a leisurely walking tour with a local guide. Stroll along Merchants Quay before passing the Clock Tower Reginalds Tower City Hall Theatre Royal and many other historical places. Next add a bit of sparkle to your day by touring the House of Waterford Crystal. While here learn about glass blowing cutting and see one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Head back to your hotel in Kilkenny and spend some time at leisure to freshen up before a festive evening with your group.
Tonight enjoy an authentic Irish dinner at Kytelers Inn a Medieval tavern dating back to 1324.
Day 6: ROCK OF CASHEL
Today travel into County Tipperary to visit the Rock of Cashel. While here see majestic church ruins that are clustered high on a limestone outcrop overlooking the surrounding countryside. Next journey into Midleton and stop 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. Continue your drive into Cork and set off on a guided walking tour 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. Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and spend the balance of the day free to sightsee shop and dine on your own.
Day 7: BLARNEY CASTLE
Departing Cork drive into Blarney where you can climb the battlements of Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence. Then visit the Blarney Woollen Mills which has an excellent range of Irish products. You will also have time to browse around the village charmingly set around a large village green. Continue your journey into Killarney and embark on a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the Killarney National Park. Transfer to your nearby hotel check in and enjoy some time at leisure to rest before meeting your group for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 8: 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 take-in the scenery and to snap photos. Continue your drive to Ladies View for more spectacular view of Killarneys lakes and mountains. Then travel to visit Torc Waterfall a dramatic fall that originates from the top of Torc Mountain from the Owengarriff River on the road up to Ladies View. Theres a lovely wooded path through Friars Glen to the top of the falls. Return to your hotel in Killarney and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure for individual pursuits and dining.
Day 9: CLIFFS OF MOHER
Leaving Killarney travel into Tarbert and take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary. Next 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. Then continue on to visit Poulnabrone Dolman a dramatic stone grave marker built about 4000-years-ago. Transfer to your hotel in Galway check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Tonight you might like to dine in one of the citys lively dinner venues.
Day 10: KYLEMORE ABBEY
Today 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 before enjoying some free time to hike around the area. Next journey into Aughris and stop at The Beach Bar to enjoy a traditional Irish lunch with your group. Continue your travel into Donegal check into your hotel and settle into your room. In the evening join your fellow travelers in the hotel restaurant for a delicious meal.
Day 11: SLIEVE LEAGUE SEA CLIFFS
After breakfast travel to 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. Next enjoy spectacular views as you drive through Glengesh Pass a windy section of road that connects the town of Glencolmcille to Ardara. Upon arrival into Ardara stop to see demonstrations of spinning weaving and knitting at Triona Designs. Continue your journey into Derry check into your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 12: [OLD BUSHMILLS DISTILLERY
Departing Derry drive into Bushmills to visit the Bushmills Distillery which is Irelands oldest whiskey distillery. See how whiskey is distilled and try a sample at the end of your tour. Next head to 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. Then continue on to visit the 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. Transfer to your hotel in Belfast check in and settle into your room. This evening dine in the hotel restaurant with your group.
Day 13: HILLSBOROUGH CASTLE
This morning journey into Hillsborough to visit Hillsborough Castle a royal residence and the official home of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. You might like to discover the elegant state rooms as you explore the castle or stroll through the stunning gardens. Following head back 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. Return to your nearby hotel for a free evening.
Day 14: TOLLYMORE FOREST PARK
After breakfast travel to visit Carrickfergus Castle which was first built in the 12th century by John de Courcy who conquered East Ulster. Next journey to Tollymore Forest Park which was established in 1955 and was the first state park in the Northern part of Ireland. Here enjoy some time at leisure to hike around the area on your own. Following drive 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 fine hotel restaurant.
Day 15: 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
Camden Court Hotel, Dublin 2 nights
Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny 2 nights
River Lee Hotel, Cork 1 night
International Hotel, Killarney 2 nights
Galmont Hotel, Galway 1 night
Mill Park Hotel, Donegal 1 night
Maldron 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 13 nights
Full breakfasts (14)
Lunches (01)
Dinners (06):
Table d'hôte dinners (04)
Dinner at Johnnie Fox Pub
Dinner at Kyteler's Inn
Tour of Dublin with a local guide
Guided walking tours of Waterford & Cork
Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
Passage on the Tarbert Ferry
Slieve League Cliffs w/tea & scones
Visits and admission fees to:
Trinity College (Book of Kells)
Boyne Valley Visitor Centre (not confirmed until within 30 days of departure)
Guinness Storehouse
Glendalough Visitor Centre
House of Waterford Crystal
Rock of Cashel
Jameson Midleton Distillery
Blarney Castle & Woollen Mills
Cliffs of Moher
Poulnabrone Dolmen
Kylemore Abbey
Gortarowey Forest Recreational Centre
Triona Design
Old Bushmills Distillery
Giant's Causeway
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Carrickfergus Castle
Titanic Belfast
Hillsborough Castle
Tollymore Forest Park
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap