Concierge Travel
Day 1: DEPART THE UNITED STATES
Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy inflight 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 and guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the coach. Next journey into Kilbeggan to visit the Kilbeggan Distillery which was established in 1757 and is one of the oldest licensed distilleries in the world. While here enjoy a tour and tasting of the finished product. Next drive into Athlone and stop to enjoy some free time to grab an independent lunch and explore around the town on your own. Your driver and guide will be able to make suggestions of fantastic local restaurants for your lunch. Then travel the short distance to visit Clonmacnoise. This monastic settlement was founded in 545 and is delightfully set on the banks of the River Shannon. Learn about the history of the site and take a walk around to see the ancient monuments. Transfer to your hotel in Galway check in and settle into your room. In the evening join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant. (D)
Day 3: GALWAY SIGHTSEEING
This morning enjoy breakfast before embarking on a panoramic tour to see the principal sights of Galway. View the Spanish Arch in the Claddagh area the City Museum and the Cathedral of Our Lady which is built on the site of the former county jail. Next drive into Leenane and set off on a short catamaran cruise aboard the Connemara Lady through Killary Harbour Irelands only fjord. Enjoy the onboard commentary as you admire the views from this narrow inlet which is surrounded by hills and cliffs. After travel 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 for some free time to freshen up before traveling to Brasserie on the Corner one of Galways most popular dinner venues. Here enjoy an authentic Irish dinner with your fellow travelers. Transfer back to your hotel and spend the rest of the evening at lesure. (BD)
Day 4: CLIFFS OF MOHER
After breakfast 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. Next pass through the Burren an area of rocky limestone hills where several unique flowers thrive. This region also contains many dolmens and prehistoric monuments formed by large limestone slabs. Return to your hotel in Galway for some time at leisure to freshen up. Following travel to the Black Cat Restaurant to enjoy dinner with your group before heading to see Trad on the Prom which has been arranged independently. You will be transferred back to your hotel after the show tonight.(BD)
Day 5: GALWAY TO KILLARNEY
After breakfast this morning leave Galway travel south through The Burren Country before passing through Limerick and Adare which is famous for its main street of thatched houses. Continue your journey 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. After journey into Killarney a town settled beside three lakes in the shadow of Irelands highest mountains. Upon arrival check into your hotel settle into your room and spend the rest of the day free for individual pursuits and dining. (B)
Day 6: RING OF KERRY
This morning enjoy breakfast before you embark on a horsedrawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the Killarney National Park. After 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 takein the scenery and to snap photos. Continue to the Gap of Dunloe to visit Moriartys Gift Shop. Since the shop opened in 1964 Moriartys has become a landmark destination for shoppers. Then drive along Molls Gap a panoramic route visited by thousands of tourists each year. After journey into Tralee and check into the magnificent Ballyseede Castle Hotel. Spend the balance of the afternoon at leisure to relax or explore the grounds of Ballyseede Castle on your own. In the evening join your fellow travelers for dinner in Ballyseede Castles formal dining room. (BD)
Day 7: ROCK OF CASHEL
Depart Tralee after breakfast and 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. Then journey into Kilkenny and embark on an orientation drive to see the highlights of the medieval town. 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. Continue your drive into Dublin where you will check into your individually arranged hotel. You might like to relax or freshen up before this evenings festivities.
Tonight a transfer will take you to Fallen & Byrne to enjoy with your group a tasteful three course dinner prepared with the finest ingredients. Following dinner you will be returned to your accommodations in Dublin. (BD)
Day 8: 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. Following head to Guinness Storehouse where you will say goodbye to your driver and tour director before enjoying an individually arranged visit. Return to your hotel and spend the rest of the day free to explore Dublin. Tonight you might like to sample one of the many dinner venues scattered throughout the city.
Day 9: HOP ON HOP OFF DUBLIN
Spend the day free 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 and pubs that Dublin has to offer. (No coaching driver or guide services today)
Day 10: RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
All too soon your vacation has come to its final day. Your private group transfer will take you 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
Hardiman Hotel, Galway 3 nights
Killarney Royal Hotel, Killarney 1 nights
Ballyseede Castle Hotel, Tralee 1 night
Own Accommodations, Dublin 3 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 05 nights
Full breakfasts (05)
Dinners (05):
Table d'hôte dinners (02)
Dinner at a local venue (02)
Dinner at Fallon & Byrne Restaurant
Connemara Seacruise
Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
Tour of Dublin with a local guide
2-Day Dublin open-top bus tour
Visits and admission fees to:
Kilbeggan Distillery
Clonmacnoise
Kylemore Abbey
Cliffs of Moher
Moriarty's Gift Shop
Rock of Cashel
Kilkenny Castle
Trinity College (Book of Kells)
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap