Pathfinder 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. Transfer to your hotel independently check in and settle into your room. Spend the balance of 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. In the evening you might like to dine in one of the many dinner venues that Dublin has to offer.
(No coaching or guide services today)
Day 3: HOP ON HOP OFF DUBLIN
Enjoy the day completely free to relax or further explore Dublin independently. Use the second day of your Hop On Hop Off pass to pursue more of Dublin at your own pace. Also using your voucher you may visit either EPIC Ireland the General Post Office or the Guinness Storehouse. If you choose to visit EPIC Ireland learn about the celebratory dramatic story of the spread of Irish culture around the globe and how Ireland has changed throughout the years. If you decide to visit the General Post Office on OConnell Street learn about its role in the Easter Rising and how it was left in ruins. Finally if you choose to visit the Guinness Storehouse enjoy a tour of the distillery and tasting of the finished product. This evening you may like to dine in one of the citys lively dinner venues. (No coaching or guide services today
Day 4: DUBLIN AT LEISURE
Spend another day free for individual pursuits in Dublin. If you havent done so you may want to visit Dublin Vaults which is an interact experience that gives you an introduction to Irish history. Or perhaps you might like to visit the Museum of Literature which will help acquaint you with some of Irelands fabulous writers. Tonight you are free to dine locally on your own. (No coaching or guide services today)
Day 5: ROCK OF CASHEL
At 9am meet your CIE Tours driverguide in the lobby of your hotel before boarding your luxury motorcoach. Next 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 Cobh and stop to visit the Cobh Heritage Center which depicts the varied history of emigration from Ireland and many European countries to the United States over the past 150 years. Cobh was the last port of call for the Titanic and many liners that carried emigrants to the New World. Continue your drive into Kinsale check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day free for individual pursuits and dining.
Day 6: CHARLES FORT
Today visit Charles Fort which was constructed in the late 17th century on the site of an earlier coastal fortification. As one of the largest military forts in the country Charles Fort has been associated with some of the most momentous events in Irish history. Then drive through the Irish countryside into Killarney and set off on horsedrawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the Killarney National Park. After visit Muckross House a 19th century mansion built for the Herbert family. View elegant rooms and rich furnishings before strolling through the gardens. Transfer to your nearby hotel check in and settle into your room. This evening you might like to dine in one of the many dinner venues scattered around the charming town.
Day 7: DINGLE PENINSULA DRIVE
After breakfast 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 Slea Head at the western tip of the peninsula. This excursion will give you excellent views of mountains and coastline and looking over to the Iveragh Peninsula. Next journey into Dunquin and stop to visit the Blasket Centre to learn about the Blasket Islands inhabited until 1953 by hardy families who eked out a living by farming and fishing. Return to your hotel in Killarney for a free evening.
Day 8: 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. After head to Caherconnell Farm where you will have the opportunity to experience farm life and see sheepdogs working in their natural environment. Continue your journey into Galway check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. In the evening you may like to sit down at a quaint restaurant or lively pub for an independent dinner.
Day 9: CONNEMARA SIGHTSEEING
This morning drive 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 handcut peat for home heating. Continue your journey into Cong and stop at the spectacular Ashford Castle. While here discover the ancient form of falconry at the oldest established Falconry School in Ireland. You will be introduced to the lovely Harris Hawks along with other beautiful captive bred birds. 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. Return to your hotel in Galway and enjoy the balance of the day free to sightsee shop and dine on your own.
Day 10: CLONMACNOISE
Departing Galway travel to the center of Ireland 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. Next drive into Athlone and stop at Seans Bar Irelands oldest Pub to have a drink with your fellow travelers. Then journey into Tullamore to enjoy some free time to explore family ancestry around the town. Continue into Kinnitty and check into the stately Kinnitty Castle Hotel. You may like to rest or explore some of the castle grounds before joining your group for a wonderful dinner in Kinnitty Castles awardwinning restaurant.
Day 11: KINNITTY TO DUBLIN
After breakfast drive through Irelands rolling hills into the bustling city of Dublin check into your hotel and settle into your room. Spend the balance of the day free for independent sightseeing shopping dining pubs and much more.
Day 12: RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
All too soon your vacation has come to its final day. Transfer to Dublin Airport independently 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. (No coaching or guide services today)
CONFIRMED HOTELS
Ashling Hotel, Dublin 3 nights
Trident Hotel, Kinsale 1 night
Killarney Plaza Hotel, Killarney 2 nights
Ardilaun Hotel, Galway 2 nights
Kinnitty Castle Hotel, Kinnitty 1 night
Ashling 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 10 nights
Full breakfasts (10)
Dinners (01)
2-Day Dublin open-top bus tour with a visit to either EPIC Ireland, Guinness Storehouse or the General Post Office
Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
Passage on the Tarbert Ferry
Sheepdog trials at Caherconnell Sheep Farm
Hawk Walk at Ashford Castle
Drink at Sean’s Bar
Visits and admission fees to:
Rock of Cashel
Cobh Heritage Centre
Charles Fort
Muckross House & Gardens
Blasket Centre
Cliffs of Moher
Kylemore Abbey
Clonmacnoise
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap