Garvey Group
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 Transfer to your hotel check in and spend the balance of the day at leisure to sightsee and explore Dublin In the evening you might like to dine in one of the many traditional or modern dinner venues located within the city
Day 3: DUBLIN TO GALWAY
Leaving Dublin journey into Athlone and stop to enjoy some free time to explore around the town on your own Continue your travel through the Irish countryside 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 Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and settle into your room Tonight join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant
Day 4: ARAN ISLANDS & DUN AENGUS
Today set off on a short ferry ride from Rossaveal to Inis Mor the largest of the three Aran Islands These rocky islands are renowned for the hardy islanders who maintained traditional fishing and farming The Irish language is still spoken widely Next take a minibus ride to Dun Aengus a huge pre-historic fortress perched on sheer cliffs which fall away to the Atlantic Ocean below Have a look around Kilronan before heading back to your hotel in Galway Spend the rest of the day free to sightsee shop and dine on your own
Day 5: CLIFFS OF MOHER
Departing Galway 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 Continue your journey into Cork and embark on a guided walking tour of the city 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 Transfer to your nearby hotel check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure This evening you might like to sample the local cuisine by dining at a nearby venue
Day 6: BLARNEY CASTLE
This morning travel to visit Ballyvolane House a historic Georgian House built in 1728 While here enjoy a tour of Berthas Revenge Gin Shop followed by a tasting of the finished product Next 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 Head back to your hotel in Cork in time to meet your group in the hotel restaurant for dinner
Day 7: JAMESON MIDLETON DISTILLERY
Leaving Cork 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 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 Continue your drive into Dublin check into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure
Day 8: HOP ON HOP OFF DUBLIN
Spend the entire 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 Later in the day you might like to head back to your hotel to freshen up before tonights festivities
This evening drive to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs dancing and music
Day 9: WINTERFELL CASTLE WARD
Today say goodbye to three of your group members before they transfer to Dublin Airport for departure back to The United States The rest of the group will depart Dublin and journey into Downpatrick to visit Winterfell Castle Ward Your guide will show you several locations on the property where Game of Thrones was filmed along with share stories from the set While here dress up in authentic Game of Thrones Stark Family costumes and enjoy an archery lesson with your fellow travelers After travel into Belfast and set off on a panoramic tour to see the Albert Memorial the Opera House and Crown Liquor Saloon Drive along such routes that may include Donegall Street the famed Great Victoria Street and even along the waterfront Continue into Ballygally check into your castle hotel and enjoy some free time before dining in Ballygally Castles lovely hotel restaurant with your group
Day 10: GIANTS CAUSEWAY
After breakfast 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 Next journey into Bushmills to visit Bushmills Distillery which is Irelands oldest whiskey distillery See how whiskey is distilled and try a sample at the end of your tour Continue your drive into Donegal check into your hotel and spend some time at leisure before enjoying dinner in the hotel restaurant
Day 11: DONEGAL CASTLE
Today visit Donegal Castle which incorporates the gabled tower of a 15th century house built by the ODonnell family Partially restored the castle reflects a long and turbulent history Then continue on to visit the nearby Hanna Hats world famous for its tweed hats woven wool and other fine apparel Return to your hotel where the balance of the day is free for individual pursuits and dining
Day 12: ENNISKILLEN CASTLE
This morning drive into Enniskillen to visit Enniskillen Castle which was built almost 600 years ago by the ruling Gaelic Maguires Overlooking the River Erne the castle guards one of the few passes into Ulster and has been strategically important throughout its history Continue your journey into Dundalk check into your hotel and settle into your room In the evening join your fellow travelers for a wonderful farewell dinner in the 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
Ashling Hotel, Dublin 1 nights
Park House Hotel, Galway 2 nights
River Lee Hotel, Cork 2 nights
Ashling Hotel, Dublin 2 nights
Ballygally Castle Hotel, Ballygally 1 nights
Mill Park Hotel, Donegal 2 nights
Ballymascanlon Hotel, Dundalk 1 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 11 nights
Full breakfasts (11)
Dinners (06):
Table d'hôte dinners (05)
Dublin Irish Night w/dinner & entertainment
Guided walking tours of Galway & Cork
Aran Islands & Dun Aengus
Dublin open-top bus tour
Visits and admission fees to:
Cliffs of Moher
Ballyvolane House
Blarney Castle & Woollen Mills
Jameson Midleton Distillery
Rock of Cashel
Winterfell Castle Ward
Giant's Causeway
Donegal Castle
Hanna Hats
Enniskillen Castle
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap