2020 Iceland & Ireland Adventure - 11 days/10 nights

2020 Iceland & Ireland Adventure – 11 Days / 10 Nights / 18 Meals

Day 1: Reykjavik City Tour & Welcome Reception
Meet your guide at 2:00 PM in the lobby of your hotel. Take an orientation tour and discover Iceland’s capital city set on the southern shore of Faxa Bay. Discover Reykjavik’s settlement, history, and the natural beauty that surrounds it. You’ll be charmed by its architecture and the beautiful brightly-colored rooftops. Visit the Perlan Observation Deck, which offers magnificent 360° views of Reykjavik and its surroundings – mountain, glacier, and volcano vistas on the horizon will be a taste of what is to come on your journey. Return to your centrally-located hotel and enjoy a welcome drink and canapes with your group, followed by dinner on your own.

Day 2: Golden Circle
Head out on the famed Golden Circle, starting with the spectacular Thingvellir National Park, a meeting place of old Icelandic clans. It is also where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet above ground. Journey to the Secret Lagoon: small and intimate, it’s where savvy travelers go to enjoy the Icelandic spa experience. Don’t forget your swimsuit! Enjoy a tasty lunch in the greenhouse of Fridheimar Tomato Farm. Then it’s on to the Strokkur Geysir, which erupts every 10 minutes. Stop at Gullfoss Waterfall, one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Iceland with two separate drops and the largest falls in all of Europe in terms of water volume. Dinner is on your own in Reykjavik.
(B, L)

Day 3: Reykjavik & The Blue Lagoon
Enjoy a free day independently exploring Reykjavik with an early dinner on your own. In the evening, you’ll be whisked away to the Blue Lagoon, a large man-made lake surrounded by a lava field that is also a geothermal spa. Enjoy one of the 25 wonders of the world as you share in a cocktail reception and lagoon entry with your group.
(B)

Day 4: Included Flight to Dublin & Dublin Tour
TTravel to the airport with your group and say farewell to your Iceland tour director. Fly together to Dublin. You’ll meet your Ireland tour director at your hotel at 2 PM. Set out on an orientation tour of Dublin. Highlights include 18th century Georgian houses with brightly painted doors, tranquil parks, and wide O’Connell Street. Take a guided walking tour through the campus of Trinity College to view the illuminated manuscript of the Book of Kells. In the evening, enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dinner.
(B, D)

Day 5: 6th Century Glendalough & Waterford
Enjoy the delightful scenery of the Wicklow Mountains on the way to Glendalough, a stunning example of Ireland’s beauty. Explore the remains of one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland, founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Walk through the deep valley to view the picturesque ruins of a round tower, churches, and Celtic crosses. Head southeast to the Dunbrody Famine Ship, an authentic reproduction of an 1840’s vessel that brought desperate Irish emigrants fleeing famine to the New World. Continue on to the city of Waterford, where before dinner you will take a gentle stroll around the narrow streets of the historic city with a local guide.
(B, D)

Day 6: Cobh & Blarney Castle
Witness the creation of crystal masterpieces during your visit to the House of Waterford Crystal. Travel to Cobh for a guided walking tour – this harbor town was the last port of call for the Titanic in 1912 and was also the main point of embarkation for Irish emigrants between 1848 and 1960. Proceed on to Blarney, to visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” or explore the tranquil gardens. Journey west through rugged countryside and settle in to your centrally located hotel in Killarney.
(B, D)

Day 7: Ring of Kerry Drive & Killarney
Discover the natural beauty of the Emerald Isle on Ireland’s most popular scenic drive, the Ring of Kerry, with plenty of photo stops along the way. After lunch, stroll around Sneem and stop at Moll’s Gap for its panoramic views. Enjoy the evening in Killarney for dinner on your own and perhaps a visit to one of the town’s many lively pubs.
(B, L)

Day 8: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Embark on a ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary. Travel along the coast of County Clare. View the Cliffs of Moher, which soar almost 700 feet above churning Atlantic swells. Walk along the top of the cliffs to O’Brien’s Tower for great views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Head to Galway and join a local guide for a brief stroll through the twisting streets of the old city before spending some time on your own.
(B, D)

Day 9: Sheepdogs & Derry's Medieval Walls
Stop in the pilgrimage town of Knock to see one of the world’s leading Catholic shrines. Visit the church where villagers saw a vision of the Virgin Mary in 1879. Immerse yourself in Irish farm life during a visit to an authentic working farm and watch trained sheepdogs round up mountain sheep. Head to Donegal for some free time in this charming town. Proceed to Derry and meet a local guide to discover the history of this ancient city that retains its fortified medieval walls dating from 1613.
(B, D)

Day 10: Giant’s Causeway & Titanic Belfast
Explore the northern coastline and the Giant’s Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Visit Titanic Belfast and learn about the ill-fated ship through state-of-the-art displays. See the docks where the famous liner was built just over a century ago. Stop at the Glyde Inn for a farewell dinner with Irish specialties and entertainment featuring traditional Irish music and songs.
(B, D)

Day 11: Tour Ends in Dublin
Your program ends after breakfast.
(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

All components of this tour (hotels, visits and attractions) for 2020 itineraries are subject to change until finalized in September 2019.

The flight between Iceland and Ireland is included in the price of this tour

Authentic Local Experiences

• Dine alongside the vines in the greenhouse at Fridheimar Tomato Farm, a responsible, sustainable family farm.
• Tour Reykjaviik, Iceland's beautiful capital city - with a stop at Perlan Observatory to enjoy spectacular panoramic views.
• Discover the true story of the world’s most famous ship at Titanic Belfast – in the city where it all began.
• Walk among the ruins of the?picturesque monastic site of Glendalough and see the round tower, decorated crosses and stone churches that remain from this once-thriving monastery, founded by St Kevin in the 6th century.

Dining Experiences

• 10 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) including lunch at Fridheimar Tomato Farm in Iceland, and 6 dinners (D) including a including a traditional Irish dinner and show at the Glyde Inn. .

Trip Highlights

• Gullfoss Waterfall
• The Blue Lagoon
• Strokkur Geysir
• Reykjavik City Tour
• Blarney Castle
  
  

  Blarney Castle

  Built nearly 600 years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, this stronghold has been attracting attention ever since. Millions have flocked to Blarney to kiss the legendary Stone of Eloquence, found at the top of the tower, making it one of Ireland’s greatest treasures.

• Cliffs of Moher
  
  

  Cliffs of Moher

  One of Ireland’s top visitor attractions, the cliffs are 700 feet high and extend for 5 miles over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O’Brien’s Tower stands proudly on a headland and one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay and Connemara. The cliffs are home to major colonies of cliff nesting seabirds.

• Ring of Kerry
  
  

  Ring of Kerry

  One of Ireland’s most popular circular drives around the Iveragh Peninsula, starting and ending in Killarney. The 100-mile route of ever-changing scenery of mountains and shoreline combined with varying weather conditions ensures splendid views.

Hotels - 10 Nights

• IS-REY-FHO| Reykjavik (3)
• Clayton Hotel | Dublin (1)
  
  

  Clayton Hotel | Dublin | 4*

  This hotel was once a Masonic School and still retains many striking original features to give it a unique charm. Standard rooms are tastefully decorated and boast a fresh and warm feeling. The Brasserie Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with fresh, seasonal and sustainable produce. Tom’s Bar is a great place to relax with a drink or a snack.

• Dooley’s Hotel | Waterford (1)
  
  

  Dooley’s Hotel | Waterford | 3*

  This charming family-run hotel offers a warm welcome to all guests. It blends its traditional façade and many other cozy attributes with updated guest rooms and facilities. Enjoy delicious and wholesome food in the Ship Restaurant or the Dry Dock Bar, which offers live music at weekends. Set on the waterfront in the heart of Waterford city. Within easy walking distance of shopping, Reginald’s Tower and the House of Waterford Crystal. Parking nearby

• International Hotel | Killarney (2)
  
  

  International Hotel | Killarney 4*

  One of Killarney's long-established and traditional hotels, it blends the charm of times past with the warmest of welcomes to guests. 90 bedrooms provide everything for a comfortable stay. Hannigan’s award-winning restaurant offers great food and the cozy bar often features live music. Located right in the center of Killarney town within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants and pubs. Also close to the jaunting car stand and Killarney National Park. Hotel parking.

• Ardilaun Hotel | Galway (1)
  
  

  Ardilaun Hotel | Galway | 4*

  This traditional and elegant hotel with beautifully landscaped gardens offers luxurious accommodation in a tranquil setting. The award-winning Camilaun Restaurant is noted for its excellent cuisine and fine wines. Blazers Bar offers a relaxing atmosphere with food served all day. Unwind in the leisure club with excellent facilities and swimming pool. Set in the prestigious Taylors Hill suburb and one mile from Galway city center. Easy access to city attractions by bus or taxi. Hotel parking.

• Everglades Hotel | Derry (1)
  
  

  Everglades Hotel | Derry | 4*

  This hotel has a host of features to make any stay comfortable and inviting. Experience bistro dining at its best in the Grill or step into the Library Bar for snacks, cocktails and full bar service. In the 64 guest rooms be pampered with extra-thick mattresses, the plumpest of pillows and soothing color schemes. Located on Prehen Road, 2 miles south of Derry city center. Easy access to city attractions by bus or taxi and convenient for touring County Donegal. Hotel parking.

• Croke Park Hotel | Dublin (1)
  
  

  Croke Park Hotel | Dublin | 4*

  This modern hotel offers 232 spacious and comfortable guestrooms, all of them offer a tranquil environment in which you can unwind and relax. Dine in the Sideline Bistro and Bar where guests can enjoy stylish surroundings and a tempting choice of unique cuisine. The hotel also offers a fully equipped gymnasium where guests can maintain their usual fitness regime. You can walk to local shops and pubs. Located right beside Croke Park Stadium and close to city bus service to central Dublin. Only a 20-minute drive to Dublin Airport. Hotel parking.