Irish
Spirt
October 31 - November 7, 2009
Transportation included from Reedsburg, Richland
Center and Madison
Tour Highlights: Abbey Tavern Traditional Show & dinner,
Trinity College's Book of Kells, Rock of Cashel, Ring of Kerry, Lakes of
Killarney, Cliffs of Moher, Scenic Connemara Drive, Catamaran Cruise,
Clonmacnoise Early Christian Monastery.
October 31:
Depart U.S. for Dublin
Our Coach will pick up in Reedsburg, Richland Center and Madison before
traveling to Chicago's O'Hare Airport for our flight to Ireland. We
depart this evening and fly through the night to Ireland to start your
vacation.
November 1: Dublin Tour & Book of Kells
Arrive at Dublin Airport, proceed through immigration and pick up your
baggage. Go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall where personnel
will arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00
noon. If you arrive later than noon, you will need to transfer to the
hotel at your own expense. Your hotel is located in Ballsbridge, one of
Dublin’s most prestigious addresses. At 2:00 pm join your group and a
local guide for an introductory look around central Dublin. See the
fashionable shopping areas around Grafton and Nassau Streets, view the
many elegant Georgian townhouses and pass the Dail where the government
convenes. Visit Trinity College’s Old Library to view the early
illuminated manuscript of the Book of Kells and learn about its creation.
Back at your hotel meet with your guide and fellow travelers for a welcome
drink and discuss your itinerary.
November 2: Rock of Cashel & Blarney Woollen Mills
Depart Dublin to travel through the Irish countryside where you can see
the “Forty Shades of Green” as you pass many farms. Visit the Rock of Cashel, where Brian Boru was crowned King of Munster in 977. See the 12th
century, highly-decorated Cormac’s Chapel, the large cruciform cathedral
and a round tower. Just outside Cork shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills,
renowned for their quality Irish merchandise, or take a walk around the
charming village green. While it is not included in the tour, you will
have time to climb to the ramparts of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous
stone. Continue your drive to your hotel in the center of Killarney. After
dinner you may like to sample one of the many singing bars. (B, D)
November 3: Ring of Kerry & Muckross Gardens
Today you will discover the wonderful scenery of Killarney as you drive
around the famous Ring of Kerry. The road winds between the
Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Ireland’s highest mountains, and the varied
Atlantic coast. You will be amazed at the breathtaking views and you will
stop for photos at the most dramatic scenes. Continue through the remote
villages of Cahirciveen and Waterville. On the return, pass through the
colorful village of Sneem and pause at Moll’s Gap to view the Three Lakes
of Killarney. Stop for a stroll through the splendid Muckross Gardens on
the shores of Muckross Lake. Enjoy some free time in Killarney before
dinner in your hotel. (B, D)
November 4: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Depart Killarney and travel north through the village of Listowel to
Tarbert. Take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon and drive along
the coastline of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher. This wall of
limestone rises to heights of almost 700 feet above the churning Atlantic
swells. Walk along the top of the cliffs to O’Brien’s Tower for great
views. Drive through the Burren, an area of rounded limestone hills where
rock has weathered into amazing rock formations and around the shores of
Galway Bay. Take a short orientation tour around central Galway before
checking into your hotel. (B, D)
November 5: Connemara & Catamaran Cruise
Today explore another of Ireland’s famous scenic regions, Connemara. Here
the constantly-changing cloud formations give hills, lakes and peat bogs
an added dimension. Travel alongside Galway Bay to Spiddal where most
locals speak the Irish language. Pass the granite hills and sparkling
lakes of the Inagh Valley on the way to Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only
fjord. Take a short catamaran cruise to see unspoilt mountain areas. You
can see traces of pre-Famine fields on the hilly slopes and also thriving
salmon and mussel farming. At Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory watch
skilled craftsmen cut the crystal and learn about the symbolism of the
motifs before returning to Galway for some leisure time before dinner. (B,
D)
November 6: Visit 6th Century Clonmacnoise & Abbey Tavern
Drive to the center of the country to visit Clonmacnoise. This early
Christian monastic site was founded by St. Ciaran in 545 AD, when
Christianity flourished throughout Ireland. See round towers, church ruins
and Celtic crosses with elaborate carvings, all in a picturesque setting
on the banks of the River Shannon. Continue to the greater metropolitan
area of Dublin once more and check into the same hotel. In the evening
drive to the Abbey Tavern for a hearty dinner followed by a lively show of
traditional music, songs and step-dancing. (B, D)
November 7: Depart for Home or Extra Day in Dublin
After breakfast this morning we transfer as a group to our return flight
at Dublin Airport. Upon arrival at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, we meet
our Luxury coach for our return to Madison, Richland Center and Reedsburg.
Your Tour Includes
Travel From Wisconsin to Chicago via Luxury Coach
Round Trip Trans-Atlantic
Flights
Group transfers on arrival and departure
Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
Services of a professional Irish driver/guide
First class hotels with private bath/shower for 6 nights
6 full Irish breakfasts (B)
5 dinners (D) including
- Traditional Irish evening with dinner and entertainment at the Abbey
Tavern
- 4 table d’hote dinners
Welcome get-together drink
Tour of Dublin with a local guide
Ferry ride across the River Shannon
Catamaran cruise of Killary Fjord
Visits and admissions to Book of Kells at Trinity College, Rock of Cashel,
Blarney Woollen Mills, Muckross Gardens, Cliffs of Moher, Connemara Celtic
Crystal Factory and Clonmacnoise
Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per
person
Your Hotels
Bewley’s Ballsbridge Hotel, Dublin (1 night)
Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, Galway (2 nights)
Bewley’s Ballsbridge Hotel, Dublin (1 night)
$1595.00
*Per Person Based on Double Room Occupancy
Airline Taxes Approximately
$119.00 per person.Registration Deadline is
July 10, 2009
E-mail or call us Toll Free at
800
857-3222 for full details and Registration Material
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