Irish Elegance
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Included First Class Services• An Expert Tour Director
• Insight motor coach - Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight's luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom. It's business class comfort • Complimentary WiFi - the majority of Insight hotels have free WiFi access in lobby or bedroom areas. You will also find that WiFi is generally available on most touring coaches. • Baggage handling everywhere and airport transfers at scheduled times on arrival and departure • And more! |
Accommodations• Trinity City Hotel-Dublin
• Killarney Plaza-KIllarney • Connemara Coast-Galway • Ashford Castle-Cong *See Photos Below! |
Price/Rates• $2859 single
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Beautiful Accommodations
Trinity City Hotel-Dublin
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Killarney Plaza-Killarney
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Connemara Coast Hotel-Galway
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Ashford Castle-Cong
Itinerary
Day 1: Your Journey Begins Board your overnight flight to Europe (not included).
Day 2: In Dublin’s Fair City Welcome to Dublin! On arrival at Dublin Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for your hotel at 07:00, 09:30 & 12:00. Later, join your Tour Director for a city tour that brings to life Dublin's architectural treasures and history stretching back more than 1,000 years. Visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, founded in 1190, tour Dublin's beautiful Georgian squares, walk the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College to its famed library and see the 9th century Book of Kells. Upstairs, in the magnificent barrel-vaulted Long Room, 200,000 of the Library's oldest books are housed in a procession of oak bookcases. Back at your hotel, join your Tour Director for a warm and friendly Welcome Reception, with drinks and the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other over a pleasant evening of dinner and wine.
Hotel: Trinity City Hotel, Dublin
Meals: Welcome Reception and Dinner
Day 3: Travel to Cashel and Blarney, heading for Killarney Depart Dublin, and pass the famous Curragh Racecourse and green meadows where many of the finest Irish racehorses are bred. Driving south, stop to visit the spectacular Rock of Cashel, crowned with medieval buildings, dominating the flat countryside for miles around. Continue to Blarney Castle where you can climb to the ramparts and kiss the magical stone to ensure a lifetime of eloquence. Head to Cork for a visit to the bustling English Market. Meet a local market stallholder who introduces you to a taste of delicious farmhouse cheese. Afterwards, head to Killarney. If you fancy a ‘pint of porter', this town on the lakes is famous for its lively pubs, so why not join in the ‘craic' tonight.
Hotel: Killarney Plaza
Meals: Full Breakfast,Dinner
Day 4: Ring of Kerry Experience In the morning, travel the road that winds around the beautiful Iveragh Peninsula, better known as the Ring of Kerry. It is undoubtedly one of the most magical places in all of Ireland. Here, mountains, valleys, lakes and sea blend into a landscape that is often breathtaking beyond words. Stopping at Torc Waterfall for photos, there is a chance to join a hike with a local along the lake shore and past the farmlands of the Muckross Estate, admiring the spectacular scenery. Walk by West Meadow Bay and visit Muckross Abbey. (While there are no mountains to climb, walkers should be fit, have good walking shoes or boots, sunscreen and rain gear.) For those who do not want to join the hike, the motorcoach will return you to Killarney, where the balance of the day is free.
Hotel: Killarney Plaza
Meals:Full Breakfast
Day 5: Drive to The Cliffs of Moher and Rathbaun Farm, then on to Galway This morning, cross the Shannon Estuary by ferry and enter County Clare. Stop at the Exhibition Centre and enjoy a walk along the Cliffs of Moher, rising approximately 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic waves. Then travel north across the Burren, a suddenly stark and barren landscape. Drop in for afternoon tea at Rathbaun Farm and meet a Galway farming family as they carry out their everyday chores. Watch as the farmer shears a sheep and manoeuvres his flock with the help of his dog. Next, on to tour Galway, “City of the Tribes,” including lovely Galway Cathedral. Tonight, your hotel is spectacularly set on the shores of Galway Bay.
Hotel: Connemara Coast, Galway
Meals: Full Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
Day 6: Head to Galway and Connemara After a peaceful night's rest, embark upon a superb excursion through a wonderland of rivers, lakes and silent hills. Stop at lakeside Kylemore Abbey, a castellated neo-Gothic mansion, occupied today by a Benedictine community of nuns who came from Ypres after World War I. Then travel through bogland and villages to the Connemara Marble Factory and learn of the origin and uses of the area's splendid marble.
Hotel: Connemara Coast, Galway
Meals:Full Breakfast
Day 7: Along the shores of Loch Corrib to magnificent Ashford Castle Board the ‘Isle of Innisfree' for an exclusive scenic cruise of Loch Corrib with lunch. The captain, also the author of “A Voyage of Discovery” (the history of Ashford Castle), will share his wealth of local knowledge with you. As you disembark, alone piper escorts you over the drawbridge to majestic Ashford Castle. This timeless icon is owned and managed by our sister company, the multi award winning boutique hotel collection Red Carnation Hotels. The castle has recently undergone a $75m magnificent and respectful restoration,which matches the latest in modern facilities and technology with timeless elegance. The castle provides a romantic backdrop in superior surroundings, offering guests both relaxation and comfort. There are many opportunities to explore the vast estate, pamper yourself at the spa, or get to know the hawks and woodland surroundings at the hotel's Falconry School.Dining at Ashford Castle ranks among the finest culinary experiences in the world. You’ll enjoy exquisite food prepared by the castle’s expert chefs using local organic supplies. Their creative cooking,seasonal ingredients and an innovative menus await at your Highlight Celebration Dinner tonight. (Gentlemen, a jacket and tie required).
Hotel: Ashford Castle
Meals: Full Breakfast, Lunch, Celebration Dinner
Day 8: Across the Emerald Isle to Dublin Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning and perhaps a stroll on the estate. Then cross the midlands to Dublin where the balance of the day is free for independent activities and maybe some last minute shopping.
Hotel: Trinity City Hotel, Dublin
Meals: Full Breakfast
Day 9: Depart Dublin Your tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Departure transfers arrive at Dublin Airport at 07:30, 09:30 & 11:30.
Meals: Full Breakfast
Day 2: In Dublin’s Fair City Welcome to Dublin! On arrival at Dublin Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for your hotel at 07:00, 09:30 & 12:00. Later, join your Tour Director for a city tour that brings to life Dublin's architectural treasures and history stretching back more than 1,000 years. Visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, founded in 1190, tour Dublin's beautiful Georgian squares, walk the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College to its famed library and see the 9th century Book of Kells. Upstairs, in the magnificent barrel-vaulted Long Room, 200,000 of the Library's oldest books are housed in a procession of oak bookcases. Back at your hotel, join your Tour Director for a warm and friendly Welcome Reception, with drinks and the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other over a pleasant evening of dinner and wine.
Hotel: Trinity City Hotel, Dublin
Meals: Welcome Reception and Dinner
Day 3: Travel to Cashel and Blarney, heading for Killarney Depart Dublin, and pass the famous Curragh Racecourse and green meadows where many of the finest Irish racehorses are bred. Driving south, stop to visit the spectacular Rock of Cashel, crowned with medieval buildings, dominating the flat countryside for miles around. Continue to Blarney Castle where you can climb to the ramparts and kiss the magical stone to ensure a lifetime of eloquence. Head to Cork for a visit to the bustling English Market. Meet a local market stallholder who introduces you to a taste of delicious farmhouse cheese. Afterwards, head to Killarney. If you fancy a ‘pint of porter', this town on the lakes is famous for its lively pubs, so why not join in the ‘craic' tonight.
Hotel: Killarney Plaza
Meals: Full Breakfast,Dinner
Day 4: Ring of Kerry Experience In the morning, travel the road that winds around the beautiful Iveragh Peninsula, better known as the Ring of Kerry. It is undoubtedly one of the most magical places in all of Ireland. Here, mountains, valleys, lakes and sea blend into a landscape that is often breathtaking beyond words. Stopping at Torc Waterfall for photos, there is a chance to join a hike with a local along the lake shore and past the farmlands of the Muckross Estate, admiring the spectacular scenery. Walk by West Meadow Bay and visit Muckross Abbey. (While there are no mountains to climb, walkers should be fit, have good walking shoes or boots, sunscreen and rain gear.) For those who do not want to join the hike, the motorcoach will return you to Killarney, where the balance of the day is free.
Hotel: Killarney Plaza
Meals:Full Breakfast
Day 5: Drive to The Cliffs of Moher and Rathbaun Farm, then on to Galway This morning, cross the Shannon Estuary by ferry and enter County Clare. Stop at the Exhibition Centre and enjoy a walk along the Cliffs of Moher, rising approximately 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic waves. Then travel north across the Burren, a suddenly stark and barren landscape. Drop in for afternoon tea at Rathbaun Farm and meet a Galway farming family as they carry out their everyday chores. Watch as the farmer shears a sheep and manoeuvres his flock with the help of his dog. Next, on to tour Galway, “City of the Tribes,” including lovely Galway Cathedral. Tonight, your hotel is spectacularly set on the shores of Galway Bay.
Hotel: Connemara Coast, Galway
Meals: Full Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
Day 6: Head to Galway and Connemara After a peaceful night's rest, embark upon a superb excursion through a wonderland of rivers, lakes and silent hills. Stop at lakeside Kylemore Abbey, a castellated neo-Gothic mansion, occupied today by a Benedictine community of nuns who came from Ypres after World War I. Then travel through bogland and villages to the Connemara Marble Factory and learn of the origin and uses of the area's splendid marble.
Hotel: Connemara Coast, Galway
Meals:Full Breakfast
Day 7: Along the shores of Loch Corrib to magnificent Ashford Castle Board the ‘Isle of Innisfree' for an exclusive scenic cruise of Loch Corrib with lunch. The captain, also the author of “A Voyage of Discovery” (the history of Ashford Castle), will share his wealth of local knowledge with you. As you disembark, alone piper escorts you over the drawbridge to majestic Ashford Castle. This timeless icon is owned and managed by our sister company, the multi award winning boutique hotel collection Red Carnation Hotels. The castle has recently undergone a $75m magnificent and respectful restoration,which matches the latest in modern facilities and technology with timeless elegance. The castle provides a romantic backdrop in superior surroundings, offering guests both relaxation and comfort. There are many opportunities to explore the vast estate, pamper yourself at the spa, or get to know the hawks and woodland surroundings at the hotel's Falconry School.Dining at Ashford Castle ranks among the finest culinary experiences in the world. You’ll enjoy exquisite food prepared by the castle’s expert chefs using local organic supplies. Their creative cooking,seasonal ingredients and an innovative menus await at your Highlight Celebration Dinner tonight. (Gentlemen, a jacket and tie required).
Hotel: Ashford Castle
Meals: Full Breakfast, Lunch, Celebration Dinner
Day 8: Across the Emerald Isle to Dublin Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning and perhaps a stroll on the estate. Then cross the midlands to Dublin where the balance of the day is free for independent activities and maybe some last minute shopping.
Hotel: Trinity City Hotel, Dublin
Meals: Full Breakfast
Day 9: Depart Dublin Your tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Departure transfers arrive at Dublin Airport at 07:30, 09:30 & 11:30.
Meals: Full Breakfast
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