2020 Best of Iceland & Ireland South – 10 Days / 9 Nights / 15 Meals
Day 1:
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:
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:
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:
Travel 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 Dublin hotel at 2 PM. Set out on an orientation tour of Dublin city center and take a walking tour of Trinity College with a local guide. There you will go to the library to view the Book of Kells, the 9th-century illuminated manuscript that is one of Ireland’s greatest cultural treasures. Next, visit the Little Museum of Dublin; located in a Georgian townhouse, it tell the fascinating story of the city. You’ll enjoy a CIE Tours exclusive there: an after-hours opening and a private tour. In the evening, enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dinner.
(B, D)
Day 5:
Relax and enjoy the farmlands of the picturesque midlands. Get a taste of farm life at a nearby sheep farm. Enjoy scones with tea and watch trained dogs herd sheep. Visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” or explore the tranquil gardens. Travel through Macroom and into County Kerry where the scenery becomes more mountainous. Arrive in the charming town of Killarney.
(B, D)
Day 6:
Discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula, made famous in the movies “Ryan's Daughter” and “Far & Away,” which showcased the wonderful scenery found here. Travel to Slea Head at the westernmost tip of the peninsula for awesome views of the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy an evening of traditional Irish entertainment over dinner.
(B, D)
Day 7:
Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car through the Killarney National Park to tour the scenic Ross Castle and Kenmare Estate. Head to the village of Adare, famous for its main street lined with thatched cottages and colorful gardens. Proceed to Limerick and take a panoramic tour.
(B, D)
Day 8:
Travel along the coast of County Clare to 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. Take a guided walking tour of the old city of Galway. In the evening, head to Bunratty Castle for a medieval-style feast, where lords and ladies will serenade you with music and songs from days of yore.
(B, D)
Day 9:
Enjoy the scenic Irish countryside on your way to Kildare where you’ll visit the home of equine royalty, The Irish National Stud. Here you’ll see impeccably-bred stallions alongside protective mares, frolicking foals, and athletic yearlings. Stroll around the delightful grounds to explore St. Fiachra’s Garden, including its miniature Japanese Gardens. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure and dine at your choice of one of the many restaurants or pubs scattered throughout Dublin.
(B)
Day 11:
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.
