Program Advantages: Create Your Own Daily Sightseeing Itinerary, All Hotels Prebooked for Your Peace of Mind, Choice of Hotel Categories

Program Includes:
Self-Drive Car Vacation

• Hertz Group E economy car with unlimited mileage and automatic shift based on 2 people traveling together - other cars available
• Travel by chauffeur-driven car - call us for rates
• Collision Damage Waiver, theft protection, third party insurance and government tax (VAT) on car rental
• Free pick up and drop off in Shannon or Dublin
• Prebooked stays at Bronze Hotels (first class) or Gold Hotels (superior first class) with private bath/shower for 8 nights
• Full Irish breakfast daily
• Guide to Ireland with map (one per car)
• Ireland at a Glimpse - discounts on visitor attractions
• Hotel service charges and all local taxes

Emerald Escape Bronze Hotels

• Ardilaun House Hotel, Galway
• Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney
• Blarney Woollen Mills Hotel, Blarney
• Talbot Hotel, Wexford
• Carlton Dublin Airport Hotel, Dublin

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Tue: Depart USA - Fly overnight to Shannon.

Day 2 - Wed: Shannon Arrival & Galway - Land in Shannon Airport in the morning and pick up your rented car. Galway is 57 miles away and you can just drive straight there or travel to view the majestic Cliffs of Moher, rising above the Atlantic breakers. Drive extra carefully as you will be tired after your plane journey.

Day 3 - Thu: Connemara - Galway city is the gateway to the Connemara region, one of Ireland's scenic areas. The land is stunningly beautiful in all types of weather. See the Twelve Bens, mica-embedded hills that sparkle in sunlight. You may travel to Leenane to take a catamaran cruise or visit Kylemore Abbey and Gardens. There are a number of lovely coastal routes.

Day 4 - Fri: Galway to Killarney - This is a distance of 120 miles by the shortest route. Travel through Ennis and Limerick, visiting the Bunratty Folk Park along the way. If you missed the Cliffs of Moher on your way north, you may view them today and then take the ferry from Killimer to Tarbert in County Kerry. Once you enter County Kerry you will see wonderful scenery.

Day 5 - Sat: Ring of Kerry - Today is a good opportunity to explore one of Ireland's popular scenic routes - 100 miles of great mountain and coastal scenery. You might prefer to discover the Dingle Peninsula to the north or visit Muckross House and Gardens, set on the shores of Muckross Lake, just a few miles outside Killarney.

Day 6 - Sun: Killarney to Blarney/Cork - The distance is about 65 miles between your two hotels. You may head south to the charming gardens of Garinish Islands. Or explore the area around Glengarriff, renowned for its mild climate that permits sub-tropical vegetation to thrive. Drive to Cork via Macroom with its huge castle or take the longer coastal route.

Day 7 - Mon: Blarney/Cork to Wexford - The distance between your hotels is about 130 miles. You may like to spend time at Blarney Castle or explore the port town of Cobh to the east of Cork. Waterford is an interesting old town and the famous Crystal Factory is located on its outskirts. Continue to Wexford.

Day 8 - Tue: Wexford - As you don't have to change hotels today, you may explore Wexford city or some of the many interesting places close by. Waterford and Enniscorthy are within easy reach. You may like to head south to Hook Head with its lighthouse or visit the J.F.K. Arboretum near New Ross.

Day 9 - Wed: Wexford to Dublin - You may drive through Kilkenny, a medieval city where a guided tour around Kilkenny Castle will give you all the local history. This region is also great for quality crafts. Or you may wish to travel along the coastal route and visit the monastic ruins at Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains.

Day 10 - Thu: Return Home from Dublin - Unfortunately, it's the end of your tour - either hotel is within easy distance of Dublin Airport. As you don't have much time to explore Dublin and you don't need a car in the city, you may like to extend your vacation with our Dublin at Leisure program.