2010 IRISH CLASSIC TOUR
Superior First Class Hotels - 21 Meals
12 days land only from Dublin to Dublin

Irish Classic Tour 12 Day Coach Tour



Day 1: Arrive Ireland & 6th Century Glendalough

Arrive in Dublin Airport, complete immigration formalities and pick up your luggage. Go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall to arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. Your hotel, an elegant Victorian mansion, overlooks Dublin Bay and Dun Laoghaire Harbour. At 2:00 pm drive through the lovely scenery of the Wicklow Mountains to visit Glendalough, a 6th century monastic site founded by St. Kevin. Learn about life in early Christian Ireland and walk through the many church ruins and a round tower. In the evening meet your fellow travellers over a welcome drink and your tour director will help you choose a local restaurant to dine independently.



Day 2: Dublin Castle & Taylor's Three Rock Evening

This morning tour the city centre to see elegant Georgian townhouses and their famous colourful doors, pass St. Stephen's Green and cross the River Liffey to view the Famine Memorial and drive along O'Connell Street. Visit Dublin Castle's State Apartments where a guide will relate events from Irish history as you walk through gracious Georgian chambers. The afternoon is at leisure so return to Dun Laoghaire to relax or stay in the city centre for an independent open-top bus tour with a visit to Guinness or Jameson. This evening's destination is Taylor's Three Rock Pub for dinner and a lively show of traditional Irish songs and intricate step-dancing. (B, D)



Day 3: Downpatrick & Mount Stewart
Drive north past the Mourne Mountains to Downpatrick. Visit Down Cathedral to learn about Ireland's patron saint and see his reputed burial place. Cross Strangford Lough by ferry to explore Mount Stewart House and Gardens. The famous gardens at Mount Stewart were planted in the 1920's by Edith, Lady Londonderry, and have been nominated a World Heritage Site. The house tour includes world-famous paintings and stories about the prominent political figures to whom the Londonderry family played host. Check in to your hotel in Belfast. (B, D)



Day 4: Belfast, Giant's Causeway & Derry

See the highlights of Belfast with a local guide, including Victorian buildings, the Harland and Wolff Shipyards, where the Titanic was built and areas around the Shankill and Falls Road. Drive north along the "Nine Glens of Antrim," a scenic route with lovely views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Stop at the Giant's Causeway, hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. The enormous rocks have spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. Continue to Derry and join a local guide for a short walk around the ancient city centre and surrounding medieval city walls. (B, D)


Day 5: Ulster American Folk Park & Belleek China
Drive south for a walk around the Ulster American Folk Park. The Park traces the story of Ulster emigrants and shows rural lifestyles in both Ireland and Colonial America. Take a guided tour around the Belleek Pottery Factory to see craftspeople making delicate and ornate pieces in fine china. Travel through Counties Sligo and Mayo to Westport where your hotel is located in the town centre. (B, D)



Day 6: Achill Island Excursion & Westport
After a late breakfast travel around Clew Bay, reputed to have 365 islands, to Achill Island, joined to the mainland by bridge. Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful views of steeply-sloped mountains plunging into the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. Near Slievemore see the Deserted Village, the remains of nearly 100 stone cottages abandoned around the time of the 1840's Famine. Also see stretches of windswept bogland and golden beaches. Return to Westport in time to stroll around this attractive estate town, which was laid out in 1780. (B, D)



Day 7: Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Medieval Banquet

Travel to Galway City for a panoramic tour and free time before driving through the limestone hills of the Burren. View the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a pre-Christian burial site marked by huge boulders. Walk along the majestic Cliffs of Moher, a rocky wall that rises nearly 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic Ocean. At Bunratty check in to your hotel, right beside Bunratty Castle, the Bunratty Folk Park and Durty Nelly's Pub. In the evening head to 15th century Bunratty Castle for a jolly medieval-style dinner where the Lords and Ladies serenade you­. (B, D)


Day 8: Flying Boat Museum & Dingle Peninsula
Drive through the outskirts of Limerick and alongside the River Shannon to visit Foynes Flying Boat Museum. In the early days of flight, during the 1930's and early 1940's, Pan Am Clippers from the United States and Europe landed here. The museum's memorabilia recreates the infancy of aviation. Journey into the mountains of County Kerry and out along the Dingle Peninsula for glorious scenic views of mountains and sandy beaches. Stop for a while in the town of Dingle before going up the Connor Pass for panoramic views. Then head to Killarney and check in to your hotel in the centre of town. (B, D)



Day 9: Jaunting Car Ride & Moll's Gap

Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride to Ross Castle to view Lough Leane, largest of Killarney's lakes. Drive to the delightful town of Kenmare where traditional buildings are gaily painted and enhanced with flowers. At the vantage point of Moll's Gap, view the mountains and continue along part of the Ring of Kerry to enjoy the scenery. Pause at Ladies' View before stopping at Muckross House. Take a guided tour through this lovely 19th century mansion to admire elegant antiques while learning about the previous owners and their important guests. Return to Killarney where you will have some free time before dinner. (B, D)



Day 10: Cobh Heritage & Traditional Music Session

Travel through the mountains of Kerry and make a brief stop at the Blarney Woollen Mills. Next visit Cobh Heritage Centre, located in the old train station through which all emigrants passed when travelling to the United States. Displays show the many hardships that travellers endured. Drive to Dungarvan to the Marine Bar for a creamy Irish coffee and an informal traditional music session. Continue to Waterford and check in to your hotel, once the home of Thomas Francis Meagher, first governor of Montana. After dinner, join a local guide for a stroll around the historic city centre. (B, D)



Day 11: Medieval Kilkenny & National Stud

Drive north to Kilkenny and stop to look around the town. In medieval times the town was a prosperous trading centre and the narrow streets still follow ancient routes. Travel north to Kildare and visit the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens. As a nation, the Irish are very interested in horses and the Stud will tell you about the valuable breeding industry. The Japanese Gardens symbolize the "Life of Man" through plants and rocks. Then head to the village of Dunboyne, on the outskirts of Dublin. Check in to Dunboyne Castle Hotel and relax for a while before enjoying a farewell dinner and some informal music. (B, D)



Day 12: Homeward bound

Complimentary group transfers to Dublin Airport are provided to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. After check-in, you'll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before boarding your flight for the journey home. (B)



Breakfast (B) Dinner (D)