7 Day Southern Gems
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 : Dublin Castle & City Tour
Arrive in Dublin Airport and take a group
transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives
later than 12:00 noon, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm
join your group and a local guide for an introductory look around central
Dublin. See fashionable shopping areas around Grafton and Nassau Streets, view
Dublin's famous elegant Georgian squares and pause at the evocative figures at
the Famine Memorial. Tour Dublin Castle's State Apartments where major events
from Irish history and modern politics take place in the gracious chambers. In
the evening meet your tour director over a welcome drink to discuss your trip
and he will help you choose a restaurant to dine independently.
Day 2 : National Stud & Taylor's Three Rock Pub
Head out of Dublin to Kildare for a tour of the
Irish National Stud. Horseracing is a passion for the Irish and you will see
some of the finest stallions and learn about breeding. Walk through the charming
Japanese Gardens, created to portray life from birth to death. Spend your
afternoon on an independent open-top bus tour around Dublin's main attractions.
You may stay on the bus or get on and off wherever you wish. Visit either
Guinness or Jameson and relax with a drink at the end of the tour. In the
evening drive to Taylor's Three Rock Pub for dinner and a lively show with
traditional Irish music, story-telling and step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 3 : Waterford Crystal & Kinsale Walk
Travel south to the ancient port of Waterford. At
the House of Waterford Crystal watch glass blowing and cutting by master
craftspeople and see a huge display of elegant tableware and magnificent
trophies. Drive along the south coast through Cork to Kinsale, a delightful old
fishing town on a deep inlet, which is ideal for sailing. The town is also
famous for old Georgian houses and charming restaurants serving gourmet food.
Join a local guide for a short walk around Kinsale and learn about its
importance in trading and history in medieval times. Drive across the hilly
countryside to your elegant resort hotel where you will have time to relax
before dinner. (B, D)
Day 4 : Jaunting Car & Killarney
Drive via Macroom and the mountainous scenery of
County Kerry to the pretty town of Kenmare with its brightly-painted houses.
Head up to Moll's Gap and drive along part of the Ring of Kerry route for
splendid views of the mountains and Killarney's famous three lakes. Just outside
Killarney tour the elegant 19th century mansion of Muckross House with a guide
to tell you about influential owners and visitors before driving by jaunting car
through the peaceful Killarney National Park and into Killarney. Continue by
coach along the Dingle Peninsula, enjoying views of heathery mountains, sandy
beaches and rocky headlands. Check in to your hotel in Dingle, a lively and
attractive town where you may like to take a walk around and explore some of the
many pubs. (B, D)
Day 5 : Dingle Peninsula & Gallarus Oratory
Today discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula,
made famous by two movies, “Ryan's Daughter??? and “Far & Away”, which
showed a lot of the wonderful scenery. Drive to Slea Head at the westernmost tip
and tour the Blasket Experience in Dunquin overlooking the Blasket Islands. See
displays on the rugged lifestyle of the islands which were inhabited until 1953
and learn about the literary works by many poets and writers in the Irish
language. Visit Gallarus Oratory, which is an excellent example of an early
Christian church. This tiny building was erected in the 6th century using corbel
vaulting and without any mortar and it is watertight to this day. Travel up to
the Conor Pass for sweeping views of the peninsula before returning to Dingle.
(B, D)
Day 6 : Cliffs of Moher & Knappogue Banquet
Visit the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, which
recalls early days of flying during the 1930's and early 1940's. See displays of
memorabilia from that era and walk through a reconstructed Pan Am Clipper.
Travel through Limerick on the way to Bunratty and check in to your hotel near
the Bunratty Folk Park and Durty Nelly's Pub. At 2:30 pm depart for the Cliffs
of Moher, a dramatic wall of rock that plunges to the Atlantic Ocean. In the
evening drive a few miles to 15th century Knappogue Castle for a fun
medieval-style banquet with entertainment by the lords and ladies of the castle
- a great way to end your tour. (B, D)
Day 7 : Tour Ends Shannon Airport
Group transfers are provided to Shannon Airport
to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. (B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner