Day 1: Depart U.S for Dublin
Depart U.S. on your overnight flight to Dublin.Sit back and enjoy inflight meal service and entertainment as you travel to Ireland.
Day 2: Dublin Arrival
Land in Dublin Airport in the morning and head to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Lobby. Personnel will arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If you arrive later than noon, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. The balance of the day is free so that you may rest after your journey or you may like to browse around Dublin a little on your own. In the evening meet your tour director and fellow travelers for a welcome drink and discuss your vacation.
Day 3: Dublin Castle & Jurys Cabaret
Take a morning tour around central Dublin, renowned for its rows of graceful Georgian townhouses with their colorful doors. Also see government and historic buildings such as Trinity College, where the Book of Kells is housed; the Bank of Ireland, built in the 18th century to house the Parliament; and Leinster House, where the government convenes. Tour Dublin Castle’s elegantly furnished State Apartments, where many important events have taken place and are now used for government functions. The afternoon is free for browsing or further sightseeing on your own. In the evening head to Jurys Irish Cabaret where dinner is followed by a lively program of storytelling, song and dance. (B, D)
Day 4: National Stud & Killarney
Depart Dublin and visit the National Stud and Japanese Gardens in Kildare. Horseracing is very popular in Ireland and breeding is a lucrative international business. Learn about this industry at the National Stud and see some of the magnificent horses. Take a walk around the Japanese Gardens, cleverly laid out to represent the "Life of Man" from cradle to the grave in orientalstyle gardening. See a variety of landscapes as you drive south and stop for photos of the Rock of Cashel with its collection of early medieval church ruins. Visit a farm for tea and scones and learn a little about farm life. Continue towards the mountains of Kerry and into your delightful hotel in the center of Killarney. (B, D)
Day 5: Ring of Kerry Tour
Today experience one of Ireland’s most popular scenic drives, the Ring of Kerry. Your route winds around the Iveragh Peninsula with Ireland’s highest mountains on one side and Atlantic coastline on the other. The variety of scenery will amaze you as you travel through the villages of Glenbeigh, Waterville and Sneem with frequent stops to admire views and take photos. Just outside Killarney tour the gracious 19th century Muckross House, which is set on the shores of Muckross Lake and surrounded by fine gardens. Learn about the history of the previous owners, including Californians, and see elegant rooms with richly crafted period furnishings. (B, D)
Day 6: Blarney & Waterford
Travel to Blarney to visit the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can buy quality Irish-made goods. If you feel energetic, you may climb to the top of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone. Drive through the outskirts of Cork and along the south coast of Ireland to Waterford. Visit the Waterford Crystal Factory to see skilled craftspeople create this famous crystal from molten glass. Watch as the glass goes through the many stages of cutting and polishing to become a shimmering masterpiece. See the vast display of trophies and tableware in the showrooms. Check into your delightful country hotel overlooking the River Suir Estuary in time to use some of the health or sporting facilities before dinner. (B, D)
Day 7: Wales & Cardiff Castle
Depart Waterford early this morning for a short journey to Rosslare to take a ferry to Wales. Drive along the south coast of Wales, passing Carmarthen and Swansea, to its capital city of Cardiff. Take a brief drive around to see the principal areas of interest before touring Cardiff Castle, the origins of which date back to Roman times. The castle was extensively remodeled and embellished in the 1860’s and you will see elaborate Victorian paintwork and decorations in various chambers. Check into your hotel in downtown Cardiff where you will have some time to relax before dinner. (B, D)
Day 8: Roman Baths & Stonehenge
Drive to Bath to tour this famous spa town, popular with the Romans 2,000 years ago for its natural hot springs. It became fashionable again in the 18th century Regency period when the spacious houses of the Royal Crescent and the Circus, a circle of fine mansions, were built. Visit the wonderful Roman Baths and Pump Room, still preserved after two millennia. See the springs where the water still flows and the excavated chambers where Romans used to bathe and relax. Drive to Salisbury Plain to view the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths at Stonehenge. Learn how primitive peoples quarried and erected these huge stones and marvel at their size as you walk around to look at them. Continue your drive into London and check into your hotel near Oxford Street for a two-night stay. (B)
Day 9: London Sightseeing
Today you are on your own so that you may opt to join your open-top sightseeing bus tour whenever you wish. Stops at all of London’s famous landmarks are included on the route - Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, Piccadilly Circus and many more. You may stop off wherever you wish, then just join the next bus and continue to the next place that interests you. (CB)
Day 10: Depart for Home
As today is departure day, travel to Heathrow Airport or Gatwick Airport by independent coach transfer. Allow plenty of time for check-in formalities. (CB)
B=Breakfast, D=Dinner |
