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Taste of Ireland Tour

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About Your Tour

Itinerary in Brief...

Day 1: Depart for Dublin Day 2: Dublin Tour & Merry Ploughboy Pub Day 3: Blarney Castle & Killarney Day 4: Ring of Kerry & Muckross Day 5: Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle Day 6: Shannon Airport or Dublin Stay Day 7: Depart from Dublin Airport Extra Nights in Dublin:

Optional Add-ons: Stay an extra night or two in Dublin either before or after your tour!

Start in Dublin and end in Shannon and experience the best that Ireland offers on this short introductory tour. See Dublin, Blarney, Killarney and Bunratty. Attend a medieval banquet, enjoy dinner and a traditional show in Dublin, kiss the Blarney Stone and view the Cliffs of Moher.

What's Included?

Group transfers on arrival and departure
Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
Dublin open-top bus tour & Guinness or Jameson visit (pre-night extension only)
Services of a professional Irish driver/guide
Superior & first class hotels with private bath/shower for 4, 5 or 6 nights
Full Irish breakfast daily (B) except on day of arrival
4 dinners (D) including
- Dinner & traditional Irish entertainment at the Merry Ploughboy Pub
- Medieval banquet & entertainment in Bunratty Castle
- 2 table d’hote dinners in Killarney
Welcome get-together drink
Tour of Dublin with a local guide
Ferry ride across the River Shannon
Visits an admissions to Dublin Castle, Blarney Castle, Blarney Woollen Mills,Essence of Kerry AV Show, Muckross Gardens, Cliffs of Moher, Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens
Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & stra
All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person.

Hotels included in your tour

Stay at the following (or similar):

Stillorgan Park Hotel, Dublin (1 night or 2 nights with pre-night extension)
Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty (1 night)
Bewley’s Airport Hotel, Dublin (1 night – post-night extension only)

Accomodations Map

Itinerary

Day 1 Depart for Dublin

Take an evening flight from your U.S. gateway city and travel overnight across the Atlantic to Ireland. Sit back and relax with meals and entertainment.Board the aircraft for an overnight flight to Ireland.

Day 2 Dublin Tour & Merry Ploughboy Pub

On arrival at Dublin Airport go through immigration formalities and pick up your baggage. Go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall where staff will arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later than noon, you will transfer to the hotel at your own expense. (As this is a short tour, you may like to spend a pre-night in Dublin on your own to relax and take an open-top bus tour before starting your coach tour – refer to 7-day tour (B) with pre-night stay in price panel.) At 2:00 pm join a local guide who will show you around central Dublin. Drive through the main streets to see historic buildings such as Trinity College, where the Book of Kells is housed; Dail Eireann, where the government meets; and rows of Georgian houses with gaily-colored doorways. Stop at Dublin Castle to take a guided tour through the elegant State Apartments, which are filled with elaborate Waterford Crystal chandeliers and portraits of prominent Irish leaders. Return to your hotel for a get-together with your tour group and a welcome drink. In the evening drive to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for a great dinner of Irish specialties, which is followed by a show of traditional Irish songs and intricate step-dancing. (D)

Day 3 Blarney Castle & Killarney

Depart Dublin and travel through the center of Ireland, which has many mixed farms. Stop to view the stately church ruins atop the Rock of Cashel, which rises high above the surrounding plain. Continue your drive south and, just a few miles outside Cork, visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can find qualityIrish-made goods of all types, conveniently displayed under one roof. Drive through Macroom, built around a fine castle, and into County Kerry where the scenery becomes more mountainous. Arrive in Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes with Ireland’s highest moun-tains, the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, forming a backdrop. Check into your hotel and relax before dinner. Afterwards you may like to take a stroll through the compact town center and explore one of Killarney’s famous singing pubs. (B, D)

Day 4 Ring of Kerry & Muckross

Today embark on Ireland’s most popular scenic drive of 100 miles – the Ring of Kerry. This winding route reveals breathtaking sights of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks as well as coastal views of beaches and cliffs. Just outside Killarney stop near the Gap of Dunloe to see the Essence of Kerry, an audio-visual presentation about the region. As you travel along, there will be plenty of stops for photos at the best vantage points. Drive through the villages of Cahirciveen and Waterville at the end of the peninsula and stop to walk around Sneem, where brightly-painted houses are grouped around a central green. Stop at Moll’s Gap for a view over the Three Lakes of Killarney with the town in the distance. Visit the charming Muckross Gardens, set on the shores of Muckross Lake and with many fine trees and plants. Return to Killarney and enjoy a fine dinner in your hotel once again. (B, D)

Day 5 Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle

Leave Killarney and drive north to Tarbert for a 20- minute ferry ride across the wide River Shannon Estuary. Your tour continues along the Clare coast to the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of limestone that reaches to almost 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Drive past Lahinch golf links, one of Ireland’s most famous, and through the marketing town of Ennis to Bunratty. Check into BunrattyCastle Hotel, which is located very close to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. In the evening head to Bunratty Castle for a memorable experience in a wonderful setting with good food and entertainment. Then take your place in the Great Hall for a medieval-style feast of excellent dishes and plenty of wine. During and after the meal the lords and ladies will serenade you with song and harp music, evocative of the Middle Ages. (B, D)

Day 6 Shannon Airport or Dublin Stay

Clients on the 6-day tour (A) or on a 7-day prenight extension (B) will take a group transfer to nearby Shannon Airport where the tour concludes at 10:30 am. Passengers on the post-night extensions (C & D) will drive past the outskirts of Limerick and through the midland region of Ireland to Kildare. Here visit the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens. You can learn about horse breeding and see some of the valuable animals before touring the lovely Japanese Gardens, considered the best in Europe. They were laid out in 1908 and represent the “Life of Man” through the selection and placement of trees, shrubs and rocks in classical Japanese manner. Drive to the north side of Dublin city where you will check in to your hotel for the final night of your tour. You are free this evening for independent activities and dining. (B)

Day 7 Depart from Dublin Airport

As your hotel is convenient to Dublin Airport, a hotel shuttle service will transfer you to the airport terminal. After check-in, you’ll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before U.S. Immigration pre-clearance and boarding your flight for the journey home. (B)

Extra Nights in Dublin

A NOTE OF EXPLANATION
The popular Taste of Ireland tour has four different possibilities:

Tour A : 6 days/4 nights/8 meals
Start Dublin/End Shannon
Dublin 1 night
Killarney 2 nights
Bunratty 1 night

Tour B With pre-night in Dublin: 7 days/5 nights/9 meals
Start Dublin/End Shannon
Dublin 2 nights
Killarney 2 nights
Bunratty 1 night

Tour C With post-night in Dublin: 7 days/5 nights/9 meals
Start Dublin/End Dublin
Dublin 1 night
Killarney 2 nights
Bunratty 1 night
Dublin 1 night

Tour D With pre- and post-nights in Dublin: 8 days/6 nights/10 meals
Start Dublin/End Dublin
Dublin 2 nights
Killarney 2 nights
Bunratty 1 night
Dublin 1 night

2009 Dates & Prices. Please note these tours are priced in US dollars regardless of your home currency.

From February 14, 2009 To February 19, 2009 $698
From February 21, 2009 To February 26, 2009 $758
From February 28, 2009 To March 5, 2009 $758
From March 7, 2009 To March 12, 2009 $815
From March 12, 2009 To March 17, 2009 $815
From March 14, 2009 To March 19, 2009 $815
From March 19, 2009 To March 24, 2009 $815
From March 21, 2009 To March 26, 2009 $815
From March 26, 2009 To March 31, 2009 $815
From March 28, 2009 To April 2, 2009 $848
From April 2, 2009 To April 7, 2009 $898
From April 4, 2009 To April 9, 2009 $898
From April 9, 2009 To April 14, 2009 $898
From April 11, 2009 To April 16, 2009 $898
From April 12, 2009 To April 17, 2009 $898
From April 16, 2009 To April 21, 2009 $898
From April 18, 2009 To April 23, 2009 $898
From April 19, 2009 To April 24, 2009 $898
From April 23, 2009 To April 28, 2009 $898
From April 25, 2009 To April 30, 2009 $898
From April 26, 2009 To May 1, 2009 $1,038
From April 30, 2009 To May 5, 2009 $1,038
From May 2, 2009 To May 7, 2009 $1,098
From May 3, 2009 To May 8, 2009 $1,138
From May 5, 2009 To May 10, 2009 $1,098
From May 7, 2009 To May 12, 2009 $1,098
From May 9, 2009 To May 14, 2009 $1,098
From May 10, 2009 To May 15, 2009 $1,098
From May 12, 2009 To May 17, 2009 $1,098
From May 14, 2009 To May 19, 2009 $1,098
From May 16, 2009 To May 21, 2009 $1,098
From May 17, 2009 To May 22, 2009 $1,098
From May 19, 2009 To May 24, 2009 $1,098
From May 21, 2009 To May 26, 2009 $1,098
From May 23, 2009 To May 28, 2009 $1,098
From May 24, 2009 To May 29, 2009 $1,098
From May 26, 2009 To May 31, 2009 $1,098
From May 28, 2009 To June 2, 2009 $1,098
From May 30, 2009 To June 4, 2009 $1,098
From May 31, 2009 To June 5, 2009 $1,098
From June 2, 2009 To June 7, 2009 $1,098
From June 4, 2009 To June 9, 2009 $1,098
From June 6, 2009 To June 11, 2009 $1,098
From June 7, 2009 To June 12, 2009 $1,098
From June 9, 2009 To June 14, 2009 $1,098
From June 11, 2009 To June 16, 2009 $1,098
From June 13, 2009 To June 18, 2009 $1,098
From June 14, 2009 To June 19, 2009 $1,098
From June 16, 2009 To June 21, 2009 $1,098
From June 18, 2009 To June 23, 2009 $1,098
From June 20, 2009 To June 25, 2009 $1,098
From June 21, 2009 To June 28, 2009 $1,138
From June 21, 2009 To June 26, 2009 $1,098
From June 23, 2009 To June 28, 2009 $1,098
From June 25, 2009 To June 30, 2009 $1,098
From June 27, 2009 To July 2, 2009 $1,098
From June 28, 2009 To July 3, 2009 $1,098
From June 30, 2009 To July 5, 2009 $1,098
From July 2, 2009 To July 7, 2009 $1,098
From July 4, 2009 To July 9, 2009 $1,098
From July 5, 2009 To July 10, 2009 $1,098
From July 7, 2009 To July 12, 2009 $1,098
From July 9, 2009 To July 14, 2009 $1,098
From July 11, 2009 To July 16, 2009 $1,098
From July 12, 2009 To July 17, 2009 $1,098
From July 14, 2009 To July 19, 2009 $1,098
From July 16, 2009 To July 21, 2009 $1,098
From July 18, 2009 To July 23, 2009 $1,098
From July 19, 2009 To July 24, 2009 $1,098
From July 21, 2009 To July 26, 2009 $1,098
From July 23, 2009 To July 28, 2009 $1,098
From July 25, 2009 To July 30, 2009 $1,098
From July 26, 2009 To July 31, 2009 $1,098
From July 28, 2009 To August 2, 2009 $1,098
From July 30, 2009 To August 4, 2009 $1,098
From August 1, 2009 To August 6, 2009 $1,098
From August 2, 2009 To August 7, 2009 $1,098
From August 4, 2009 To August 9, 2009 $1,098
From August 6, 2009 To August 11, 2009 $1,098
From August 8, 2009 To August 13, 2009 $1,098
From August 9, 2009 To August 14, 2009 $1,098
From August 11, 2009 To August 16, 2009 $1,098
From August 13, 2009 To August 18, 2009 $1,098
From August 15, 2009 To August 20, 2009 $1,098
From August 16, 2009 To August 21, 2009 $1,098
From August 18, 2009 To August 23, 2009 $1,098
From August 20, 2009 To August 25, 2009 $1,098
From August 22, 2009 To August 27, 2009 $1,098
From August 23, 2009 To August 28, 2009 $1,098
From August 25, 2009 To August 30, 2009 $1,098
From August 27, 2009 To September 1, 2009 $1,098
From August 29, 2009 To September 3, 2009 $1,098
From August 30, 2009 To September 4, 2009 $1,098
From September 1, 2009 To September 6, 2009 $1,098
From September 3, 2009 To September 8, 2009 $1,098
From September 5, 2009 To September 10, 2009 $1,098
From September 6, 2009 To September 11, 2009 $1,098
From September 8, 2009 To September 13, 2009 $1,098
From September 10, 2009 To September 15, 2009 $1,098
From September 12, 2009 To September 17, 2009 $1,098
From September 13, 2009 To September 18, 2009 $1,098
From September 15, 2009 To September 20, 2009 $1,098
From September 17, 2009 To September 22, 2009 $1,098
From September 19, 2009 To September 24, 2009 $1,098
From September 20, 2009 To September 25, 2009 $1,098
From September 22, 2009 To September 27, 2009 $1,098
From September 24, 2009 To September 29, 2009 $1,098
From September 26, 2009 To October 1, 2009 $1,098
From September 27, 2009 To October 2, 2009 $1,098
From September 29, 2009 To October 4, 2009 $1,048
From October 1, 2009 To October 6, 2009 $998
From October 3, 2009 To October 8, 2009 $998
From October 4, 2009 To October 9, 2009 $998
From October 6, 2009 To October 11, 2009 $998
From October 8, 2009 To October 13, 2009 $998
From October 10, 2009 To October 15, 2009 $998
From October 11, 2009 To October 16, 2009 $998
From October 13, 2009 To October 18, 2009 $938
From October 15, 2009 To October 20, 2009 $888
From October 17, 2009 To October 22, 2009 $888
From October 18, 2009 To October 23, 2009 $888
From October 20, 2009 To October 25, 2009 $888
From October 22, 2009 To October 27, 2009 $888
From October 24, 2009 To October 29, 2009 $888
From October 25, 2009 To October 30, 2009 $888
From October 29, 2009 To November 3, 2009 $828
From October 31, 2009 To November 5, 2009 $828
From November 1, 2009 To November 6, 2009 $758
From November 7, 2009 To November 12, 2009 $758
From November 14, 2009 To November 19, 2009 $758
From November 21, 2009 To November 26, 2009 $758
From November 28, 2009 To December 3, 2009 $698
From December 5, 2009 To December 10, 2009 $698

Tour Photos

Tour map - Locations you will visit on your tour.

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Travel Insurance

Why purchase travel protection? The CIE Tours Plan…

Permits you to cancel your trip at any time prior to departure for a covered reason and up to 3 days before your scheduled departure for any reason not otherwise covered.
Covers direct air flights to and from your scheduled land tour departure and return cities even if the flights are not booked by CIE Tours, provided the flights are within 7 total days of the land tour dates and you cancel or interrupt your trip for a reason covered by the Travel Protection Plan provisions.
Protects you and your belongings while on your trip.

CIE Tours Trip Cancellation Waiver Benefit*

When you purchase the CIE Tours Travel Protection Plan at time of initial Trip deposit, you also qualify for the CIE Tours Trip Cancellation Waiver. This benefit allows you to cancel your CIE Tours travel arrangements up to 3 days before your scheduled departure for any reason not covered by the Travel Protection Plan. Under this benefit, CIE Tours will refund the amount of your cancellation penalty in CIE Tours travel certificates, with the balance of the refund made in cash or by credit card. CIE Tours Travel Certificates are non-refundable, valid for one year from date of issue (but no later than 15 months from the date your Trip was canceled) and may not be redeemed for cash. The waiver does not cover the single room supplement charge that is applicable if one person cancels from a twin room, which then becomes a single room. CIE Tours requires written notice of cancellation during normal business hours. This benefit covers only those arrangements purchased from CIE Tours. For cancellations for covered reasons, see below.

Trip Cost - Pre-Departure Trip Cancellation

Your own or that of a Traveling Companion or an Immediate Family Member - or for Other Covered Events, as defined, you will be reimbursed up to the Trip cost for cancellation charges imposed on travel arrangements provided by CIE Tours and/or an airline providing direct air flight to and from your scheduled land tour departure and return cities (even if the flights are not booked by CIE Tours), provided the flights are within 7 total days of the land tour dates.

Trip Cost - Post-Departure Trip Interruption

If you must interrupt your Trip after departure due to a covered Injury, Sickness or Death - your own or that of a Traveling Companion or an Immediate Family Member - or for Other Covered Events, as defined, you will be reimbursed for the unused, non-refundable land arrangements and the additional transport costs to return Home or to rejoin your Trip (limited to economy one-way airfare or first class, if original tickets were first class).

Trip Cost – Delayed Arrival

You are reimbursed for the additional transportation expense incurred and/or the unused, non-refundable land arrangements if your arrival on your tour is delayed beyond your scheduled arrival date, because of delay or cancellation by an air carrier due to inclement weather, mechanical breakdown or organized labor strike.

$500 Travel Delay

Provides benefits up to $100 per day for reasonable additional hotel accommodations, meals, telephone calls, and local transportation until travel becomes possible if you are delayed for more than 12 hours due to a covered reason such as common carrier delay; Injury, Sickness or Death of you or your Traveling Companion; quarantine; loss of passport, travel documents or money; natural disaster; or road closure by a government authority due to adverse weather
conditions.

$25,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment

These benefits are paid if loss occurs within 365 days of a covered Injury which occurs while on a CIE Tours Trip.

$100,000 Medical Expense/Emergency Assistance

Provides reimbursement for reasonable and customary medical expenses incurred within 365 days of a covered sickness which occurs while on your trip and for emergency dental treatment received during your trip; for the costs of emergency transport to home or an appropriate hospital, including escort expense (both, if deemed necessary by the attending physician), for a covered Injury or Sickness which occurs while on your trip; or the cost of homeward carriage if deceased.

$2,000 Baggage and Personal Effects

Coverage for direct physical loss or damage to your Baggage, passport or visas while on your Trip. A $500 maximum limit applies to jewelry; gems; watches; cameras and camera equipment; digital or electronic equipment; and furs - a $250 per article limit applies to all other items.

$250 Baggage Delay

If, while on your Trip, your Baggage is delayed for 24 hours or more, we will reimburse you up to $250 for the purchase of necessary additional clothing and personal articles. *CIE Tours Trip Cancellation Waiver Benefit is not available for groups of 15 or more.

Reserve the Taste of Ireland Tour today!

RESERVING A TOUR

Please either fill out the contact form below or call us on our toll-free numbers: 1-888-771-8350 (US) or 0-808-101-4366 (UK) or +353 65 6844941 (Rest of World). A $250 nonrefundable deposit is required to reserve your tour. Please note that for all our escorted bus tours, you will be charged in US dollars.

DEPOSIT PAYMENTS

A non-refundable deposit of $250 per person, a payment in full on the airfare & a payment in full on the insurance is required for coach tours. Deposits are required within 4 days of making the reservation. Full payment is required to purchase your airline tickets.

FINAL PAYMENTS

Full payment must be made no later than 70 days prior to departure date. We accept payment by check or major credit cards. If payment is not received as scheduled, your reservation will automatically cancel and deposit payment become forfeit.

TRAVEL PROTECTION PLAN

Available for $99 or upwards per person, depending on the price of your tour. Permits you to cancel your trip for any reason at any time prior to departure up to 3 days before your scheduled departure. Within 3 days of you departure, you may only cancel for a covered reason such as illness. Under this benefit, you will be will refunded the amount of your cancellation penalty in travel certificates. You would be able to redeem these vouchers for a future trip. The balance of the refund would be made in cash. This plan also protects you and your belongings while on your trip.

LATE BOOKINGS

Tours booked between 30 & 14 days prior to departure date may incur a late fee of US$50.00 per reservation in addition to overnight delivery charges where necessary.

PARTICIPANT CANCELLATIONS

All cancellations must be advised in writing (by mail, fax or e-mail) to Authentic Ireland Travel prior to tour departure during normal business hours (9:00 am to 4:00 pm EST, Mondays through Fridays). Cancellations received within 70 days of departure date are subject to the following penalties on the land portion:

70 days or longer       Forfeiture of deposit
69 - 46 days                25% per person
45 - 8 days                 35% per person
7 - 1 days                     50% per person
On departure day       100% per person

Interested in One of Our Tours? Contact Us!

Please complete the simple form below. We will send you more detailed information about your chosen tour along with an exact price quote. Or call us now for an instant quote:

Toll-free from the US and Canada: 1-888-771-8350
Toll-free from the UK: 0808-101-4366
Rest of World: 353-65-684-4941

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