Superior First Class Hotels - 8 Day Coach Tour
Concentrate on the northern part of the country with this varied program of scenic and historic attractions. Savor the natural highlights along the Antrim coastline and the mountainous scenery of Donegal and Connemara. See the spectacular natural rock formations of the Giant's Causeway. A blend of superior first class hotels with excellent meals will enhance your travel experience.
Day 1: Arrive Ireland
& Dublin Sightseeing
Arrive at Dublin Airport and arrange a 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.
At 2:00 pm you can enjoy a tour of Dublin. You will be able to visit Dublin Castle’s State Apartments where
a guide will relate events from Irish history as you walk through gracious
Georgian chambers.
In the evening enjoy a welcome drink before choosing a nearby restaurant to dine in.
Day 2: St. Patrick
Centre & Belfast
Today you will be able to drive north past the Mourne Mountains to visit Down
Cathedral and see the reputed burial place of St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron
saint. Learn all about the life of St. Patrick in the
nearby St. Patrick Centre.
Next you will visit the Stately mansion of Castle Ward then drive
to Belfast and check in to your hotel. You will have some free time to spend as you choose before dinner that evening. (B, D)
Day 3: Belfast &
Titanic Quarter
Enjoy a tour of Belfast' where you’ll see Belfast’s Victorian
buildings, the Harland and Wolff Shipyards, where the Titanic was built along with the areas of Shankill and Falls Road where the 'Troubles' took place.
A visit to Belfast’s Titanic Quarter is a must as it is newly opened for 2012, to
commemorate the 100th anniversary of the building of the famous liner. You will have some free time this evening before dinner time. (B,D)
Day 4: Giants
Causeway & Derry
Day 4 includes a drive north along the “Nine Glens of Antrim,” for lovely
views of mountains, valleys and coastline. You will enjoy a stop at the Giant's Causeway, where you will learn about the
mythical giant, Finn McCool.
Later on day 4 you will make your way to Derry and join a local guide for a
short walk around the city centre and its medieval walls and learn about the
city. (B, D)
Day 5: Donegal &
Westport
Travel through the rugged countryside of Donegal to visit
Triona design for demonstrations of spinning and knitting. Enjoy an Irish Coffee before visiting the grave of W.B Yeats.
Next you will travel through counties Sligo and Mayo to your
hotel in the centre of Westport where you will have some free time to explore
the town, which was laid out in 1780. (B, D)
Day 6: Achill Island
& Westport house
On day 6 you will enjoy a late breakfast before travelling around Clew Bay to Achill Island. Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture
wonderful views of steeply-sloped mountains plunging into the shimmering
Atlantic Ocean.
Near Slievemore see the Deserted Village, where you will find the remains of nearly 100 stone cottages abandoned around the time of the 1840’s
Famine. Return to Westport for a tour of Westport House (B, D)
Day 7: Cliffs of
Moher & Bunratty Medieval Banquet
Today you will travel to Galway City for a panoramic tour and free time.
Drive through the limestone hills of the Burren to view the Poulnabrone Dolmen,
a pre Christian burial site.
Walk along the Cliffs of Moher, a rocky
wall that rises nearly 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic Ocean. When you reach Bunratty
check in to your hotel, which is right beside the 15th century Bunratty Castle, the Bunratty Folk Park and Durty Nelly’s Pub. Later that evening head to Bunratty Castle for a jolly
medieval-style dinner where the lords and ladies serenade you. (B, D)
Day 8: Depart for
Home
Take a group transfer to Shannon Airport where your
tour concludes at 10:30 am (B)
B=Breakfast, D=Dinner
Hotels on this tour
- Conrad Hilton Hotel, Dublin (1 night)
- Hilton Hotel, Belfast (2 nights)
- City Hotel, Derry City (1 night)
- Hotel Westport, Westport (2 nights)
- Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty (1 night)
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