Superior & First Class Hotels - 9 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 and first class hotels with excellent meals will enhance your travel experience.
Day 1: Depart U.S. for Dublin
Welcome aboard your overnight flight to Dublin . Relax with dinner and entertainment.
Day 2: Arrive Ireland & Dublin Castle
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 tour the city center to see elegant Georgian squares with rows of
townhouses and their famous colorful doors, pass the colorful St. Stephen's
Green, see Trinity College where the priceless 8th century Book of Kells is
housed and much more. Visit Dublin Castle's State Apartments to view historical
portraits and superb furnishings. In the evening meet your fellow travelers over
a welcome drink and your tour director will assist you in choosing a charming
local restaurant to dine independently.
Day 3: 6th Century Glendalough & Traditional Music
This morning discover the Wicklow Mountains, located south of Dublin. Drive
through the lovely scenery and visit Glendalough, a 6th century monastic site
founded by St. Kevin. Learn about life in early Christian Ireland in the Visitor
Centre and walk through the ruins of the many churches and a round tower. Return
to Dun Laoghaire where the afternoon is at leisure for independent activities.
In the evening drive to a popular Dublin venue for a great dinner of Irish
specialties, which is followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs and
intricate step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 4: Downpatrick & Mount Stewart
Drive north past the Mourne Mountains to Downpatrick. Visit the St. Patrick
Centre to learn about Ireland's patron saint and see his reputed burial place in
Down Cathedral. Cross Strangford Lough by ferry to visit 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 into your
hotel in Belfast. (B, D)
Day 5: 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 drive with 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 walking tour around
the ancient city center, surrounded by the medieval city walls. (B, D)
Day 6: Donegal & Belleek China
Journey south to Ballybofey and through the scenery of the Blue Stack Mountains
to Ardara. Stop at Triona Design to see how locally-produced wool is spun and
woven. Enjoy tea and scones before driving to Donegal town. Take a guided tour
around the Belleek Pottery Factory to see craftspeople making delicate and
ornate pieces in fine china. Travel through Sligo, often referred to as "Yeats'
Country", and the rocky landscape of Mayo. Continue to Westport where your hotel
is located in the central square. (B, D)
Day 7: Achill Island Excursion & Westport
After a late breakfast travel around Clew Bay, reputed to have 365 islands, and
across the Curraun Peninsula to Achill Island, joined to the mainland by a
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 take a stroll to explore this attractive
estate town, which was laid out in 1780. (B, D)
Day 8: Cliffs Of Moher & Bunratty Banquet
Travel to Galway City and take a tour to see the main sights. Spend some time on
your own before driving through the Burren, limestone hills with unique flora
and prehistoric stone monuments. View the majestic Cliffs of Moher, a rocky wall
that rises nearly 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic Ocean. Drive to Bunratty
and check into 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 with
favorite songs. (B, D)
Day 9: Shannon to U.S.A.
Take a group transfer to nearby Shannon Airport where your tour concludes at 10:30 am. 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. If you need to arrive at Shannon Airport before 10:30 am, your tour director will coordinate an early group transfer once you are on tour. (B)
B=Breakfast, CB=Continental Breakfast, D=Dinner
Hotels on this tour
- Royal
Marine Hotel - Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin - 2 night(s)
- Europa
Hotel - Belfast City, Belfast - 1 night(s)
- City
Hotel - Derry City, Co Derry - 1 night(s)
- Hotel
Westport - Westport, Co Mayo - 2 night(s)
- Bunratty
Castle Hotel - Bunratty, Co Clare - 1 night(s)
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