8-night Southern Highlights Tour
| Price From |
$1449 |
per person |
|
Visits:
* Dublin City * Kildare & The National Stud * Dublin/Wicklow * Waterford and Kilkenny * Cobh/Blarney/Killarney * Ring of Kerry * Shannon/USA
Ireland Bus Tour Testimonials
Tour Details:
Tour Highlights:
Escorted sightseeing by luxury motorcoach
Professional Irish Tour
Director throughout
Group Round-trip Arrival Transfer
Private Departure
Transfer
Accommodation at superior and first class hotels for four nights.
Two nights in Irish Farmhouses
Full Irish Breakfast (B) daily except morning
of arrival
Four dinners (D)
All entrance fees to
-Guinness
Storehouse
-National Stud of Ireland
-Japanese Gardens
-Dunbrody
Faminie Ship
-Walking Tour of Waterford
-Cobh Heritage
Center
Sightseeing including Dublin, Wicklow, New Ross, Kilkenny, Killarney,
Ring of Kerry
Tips for baggage handling, taxes and hotel gratuities except
gratuity to your Tour Director
Travel Documents including document holder,
luggage tags and day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Depart USA
Your trip to the beautiful Emerald Isle begins when you board your evening
flight bound for Dublin Airport (airfare not included).
Day 2: Dublin City
Upon arrival at Dublin airport, collect your luggage and proceed to the
arrivals hall. A representative will be there to meet you and arrange a transfer
to your first hotel. If your flight arrives after 12.00 noon, you will need to
transfer to the hotel at your own expense. In the afternoon, we will take a tour
of Dublin's Fair City. We will pass Trinity College, home of the Book of Kells
and St. Patrick's Cathedral. We'll pass O'Connell Street, Europe's largest
street and pass Christchurch Cathedral, and the Bank of Ireland, which is
formerly the Irish House of Parliament. If you keep a close eye on the road, you
may even spot Molly Malone wheeling her wheelbarrow! Conclude your tour with a
visit to the Guinness Storehouse, the birthplace of this famous pint, in the
heart of Dublin.
Overnight: Grand Canal Hotel or similar
Day 3: Kildare & The National Stud
After breakfast, we venture outside Dublin city to visit Ireland's National
Stud in County Kildare, home to some of Ireland's finest thoroughbreds. The
Horse Museum is where the ‘Sport of Kings' comes to life and you learn about how
horse racing is such a large part of Irish culture. We also stop to visit the
world famous Japanese Gardens created between 1906 - 1910 and located in the
1000 acre Tully estate. Tonight, you may opt to enjoy a traditional Irish dinner
accompanied by ballads, Irish dancing and song! (B)
Overnight: Grand Canal Hotel or similar
Day 4: Dublin/Wicklow
Today our drive is through County Wicklow, also known as the “Garden of
Ireland”. We will visit Glendalough, where St. Kevin founded his 6th century
monastic settlement. On then to the lovely town of Avoca, where the popular TV
series Ballykissangel was filmed. We continue via New Ross where we will visit
the Dunbrody Famine ship. Once aboard this replica Emigrant Ship you will
discover in person what life was like aboard an emigrant ship bound for America.
This evening a very warm welcome awaits you at an Irish Farmhouse. You will
spend time with your Irish hosts for 2 nights, including dinner. (B, D)
Overnight: Kilkenny Farmhouses or similar
Day 5: Waterford and Kilkenny
This morning we enjoy a historical walking tour of the Viking city of
Waterford and home of Waterford Crystal. We then continue on to Kilkenny,
Ireland's beer capital, where we enjoy some free time to explore. You can opt to
visit the Medieval Kilkenny Castle , built in 1195 and home to some of Ireland's
most famous families. Spend time exploring the drawing room, the library and the
bedrooms all decorated in 1830's splendor. We return this evening to the
farmhouse for another delicious dinner. (B, D)
Overnight: Kilkenny Farmhouses or similar
Day 6: Cobh/Blarney/Killarney
After breakfast we travel west and visit Cobh Heritage Centre, last port of
call of the fated Titanic and a historical site. On then to the village of
Blarney where we you can indulge in a little shopping at the famous Blarney
Woolen Mills. There will be time for those that opt to climb the castle steps to
kiss the Blarney Stone! We arrive into Killarney in the late afternoon and
tonight we will enjoy dinner together at the hotel. (B, D)
Overnight: Killarney Towers Hotel or similar
Day 7: Ring of Kerry
After breakfast we embark on one of Ireland most scenic drives, the Ring of
Kerry. We head along the coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula through the towns of
Glenbeigh, Cahirciveen, Waterville and Sneem. The circle is completed as our
route takes us on to “Ladies View” then back to Killarney. In the afternoon,
step back in time and opt to take a ride in a traditional horse drawn cart by
the lakes of Killarney. Return to your hotel where we will enjoy dinner. (B,
D)
Overnight: Killarney Towers Hotel or similar
Day 8: Shannon/USA
Savor one last hearty Irish breakfast before heading off to Shannon Airport
for your return flight. There will be time for Duty Free shopping at the airport
before boarding your flight. (B)