|
Emerald Supreme
Deluxe & Castle Hotels: 13 Day Coach Tour
Exclusive capacity of 26
persons
Tour
Highlights:
Ireland’s
Best Deluxe & Castle Hotels
Prize-Winning Dromoland &
Ashford Castles
Special Dining Experiences
Ring of Kerry Tour
Catamaran Cruise in
Connemara
Slieve League Sea Cliffs
Giant’s Causeway
Opportunities for Golf & Spa Treatments
Day 1: Georgian Dublin & National
Gallery
Land at Dublin Airport
where you pass through immigration and customs controls. 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 is located in the heart
of Georgian Dublin. At 3:00 pm take a leisurely walking tour with a local
guide to learn about the development of elegant Georgian mansions 200 years
ago. Walk through the lovely gardens of Merrion Square
and into the National
Gallery, which features centuries of European collections and
many Irish artists. In the evening meet your tour director and fellow travellers for a welcome drink. The evening is
free for independent dining.
Day 2: Book of Kells
& Theatre Evening
This morning drive around central Dublin’s public
buildings, colourful parks and bustling shopping
streets. See the River Liffey, wide O’Connell Street,
tranquil St. Stephen’s Green, and pause at the Famine Memorial. Visit Trinity College’s
campus and the Old Library to view the priceless 8th century Book of Kells. The afternoon is at leisure and you
may use your open-top
bus tour voucher and visit Guinness or Jameson. Dine at the Cellar Restaurant
in your hotel before heading to the world-famous Abbey or Gate Theatre for a
performance. (B,D)
Day 3: Rock of Cashel
& Sheep Farm Visit
Depart Dublin and travel south to visit the Rock of Cashel, where Brian Boru
was crowned King of Munster in 977. See the 12th century highly-decorated Cormac’s Chapel, the large cruciform cathedral and
a round tower. At a nearby farmhouse sample home-made scones with tea and
watch trained dogs round up sheep. Stop in the picturesque village of Adare to view cosy thatched cottages that line the main street and on to
Killarney, famous for its scenic location. Check into your hotel and enjoy a
superb dinner in the fine restaurant. (B,D)
Day 4: Ring of Kerry & Killeen
House Restaurant
Today experience the Ring of Kerry
drive where every bend in 100 miles of road reveals breathtaking views of
mountains and Atlantic Ocean. You will have
stops to admire or photograph scenic vistas. At the tip of the peninsula
visit the Skellig Experience, which shows the austere conditions of monastic life on the nearby
rocky islands. Return through the attractive village of Sneem and pause at
Moll’s Gap for panoramic views of Killarney. In the evening savour delicious cuisine and a welcoming atmosphere at
award-winning Killeen
House Restaurant, a few miles outside the town. (B,D)
Day 5: Cliffs of Moher & Dromoland
Castle
Take a ferry ride across the River
Shannon Estuary to visit the Cliffs of Moher, majestic
walls of rock, which extend five miles along the coast. Journey through part
of the Burren Country to your lovely castle hotel.
After check in you may choose to relax in the wonderful setting or take a
short drive to Bunratty
Village for an opportunity to visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
or the 200-year-pub of Durty Nelly’s. In the
evening enjoy gourmet dining in the elegant hotel setting. (B,D)
Day 6: Ennis Walking Tour & Ashford Castle
Drive to the marketing town of Ennis, a centuries-old
settlement with narrow, twisting streets. Join a local guide for a walking tour
around the main points of interest, including Ennis Friary. Travel into Galway for a brief drive through the city centre and
enjoy free time to browse around on your own. Continue north to Cong for a
2-night stay at the famous Ashford Castle Hotel. Arrive in time to explore
the grounds, go riding or play golf. In the evening drive to the nearby village of Clonbur for
an informal dinner with local entertainment at Burkes Pub. (B,D)
Day 7: Connemara
& “The Quiet Man” Walk
Travel through Connemara to admire
sweeping views along the Inagh Valley
to Leenane. This village was the location for the
movie of “The Field.” Embark on a catamaran cruise aboard the
“Connemara Lady” around Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord. As
you sip an Irish coffee, see remains of houses and potato patches abandoned
during the 1840’s Famine as well as stunning scenery. Return to Cong,
famous for the making of the 1952 movie of “The Quiet Man” and
take a short
walking tour to see movie locations. Dine in Ashford’s
lovely restaurant and afterwards listen to music in the Dungeon Bar. (B,D)
Day 8: Museum
of Country Life & Belleek China
Outside Castlebar
visit the Museum of Country Life to view
exhibits of domestic goods and a movie showing how country people lived
during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Travel through the stark landscape
of County Mayo
into County Sligo,
associated with the poet, W. B. Yeats. View his grave, situated near
the distinctive outline of Ben
Bulben Mountain. Continue to Belleek for a tour of the Belleek Pottery Factory,
founded in the mid-19th century to create employment. Your next hotel is
situated in glorious scenery a few miles outside Donegal town and is noted
for its outstanding cuisine and views. (B,D)
Day 9: Slieve
League Cliffs & Donegal
Drive to the fishing port of Killybegs and on to Teelin
to view Slieve League sea cliffs, the
highest in Europe reaching 1,972 feet. The
cliffs drop straight down to the wild Atlantic waves creating marvellous views. Enjoy coffee or tea with home-baked
scones before driving through the majestic Glengesh Pass to Ardara.
Visit Triona Design to see demonstrations of
spinning, weaving and knitting. Spend some time in Donegal town before
returning to your hotel. (B,D)
Day 10: Derry
Walk & Giant’s Causeway
Travel to Derry
for a walking
tour with a local guide to see the medieval city walls, the
Diamond and St. Columb’s Cathedral. Pause for
photos at the ruins of Dunluce
Castle before visiting the Giant’s
Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by
volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Continue south to experience
wonderful views of mountains, valleys and bays along the “Nine Glens of
Antrim.” Continue south to your hotel in the coastal resort of Newcastle at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. (B,D)
Day 11: Mount Stewart & Belfast
Visit Down Cathedral to learn about
Saint Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint, and
see his reputed burial place. Cross Strangford Lough
by ferry to explore Mount Stewart House and Gardens.
The house tour includes world-famous paintings and furnishings and the
gardens have been nominated a World Heritage Site. 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. Enjoy
a pub lunch at the ornate Victorian bar, Crown Liquor Saloon, before
returning direct to your hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 12: Battle of the Boyne & Abbey Tavern
Drive south past the Mourne Mountains to Drogheda
to visit the Battle
of the Boyne Centre. Learn about the 1690 conflict between King
William III and his father-in-law, King James II, for dominance over the
British throne and religious power in Ireland. Then travel into Dublin and check in to
your hotel once again. Enjoy a farewell dinner at the Abbey Tavern’s Loft Restaurant
in Howth and then head downstairs for a lively show
of traditional Irish songs and a display of step-dancing. (B,D)
Day 13: Depart Dublin for Home
Complimentary group transfers are
provided to Dublin
Airport to arrive at
6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon in good time to check in for your journey home.
(B)
Tour
runs
2
April – 26 November 2010
Departure
days Fridays (fortnightly only)
|
Tour Dates
|
Price
|
|
2 April > 16
April
|
$5290
|
|
30 April > 14
May
|
$5770
|
|
28 May > 17
September
|
$6155
|
|
1 October > 15
October
|
$5770
|
|
29 October > 26
November
|
$5000
|
All
rates are in Australian dollar per person twin share basis
Single
supplement $2210
YOUR
TOUR INCLUDES
• Group
transfers on arrival and departure
• Sightseeing
by luxury coach throughout
• Dublin open-top bus tour
• Visit and a
drink at Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery
• Services of
a professional Irish driver/guide
• Deluxe and
castle hotels with private bath/shower for 12 nights
• 12 full
Irish breakfasts (B)
• 11 dinners
(D) including:
- Pre-theatre dinner in Cellar Restaurant
in Dublin
- Killeen House Restaurant in Killarney
- Dinner & entertainment in Burkes Pub
in Clonbur
- Farewell dinner in the Loft Restaurant
and traditional show at the Abbey Tavern in Dublin
- 7 table d’hote
dinners
• Lunch at
the Crown Liquor Saloon in Belfast
(L)
• Welcome
get-together drink
• Walking
tour of Georgian Dublin with a local guide
• Abbey
Theatre performance
• Farmhouse
tea and scones with sheepdog display
• Ferry rides
across the River Shannon and Strangford Lough
• Walking
tours of Ennis and Derry
• Catamaran
cruise of Killary Fjord with Irish coffee
• “The
Quiet Man” walking tour of Cong
• Slieve League Sea Cliffs followed by home-baked scones
with coffee or tea
• Tour of Belfast with a local
guide
• Visits and
admissions to National Gallery, Book of Kells at
Trinity College, Rock of Cashel, Skellig Experience, Cliffs of Moher,
Ennis Friary, Museum of Country Life, W. B. Yeats’ Grave, Belleek Pottery Factory, Triona
Design, Giant’s Causeway, Down Cathedral, Mount Stewart House &
Gardens and Battle of the Boyne Centre
• Deluxe flight bag, ticket
wallet, luggage tags & strap
•
All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage
for one suitcase per person
YOUR HOTELS
Stay
at the following (or similar):
Merrion Hotel, Dublin (2 nights)
Killarney
Park Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
Dromoland Castle Hotel, Newmarket-on-Fergus (1 night)
Ashford
Castle Hotel, Cong (2 nights)
Harvey’s Point Hotel, Donegal (2 nights)
Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle
(2 nights)
Merrion Hotel, Dublin (1 night)
|
