Shades of Ireland featuring Northern Ireland
| Resort: | Shades of Ireland featuring Northern Ireland |
| Operator: | |
| Destination: | Europe, Ireland, UK & Ireland, United Kingdom |
| Price From: | £1689.00 |
OverviewFrom vibrant and history-filled Dublin, across rolling green hills to the dramatic coast and onward to Belfast, experience all of the charms of Ireland on this 13-day magical tour of the Emerald Isle. Live like royalty during an overnight stay on the grounds of a castle. Visit the new House of Waterford Crystal factory. Choose from a selection of Killarneys & Derrys best restaurants with our Diners Choice program. See the Atlantic from the stunning 700-foot Cliffs of Moher. Tour the walled city of Derry. Stand on the awe-inspiring Giants Causeway. Experience the world-famous beauty of the Ring of Kerry. Have coffee and scones at a working farm. Explore Dublin with a local guide, either by foot or on a panoramic city tour its your choice! See beautiful Killarney from your seat on an Irish jaunting car. Journey to historic Blarney Castle, lean back and kiss its famous stone! ItineraryDay 1: Overnight FlightTravel to the magical Emerald Isle. Soak in the landscape of rolling hills and feel the warmth of an Irish welcome. Visit Dublin, Waterford, Killarney, Limerick and Northern Ireland as this comprehensive tour introduces Ireland’s natural beauty, rich history and most importantly, its hospitable culture. Day 2: Dublin, Ireland – Tour BeginsOpen your tour in Dublin. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for some traditional entertainment during a fun-filled Irish evening including regional cuisine. Day 3: DublinToday you decide how you want to explore Dublin. You may choose to set out with a local guide on a drive to see St. Patricks Cathedral, St. Stephans Green, Grafton Street, and the historic Phoenix Park. Or, perhaps you will choose a walking tour of the citys historic center, exploring OConnell Street, the General Post Office, and the River Liffey. Spend the remainder of your day relaxing or set out to independently explore more of charming Dublin. Day 4: Dublin – Kilkenny – WaterfordTravel to Kilkenny to explore the medieval atmosphere of this city situated on the banks of the River Nore. Then, arrive in the historic city of Waterford and visit the House of Waterford Crystal. Enjoy a fascinating factory tour and browse the retail store housing the largest collection of Waterford Crystal in the world. Complete your day with a leisurely paced walking tour of this unique city. Day 5: Waterford – Blarney Stone – KillarneyToday, journey to historic Blarney Castle and embrace the opportunity to kiss the famous Blarney Stone. Legend has it that those who kiss the stone are bestowed with the gift of eloquence. This afternoon you decide how you would like to explore charming Killarney. You may enjoy a time-honored jaunting car ride* to beautiful Muckross House; set out on a tour of this stately home and its gardens and get a glimpse into the elegant lifestyle of the Victorian gentry as you explore the perfectly restored rooms of this magnificent mansion. Or, perhaps youll choose to enjoy a scenic jaunting car ride* through Killarney National Park to Ross Castle; then, board a traditional boat* and sail through the breathtaking lakes in the company of an expert boatman known for their local knowledge and craic (amusing nature). This evening its Diners Choicetonights dinner is included and youll choose the perfect spot from a menu of Killarneys great restaurants. Day 6: Killarney – Ring of Kerry – KillarneyTravel along one of the most beautiful coastal routes in the world, the Ring of Kerry. At the Gap of Dunloe, shop for traditional Irish goods handcrafted by local artisans. Enjoy spectacular ocean scenery as you pass through picturesque villages. Continue on through rugged mountain passes into Ladies View. From this spectacular vantage point, one of Irelands finest, gaze upon the Lakes of Killarney. Later, you’ll visit a farm to witness a demonstration of the skills of the local sheepdogs. Tonight, you may use your leisure time to sample a true taste of Irish culture. Day 7: Killarney – Limerick – EnnisToday you will enjoy a leisurely morning in Killarney. Continue to Limerick where a panoramic city tour showcases King John’s Castle and the Treaty Stone. Delve into the fascinating history of the “city of the violated treaty.” Day 8: Ennis – Cliffs of Moher – Galway – Enniskillen, Northern IrelandAn exciting day awaits. Journey to the stunning 700-foot-high Cliffs of Moher for awe-inspiring views of the mighty Atlantic and the Aran Islands. Stand tall as the ocean winds blow in from half a world away. Then, travel through the vast limestone landscape of the Burren, known for its stark beauty and Neolithic tombs. Continue to Galway, where a brief city tour introduces The City of Tribes. Your day ends at the Manor House Hotel, a stunning 19th-century estate located on a secluded lakeside in the western most reaches of Northern Ireland. Day 9: Enniskillen – Donegal Town – DerryToday you take in the rugged, natural beauty of County Donegal. Stop in Donegal Town and stroll the town square, enjoying its quaint craft and woolen shops. Next, we travel to the city of Derry, famous for its turbulent political history. This afternoon, a local guide leads you on a walk through the old city, including the Craft Village, a charming 19th century Georgian square in the heart of the walled city. Tonight, its another Diners Choiceyou will choose your included dinner from a menu of Derrys great restaurants. Day 10: DerryThis morning its your choice. You may choose to journey to the Inishowen Peninsula and Malin Head; passing through Malin village, you arrive at Malin Head, Ireland’s northernmost point with its beautiful panoramic view of the North Atlantic Ocean. Or, perhaps youll choose to join a local guide to take a deeper look at Derrys rich and turbulent history and meet local experts at some of the citys museums; finish at the Museum of Free Derry, where youll meet individuals who witnessed the events of Bloody Sunday. Day 11: Derry – Giant's Causeway – Glens of Antrim – BelfastSee the most famous natural site in Northern Ireland as you visit the magnificent Giants Causeway. Formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, the causeway resembles a cobble road leading into the sea. Then, lose yourself in the natural beauty of Northern Ireland as you explore the scenic back roads of the Glens of Antrim. Day 12: Belfast – Kingscourt, IrelandGet ready for a guided tour of Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. Hear of the struggles in this great citys history as you pass through the different neighborhoods. See Samson and Goliath, the cranes at the shipyard that built the Titanic, before touring the Titanic Experience, Northern Irelands most visited attraction. Next, we are off to Kingscourt, crossing back into the Republic of Ireland. Top your day off with an overnight stay on the regal grounds of Cabra Castle where you toast the end of a fabulous trip during your farewell dinner. Day 13: Kingscourt – Tour EndsYour tour ends in Kingscourt. |
