There are fifty shades of green, and none of them are jaded.
It's said that Ireland, once visited, is never forgotten, and for once the blarney rings true. The Irish landscape has a mythic resonance, the country's history is almost tangible, and its people seem put on earth expressly to restore faith in humanity.
The weather may sometimes give you the impression that you're swimming through an airborne ocean, but the truly luminous greens, luxuriant wildflowers, and afternoons spent holed up in riotous pubs will more than console you for the webbed feet you'll need to grow. |
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| Day
1, Sun ARRIVE IN DUBLIN, IRELAND |
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Welcome to Ireland! Upon arrival, you are
met and transferred to your hotel (if transfer is included).
This afternoon, Spend the afternoon
relaxing or travel a short distance towards the Wicklow Mountains
and visit the beautiful 18th century Anglo-Irish Powerscourt
Gardens. This evening, get to know your fellow travelers over
a Welcome Drink at your hotel.
Note: If for some reason you cannot
locate the transfer representative, please refer to the section
entitled "Contact Information"
to contact the ground operator in the city that you are visiting
for assistance.
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| Day
2, Mon. DUBLIN |
| Comb the modern city of
Dublin for its historic roots. Glimpse Viking and medieval times
as you pass by Christ Church to St. Patrick’s Cathedral,
a legacy of religious power from the 12th century. On to the
seat of learning at the heart of Dublin – Trinity College.
Walk across the cobbled squares to the Old Library and see the
famed 8th century Book of Kells. Spend the rest of your day
exploring the city. (FB). |
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| Day
3, Tues. DUBLIN / BELFAST |
| Leaving Dublin we travel
to Belfast where you enjoy a living history tour of the city
with a local guide. You are taken through the landmarks that
have played their part in the city’s colorful development.
(FB, D). |
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| Day
4, Wed. GLENS OF ANTRIM / LETTERKENNY |
| This morning explore the
white cliffs and wide idyllic bays of North Antrim. Visit the
Giant’s Causeway and walk on top of this volcanic formation,
before continuing to Letterkenny. (FB,D). |
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| Day
5, Thu. LETTERKENNY / DERRY / LETTERKENNY |
| While in Derry,
one of the longest continuously inhabited places in Ireland,
join your local guide on a walking tour of the city walls. They
date from 1613 and make Derry the only city in Ireland completely
encircled by walls. Then visit the Ulster American Folk Park,
celebrating Ireland’s links with America. (FB,D). |
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| Day
6, Fri. LETTERKENNY / CONNEMARA |
| Stop in County Sligo,
bid your own farewell to W.B. Yeats, Ireland’s great poet,
at quiet Drumcliff churchyard where his simple tombstone reads:
"Cast a cold eye / On life, on death / Horseman, pass by!".
We visit the Victorian mansion, Clonalis House, ancestral home
of the O’Connors, and descendants of the last High Kings
of Ireland. Continue on to medieval Galway, "City of the
Tribes." Tour the city and visit impressive Galway Cathedral
before heading out to your hotel on the coast. Relax and dine
as the sun sets over beautiful Galway Bay. (FB,D). |
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| Day
7, Sat. CONNEMARA EXCURSION |
| Today you tour Connemara,
a wild land of rocky mountains, sparkling brooks, and rivers.
Stop at lakeside Kylemore Abbey, a castellated neo-Gothic mansion,
occupied today by the Irish Benedictine community of nuns who
came from Ypres after World War 1. Travel through bogland and
villages to the Connemara Marble Factory and learn of the originand
uses of the area’s splendid marble. Tonight, local entertainers
liven up the evening after dinner at your hotel. (FB,D). |
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| Day
8, Sun. GALWAY / LIMERICK |
| This morning, drop in
at Rathbaun Farm for morning coffee and meet an Irish farming
family as they carry out their everyday chores. Then travel
north across the Burren, a suddenly stark and barren landscape
dotted with extraordinary flora before continuing to the Cliffs
of Moher that rise approximately 700 feet above the pounding
Atlantic waves. Then on to Limerick. This evening why not attend
an optional farewell Medieval castle Banquet. (FB,MC) |
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| Day 9,
Mon DEPART DUBLIN |
| Today you will be transferred
to the airport for your flight back to the USA. Plan to arrive
at the airport at least 3 hours prior to allow for check-in
and security procedures. It is also recommended that you reconfirm
your flight one day prior. Take with you fond memories and images
of the beautiful scenery. (FB). |
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