| Sample Itinerary: Food,
Drink, Music, Laughs
Day 1, October 4, Saturday: Depart the U.S. for Ireland.
Day 2, October 5, Sunday: Failte! Welcome to Ireland Arrive at Shannon Airport, meet your driver guide and drive to Doolin where you will enjoy your first Full Irish breakfast. After breakfast begin your tour of Ireland by visiting the Cliffs of Moher. The West of Ireland’s most visited natural wonder, these dramatic cliffs stand 700 feet over the Atlantic, offering views of the Aran Islands (on a clear day!). Continue north through the unique Burren region to Galway City where you will check into the Galway Great Southern Hotel for a 2-night stay. Originally a railroad hotel built in the 19th century, this elegant Galway City landmark overlooks Eyre Square in the heart of the city, offering excellent cuisine and extensive facilities, including an indoor pool. Perhaps take a walk around this exciting city. As the “cultural capital” of Ireland, Galway City is where the old world meets the new. Here you will find a long history complimented by large artistic and student communities. Enjoy the interesting galleries and shops, as well as the many excellent music pubs and entertaining street performers. Perhaps visit the towering sight of Galway Cathedral or, to give it its proper name, Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St. Nicholas. Built on the site of an old jail, this cathedral encompasses the beautiful work of many different Irish artists. This evening get better acquainted with the group at a Welcome Cocktail reception in the hotel, before enjoying fine dining. Overnight:
Galway Great Southern Hotel, Eyre Square, Galway
Day 3, October 6, Monday: Galway City & Connemara This morning you will have the option to enjoy the nature of Connemara and a good laugh while horseback riding with Willie Leahy in Connemara, western Galway, and one of its Irish speaking regions or gaeltacht, known for its wildly beautiful mountain and coastal terrain. Willie is one of Ireland’s most recognized equestrian experts and guides and makes all of his Connemara tours colorful and fun http://www.connemara-trails.com. Alternatively perhaps enjoy some free time in Galway City this morning (or a leisurely rise!). Around noon meet the driver and head west into Connemara. Drive through the Twelve Pins Mountains to Clifden, the seaside capital of Connemara. Everyone will meet for lunch in a Connemara restaurant. Later visit Kylemore Abbey, a castle-like edifice set against a dramatic mountain backdrop. In the late afternoon return to Galway where you will enjoy a gourmet dinner in one of Galway’s many fine restaurants. Overnight:
Galway Great Southern Hotel, Eyre Square, Galway
Day 4,
October 7, Tuesday: This morning depart Galway for Dublin. Arrive in Dublin and enjoy a Dublin City Tour before checking into The Clarence for a 2-night stay. Owned by Bono and The Edge from the rock group U2, The Clarence set the standards for chic design hotels in Ireland. Located in Temple Bar, Dublin’s “Left Bank”, The Clarence offers one of Dublin’s best bars, the Octagon Bar, as well as an exquisite restaurant, The Tea Room. After some rest enjoy some free time around Dublin City. Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin’s oldest Christian site, dating back to the time of St. Patrick. See the Book of Kells in Trinity College. This evening enjoy dinner at the Tea Room restaurant at the Clarence. Overnight:
The Clarence, Dublin
Day 5, October 8, Wednesday:The Pulse of Ireland This morning enjoy some free time in Dublin before enjoying a traditional Dublin pub lunch. This afternoon tour the Old Jameson Whiskey Distillery and then pay a visit to the Guinness Storehouse to see the history of Ireland’s favorite national drinks. Enjoy a freshly pulled Guinness in the sky-high lounge overlooking Dublin City. This evening experience one of Ireland’s most exciting traditional culture tours. Go on a 3-hour long Cultural Crawl around the city. A compere, of renowned character, who introduces the group to the most appealing aspects of Irish Culture, leads the tour. The Culture Crawl includes a buffet dinner, an Irish dancing display, whiskey tasting, story telling and traditional Irish music all during a pub hopping tour of Dublin’s best. Overnight:
The Clarence, Dublin
Day 6, October 9, Thursday: Gourmet Country House Cuisine Depart Dublin after breakfast and drive southeast into County Kilkenny where you will visit Kilkenny Castle. Situated on the River Nore, this Norman castle dates back to 1192, and carries with it a great deal of interesting history. Across the street from the Castle is Kilkenny Design Centre. Originally the coach house and stables for Kilkenny Castle, this building is now home to some of the best designers and craftspeople in Ireland. Continue to Arthurstown, County Wexford where you will check into Dunbrody Country House for a 1-night stay. Hiding in 200 acres of tranquil parklands, this 1830’s Georgian manor is an enchanting getaway, known for its exquisite cuisine. Upon arrival enjoy a chef demonstration given by Kevin Dundon the gourmet chef at Dunbrody Country House. This evening enjoy a gourmet country house dinner at Dunbrody. Overnight:
Dunbrody Country House, Arthurstown, Co. Wexford
Day 7, October 10, Friday: Kinsale, Ireland’s Gourmet Capital This morning continue into County Cork and visit the Old Midleton Whiskey Distillery. Have a tour of the distillery and a taste of Midleton’s prized spirit. By now you should be an expert whiskey taster! Arrive in Kinsale, best known as Ireland’s “gourmet capital”. Famous for its incredible variety and quality of cuisine, and its beautifully maintained harbor-side setting, this delightful town is popular with people from all corners of the world. Check into Acton’s Hotel for a 2-night stay. Located in landscaped gardens over looking Kinsale’s beautiful harbor and marina. The hotels intrinsic charm and ideal location make it a focal point of the town. This afternoon enjoy the events at the opening ceremony of the Kinsale Festival of Autumn Flavours, and then enjoy a harbor cruise around the marina. Later this afternoon take part in the ‘buy your Guinness, grab your oysters’ event before enjoying dinner in a local restaurant participating in the gourmet festival. Perhaps enjoy the lively scenes found at the local pubs and night clubs. Overnight:
Actons Hotel, Kinsale, Co. Cork
Day 8, October 11, Saturday:Kinsale Festival of Autumn Flavours This morning celebrate the festival with the annual parade and outdoor festivities. Around lunchtime enjoy the gourmet festival events taking place including A Taste of Kinsale and Buy your Guinness, grab your oysters. Perhaps enjoy the Harbour Cruise from idyllic Kinsale Harbour. This evening enjoy a Farewell Cocktail reception at your hotel before having dinner at a local restaurant participating in the gourmet festival. Enjoy a final night of good Irish craic (Irish for fun) in the pubs and nightclubs of Kinsale. Overnight:
Actons Hotel, Kinsale, Co. Cork Day 9, October 12, Sunday: Transfer to Shannon Airport, say good-bye to your new friend and driver today, and depart Ireland for the U.S.
Itinerary subject to change Maximum
of 20 guests per tour
Total cost based
on a shared double room: Tour Supplements: Trip Cancellation
Insurance:
Please note:
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