40 Shades of Ireland 2009   (Escorted & Self-Drive)

On this short tour see the highlights of Dublin, Killarney and Shannon and enjoy some free time for shopping or pub hopping. You'll enjoy a visit and tour of Dublin Castle, kiss the Blarney Stone, travel around the Ring of Kerry and see the Cliffs of Moher. Full Irish breakfasts and dinners including a fun medieval banquet in a 15th century complete your trip. Then you set off on a self-drive program experiencing the warmth and charm of the Bed and Breakfast accommodations through Town & Country Homes and Farmhouse accommodations!

Package Includes:
• Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout the tour
• Services of a professional Irish driver/guide
• Superior & first class hotels with private bath/shower for 5 nights
• 9 Full Irish Breakfast daily (B)
• 3 dinners (D) including;
  - Dinner & traditional Irish entertainment at the Merry Ploughboy Pub
  - One table d'hote dinners in Killarney
  - Medieval banquet & entertainment at Bunratty Castle
• Dublin sightseeing tour by open-top bus
• Dublin sightseeing tour with local guide
• Visits and admissions to Dublin Castle, Blarney Castle, Blarney Woollen Mills,
   Essence of Kerry Audion Visual Show, Muckross Gardens, Cliffs of Moher, Irish National
   Stud & Japanese Gardens
• Passage on the Shannon Ferry service
• All local tax, hotel service charges & porter fees for (1) suitcase per person
• (4) day car rental, unlimited mileage, VAT tax, Vehicle as listed below or similar
• (4) nights open B&B vouchers ENSUITE (with private bath)
• Ireland Guide Booklet
• Ireland Poster Map
• Pre-departure supply of documents to plan your self-drive portion
• Deluxe Luggage tags / Ireland travel bag / document wallet

Accommodations as listed or Similar:
Dublin - The Stillorgan Park Hotel Ltd - Stillorgan, Co Dublin - 2 nights
Killarney - Killarney Towers Hotel & Leisure Centre - Killarney, Co Kerry - 2 nights
Bunratty - Bunratty Castle Hotel - Bunratty, Co Clare - 1 night
Open B&B Vouchers - Open Bed and Breakfast Vouchers Ensuite - 4 nights

Itinerary Outline:

Day 1 Mon / Wed / Fri - Flight - Depart U.S. for Dublin Welcome aboard your overnight flight to Dublin. Enjoy inflight entertainment and meals. Call 1-800-633-0505 for optional discounted airfares from your hometown. This package is a land only package round trip airfare is not included.

Day 2 Tue / Thu / Sat - Dublin Arrival & Sightseeing - Arrive at Dublin Airport, proceed through immigration and pick up your baggage. Go to our Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall where our personnel will arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If you arrive later than noon, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. Today you are free to schedule your activities as you wish. In the afternoon you may use your independent Dublin open-top bus tour pass (valid for 24 hours) to travel around Dublin's attractions and you may get off and on at any stop or stay on the bus for the complete route. As you will dine independently tonight, you may choose to head to Temple Bar or other areas in Dublin. (B)

Day 3 Wed / Fri / Sun - Dublin Tour & Merry Ploughboy Pub - This morning is at leisure for independent activities. At 2:00 pm join your tour group and a local guide who will show you around central Dublin. Drive through the main streets to see historic buildings such as Trinity College, where the Book of Kells is housed; Dail Eireann, where the government meets; and rows of Georgian houses with gaily-colored doorways. Stop at Dublin Castle to take a guided tour through the elegant State Apartments, which are filled with elaborate Waterford Crystal chandeliers and portraits of prominent Irish leaders. Return to your hotel for a get-together with your tour group and a welcome drink. In the evening drive to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for a great dinner of Irish specialties, which is followed by a show of traditional Irish songs and intricate step-dancing. (D)

Day 4 Thu / Sat / Mon - Blarney Castle & Killarney - Depart Dublin and travel through the center of Ireland, which has many mixed farms. Stop to view the stately church ruins atop the Rock of Cashel, which rises high above the surrounding plain. Continue your drive south and, just a few miles outside Cork, visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous "Stone of Eloquence." Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can find quality Irish-made goods of all types conveniently displayed under one roof. Drive through Macroom, built around a fine castle, and into County Kerry where the scenery becomes more mountainous. Arrive in Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes with Ireland's highest mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, forming a backdrop. Check into your hotel and relax before dinner. Afterwards you may like to take a stroll through the compact town center and explore one of Killarney's famous singing pubs. (B, D)

Day 5 Fri / Sun / Tue - Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience - Today embark on Ireland's most popular scenic drive of 100 miles - the Ring of Kerry. This winding route reveals breathtaking sights of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks as well as coastal views of beaches and cliffs. Just outside Killarney stop near the Gap of Dunloe to see the Essence of Kerry, an audio-visual presentation about the region. As you travel along, there will be plenty of stops for photos at the best vantage points. Drive through the villages of Cahirciveen and Waterville at the end of the peninsula and stop to walk around Sneem, where brightly-painted houses are grouped around a central green. Stop at Moll's Gap for a view over the Three Lakes of Killarney with the town in the distance. Visit the charming Muckross Gardens, set on the shores of Muckross Lake and with many fine trees and plants. Return to Killarney and enjoy a fine dinner in your hotel once again. (B, D)

Day 6 Sat / Mon / Wed - Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle - Leave Killarney and drive north to Tarbert for a 20-minute ferry ride across the wide River Shannon Estuary. Your tour continues along the Clare coast to the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of limestone that reaches to almost 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Drive past Lahinch golf links, one of Ireland's most famous, and through the marketing town of Ennis to Bunratty. Check into Bunratty Castle Hotel, which is located very close to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. In the evening head to Bunratty Castle for a memorable experience in a wonderful setting with good food and entertainment. Then take your place in the Great Hall for a medieval-style feast of excellent dishes and plenty of wine. During and after the meal the lords and ladies will serenade you with song and harp music, evocative of the Middle Ages. (B, D)

Day 7 Sun / Tue / Thu - B&B - Shannon Region This morning you will claim you vehicle to start your self-drive portion of your vacation. You can go back and visit your favorite places or venture out and explore uncharted territories. Full Irish Breakfast served daily at your B&B.;

Day 8 Mon / Wed / Fri - Self-Drive Exploring Ireland - Bed & Breakfast (B)

Day 9 Tue / Thu / Sat - Self-Drive Exploring Ireland - Bed & Breakfast (B)

Day 10 Wed / Fri / Sun - Self-Drive Exploring Ireland - Bed & Breakfast (B)

Day 11 Thu / Sat / Mon - Shannon Airport Today you return to Shannon to bid farewell to the Emerald Isle. (B)