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Castles and Gardens Escorted Tour
Day 1 - Depart U.S. for Dublin - Welcome aboard your overnight flight to Dublin. Relax with inflight entertainment and meal service. (for optional flights from your home city - Call 1-800-633-0505 for rates). Day 2 - Carton House Hotel & Spa - Arrive in Dublin Airport, complete immigration formalities and pick up your luggage. Go to the our Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall to arrange a group transfer to your hotel at 7:00 am, 10:00 am or 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. The balance of the day is at leisure to explore the facilities of your delightful resort hotel, where the movie, "Barry Lyndon", was filmed. You may head for the spa, the golf course or walk around the spacious grounds. In the evening enjoy a welcome drink and discuss your itinerary with your tour director and fellow travelers. Afterwards dine in your hotel. (D) Day 3 - Dublin Castle & "Shindig" Evening - This morning discover the delights of central Dublin with your tour director. See major buildings, parks and, of course, Dublin’s famous Georgian doors. Stop at Dublin Castle for a guided tour around the State Apartments, dignified chambers where many historic events have been held. Visit the National Botanic Gardens to view splendid Victorian glasshouses and collections of plants. Return to your hotel or, if you prefer, stay in central Dublin. In the evening attend a "Shindig" at the Old Jameson Distillery. See whiskey-making processes as you tour the distillery before sitting down to a dinner of Irish specialties, followed by a fun entertainment program. (B, D) Day 4 - Birr Castle Gardens & Glenlo Abbey - Drive west through farming country to the center of Ireland to the heritage town of Birr. Visit Birr Castle Gardens, which offer formal gardens, the tallest box hedges in the world, hornbeam cloisters and over 1,000 different species of trees and shrubs. Also see the giant telescope which was the largest in the world when completed in the 1840’s. Drive around the main points of interest in Galway city and spend some time on your own before heading to the shores of Lough Corrib to your distinctive hotel, which was formerly an abbey. Arrive by mid-afternoon so that you can relax and enjoy the hotel’s great setting and facilities. In the evening dine in the elegant River Room Restaurant with views of Lough Corrib. (B, D) Day 5 - Connemara & Kylemore Abbey - Drive through the open countryside of Connemara to admire sweeping views of misty mountains and shimmering lakes. Explore the Inagh Valley where sheep graze freely and people hand-cut peat from the bogs. Visit the 19th century neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey, now a prestigious girls' school to see the exquisite chapel and reception rooms. Then visit the Victorian Walled Garden, restored in 2000 with a kitchen garden and a flower garden both planted to reflect the style of the late Victorian era. Continue your drive to Clifden, the "Capital" of Connemara and stop to look around the town before returning through Maam Cross to your hotel. Tonight enjoy a special dining experience in the Pullman Restaurant, luxury railroad cars built in 1927 for the Orient Express. (B, D) Day 6 - Cliffs of Moher & Killarney - Drive south through the outskirts of Galway and around Galway Bay. Travel through part of the Burren, a unique region of limestone hills, on the way to the County Clare coast to view the Cliffs of Moher. This impressive wall of rock rises almost 700 feet above the Atlantic breakers and you can see the Aran Islands on a clear day. Visit the recently-opened Visitor Centre where the geology of the region is explained. Continue your journey south to take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary and into the mountainous County Kerry. Travel to Killarney your delightful deluxe hotel, which is located at the gateway to the scenic Gap of Dunloe, a few miles outside the town. (B, D) Day 7 - Muckross House & Killarney - Drive to the market town of Kenmare where traditional buildings are brightly painted and enhanced with flowers. Drive up through Moll's Gap, a wonderful vantage point on the Ring of Kerry and stop at Ladies' View. Visit Muckross House, a delightful 19th century furnished mansion on the shores of Muckross Lake, where your guide will tell you about the influential owners and visitors. Take a walk around the charming gardens before driving to Killarney. Here travel in the traditional manner by a horse-drawn car through the Killarney National Park to Ross Castle, picturesquely set with Lough Leane and the Macgillycuddy's Reeks in the background. Take some time to look around the compact town of Killarney before returning to your hotel. You may like to stroll in the charming gardens with the castle ruins or use the health facilities before dining in the hotel restaurant. (B, D) Day 8 - Adare & Japanese Gardens - Leave your castle hotel and drive to the village of Adare, renowned for its picturesque thatched cottages and colorful gardens. Travel through the outskirts of Limerick and the midland region of Ireland to Kildare to visit the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens. Here you can learn about horse breeding and see some of the valuable animals before touring the lovely Japanese Gardens, considered the best in Europe. They were laid out in 1908 and represent the "Life of Man" through the placement of trees, shrubs and rocks in classical Japanese manner. A short drive will take you to the gracious Victorian manor house hotel set in 80 acres of gardens. Relax before sitting down to dinner with your fellow travelers in an elegant setting. (B, D) Day 9 - Depart for Home - This morning take a group transfer from Kildare to Dublin Airport where your tour concludes at 10:00 am. After check-in, you'll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before U.S. Immigration pre-clearance and boarding your flight for the journey home. If you need to arrive at Dublin Airport before 10:00 am, your tour director will arrange an early group transfer. (B) |
• Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout Ireland
Come and Experience the Warmth and Charm of Ireland!
Irish American International Tours
P.O. Box 252 * Springfield PA 19064
Tel: 610-543-0885 / Fax: 610-543-0886
Rates effective as of 15 October 2006
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