2012 - 13 Day Irish Classic Tour
Day:1
Dublin Sightseeing Start in Dublin Airport with a group transfer to your hotel between 7
Day:2
St. Patrick's Grave & Castle Ward Drive north to visit Down Cathedral to see St. Patrick's reputed burial site, marked by a huge boulder. Learn about his life and times in the nearby St. Patrick Centre. Visit the stately mansion of Castle Ward. This mid-Georgian mansion is an architectural curiosity of its time, built in two distinct architectural styles
Day:3
Titanic Belfast & Tour This morning a Belfast guide will show you Victorian buildings, the imposing City Hall in Donegall Square and the shipyards where RMS Titanic was built in 1912. Visit the newly-opened Titanic Belfast to learn about this ill-fated famous liner through state-of-the-art displays. Then the rest of the day is free. City Hall is centrally located and is near your hotel while the ornate Victorian pub, Crown Liquor Saloon, is just across the street. (B, D)
Day:4
Giant's Causeway & Derry Drive north along the scenic route of the ?Nine Glens of Antrim,? for lovely views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Stop at the Giant's Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity 60 million years ago which have spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. Continue to Derry and join a local guide for a short walking tour around the defensive walls that encircle the compact old city. (B, D)
Day:5
Atlantic Donegal & Westport Travel through the rugged countryside of Donegal, renowned for heathery hills, sheep and the many tweeds produced from their wool. In Ardara visit Triona Design to sample freshly-baked scones with tea and see demonstrations of spinning and weaving. Stop in Donegal town to browse around and pause at W. B. Yeats' Grave in Sligo, a region that he loved to write about. Drive to Westport and enjoy free time before dinner. (B, D)
Day:6
Achill Island & Westport House Travel around Clew Bay to Achill Island, joined to the mainland by bridge. Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful views of steeply-sloped mountains plunging into the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. See the Deserted Village, ruins of cottages abandoned during the 1840's Famine. Visit the stately Westport House, designed by Richard Cassels in 1731. The mansion overlooks Clew Bay and contains a wealth of interesting portraits, furniture, silver and porcelain. (B, D)
Day:7
Cliffs Of Moher & Bunratty Banquet Travel through Maam Cross in the heart of Connemara and visit the Connemara Marble Factory. Stop in Galway and drive through the Burren to view the huge boulders of the Poulnabrone Dolmen. Walk along the majestic Cliffs of Moher, which rise 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic Ocean. At Bunratty check in to your hotel, right beside 15th century Bunratty Castle, the Bunratty Folk Park and Durty Nelly's Pub. Head to Bunratty Castle for a jolly medieval-style dinner where the lords and ladies serenade you. (B, D)
Day:8
Flying Boat Museum & Dingle Peninsula Drive through the outskirts of Limerick and alongside the River Shannon to visit Foynes Flying Boat Museum. During the 1930's and early 1940's, aircraft landed on the River Shannon and the museum's memorabilia recreates this era. Journey into County Kerry and along the Dingle Peninsula for glorious scenic views. Stop in the town of Dingle before going up the Connor Pass for more panoramas. Then head to your hotel in Killarney. (B, D)
Day:9
Killarney & Jaunting Car Ride Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride to Ross Castle for views of Lough Leane, Killarney's largest lake. Drive to the delightful town of Kenmare where brightly-painted buildings are enhanced with flowers. Enjoy spectacular mountain scenery at Moll's Gap and continue along part of the Ring of Kerry, pausing at Ladies' View. Return to Killarney and relax or go shopping before dinner. (B, D)
Day:10
Cobh Heritage Centre Travel through the mountains of Kerry and make a brief stop at the Blarney Woollen Mills. Next visit Cobh Heritage Centre, located in the old train station through which all emigrants passed. Displays show the many hardships that people endured in the search for a better life. Drive to Dungarvan to the Marine Bar for a creamy Irish coffee and an informal traditional music session. Continue to Waterford, check in to your hotel and join a local guide for a stroll around the historic city. (B, D)
Day:11
Waterford Crystal & Taylor's Three Rock Pub Visit the House of Waterford Crystal to see how molten glass is blown into shapes before being cut by hand by experts and view priceless trophies. Stop in Kilkenny for a look around the prosperous medieval trading city and visit the Irish National Stud to learn about the valuable horse breeding industry. In Dublin, this evening's destination is Taylor's Three Rock Pub for dinner with traditional Irish songs and intricate step-dancing. (B, D)
Day:12
Dublin City Tour & Guinness Visit The entire day is at leisure so you may schedule sightseeing as you wish. Use your open-top bus tour voucher to explore Dublin - you may get on and off at any of the 23 stops along the route, which include Dublin's most popular attractions. Take a tour around either the Guinness Storehouse or the Old Jameson Distillery to see stout or whiskey production techniques and enjoy a drink of the finished product. (B)
Day:13
Tour Ends Dublin Airport Take a taxi transfer to Dublin Airport in good time for your flight home. (B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner>
