HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR

2-Day Dublin open-top bus tour • Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney

Afternoon Tea at Great Southern Hotel • Cliffs of Moher Cruise

Walking tour of Derry with a local guide

Sun, June 23  DEPART THE UNITED STATES

Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight

entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.

Mon, June 24  DUBLIN ARRIVAL

After landing at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities.

Transfer to your hotel, check in and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure in Dublin,

where you can choose from a wide variety of pursuits. Use your Hop on Hop off pass to

visit several places so you can get better acquainted with the city. There are also plenty

of museums of Irish interest such as the National Museum, the National Gallery or the

Writers Museum. You may also want to shop along Nassau Street, the pedestrianized

Grafton Street or Henry Street. In the evening, you are free to choose from the many

restaurants and pubs that Dublin has to offer. (No coaching or guide services today

OVERNIGHT: HYATT CENTRIC THE LIBERTIES, DUBLIN

Tue, June 25 HOP ON HOP OFF DUBLIN

Spend the day completely at leisure to relax or explore Dublin. Use the second day of

your Hop On Hop Off pass to pursue more of Dublin at your own pace. You may want

to visit the Irish Whiskey Museum, located just across the street from Trinity College.

Learn about the history of Irish whiskey and the part it plays in the global whiskey

market. Another place you may like to explore is Marsh Library, which is Ireland’s oldest

library open to the public. Finally, you could also take a stroll through Phoenix Park, the

largest walled park in Europe. The Dublin Zoo is also within the park walls along with

many areas of playing fields and recreation. Tonight, you may like to dine in one of the

city’s lively dinner venues. (No coaching or guide services today)

OVERNIGHT: HYATT CENTRIC THE LIBERTIES, DUBLIN

Wed, June 26 GLENDALOUGH VISITOR CENTRE

This morning, meet your CIE Tours driver/guide before boarding your luxury

motorcoach. Next, journey into County Wicklow and stop to visit the 6th century

monastic ruins of Glendalough. The visitor centre explains how St. Kevin founded this

settlement at a time when Christianity was burgeoning throughout Ireland. Then,

continue your drive into Waterford and stop to tour the House of Waterford Crystal.

While here, learn about glass blowing, cutting and see one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

Transfer to your hotel, check in and enjoy some free time before meeting your group in

the hotel restaurant for a delicious meal.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: GRANVILLE HOTEL, WATERFORD

Thu, June 27 BLARNEY CASTLE

Today, drive into Blarney, where you can climb the battlements of Blarney Castle and

kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Then, continue your journey into Killarney and

set off on a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the Killarney National

Park. At the end of your ride, stop to enjoy a delightful cup of afternoon tea at Great

Southern Hotel. Motor a short distance to your hotel, check in and spend the rest of the

day free for individual pursuits and dining.

OVERNIGHT: SCOTTS HOTEL, KILLARNEY

Fri, June 28 RING OF KERRY

After breakfast, set off to explore the Ring of Kerry, which consist of over 100 miles of

marvelous scenery. See some of Ireland’s highest peaks on one side of the road and a

coastline scattered with golden beaches and rocky headlands on the other. There will

also be plenty of stops to take-in the scenery and to snap photos. Head back to your

hotel in Killarney in time to dine with your group in the hotel restaurant.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: SCOTTS HOTEL, KILLARNEY

Sat, June 29 CLIFFS OF MOHER

Departing Killarney, journey into the village of Adare, famous for its attractive main

street of thatched houses and colorful gardens. Stroll through the village and take

some photos. Then, travel into Limerick for a panoramic tour of the city, which features

the sights made famous in Frank McCourt’s biography, “Angela’s Ashes.” Pass the

13th century King John’s Castle in the center of the town. This imposing fortress with

its massive walls and towers has guarded the River Shannon crossing for the past 700

years. After, continue into the town of Doolin, where you will board a ferry and set off

on a voyage of discovery along the shoreline to view the majestic Cliffs of Moher. On

a clear day, you may be able to see as far as the Kerry Mountains, Aran Islands and the

Twelve Bens of Connemara. Transfer to your hotel in Galway, check in and spend the

balance of the day free to sightsee, shop and dine on your own.

OVERNIGHT: ARDILAUN HOTEL, GALWAY

Sun, June 30 SLIGO SIGHTSEEING

This morning, drive into Sligo and embark on a panoramic tour of the principal sites of

the town. See Sligo Abbey, which was built in the 13th century and the site where Sligo

Castle once stood. Also, view The Lady Erin Monument dedicated to those who fought

during the Insurrection of 1798 along with the Sligo Railway Station, which has a

unique history of its own. Next, set off on a panoramic tour of County Donegal, which is

renowned for wool production. Along the way, stop to visit a local tweed shop for some

free time to shop their fine goods. Continue your journey into Derry, check into your

hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Tonight, you might like to dine in

one of the many traditional or modern dinner venues located within the area.

OVERNIGHT: EBRINGTON HOTEL, DERRY

Mon, July 1 DERRY SIGHTSEEING

Today, join a local guide for a walking tour to see Guildhall, St. Columb’s Cathedral,

the Diamond and the 16th century walls. Then, travel to visit the Giant’s Causeway, an

impressive area of hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago by cooling

lava, which has given rise to many legends. Continue your drive into Belfast, check into

your hotel and settle into your room. In the evening, you may like to dine in one of the

many restaurants or pubs that Belfast has to offer.

OVERNIGHT: EUROPA HOTEL, BELFAST

Tue, July 2  END OF TOUR

All too soon, your vacation in Ireland has come to its final day. Transfer to Belfast Airport in good time to check in for your flight back to the United States or to the port of Belfast to catch the ferry to  Scotland to continue your travels.

If you would rather spend more time in Belfast or take the train back to Dublin to fly out from there, that can also be arranged.