Wild Atlantic Way + Dublin

Transcription

1 Southwest Ireland s Wild Atlantic Way + Dublin May 16 26, 2018 County Cork: Home to gardens, famous throughout the world

2 Itinerary and Highlights Wednesday, May 16 We board our overnight flight for Ireland (Dublin Airport). Thursday, May 17 After landing in Dublin, we shuttle to the train station, and enjoy a relaxing two-and-ahalf hour ride via Irish Rail to the city of Cork in Ireland s southwest. We transfer to our comfortable van and make the short drive to Kinsale one of Ireland s most beautiful small towns. We ll drop our bags at the hotel, then enjoy a harborside tea. The day is for easing into our new digs. We ll check into the hotel as early as possible. Those who wish can walk to the Desmond Castle home of an international wine museum a sign of Kinsale s place in the grand order of all things culinary. You may also want to join an excursion around the harbor to star-shaped Charles Fort offering great views of our new geography. Dinner (on your own) and overnight at the Old Bank House, Kinsale. Kinsale s sporty harbor nestles into the estuary of the River Bandon

3 Fresh bounty from farm and sea: Kinsale is known as the culinary capital of Ireland Friday, May 18 This morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast, then we ll make the short drive to the Old Head of Kinsale. There we ll see the museum and memorial to the luxury liner, Lusitania, which sank just south of the Old Head in We ll continue our drive to Timoleague (dominated by an ancient abbey) and the Seven Heads Peninsula exploring small lanes and villages, and meeting up with lovely beaches and the sea, around many a corner. In the afternoon, we ll return to Kinsale for exploring or unwinding on your own. Overnight, the Old Bank House, Kinsale. Saturday, May 19 This morning, we ll drive to Cobh one of Ireland s most famous port-cities. Enjoy the waterfront area, and also pay a visit to The Queenstown Story a lovely new museum that chronicles Irish emigration during the hardships (famine, etc.) of the mid- and late- 19 th century. We ll also visit the nearby Fota House and Garden, before we return to Kinsale. Enjoy our last overnight in lovely Kinsale.

4 You may never leave your room! [Though there will be plenty of incentive to draw you out.] This photo features one of the bedrooms at the acclaimed Old Bank House (hotel), Kinsale. Sunday, May 20 After breakfast, we ll say goodbye to our hosts at the Old Bank House... and drive west along the Wild Atlantic Way! Noteworthy features before lunch will include the village of Rosscarbery (often pictured as a most beautiful village in Ireland), and the Drombeg Stone Circle considered one of the best Celtic stone remains in County Cork. We ll arrive at the unique Liss Ard Estate in the late morning, where we ll visit the gardens, including the one-of-a-kind Crater (explanation on location). We ll follow our inspiring encounters with a proper Afternoon Tea on the property. In the afternoon, we ll continue our drive along the Wild Atlantic Way to the village of Bantry at the head of Bantry Bay.

5 Dinner and overnight at the Seaview House, Bantry. Monday, May 21 Today, we ll enjoy a driving tour of the Beara Peninsula. Highlights will include brightly painted villages, the rugged scenic beauty of the high Caha mountains, and the otherworldly exotic gardens and follies of Garinish Island. Overnight at the Seaview House (pictured, above and below). Tuesday, May 22 This morning, we ll stay relatively close to home, visiting the exquisite Bantry House and Gardens. Afterwards, we ll explore the Mizen Peninsula driving to Mizen Head for stunning views of the cliffs and ocean (and an interesting visitors center). Return to the Seaview House for dinner and our last overnight in Cork. Wednesday, May 23 We ll enjoy breakfast, then depart along bucolic backroads toward Cork City. We ll board our comfortable train for Dublin in the early afternoon, then taxi to Staunton s on the Green our home for the next three nights.

6 Enjoy the sublime Georgian quarter around the hotel (which is located with its back to St. Stephen s Green). This evening, we ll get a greater orientation to pretty Dublin, and enjoy a dinner together. Overnight, Staunton s on the Green (pictured at right). Thursday, May 24 Today, we ll visit several top-shelf sites, close to our hotel. These will include lovely Trinity College, which houses the ancient Book of Kells (early illuminated Bible manuscript), and the National Museum of Archaeology featuring Celtic treasures, and secrets from the Irish bogs. In the afternoon, we ll visit Grafton Street and the River Liffey. Enjoy a narrated river cruise... and enjoy some of Dublin s best sights, from one or more of the lovely bridges across the Liffey. In the mid-afternoon, enjoy down time at or near the hotel. Nearby we have Iveagh Gardens, St. Stephen s Church, and the buildings of the Irish government. Overnight, Staunton s on the Green. Friday, May 25 Today, we ll explore the riveting story of Irish Home Rule as we make visits to the General Post Office (scene of the Easter Rising of 1916), and to the Kilmainham Gaol. In the afternoon, choose to spend free time as you wish, or to visit one of the lovely galleries the Chester Beatty Library, or the Douglas Hyde Gallery, or the National Gallery. We ll enjoy our final dinner and overnight in fair Dublin. Saturday, May 26 This morning, we ll shuttle to the airport for our direct flight home.

7 Trip Price: $3879 / person (double occupancy; single supplement, $900). Price includes all land transportation in Ireland (comfortable van, train, taxi), 9 nights accommodation with breakfast in superior 4-star hotels and inns, all touring, entrances, activities per the itinerary, 4 lunches and 4 dinners. Price does not include other meals, alcohol, optional activities. Our hotels: The Old Bank House, Kinsale (3 nights): The Seaview House Hotel, Bantry Bay (3 nights): Staunton s On the Green, Dublin (3 nights): Additional Photos / Trip Registration Form (registration form is the last page p. 11 of this pdf document) The Old Head of Kinsale home of the Lusitania Memorial and Museum

8 the lovely Liss Ard Estate home of the evocative Irish Sky Garden (... not pictured!) Baking... Cakes... Teas: Never too far away.

9 Traveling in Style: Up and Over the Healy Pass, Beara Peninsula; Irish Rail (below)

10 Eye-catching contrasts: the Beara Peninsula in its wild and tamer moods.

11 Trip Registration Southwest Ireland + Dublin, May 16 26, 2018 Please print and mail this registration form, along with your $750 / person deposit (check, payable to Explore Up Close), to: Explore Up Close, LLC 613 Poplar St. Spartanburg, SC Your Name: Mailing Address: Telephone: Name of person(s) traveling with you (if applicable): ; Contact information (if different from yours): Telephone: Lodging specifics (requests will be honored to the degree possible): room with two (2) beds room with one (1) bed Enclosed is my check, payable to Explore Up Close, in the amount of. Final trip payment is due on March 28, Refunds can be granted prior to that date, minus a $100 service fee and any non-refundable vendor monies (hotel and guide bookings, etc.). (864) chumley@exploreupclose.com