Ireland - Celtic Christianity

Transcription

1 17 DAY TOUR Ireland - Celtic Christianity SEPTEMBER 6 - OCTOBER 1, 017 TOUR HOSTS: FEATURING: DUBLIN POWERSCOURT GLENDALOUGH NEW ROSS WATERFORD CASHEL CORK BLARNEY KILLARNEY RING OF KERRY CLIFFS OF MOHER CONNEMARA SLIGO ENNISKILLEN OMAGH DERRY GIANT'S CAUSEWAY BELFAST ARMAGH DOWNPATRICK

2 Ireland - Celtic Christianity Discover Ireland - the Emerald Isle and land of forty shades of green. Uncover its amazing ancient history, Celtic Christianity, holy saints such as Patrick, Brigid, Kevin and Columba, and scholarly wordsmiths such as Yeats. See the mystic beauty of rugged coastlines and rolling pastoral countryside. Enjoy the hospitality of a people who, wherever you meet them will begin a warm conversation and offer Céad míle fáilte a hundred thousand welcomes. Ring of Kerry 3 = overnights = first overnight = last overnight Kylemore Abbey Clifden Cliffs of Moher Galway 1 Sligo Enniskillen Cashel Killarney Blarney Cobh Cork Derry IRELAND Omagh Monasterboice Dublin Powerscourt Glendalough Giants Causeway Armagh Belfast 3 1 New Ross Waterford Downpatrick TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 Day 1 Departure Day Today we meet at the airport to begin our journey to Ireland where history presents itself everywhere, and the passing landscapes are postcard perfect. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 D Day Arrive Dublin On arrival in Dublin we will be met by our Irish host and taken on a short tour of the city. We'll visit the Guinness Storehouse, Ireland's number one visitor attraction, providing an unforgettable welcome and a magical journey into the heart of the world famous company, as well as a visit to the "Gravity Bar" for a pint and one of the best views of Dublin city centre. Then we check in to our hotel where we can freshen up before dinner. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 BLD Day 3 Exploring Dublin This morning, our Dublin sightseeing continues to statute-lined O Connell Street, and the General Post Office - scene of the 1916 Easter uprising. We also drive around some of Dublin s elegant Georgian squares. We complete the morning with a tour of the Old Jameson Distillery where we learn the secrets of Irish Whiskey distillation and take part in a tasting! We enjoy lunch in a nearby pub, and then visit Trinity College founded by Elizabeth I - home to the famous illuminated manuscript, the Book of Kells. Next, we have time at the National Museum of Ireland with one of the greatest collections of Irish heritage, culture and natural history in the world. Our final stop today is at St. Patrick s Cathedral, associated with Dean Jonathan Swift, author of 'Gulliver s Travels'. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 BD Day 4 Powerscourt - Glendalough - New Ross This morning we travel through the scenic Wicklow Mountains to visit Powerscourt Gardens. We'll be able to stroll around the formal gardens, sweeping terraces and ornamental lakes, taking in the over two hundred varieties of trees and shrubs. Then we continue to Glendalough to visit the 6th century monastic settlement with the ruins of seven churches, and a round tower. We will plan on a brief worship service in one of the chapels while we are there. Afterwards, we travel south to New Ross where we visit the Dunbrody Emigrant Ship. The Dunbrody is a full scale replica of the original ship, built in 1845, which carried thousands of emigrants from Ireland to North America over a period of thirty years. Then we continue on to nearby Waterford where we will stay overnight. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 BD Day 5 Waterford Crystal - Cashel We start our day with a tour of Waterford featuring a visit to the Waterford Crystal Factory, where we will see the glass blown and then intricately cut right before our eyes, and then have a short time wandering through the factory store. Our next stop brings us to Cashel to visit the famous Rock of Cashel. This fortified medieval abbey was once the seat of the Kings of Munster, and is where tradition says St. Patrick baptized the King when he converted to Christianity. We then make our way back to Waterford. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 BD Day 6 Cobh - Cork - Blarney Today we travel through the fishing ports of Dungarvan and Youghal, before arriving in Cobh, which was the last glimpse of Ireland for many who embarked for the new lands from there, including those aboard the Titanic. We'll take in a dramatic multimedia presentation about Queenstown, before we visit the city of Cork. Established as a centre of learning in the 7th century by St Finbarr, it is the Republic of Ireland's second largest city. Our travels then take us on to Blarney Castle, for the chance to kiss the Blarney Stone. Legend states gives one the gift of eloquent speech. We continue on to Killarney and check in to our hotel for two nights. MONDAY, OCTOBER BD Day 7 Ring of Kerry This morning we travel along the famous 100-mile stretch of road known as the "Ring of Kerry." This coastal road passes through Ireland's highest mountains and provides dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean breaking onto shore. On the way, we stop at the Kerry Bog Village Museum which provides an insight into how people lived and worked in Ireland in the 18th century. Later this afternoon we enjoy a jaunting car ride through the picturesque Muckross Estate with time to stroll through the beautiful gardens.

3 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3 BD Day 8 Cliffs of Moher - The Burrens Today we travel north to the Cliffs of Moher. This remarkable sight will leave us breathless. Don't go too close to the edge if you don't like heights, as the cliffs rise some 800 feet from the ocean below. There will be time to allow for walking along the cliffs and quiet reflection. We then continue through the strange lunar landscape of the Burren region, which is rich in archaeological remains and rare flora, before arriving in Galway. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4 BD Day 9 Connemara Tour Famous for the savage beauty of its lake and mountain scenery, today we embark on a tour of the wild and rugged Connemara region. First we visit the pretty hillside town of Clifden, then the magnificent Kylemore Abbey - a beautiful mansion in a lakeside setting against a mountainous backdrop. After lunch we continue to St. Brigit's Garden which takes us on a magical journey into the heart of Celtic heritage and mythology. The award-winning Celtic Gardens are widely regarded as one of the most spectacular in Ireland. This evening, we enjoy a four-course banquet at Dunguaire Castle, a small 17th century castle situated on the shores of Galway Bay. Here we will be entertained by the castle performers who will inspire us with the profound, the humorous, and the incisive words of writers such as Synge, Yeats, Shaw and O'Casey. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5 BD Day 10 Sligo This morning we travel north through a beautiful and unspoilt area of the country. Our first stop will be a visit to Sligo Abbey - a Dominican Friary originally founded in the mid 13th century containing a great wealth of Gothic and Renaissance carvings. Next we make a short stop at the Yeats Visitor Centre. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6 BD Day 11 Enniskillen - Omagh - Derry Today we will take a short cruise on Loch Erne to Devenish Island. As we cruise out to this 6th century monastery, we see Enniskillen Castle, the medieval seat of the Maguires. After lunch, we travel to Omagh and visit the Ulster American Folk Park. This open air museum explores the historical link between Ulster and America, focusing particularly on the lifestyle and experiences of those emigrants who sailed from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th centuries. Then it's on to our hotel in Derry. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 BD Day 1 Derry Sightseeing This morning we take a sightseeing tour of Derry city. First we have a photo stop at St. Columb Cathedral and pass by the Guildhall. Then we continue on to the Tower Museum which tells the story of Derry from prehistoric times to the present day. We complete our tour with an opportunity to walk along the Walls of Derry. The afternoon is free to relax, shop, or explore on our own. After dinner, perhaps visit a local pub to join in with the locals enjoying their popular Irish music. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8 BD Day 13 Antrim Coast - Giant's Causeway Today, as we travel along the Antrim Coast, we visit the ruins of Dunluce Castle. Then we visit the Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we will watch a short video presentation before taking a bus ride down to the actual Causeway, the rock formation that extends from Ireland to Scotland, and the home of many a great myth. Next we have an opportunity to visit Corrymeela Community in Ballycastle to learn about their work in the community regarding peace and reconciliation, and then continue on to Belfast for the night. MONDAY, OCTOBER 9 BD Day 14 Belfast - Titanic Centre Our day begins with a bus tour of Belfast, the largest and most cosmopolitan city in Northern Ireland. We'll see Belfast City Hall, the Belfast Opera Centre, and much more. We also take a ride along Falls Road to see the incredible murals. Next we visit the Waterfront area to see all the recent developments, and then spend the rest of the afternoon at the Titanic Visitors Centre. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10 BD Day 15 Armagh - Free Time This morning we take a short ride outside Belfast to Armagh, which is a very special place with a wonderful history, and is known as the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland, where the Roman Catholic and Anglican Archbishops reside. Here we visit the Centre for Celtic Spirituality. The Centre's aims are, to share the ancient heritage of Celtic Spirituality, Armagh and Ireland with the rest of the world; to inspire others of all faiths and none on their spiritual journey, through the power of Celtic Spirituality, and to bring together Christian churches in a spirit of peace, respect and understanding. We then return to Belfast, where we have the rest of the afternoon to do as we choose, shop, explore or just relax. Tonight we enjoy a special dinner with Irish food and entertainment. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11 BD Day 16 Downpatrick - Monasterboice - Dublin Our day starts with a short drive to Downpatrick, where it is said we will see the graves of not only St. Patrick, but also St. Brigid and St. Columba. We'll also visit the St. Patrick Centre. Our travels then take us south, stopping at Monasterboice where we see the finest preserved Celtic Crosses in all of Ireland. The Boyne Valley is the site of the famous megalithic passage tombs of Knowth and Newgrange (WHS) which were built over 5000 years ago, before Stonehenge and the pyramids of Egypt. At the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre we learn more about these sites from the interactive exhibits and audio-visual presentation, after which we visit one of the ancient tombs. Tonight we will gather at the hotel to toast the success of the tour at our farewell dinner. TOUR ACTIVITY LEVEL Active THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1 B Day 17 Return Home This morning we are taken to the airport for our flight home, excited that we can soon tell all our friends and family about our wonderful trip to the Island of Saints and Scholars. Able to walk 4 km on uneven surfaces such as cobblestone streets and be able to climb stairs or steep inclines unassisted. SPECIAL INCLUSIONS TOUR HOSTS Fish Creek Blvd SW Calgary, AB TY 0L1 Home: (403) Cell: (403) bkmutlow@shaw.ca PRICES Calgary $6995 Prices from other cities available upon request. Prices are per person based on double occupancy. The supplement for a single room is $950. This tour is not subject to GST/HST. PRICE INCLUDES Return economy class airfare Current airline taxes, fuel surcharges and airport fees Superior Tourist class and First class hotels First class motorcoach Meals as shown (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner) Professional tour guide Sightseeing tours including entrance fees A bottle of water daily Luggage handling at hotels Tipping for all included services All foreign taxes Rostad Tours travel gift Comprehensive and personalized tour documentation Not Included: Meals not shown, Beverages, Items of a personal nature, Any airline luggage fees, Increases to surcharges, taxes or fees, Insurance. SAVE UP TO $500 PER PERSON Ask us about our Early Booking and Rostad Frequent Traveller discounts Beer Tasting at Guinness Storehouse Pub lunch in Dublin Irish Banquet at Dunguaire Castle Cruise on Loch Erne to Devenish Island Traditional Irish Folklore Show

4 Tour Conditions & Information RESERVATIONS A deposit of $300 per person is required to make a reservation on this tour. This deposit is completely refundable up to 100 days prior to departure. A confirmation of your reservation will be forwarded to you after the deposit is received. FINAL PAYMENT The final payment is due no later than 100 days before departure. A reminder will be sent to passengers in advance of this date. If you are joining the tour within 100 days of departure, full payment is required. CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS For payments made by credit card, we reserve the right to have credit card charges processed by the suppliers of travel services such as the airline, cruise line, etc. If this occurs, your payment will be split between Rostad Tours and the other suppliers and will appear as separate payments on your credit card statement. SHARED & SINGLE ACCOMMODATION Passengers must indicate at the time of booking whether they want to share a room or if they prefer a single room. Your roommate, if known, should also be indicated. If you do not have a roommate we will attempt to find a suitable travelling companion to share a room with you. If you join the tour by April 9, 017 and we are unable to find a roommate, you will only be charged one-half of the single supplement. If you join the tour after April 9, 017 and we are not able to find a roommate, you will be charged the full single supplement. Triple rooms, while not recommended, can be arranged. RESERVATION CHANGES If you want to change your reservation, such as change your departure city or plan an extended stay, you must submit your request to Rostad Tours in writing via mail or (flights@rostad.com) at least 100 days prior to departure. Please note that your airfare may increase if you travel on different dates than the group or if you travel to a different city. Any subsequent changes, cancellations of extension arrangements or changes requested within 100 days of departure are subject to a service fee of $100 per person in addition to any fees charged by the various travel suppliers. TOUR PRICE Prices are based on currency levels, airfares, fuel surcharges and taxes valid as of December 1, 016. Although unlikely, we reserve the right to adjust prices if there are significant changes to any of the above elements. CANCELLATIONS Your deposit is fully refundable for any reason up to 100 days prior to departure. Cancellations after this date are subject to the following maximum cancellation charges: 99 to 61 days prior to 50% departure 60 to 31 days 75% 30 to 0 days 100% If you cancel, you will receive back all money paid towards the tour less the applicable cancellation fee. The charges apply to the base price of the tour only and do not include cancellation charges for any extra arrangements such as single supplement, accommodation upgrades, additional tours, etc. INSURANCE We recommend that all passengers buy insurance to protect themselves against any possible cancellation charges or out-of-country medical expenses. An all-inclusive policy which has cancellation, hospital/medical and baggage coverage will be offered to Alberta residents prior to making their final payment. For passengers residing outside of Alberta, we will explain how you can obtain travel insurance direct from our insurance porvider. As your deposit is fully refundable until 100 days prior to departure, you do not need to purchase insurance until that date. PASSPORTS A passport is required for all tour participants. For this tour your passport must be valid for at least three months past your intended return date. If you do not already have a passport, or if your current passport will expire within this period, apply for your new passport at least 15 days before departure. We require a copy of your passport 100 days prior to departure in order to issue your airline tickets. If you are not a Canadian citizen you are responsible to ensure you have all documentation required to enter the countries you are visiting and for your return to Canada. HEALTH REQUIREMENTS During walking tours you will likely experience uneven ground, cobblestone streets and various amounts of steps or stairs. For your enjoyment, and in fairness to your fellow passengers, you should be in good physical condition, with the ability to stand for reasonable periods of time and walk several kilometres easily. Should you feel a particular excursion may be too strenuous, you are welcome to forego the sightseeing tour and rest or explore on your own. At the time of printing, no inoculations are required for this tour. TOUR DOCUMENTS An extensive set of tour documents will be sent approximately 30 days prior to departure. Please notify our office in writing if you require any information in advance of this date. BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE Typically airlines allow you to check one suitcase free of charge but this is subject to change. In order to avoid excess baggage fees, the dimensions of your suitcase should not exceed 60 (i.e. 30 length + 0 height + 10 width) and the weight should not exceed 3 kgs. Your suitcase will be portered at all hotels but tour members are responsible for their flight bags/carry-on luggage at all times. Rostad Tours accepts no responsibility for the loss of, or damage to, any baggage or any tour member s personal belongings. ITINERARY VARIATIONS Rostad Tours reserves the right to change the itinerary of the tour due to airline schedule changes or any other circumstances beyond our control. Every effort will be made to keep the tour as close as possible to the original itinerary. TOUR MEMBERSHIP Rostad Tours reserves the right to reject any person as a tour member and to expel from the tour any person whose actions are deemed to be detrimental to the enjoyment of the tour by the other passengers. Children 6 years of age and under at the time the tour departs are considered too young to travel on tour. RESPONSIBILITY Rostad Tours Ltd. of Calgary, Alberta act as agents for the various owners or contractors providing hotels, means of transportation or other services. Issuance and acceptance of the tour documents shall be deemed to be consent to the condition that Rostad Tours Ltd. shall not become liable or responsible in any way for any personal or property loss, damage or injury, howsoever caused or arising. In the event that we are forced to cancel a tour due to insufficient registrations, Rostad Tours Ltd. s sole responsibility shall be the refund of all monies paid to Rostad Tours by the tour participant Palliser Drive SW, Calgary, AB, Canada TV 4W5 Toll Free: Phone: (403) Fax: (403) tours@rostad.com

5 PASSENGER REGISTRATION FORM Please complete this form and mail it to the Tour Host or directly To Rostad Tours If paying by credit card, you may also register by phone, fax or a pdf of this form to Rostad Tours PASSENGER INFORMATION Ireland - Celtic Christianity Departs: September 6, 017 Mutlow1709 (1): Date of Birth: 19 / / Title Last Name First Name Year/Month/Day (): Date of Birth: 19 / / Mailing Address : City/Town: Prov/State: Postal Code/Zip: Phone: Home ( ) - Work: ( ) - Type of Accommodation Requested: Twin/Double or Single Departure City: Roommate (if known): If unknown, would you like us to find you a roommate? PRIVACY: Rostad Tours is committed to respecting and protecting your privacy. The main purpose of collecting your personal information is to arrange travel products and services for you. Accordingly, personal information required for this purpose may be shared with airlines, hotels, cruise lines, travel insurance companies, tour operators and other travel-related vendors. It may also be used to provide you with information regarding future travel opportunities. We will not sell or trade your personal information with third parties. Our complete Privacy Policy is available at our website at or, if you wish, we can send you a copy via or by postal mail. PAYMENT INFORMATION Deposit Required (per person): $300x = Total: Deposit is fully refundable until June 19, 017 Payment Method: Visa Mastercard Cheque (made payable to Rostad Tours) Credit Card # Expires: / Month/Year Cardholder Name: Please note that we reserve the right to have credit card payments processed by third parties such as Cardholder Signature: airlines, cruise lines, etc. Mail with payment to either address below: Fish Creek Blvd SW Calgary, AB TY 0L1 OR Rostad Tours Palliser Drive SW Calgary, AB Canada TV 4W5