The Wildest Rover Itinerary 8 Nights in Ireland Aug 15 th 24 th, 2017

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1 The Wildest Rover Itinerary 8 Nights in Ireland Aug 15 th 24 th, 2017 Tue Aug 15: Heading for the Emerald Isle Today we start our journey by flying across the United States and taking an overnight flight across the Atlantic Sea to Ireland. Wed Aug 16: Welcome to Ireland This morning we will land in Dublin Airport and once you have proceeded through to the arrivals area, you will be met and transferred to your first destination, Dublin, Ireland s small capital city with a huge reputation. We will take a panoramic sightseeing tour of the city to see historic buildings like the GPO (General Post Office) on O Connell Street and Trinity College, housing the Book of Kells. We will also see the vast Georgian Squares, such as Merrion Square where Oscar Wilde s house can still be found (today owned by the American College). After that introduction to Dublin, use the rest of your evening to explore the city for yourself. Consider checking out popular attractions like Guinness Storehouse, The Jameson Distillery, Phoenix Park or Trinity College. Enjoy the fantastic nightlife in Dublin tonight and take advantages of its pub-to-person ratio which is the envy of many cities. Overnight: Wynn s Hotel, Dublin Thu Aug 17 Day Tripping to Wicklow After a leisurely breakfast this morning, we will set out leave the city in favor for Co. Wicklow, known as The Garden of Ireland. Our visit here will takes us to one of Ireland s most famous attractions, Glendalough, a fascinating early Christian settlement positioned in a glaciated valley with two lakes and founded by Saint Kevin in the 6th century. Following this, we will return to Dublin where you are free to explore one of Europe s friendliest cities. Check out Kilmainham Gaol, Croke Park Stadium or St Stephens Green and spend your last night in Dublin at the cultural heart of the city, Temple Bar. This area on the south bank of the River Liffey is bursting with pubs, restaurants, galleries and great craic each and every night enjoy! Overnight: Wynn s Hotel, Dublin

2 Fri Aug 18: Next Stop Tralee Refuel on your breakfast this morning and get set to bid farewell to Dublin, in search for new adventures in Co. Kerry, known as The Kingdom and one of the most famous and beautiful of Ireland s 32 counties. On route to Tralee, we will stop by the most famed attraction in Co. Cork, or the real capital of Ireland as the locals say. We will visit famous Blarney Castle to gain the Gift of the Gab with a visit to Blarney Castle. According to Irish folklore, anyone who kisses the stone receives the ability to speak with eloquence, or The Gift of the Gab. Explore the beautiful grounds and once you have walked up an appetite for shopping, head inside the Blarney Woolen Mills - 30,000 square feet of retail space within one of Ireland s oldest and most authentic woolen mills. After an exciting day of sightseeing, we will journey to the capital town of Co. Kerry and Ireland s 7 th largest town, Tralee, which of course is the home of one of Ireland s largest and longest running festivals, Rose of Tralee International Festival. The heart of the festival is the selection of the Rose of Tralee which brings young women of Irish descent from around the world to Tralee, for a global celebration of Irish culture. The festival also includes street entertainment, carnival, live concerts, theatre, circus, markets, funfair, fireworks and parades, sure to make an action packed few days in Tralee. Tonight you have the opportunity to attend the Rose Ball (not included tickets can be purchased from Cara Group Travel). This premier event is a glittering gala event and the first official Festival engagement for the Roses. For those, not attending the Rose Ball enjoy all that Tralee has to offer from your downtown hotel. Overnight: Benners Hotel, Tralee Sat Aug 19: Local Sights & Sounds of Kerry After a leisurely breakfast this morning, we will set out to explore Kerry, famed to contain some of Ireland s most iconic scenery. Today we will enjoy a scenic day of beautiful beaches and mountains of the Dingle Peninsula dubbed one of the most beautiful place on earth. The Dingle Peninsula is one of Ireland s most rugged Peninsulas with breathtaking views and mysterious huts called clochans that line the road built by 7 th century monks. It suffered the Vikings, welcomed Hollywood and has its own famous Dolphin called Fungie. We will also stop in the small fishing town of Dingle to enjoy its eclectic

3 little fashion and jewelry shops and intimate cozy pubs an all-round very special place with great atmosphere and you may even hear Irish Gaelic being used fluently. Following this, we will return to our Tralee Hotel to enjoy the remainder of the evening as you wish. Enjoy the festival events tonight and enjoy the delightful, cozy little pubs with live music and spirited characters found across Tralee at this time of year. Overnight: Benners Hotel, Tralee Sun Aug 20: The Jewels of Kerry Once you have had your breakfast, grab your running shoes and register for the Run the Kingdom - a 10k run through the streets of Tralee combining a fantastic route with the glamour and atmosphere of the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Roses, their families, locals, first time runners and seasoned athletes are amongst the participants in this spectacular event that combines fun with serious racing! If running is not your thing, join us as we head out to Killarney National Park, renowned by many as the Jewel in Kerry s crown due to the sheer beauty of the parks, mountains, lakes, islands and flatlands and stretches right to the outskirts of the town of Killarney. A focal point of the park Muckross House and Gardens, a nineteenth century Victorian mansion is set again the stunning beauty of the National Park and close to the shores of Muckross Lake, one of Killarney s three lakes, famed worldwide for their splendor and beauty. Later, we will return to our hotel to enjoy the rest of the evening in Tralee, which has no shortage of establishments to stop for a pint and live entertainment at night. Is it really that surprising the idea for the Rose of Tralee Festival came when a group of local business people met in a local bar? Overnight: Benners Hotel, Tralee Mon Aug 21: The Mighty Cliffs Once breakfast is over, we will bid Tralee farewell in search of new adventures in eccentric Galway. Free spirited, artistic and bohemian, Galway has an ambience all of its own. From narrow streets alive with activity and Irish culture to amazing landscapes and seascapes Galway, known as The City of Tribes after the 14 family tribes that founded it, has something for everyone to enjoy

4 Before we reach Galway, we will visit the the mighty Cliffs of Moher which stand over 700 feet high at the highest point and range for over 5 miles over the Atlantic Ocean. Spectacular views are in abundance at this iconic attraction, on a clear day you can see the Aran Islands and Galway Bay as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head to the South. Later, we will make our way to our Galway Hotel for check-in and to enjoy the rest of the evening as you wish. Galway is a vibrant place, full of life and character in its people thronging its pedestrianized shopping streets or stopping for a famous bite in one of its many cafes and bars. Overnight: Park House Hotel, Galway Tue Aug 22: The Wildest West - Connemara Enjoy your Irish Breakfast this morning before we head out and tour prepare to head out and tour The Wild West of Ireland Connemara, a wild region of bog land, pristine lakes and mountains which is sparsely populated and the landscape much more open. Because the area is so remote, the Irish language and traditions have survived here and Irish is the first tongue of many of the inhabitants. We will also visit Kylemore Abbey, a Benedictine monastery founded in 1920 on the grounds of Kylemore Castle. The dramatic landscape and iconic image of a gothic castle reflected in a Connemara Lake has made Kylemore Abbey world-famous and it is now the largest tourist attraction in the west of Ireland. Following this, enjoy the remainder of your day in Galway as you please. Later, enjoy your last meal in Ireland at one of Galway s vibrant eating and drinking venues for some hearty local fare and warm Irish hospitality. Reflect on the memories, friendships and magic created during your stay in Ireland and toast to a successful trip in the Emerald Isle. Overnight: Park House Hotel, Galway Wed Aug 23: Relax & Recovery in Co. Cavan After a hearty breakfast this morning, we will bid Galway farewell as we embark on a luxurious stay in Cabra Castle in Co. Cavan, known as the 'Lake Country' as supposedly there is a lake for every day of the year (including leap years). On our way to Cavan, we will take an intriguing detour via Kilbeggan Distillery in Co. Westmeath, the home of traditional Irish whiskey & the oldest licensed distillery in Ireland. Our guided tour today will

5 reveal real artisanal Irish whiskey distilling at its finest where you can hear, smell and taste Kilbeggan Irish whiskey as it is made today. The perfect marriage of past and present makes Kilbeggan Distillery an authentic Irish experience not to be missed. Following this, we will reach Cabra Castle, the magnificent 19 th century 4 star castle which is set on 100 acres of beautifully manicured gardens and parkland. Enjoy your surroundings before meeting later to share a farewell dinner together. Reflect on the memories, friendships and magic created during your stay in Ireland and toast to a successful trip in the Emerald Isle. Dinner & Overnight: Cabra Castle, Co. Cavan Thu Aug 24: Homeward Bound Pack your bags as we head for the airport where you will board your flight for home. Carry on your photos and memories and bring a bit of the Emerald Isle home with you. The Land of One Hundred Thousand Welcomes will be expecting you again soon