Are We There Yet?, LLC 5902 Columbia Ave, St. Louis, MO 63139 Phone: (314) 304-3508 Email: Info@AreWeThereYetDea.com Castles, Cathedrals, and Coastlines of Ireland Overnight in a true, historic castle! Nov 8-12, 2018 Friday, Nov 8: On our way to the Emerald Isle! Pack your bags and head to the airport for the overnight flight across the broad Atlantic. There will be meal service on the plane, and try to get some sleep we ll be in Ireland tomorrow! Saturday, Nov 9: Dublin s Fair City We arrive this morning in Dublin, the capital of Ireland. More than a quarter of the population of Ireland lives in the metro area, yet the historic city center still manages to keep some of the old world charm. We ll tour the city by foot and by coach, discovering the highlights of Dublin, from the famous Georgian doors to the whimsically named statues found throughout the city. Perhaps the most amazing site we will visit is Trinity College, Dublin, as we see the Book of Kells, a set of illuminated manuscripts of the Gospels that date back over 1200 years, painstakingly hand-copied by the monks. In addition to the words, incredible full-colored drawings and decorations are featured throughout the manuscripts, with the pigment being sourced throughout Europe, including the Mediterranean, and possibly from even further away. The volumes also provided a glimpse of life during the 9 th century, as sometimes the monks would record daily life and stories in the margins. The exhibit delves into the history of these amazing manuscripts and how they were persevered for centuries. We exit the exhibit through the Trinity College, Dublin Library, known for its amazing architecture. This evening we enjoy dinner at our hotel, the Camden Court. Located a short walk from the historic St. Stephen s Green, it is in a perfect location for those wishing to explore the city (and pubs!) on their own. (Meals on Plane, D) Sunday, Nov 10: Blarney Stone (and Shopping!) This morning, after breakfast, we depart Dublin and head southwest towards County Kerry, passing through the largest county in Ireland, County Cork. Perhaps the most visited stop in Ireland is found in County Cork, Blarney Castle. Built in the 15 th century, Blarney Castle is home to the famous Blarney Stone, which promises the gift of eloquence to any brave enough to kiss it it is currently set into the ramparts at the top of the castle, and you must lean over a hole in order to do so! For those who choose not to climb up to the top, there are lovely gardens surrounding the castle, as well as a chance for shopping at the Blarney Woolen Mills. With a large collection of Irish gifts including crystal, china and sweaters, this is a great place to do some shopping for those back home. They even ship free to the USA if you spend a certain amount, and all items shipped to the USA are not charged VAT tax. This evening we arrive in Killarney, the largest city in County Kerry. It is far smaller than Dublin, however, with a population of only 14,000! We will be here for two nights, so take the chance to unpack your suitcase and settle in! Tonight we enjoy dinner at the hotel. (B, D)
Monday, Nov 11: Beara Peninsula The Best Kept Secret in Ireland Enjoy breakfast this morning at the hotel before we head out to the Beara Peninsula, one of the hidden scenic drives of Ireland. While most people who visit Ireland only travel on the Ring of Kerry on the Iveragh Peninsula, the Beara Peninsula provides impressive views without the crowds of tourists! Straddling the border between Co. Cork and Co. Kerry, the landscape is studded with colorful rock strata and provides incredible photo opportunities, with sharp contrasts between the mountains and the water. On the way back to Killarney, we will drive a short part of the Ring of Kerry so you can see the difference before arriving in time for dinner on your own. (B) Tuesday, Nov 12: Dingle Peninsula, one of the Top 5 Best Drives in Europe This morning we head out to Dingle Peninsula, which Condé Nast listed as one of the top 5 scenic drives in Europe, beating out even the Swiss Alps! Dingle first came to fame thanks to notable resident Fungie the Dolphin. He has been living in Dingle Harbor since the 1980s, and enjoys visiting with the boats that sail the waves. Dingle is also featured in numerous Motion Pictures, serving as the location for the film Far and Away with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, as well as the more recent Star Wars films. An island off the coast called Skelige Michael once held a monastic settlement, which later served as the location for the last scene in The Force Awakens, and filming returned to the peninsula for The Last Jedi. The area is covered in what the locals refer to as Beehive Huts, a shelter of stones that resembles a beehive which the monks would have constructed for themselves. We enjoy lunch on our own back in Dingle town. A local ice cream shop known as Murphy s has become famous throughout the island, featuring locally produced flavors, including sea salt extracted right from Dingle Harbor! We arrive tonight at Dromoland Castle for our luxurious stay in a beautiful castle setting. The ancestral home of the last High King of Ireland, Brian Boru, Dromoland is a true castle, but with modern features and amenities! Bask in the elegance and enjoy dinner here this evening like lords and ladies of the manor. (B,D)
Wednesday, Nov 13: The Cliffs of Moher We bid farewell to Dromoland Castle before heading north along the Wild Atlantic Way, a scenic drive featuring spectacular views. We stop at the highest cliffs on the Atlantic, the Cliffs of Moher. Featured in the movie The Princess Bride as well as Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, the Cliffs of Moher rise up over 700 ft above the water crashing violently below. Featuring a wonderful museum exhibit describing the cliffs and the wildlife that call them home, you can also walk along the path overlooking the cliffs for spectacular views. We continue our journey to Galway, where we enjoy dinner tonight at our hotel, where we will spend the next two nights. (B, D) Thursday, Nov 14: Galway, Claddagh and Connemara This morning we begin with a journey out to the Connemara Marble Factory. Family owned and operated for generations, the Joyce family is involved in every aspect of the Marble production, from quarrying to cutting to creating the beautiful jewelry and trinkets you see on display. We ll learn about how the marble was created, and how it is one of the last truly Irish products created with 100% Irish materials. It is one of the best places to buy a special gift for loved one back home and, since they create it all the products themselves, there is no VAT tax charged! Connemara is also known for a more recent crafting tradition, Connemara Crystal. Founded in 1972, the local artisans create amazing works of art featuring Celtic designs and symbols. We get a special behind the scenes tour, learning why they decided to work in crystal as well as where they get their inspiration for their products. We ll even see a crystal cutting demonstration! While many other crystal companies in Ireland have gone out of business or been sold to foreign companies, Connemara Crystal is still 100% Irish owned. On our return to Galway we enjoy a tour of this bustling city, as well as the suburb of Claddagh, once a small fishing village located right outside the city walls. Galway is a fast-growing city, with a large population of young people, thanks to the active colleges located nearby. It is also a hub of art and culture, hosting the Galway Arts Festival each summer, which brings in visitors from around the world to experience live theatre, song, art and sculpture. Galway Cathedral is one of the last Catholic Cathedrals built in the world, and famously has an incredible amount of Connemara Marble inside. Claddagh was the oldest fishing village in Ireland and was where the native Irish lived as opposed to the Anglo-Norman city of Galway. Even until recently Claddagh was fiercely independent, electing their own King every year until the last king passed away in 1972. It is most famous, however, for the Claddagh Ring, a traditional Irish design featuring the hands, heart and crown. There are many legends and stories about the ring, and we will learn about them as we explore the city. Tonight is yours to explore the city for dinner on your own. (B)
Friday, Nov 15: Head to the farthest north of Ireland, Co. Donegal This morning after breakfast we depart Galway and continue heading along the Wild Atlantic Way. Our destination is Donegal, the northernmost county in Ireland. Part of the county stretches even further north than the 6 counties of Northern Ireland, which remain part of the UK. Along the way we will make a few stops, including the holy site of Knock. The site of where Mary appeared to 15 people in 1879, it is an internationally recognized Marian Shrine, and has been visited by 1.5 million pilgrims annually, and has welcomed guests such as Pope John Paul, II. We continue our journey through Drumcliffe in County Sligo, the final resting place of the great Irish Poet W.B. Yeats. His grave is marked with a simple headstone, inscribed with the phrase cast a cold eye on life, on death, horseman, pass by. We arrive in Donegal this evening, where we enjoy dinner at our hotel, where we will stay for the next two nights. (B, D) Saturday, Nov 16: Donegal Enjoy a tour of County Donegal, the most north-westerly county in Ireland, with scenic mountains and stunning valleys. We stop in Ardara, the center of the homespun knitting industry. See a demonstration of this craft that has been passed down through the generations at the Triona Design Center, and enjoy another great Irish invention the Irish Coffee! Invented down in Foi nnes on the River Shannon, this beverage is a great way to warm up on a November day! We traverse the Blue Stack Mountain Range, which has inspired poets, writer and painters for hundreds of years, with its collection of mountains, lakes and coastline. We return to Donegal by way of the scenic Finn Valley, and upon our return you have free time to explore Donegal. (B) Sunday, Nov 17: New Grange Today we head back towards the East Coast, but along our way we will stop at New Grange, the most famous of Ireland s Passage Tombs! Older than the pyramids, New Grange is built in such a way that, for less than a half hour on the winter solstice, the entire chamber is filled with light, and then is plunged back into darkness for the rest of the year. Learn about how this marvel was constructed and the people who built it. Note: Access to New Grange is limited - If for some reason we cannot visit, we will visit Knowth, home to other such tombs. We then head to our hotel outside of Dublin for dinner and the chance to rest up before we fly home tomorrow. Enjoy your last night in Ireland! (B, D) Monday, Nov 18: Return Home This morning, after breakfast, we head to the airport to return home to the USA. We will clear US Customs and Immigration in the Dublin Airport, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get to the gate! Thank you for traveling with us! (B)
Price includes: Round trip airfare from the US to Ireland Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation throughout the trip, with our Irish driver guide 14 Meals: (9 Breakfasts and 2 Dinners), plus meals on the plane Spend the night in a real castle, dating back to time of the last high king of Ireland, Brian Boru! Visit craftworkers at Connemara Marble, Connemara Crystal, and the Triona Design Center Take in iconic sights such as the Book of Kells, Cliffs of Moher, and Blarney Castle Enjoy scenic drives on the Wild Atlantic Way and the Dingle and Beara Pennisulas City tours of Dublin and Galway Baggage handling at hotel 2 Professional Tour Directors with you from start to finish All gratuities including local guides, drivers and waitstaff $4,390 per person, double occupancy $4,968 single occupancy Save 3% on this amazing tour! You can travel the Emerald Isle and stay in a Castle for $4,259 pp, dbl occ when you pay by check or money order! $4,259 per person, double occupancy $4,769 single occupancy Single occupancy rate includes a private room Trip cancellation insurance available at an additional charge. Please see the Travel Insured brochure available from our office. Additional Insurance can be bought if you purchase optional tours later. Make your reservations today with a $500 deposit, including Travel Insured trip cancellation and interruption insurance if desired. By purchasing Travel Insured at time of deposit, you will be covered for all pre-existing conditions as well as protected if something happens on the tour. Note: this is an estimated price, based on current airfare trends and exchange rates and is subject to change prior to final payment. We will notify you of any changes prior to final payment. Balance on tour is due August 1st, 2018 and no refunds will be given after that time except via Travel Insured Insurance. Space will be limited to 30 air tickets. After that price will be based on live air. There still may be a price increase before final payment if airline incurs a fuel surcharge. Space held for first travelers with deposit. Following this a wait list will be formed. Please send a check along with your name, address, phone number and all roommates names if you are sharing a room. *Ask about our special hotel rates at St. Louis airport hotel prior to and/or after the tour. *