Ireland June 6-14, 2017 Book by 30 January and Save $170 per person City Countryside Coastlines Castles QC Women s Travel Group Exclusive Small Group 9 Day fully escorted tour Departing from Moline Irish Chauffeur Guide Presented by Marsha Holmes Travel LLC
Itinerary DAY 1 USA/DUBLIN : Depart from Moline and transfer to Chicago O Hare where you board your transatlantic overnight flight to Dublin Ireland. Dinner and in-flight entertainment are provided. DAY 2 DUBLIN: Welcome to Ireland! After collecting your bags, meet your private transfer and make your way to your Dublin hotel. PLEASE NOTE: Check -in at Dublin hotels is normally 2:00pm. The hotel will try to accommodate earlier arrival but this is not guaranteed. This afternoon you have a Hop-on-Hop off bus pass providing an overview of the city. You are free to explore Dublin at your own pace of with your tour manager. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner in your hotel. (D) DAY 3 DUBLIN: Today you will have a full day at leisure in Dublin. Included is a ticket for the Hop-on- Hop off bus to explore and enjoy Dublin at your own pace or with your tour manager. Suggested highlights: Book of Kells, Trinity College, Temple Bar, Guinness Storehouse, Grafton Street shopping, St. Patrick s Cathedral, Dublin Castle, National Gallery of Ireland, St Stephen s Green, Kilmainham Gaol. (B) DAY 4 DUBLIN/ GLENDALOUGH/KILKENNY: After breakfast meet with your private chauffeur/guide and weave through the Wicklow mountains to Glendalough. Learn about St. Kevin s 6th century monastery in the Glendalough Visitor Center and walk through the deep valley to view the picturesque ruins of a round tower, churches, and Celtic crosses. Continue your journey south to Kilkenny, undoubtedly Ireland s loveliest inland city. In medieval times this was a prosperous trading center and the narrow streets still follow ancient routes. Included is a visit to Kilkenny Castle, built in the 13th century and home to the powerful Butler family for almost 600 years.(b)
DAY 5 KILKENNY/CASHEL/COBH/ CORK: This morning travel south from Kilkenny towards Cork. Stop and visit the Rock of Cashel, a spectacular group of medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale including the 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century Castle and the restored Hall of the Vicars Choral. Afterwards on to County Cork for a visit to Cobh Heritage Centre. Here you will view a dramatic exhibition of the origins, history and legacy of Cobh. Cobh is situated on the southern shore in one of the world s finest natural harbors. Between 1848 and 1950, over 6 million adults and children emigrated from Ireland - over 2.5 million from Cobh, making it the single most important port of emigration in the country. Cobh was the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic. Later continue into Cork for dinner and overnight. ( B/D) DAY 6 CORK/BLARNEY/KINSALE/ KILLARNEY: Enjoy breakfast then make your way to Blarney Castle with its magical stone that gives the gift of eloquence for a kiss. There is time to stop at Blarney Woolen Mills to shop before continuing on to Kinsale. Pause for some free time to explore Kinsale, a lovely historic harbor town. Next continue on to bustling Killarney. The town on the lakes is famous for its lively pubs and open cheerful atmosphere, full of what the Irish call craic! - Gaelic for fun. (B)
DAY 7 RING OF KERRY: Travel the road that winds around the beautiful Iveragh Peninsula, better known as The Ring of Kerry. It is certainly one of the most magical places in all of Ireland. Here mountains, valleys, lakes, and sea blend into a landscape that is often breathtaking beyond words. A number of stops will allow you to marvel at the spectacular scenery: walk around the colorful village of Sneem and pause at Moll s Gap for amazing views of the Lakes of Killarney. Later return to Killarney where the rest of your day is free. (B) DAY 8 KILLARNEY/CLIFFS OF MOHER/NEWMARKET - ON- FERGUS: This morning travel to the Cliffs of Moher. Enjoy a walk along the stunning cliffs which rise 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic waves. Then on to Dromoland Castle ancestral home of the O Briens tracing their ties back to the High King of Ireland. This afternoon savor the castle grounds and choose among many activities: perhaps a stroll through lovely walled gardens, a pony and trap ride or a falconry experience. Tonight feel like royalty and celebrate your tour of the Emerald Isle with an elegant dinner in the Castle s 5 Star award winning restaurant. (B D)
DAY 9 NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS/SHANNON/USA: After breakfast, a private transfer takes you to Shannon airport for your return flight to the US. In-flight entertainment and meal are provided. Upon arrival in Chicago meet your transfer back to Moline. (B) Included Tour Price $3370 per person based upon double occupancy - Single supplement $620 - Room share may be possible - Deposit of $300 per person due upon reservation - Reservations are made on a first come first served basis - Minimum 10 passengers for tour to operate To register contact:marsha Holmes 309-517-6546 marsha@marshaholmestravel.com ** BOOK by 30 JANUARY and SAVE $170 per person Not Included - Travel Protection Insurance - Lunches/Beverages/4 Dinners - Optional entrances in Dublin and Dromoland Castle Activities Round trip transfers from Moline to Chicago O Hare Round trip airfare from Chicago to Ireland 7 Nights accommodations - 6 Nights in 4-Star Hotels and 1Night in 5-Star Castle Breakfasts each morning except day of arrival 2 three- course dinners Farewell dinner in 5 Star Dromoland Castle Private transfer from Dublin airport to Dublin hotel 2 Day Hop-on-Hop off Bus Pass in Dublin Private luxury mini-coach with professional Irish Chauffeur Guide days 4-8 Gratuity for Chauffeur/Guide Entrances to Glendalough, Kilkenny Castle, Rock of Cashel, Cobb Heritage Center, Blarney Castle, Cliffs of Moher Ring of Kerry Excursion Private transfer to Shannon airport Hotel Porterage - 1 bag