Your Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Depart U.S. for Dublin
Depart your U.S. gateway city in the evening and fly through the night to Ireland to start your vacation.

Day 2: Dublin Castle & Guinness
Arrive at Dublin Airport and proceed through immigration and pick up your baggage. Go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall where personnel will arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If you arrive later than noon, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm join a local guide for a sightseeing tour of central Dublin. See the main streets, prominent public buildings and the famous Georgian houses with colorful doors. Tour Dublin Castle to view the elegantly-furnished State Apartments and discover important events that have taken place. Visit the Guinness Storehouse to learn about this popular dark brew and enjoy a creamy pint in the rooftop bar with a 360° view of central Dublin. You are free to dine independently this evening.

Day 3: 6th Century Glendalough & Waterford
This morning leave Dublin to see the delightful scenery of the Wicklow Mountains on the way to Glendalough. Learn about St. Kevin's 6th century monastery in the Glendalough Visitor Centre and walk through the site to see its round tower, church ruins and Celtic crosses. Continue to Waterford, home of the renowned handcut crystal and check into your hotel. You may spend some time looking around the city center. Sip a welcome drink with your tour group before dinner. Afterwards take a brief walking tour around the historic city center with a local guide. (B, D)

Day 4: Blarney & Lakes of Killarney
This morning tour the Waterford Crystal Factory to see skilled craftspeople blowing, cutting and polishing the crystal. Also see an amazing range of glassware and trophies in the showrooms. Glimpse farm life as you visit a farmhouse for morning tea and freshly baked scones. Drive along the south coast through Youghal and Cork to Blarney. Visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which stocks an excellent range of Irish goods all under one roof. While Blarney Castle is not included in your tour, you will have time to kiss the "Stone of Eloquence" on your own. Then journey west through rugged countryside to Killarney, widely celebrated for its setting overlooking lakes and mountains. After checking into your hotel, you may like to browse around this busy little town. (B, D)

Day 5: Ring of Kerry Tour
Experience highlights of Ireland's natural scenery on this full day tour around the Ring of Kerry. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks Mountains on one side and the Atlantic coastline on the other. Panoramic vistas change constantly and frequent stops permit plenty of photo opportunities. Start by viewing the "Essence of Kerry" audio visual show at the Gap of Dunloe and then drive through Killorglin, Cahirciveen and Waterville at the end of the peninsula. On the return pass through the colorful village of Sneem and stop at Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney. Enjoy some free time in Killarney before dinner in your hotel. (B, D)

Day 6: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Depart Killarney and travel north through the village of Listowel to Tarbert. Take a 20-minute ferry ride across the River Shannon estuary and drive along the coastline of County Clare. View the Cliffs of Moher, one of the country's most magnificent rock formations that rise to heights of almost 700 feet above the churning Atlantic swells. Pass through the Burren, an area of rocky limestone hills where a number of unique flowers thrive. This region also contains many dolmens, prehistoric monuments formed by large limestone slabs. Drive around Galway Bay before arriving at your hotel in Galway. (B, D)

Day 7: Connemara & Westport
Drive around the main sights of Galway before heading to Moycullen to visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory. This family-owned business creates specialty pieces with Irish motifs and colored crystal. Then see part of Connemara, a scenic region of misty hills, shimmering lakes and bogland. Travel via Maam Cross and Leenane to Westport, an attractive town with wide tree-lined streets and a central square. Take a look around the town to see some of the many Georgian houses and the River Carrowbeg, which flows through the center. Continue through the wild scenery of County Mayo to your hotel in Ballina. (B, D)

Day 8: Strokestown Park House & Abbey Tavern
Travel to County Leitrim to visit Strokestown Park House. There are three parts to see - the 18th century mansion with its original furnishings; the four-acre walled garden restored to look as it would have during the heyday of the estate; and the Famine Museum, which uses a combinations or original documents and images to explain the circumstances of the Great Irish Famine of the 1840s. Drive through the midland region of Ireland and check into your hotel in Malahide, on the north side of Dublin. Malahide is a charming town on the coast, which retains a village atmosphere while offering up-market shops and pubs. This evening drive to nearby Howth to the popular Abbey Tavern for a hearty dinner and an evening of entertaining traditional Irish songs and step dancing. (B, D)

Day 9: Depart for Home
For those of you booked on our 9-day, complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon.


B=Breakfast, CB=Continental Breakfast, D=Dinner