Your Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Depart U.S. for Dublin
Depart U.S. on your overnight flight to Dublin. Sit back and enjoy inflight meal service and entertainment as you travel to Ireland.

Day 2: Dublin Arrival
Land in Dublin Airport in the morning and head to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Lobby. 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. Your newly-restored Victorian hotel is located a few miles south of Dublin city, overlooking Dublin Bay. Enjoy some free time to rest after your journey or you may like to browse around Dublin on your own. In the evening meet your tour director for a welcome drink and discuss the tour itinerary.

Day 3: Dublin Castle & Merry Ploughboy Pub
Take a morning tour around central Dublin, renowned for its rows of graceful Georgian townhouses with their colorful doors. Also see government and historic buildings such as Trinity College, where the Book of Kells is housed; the Bank of Ireland, built in the 18th century to house the Parliament; and Leinster House, where both houses of today’s government convene. Tour Dublin Castle’s elegantly furnished State Apartments, where many important events have taken place and are now used for government functions. The afternoon is free for browsing or further sightseeing on your own. In the evening head to the Merry Ploughboy Pub where dinner is followed by a great show with lively music and intricate step-dancing. (B, D)

Day 4: National Stud & Japanese Gardens
Depart Dublin and visit the National Stud and Japanese Gardens in Kildare. Horseracing is very popular in Ireland and breeding is a lucrative international business. Learn about this industry at the National Stud and see some of the magnificent horses. Take a walk around the Japanese Gardens, cleverly laid out to represent the “Life of Man” from cradle to the grave in oriental-style gardening. See a variety of landscapes as you drive south and stop for photos of the Rock of Cashel with its collection of early medieval church ruins. Continue towards the mountains of Kerry and into your delightful hotel in the center of Killarney. (B, D)

Day 5: Muckross House & Kenmare
Just outside Killarney tour the gracious 19th century Muckross House, which is set on the shores of Muckross Lake and surrounded by fine gardens. Learn about the history of the previous owners, including Californians, and see elegant rooms with richly crafted period furnishings. Drive to the delightful town of Kenmare where traditional buildings are gaily painted and enhanced with flowers. Travel through Moll’s Gap, a wonderful vantage point on the Ring of Kerry and stop at Ladies’ View before returning to Killarney. (B, D)

Day 6: "Titanic" Walk & Waterford Crystal
Travel through the mountainous country of West Cork and through the outskirts of Cork city to Cobh, the port town which was the last scheduled stopping place for the "Titanic". Take a brief walk with a local guide to see places associated with that fateful journey. Drive along the south coast via Youghal to visit the Waterford Crystal Factory where skilled craftspeople create this famous crystal from molten glass. Watch as the glass goes through the many stages of cutting and polishing to become a shimmering masterpiece. See the vast display of trophies and tableware in the showrooms. Continue to Wexford for dinner and overnight stay. (B, D)

Day 7: Ferry to Wales & Bath
It’s an early start today as you depart Wexford for a short drive to Rosslare to catch the ferry to South Wales. Journey through pleasant farming country and along the southern part of Wales, passing former coal mining valleys and the built-up areas around Cardiff. Drive across the River Severn Bridge into England to Bath. Check into your hotel, located in the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage City. You may like to take a walk around in the evening to look at the elegant buildings, which date from Regency times when this city became popular for "taking the waters". (B, D)

Day 8: Roman Baths & Stonehenge
Tour the famous spa town of Bath, popular with the Romans 2,000 years ago for its natural hot springs. It became fashionable again in the 18th century Regency period when the spacious houses of the Royal Crescent and the Circus, a circle of fine mansions, were built. Visit the wonderful Roman Baths and Pump Room, still preserved after two millennia. See the springs where the water still flows and the excavated chambers where Romans used to bathe and relax. Drive to Salisbury Plain to view the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths at Stonehenge. Learn how primitive peoples quarried and erected these huge stones and marvel at their size as you walk around to look at them. Continue your drive into London and check into your hotel near Oxford Street for a two-night stay. (B)

Day 9: London Sightseeing
Today you are on your own so that you may opt to join your open-top sightseeing bus tour whenever you wish. Stops at all of London’s famous landmarks are included on the route - Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, Piccadilly Circus and many more. You may get off wherever you wish, then just join a later bus and continue to the next place that interests you. (CB)

Day 10: Depart for Home
As today is departure day, travel to Heathrow Airport or Gatwick Airport by independent coach transfer. Allow plenty of time for check-in formalities. (CB)


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