Your Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Depart U.S. for Dublin
Board your aircraft and settle down for an overnight flight across the Atlantic with inflight meal service and entertainment.

Day 2: Dublin Castle & Guinness
Arrive at Dublin Airport, reclaim your baggage and head to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall to arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. Passengers arriving later will transfer to the hotel at their own expense. At 2:00 pm a local tour guide will introduce you to Dublin's historic buildings, Georgian streets, parks and monuments. Tour Dublin Castle to learn about Ireland's history and see priceless furnishings in the dignified State Apartments. Visit the Guinness Storehouse to learn about the famous dark stout and sample a draft pint in the rooftop bar with panoramic views over Dublin. Enjoy a welcome get-together drink with your fellow travelers and the balance of the evening is free.

Day 3: Jerpoint Abbey & Medieval Kilkenny
Depart Dublin this morning and head out into the countryside to see some of the "Forty Shades of Green." Drive south to visit Jerpoint Abbey to see romantic ruins with Romanesque details and a delightful cloister arcade with unique carvings. Continue to Kilkenny, a medieval city where narrow streets still follow the centuries-old pattern while thriving shops, businesses and restaurants are firmly placed in the 21st century. You will have time to explore medieval Rothe House or the 12th century Black Abbey. Drive to your country home, meet your host family and settle in for a 2-night stay. Enjoy a home-style dinner and learn about life in rural Ireland. (B, D)

Day 4: Waterford Crystal & Irish Evening
Drive to Waterford to tour the Waterford Crystal Factory and watch skilled craftspeople create elegant masterpieces from molten glass. In the showrooms see a huge collection of tableware and trophies. Travel into the center of Waterford, a port city founded by the Vikings. Here take a short walk around the narrow and ancient streets with a local guide who will make the city's history come alive. Return to your country home to relax and in the evening head to nearby Brod Tullaroan, for a fun country-style evening. Learn about some local traditions, sports and entertainment as you enjoy a wholesome dinner followed by lively entertainment and music. (B, D)

Day 5: Titanic Tour & Blarney
Travel south, pausing for photos at the Rock of Cashel, a magnificent collection of ecclesiastical ruins perched on a rocky outcrop. Continue to Cobh, the main port for emigration from the 18th to mid-20th centuries. Take a "Titanic" walking tour to discover places, including the docks, associated with the famous liner which made its last scheduled stop in Cobh. Take a short drive to Blarney to visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which offers excellent Irish-made products. If you wish, you may climb Blarney Castle on your own to gain the "Gift of Eloquence" or take a walk around the charming village green. Drive through Macroom into the mountainous countryside of County Kerry to Killarney and check into your hotel. (B, D)

Day 6: Ring of Kerry & Muckross House
Experience highlights of Ireland's natural scenery on the Ring of Kerry tour. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks mountains and the Atlantic coast. Stop at the Gap of Dunloe to view the "Essence of Kerry," an audio visual showing many aspects of the Ring of Kerry. As you drive along, panoramic vistas change constantly and frequent stops will permit plenty of photo opportunities. Pass through Killorglin and the remote villages of Cahirciveen and Waterville at the end of the peninsula. On the return, visit Muckross House, located in the Killarney National Park, a few miles outside Killarney. Tour the mansion to see valuable furnishings and learn how wealthy Californians purchased the house as a wedding gift. (B, D)

Day 7: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Leave Killarney and take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon to visit the Cliffs of Moher, majestic walls of rock which extend five miles along the coast. The recently-opened visitor center will explain the geology and formation of the cliffs and surrounding countryside. Drive through part of the Burren, a unique region of rounded limestone hills, where rare wildflowers thrive in sheltered crevices. There are many prehistoric dolmens, large capstones erected on two uprights. Travel into the city of Galway and take a look around the city center before checking into your charming hotel, surrounded by gardens. (B, D)

Day 8: Aran Islands & Dun Aengus
Take a short ferry ride from Rossaveal to Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands. These rocky islands are renowned for the hardy islanders who maintained traditional fishing and farming methods and where the popular intricately-patterned fishermen's sweaters originated. The Irish language is still spoken widely. Take a minibus ride to Dun Aengus, a huge pre-historic fortress perched on sheer cliffs, which fall away to the Atlantic below. In Kilronan, the main town, visit the Aran Heritage Centre to learn about unique local customs before returning by ferry to the mainland. Enjoy some leisure time before dining in your hotel. (B, D)

Day 9: Clonmacnoise & Abbey Tavern
Travel to the center of Ireland to Clonmacnoise to visit the site of the monastery that St. Kieran founded in the 6th century. See elaborately-carved high crosses, round towers and picturesque ruined churches set on the banks of the River Shannon. Learn about the importance of the monastery and its siting in early Christian times. Continue your drive into the greater metropolitan region of Dublin and check into your hotel on the north side of the city. This evening drive to Howth to the popular Abbey Tavern for a hearty dinner and an evening of traditional Irish songs and step dancing - a great way to celebrate your Irish vacation. (B, D)

Day 10: Return Home from Dublin
As your hotel is convenient to Dublin Airport, a shuttle service will transfer you to the airport terminal - times will be given to you once on tour. After check-in, you'll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before U.S. Immigration pre-clearance and boarding your flight for the journey home. (B)


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