Your Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Thu: Depart U.S. for Dublin
Board your aircraft and fly through the night. Relax with inflight meals and entertainment as you cross the Atlantic.

Day 2 - Fri: Viking Dublin & Whiskey Tasting
Land at Dublin Airport where you pass through immigration and customs controls. Go 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. If your flight arrives later, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm take a short panoramic tour around the ancient parts of Dublin where the Vikings first settled over 1,000 years ago. Pass St. Patrick's and Christchurch Cathedrals and visit the Old Jameson Distillery to learn about Irish whiskey production. Enjoy a sample before returning to your hotel. In the evening meet with your tour director and fellow travelers and discuss your trip over a welcome drink. The evening is free for independent dining, either in your hotel or your tour director can help with suggestions for restaurants in the area.

Day 3 - Sat: Dublin Walk & National Gallery
This morning drive around Dublin's famous Georgian squares and streets to see elegant houses with colorful doorways. Learn more about the area and history of Dublin with a special guide on a gentle stroll through one of the parks and past some of the row houses. End your morning with a tour to see works of prominent Irish artists at the National Gallery. Built in 1864, it houses a collection from the 16th to the 20th century with many 20th century Irish artists. The afternoon is at leisure to explore museums and art galleries or use your tour voucher. In the evening head to The Irish House Party for dinner and a special show with live traditional music with all-Ireland champion musicians and dancers. The music is interspersed with stories about Dublin and its unique characters. (B, D)

Day 4 - Sun: National Stud & Sheep Farm Visit
View the green countryside as you leave Dublin behind. Tour the Irish National Stud to learn about horse breeding and the pricey world of racing. See some of the magnificent animals as you walk around the stables. In the same grounds take a walk around the Japanese Gardens, laid out to represent the "Life of Man" from cradle to grave. Continue your drive south and stop at a farmhouse to sample home-made scones with tea and watch sheep dogs help their owner to round up a flock. Stop in the picturesque village of Adare to view cozy thatched cottages that line the main street and on to Killarney, famous for its scenic location. Check into your hotel for a 3-night stay and enjoy a superb dinner in the fine restaurant. (B, D)

Day 5 - Mon: Jaunting Car Ride & Ring of Kerry
Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the Killarney National Park to view Ross Castle, set on the shores of Lough Leane with the mountains forming a backdrop. Drive to the delightful town of Kenmare where traditional buildings are gaily painted and enhanced with flowers. Travel up through Moll's Gap, a wonderful vantage point on the Ring of Kerry and stop at Ladies' View. Tour Muckross House, a delightful 19th century furnished mansion on the shores of Muckross Lake while the guide tells you about the influential owners and visitors and take a walk around the charming gardens. This evening savor delicious cuisine and friendly atmosphere at award-winning Killeen House Restaurant, a few miles outside the town. (B, D)

Day 6 - Tue: Dingle Peninsula Tour
See some of the glorious scenery for which this region is renowned and made famous by such movies as "Ryan's Daughter" and "Far & Away." See the long, sandy stretches of Inch Strand and admire views across the bay to the Iveragh Peninsula. Make a brief stop in the charming town of Dingle before continuing to the westernmost tip of the peninsula. See beehive huts where early Christian monks lived and visit Gallarus Oratory, dating from the 8th century. It was built without mortar using vaulting techniques developed by Neolithic tomb-makers. On the return stop for some free time in Dingle and drive up the Conor Pass for panoramic views before returning to Killarney. Enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant once more. (B, D)

Day 7 - Wed: Cliffs of Moher & Ashford Castle
Depart Killarney and take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary on the way to visit the Cliffs of Moher, majestic walls of rock, which extend five miles along the coast. Journey through part of the Burren Country, a unique region of rounded limestone hills, where many rare wildflowers thrive in sheltered crevices. Travel into Galway for a brief tour of the city center and enjoy some free time to browse around on your own. Continue your drive north to Cong for a 2-night stay in the famous Ashford Castle Hotel. Arrive in time to explore the grounds, go riding or play some golf before dinner. Afterwards you may like to listen to some music in the Dungeon Bar. (B, D)

Day 8 - Thu: Connemara & "The Quiet Man" Walk
This morning drive through part of Connemara. This region of low hills, lakes and open bogland is impossibly harsh for farming but visually stunning. Admire sweeping views as you travel via Maam Cross and along the picturesque Inagh Valley to Leenane. This village was the location for the movie of "The Field." Embark on a catamaran cruise aboard the "Connemara Lady" around Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord. You can see remains of houses and potato patches abandoned during the 1840's Famine as well as stunning scenery of unspoiled hills. Return to the village of Cong, famous as the location for the 1952 movie of "The Quiet Man." Take a short walking tour to see some of the places that appeared in the movie and then enjoy some free time in the afternoon. (B, D)

Day 9 - Fri: Powerscourt Gardens & Farewell Dinner
This morning travel eastward across the center of Ireland to Powerscourt, a lovely area set in the Wicklow Mountains and just south of Dublin city. Check into the luxurious Ritz Carlton resort, set in the grounds of Powerscourt Estate. In the afternoon take a guided tour around Powerscourt Gardens, first laid out in 1731. See the formal Italianate section, a walled garden, fish pond, cascades, grottos and terraces. Enjoy the great location and lovely facilities of your hotel before sitting down to a farewell dinner in the Gordon Ramsay Restaurant. (B, D)

Day 10 - Sat: Depart Dublin for Home
Complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. 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, L=Lunch, D=Dinner