Irish Classic Dream
Let's travel to Ireland together! We've planned an excellent vacation during which we'll observe the beautiful Irish country side and learn interesting historical facts about this magical place. We'll visit quaint pubs and see classic Irish acts. We'll see indigenous wildlife and Gothic architecture. For the rest of our lives we'll treasure the memories of this fabulous vacation!
September 13 – 25, 2012
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
· Round-trip transportation from departure points in VT and NY to Logan Airport with luxurious Premier Coach
· All ground travel and airline tickets
· Welcome get–together drink
· Accommodations for 12 nights at superior first class hotels
· Sightseeing by luxury coach
· Professional tour director
· Meals: 11 dinners, 12 breakfasts, 12 lunches
· Tours of Dublin and Belfast
· Walking tours of Derry and Waterford with local guides
· Tea and scones at Triona Design
· Achill Island day tour
· Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
· Irish coffee and music session at the Marine Bar in Dungarvan
· Admissions to all of the museums and sights we’ll be seeing
· Deluxe carry-on backpack, ticket wallet, luggage tags and strap
· All local taxes, hotel service charges and porterage for one suitcase per person
*Note – accommodations for 1 night prior to trip are available at a sister hotel in Colchester at a reduced rate
DEPARTURE TIMES:
- 12:00 Rouses Point - Rouses Point Civic Center
- 12:45 St. Albans - Highgate Commons Shopping Plaza
- 1:20 p.m. Winooski - St. Stephen's Catholic Church, E. Spring St.
- 2:20 p.m. Berlin - Berlin park & ride, I-89, exit 7
- 3:20 p.m. White River Jct. - Upper Valley Lanes & Games, I-91, exit 11
DAY 1-Thursday, September 13, 2012
Today we travel to Logan International Airport in Boston where we catch our flight for the Irish Classic Dream tour. We have an evening flight, and will be served a wonderful meal on board.
DAY 2 - Friday, September 14, 2012 – Dublin Sightseeing
Today we'll start in Dublin Airport with a group transfer to our hotel between 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. At 2:00 p.m. we'll tour Dublin to see elegant Georgian townhouses, pass St. Stephen's green and cross the River Liffey to view the Famine Memorial and drive along O'Connell Street. We'll tour Dublin Castle's State Apartments where major events from Irish history and modern politics take place in the gracious chambers. In the evening you'll meet your Tour Director over a welcome drink to discuss your trip.
DAY 3 – Saturday, September 15, 2012 – St. Patrick’s Grave, and Castle Ward
Today we'll drive north to Down Cathedral to see St. Patrick's burial site, marked by a huge boulder. We'll learn about his life and times in the nearby St. Patrick Centre. We'll then visit the stately mansion of Castle Ward. This mid-Georgian mansion is an architectural curiosity of its time, built in two distinct architectural styles: Classical and Gothic. The house together with Victorian laundry, playroom and sawmill will show us how the estate worked. Afterward, we'll drive to Belfast and relax before dinner.
DAY 4 – Sunday, September 16, 2012 - Titanic Belfast & Tour
This morning a local Belfast guide will show us Victorian buildings, the imposing City Hall in Donegall Square, the Shankill and Falls Road areas and the shipyards where RMS Titanic was built in 1912. We'll visit the newly opened Titanic Belfast to learn about this ill-fated famous liner through state0of-the-art displays. The rest of the day is free. City Hall is centrally located and is near our hotel while the ornate Victorian pub, Crown Liquor Saloon , is just across the street.
DAY 5 – Monday, September 17, 2012 - Giant’s Causeway & Derry
This morning we'll drive north along the scenic route of the 'Nine Glens of Antrim', for lovely views of mountains, valleys and coastline. We'll stop at the Giant's Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity 60 million years ago, which have spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. Then , we'll continue to Derry and join a local guide for a short walking tour around the defensive walls that encircle the compact old city.
DAY 6 – Tuesday, September 18 - Atlantic Donegal & Westport
Today we'll travel through the rugged countryside of Donegal, renowned for heathery hills, sheep and the many tweeds produced from their wool. In Ardara we'll visit Triona Design to sample freshly baked scones with tea and see demonstrations of spinning and weaving. Then we'll stop in Donegal town to browse around and pause at W.B. Yeats' grave in Sligo, a region that he loved to write about. Next we'll drive to Westport and enjoy free time before dinner.
DAY 7 – Wednesday, September 19, 2012 - Achill Island & Westport House
This morning we'll travel around Clew Bay to Achill Island, joined to the mainland by bridge. We'll follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful views of steeply sloped mountains plunging int o the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. We'll see the Deserted Village; ruins of cottages abandoned during the 1840's famine. Well then visit the stately Westport House, designed by Richard Cassels in 1731. The mansion overlooks Clew Bay and contains a wealth of interesting portraits, furniture, silver and porcelain.
DAY 8 – Thursday, September 20, 2012 - Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Banquet
Today we’ll travel through Maam Cross in the heart of Connemara and visit the Connemara Marble Factory. We'll stop in Galway and drive through the Burren to view the huge boulders of the Poulnabrone Dolmen. We'll walk along the majestic Cliffs of Moher, which rise 700 feet above the Atlantic. At Bunratty we'll check into our hotel, right beside 15th century Bunratty Castle, the Bunratty Folk Park and Durty Nelly's Pub. We'll then head to Bunratty Castle for a jolly medieval-style dinner where the lords and ladies will serenade us.
DAY 9 – Friday, September 21, 2012 - Flying Boat Museum & Dingle Peninsula
Today we'll drive through the outskirts of Limerick and alongside the River Shannon, where we'll visit the Foynes Flying Boat Museum. During the 1930's and early 1940's , aircraft landed on the RIver Shannon, and the museum's memorabilia recreates this era. We'll journey into County Kerry and along the Dingle Peninsula for glorious scenic views. We'll then stop in the town of Dingle before going up the Connor Pass for more panoramas. Then we'll head to our hotel in Killarney.
DAY 10 – Saturday, September 22, 2012 - Killarney & Jaunting Car Ride
Today we'll take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride to Ross Castle for views of Lough Leane, Killarney's largest lake. We'll drive to the delightful town of Kenmare where brightly painted buildings are enhanced with flowers. We'll enjoy spectacular mountain scenery at Moll's Gap and continue along part of the Ring of Kerry, pausing at Ladies' View. We'll then return to Killarney where we relax or go shopping before dinner.
DAY 11 – Sunday, September 23, 2012 – Cobh Heritage Centre
WE'll travel through the mountains of Kerry today, and make a brief stop at the Blarney Woolen Mills. Next we'll visit Cobh Heritage Centre, located in the old train station through which all emigrants passed. Displays show the many hardships that people endured in the search for a better life. We'll drive to Dungarvan to the Marine Bar for a creamy Irish coffee and an informal traditional music session. We'll then continue to Waterford, check into our hotel and join a local guide for a stroll around the historic city.
DAY 12 – Monday, September 24, 2012 – Waterford & Taylor’s Three Rock Pub
This morning we'll visit the House of Waterford Crystal to see how molten glass is blown into shapes before being cut by hand by experts, and we'll view priceless trophies. We'll stop in Kilkenny for a look around the prosperous medieval trading city, and we'll visit the Irish National Stud to learn about the valuable horse breeding industry. In Dublin, this evening's destination is Taylor's Three Rock Pub for dinner with traditional Irish songs and intricate step dancing.
DAY 13 – Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Today we’ll head home with memories of Ireland to treasure forever.
