Interest in visiting Ireland this year? Check out this itinerary and call for more information and pricing and this fully customizable trip. IRELAND SELF DRIVE – 7 DAYS Suggested Itinerary | Fully Customizable | Only available through a travel agent Tour Description Explore all the nooks and crannies of this remarkable country. Drive around the Ring of Kerry enjoying its spectacular rolling hills and soaring cliffs. On your way up the coast make sure to stop by the Cliffs of Moher, which reach a height of 702 feet tall. Shop for Irish sweaters while enjoying the festive atmosphere of Galway. Drive through the extraordinary landscapes of the Burren and the sheep strewn hills of Connemara. Be welcomed with open arms by the folks in Cork, and enjoy the local charm of Irish B&B owners. Experience the luxury of a night in a real Irish castle! Learn how the Irish produce whiskey. You can even use your vehicle to drive up to the home of long-lost relatives. Highlights and Inclusions * Accommodations: Dublin 1 night, B&B 4 nights, Bunratty Castle Hotel 1 night Breakfast daily except where noted otherwise * 5 day Automatic Car Rental with Unlimited Mileage and CDW * Private Arrival Transfers * Jameson Whiskey Distillery Tour and Premium Whiskey Tasting * Bunratty Medieval Banquet Dublin - 1 night Day 1: Arrive Dublin Arrive in Dublin and collect your bags. As you exit customs you will be met by a representative that will help you with your luggage and escort you to your hotel, where you will stay for one night. After settling in, head over to the Jameson Whiskey Distillery for a tour of the facility and a premium whiskey tasting. Use the afternoon to visit Trinity College Library where you can find The Book of Kells, a beautifully illustrated manuscript dating back to the 9th century. Then check out the Temple Bar area and enjoy a pint with the locals. JAMESON WHISKEY DISTILLERY TOUR AND PREMIUM WHISKEY TASTING - The Old Jameson Distillery offers you a window into the art of Irish whiskey making. Jameson is sold all over the world today, but its roots originate in a small distillery on Bow Street. Begin your tour with an introductory video and then experience a selection of leading brands with an expert guide, beginning with Jameson Irish Whiskey. You will also sample Jamesons 12-year-old Special Reserve as well as its 18-year-old Reserve. Compare these Jameson spirits against an international premium Scotch and a premium American whiskey. Each participant is rewarded with a Jameson Irish Whiskey Taster Certificate. Cork - 1 night Day 2: Arrive Cork After breakfast make your way back to the airport to pick up your automatic car. Adjust to driving on the left side of the road as you travel southwest to Cork. You can choose your own route, but we suggest making a few stop in areas of interest along the way. Perhaps make a stop in Kilkenny to visit the historic castle or take a walk in the many wonderful parks and gardens. You may also consider visiting the House of Waterford Crystal, where you can take a guided factory tour and purchase lovely souvenirs for your loved ones. While youre there, be sure to take an unforgettable walking tour of Waterfords rich and colorful city center. After a day of exciting sightseeing, make your way to Cork and check in to your B&B. Take the evening to relax or head into town for dinner to enjoy some of the local, traditional dishes. Killarney - 2 nights Day 3: Arrive Killarney Wake up and enjoy a wonderful breakfast before heading off for a full day of splendid sightseeing. Just five miles northwest of Cork is the village of Blarney. Near the village, standing almost 90 feet in height, youll find Blarney Castle. More than 300,000 people come annually to kiss its world-famous Blarney Stone in the hopes of gaining more eloquent speech. Another interesting place near Cork is the small seaside town of Cobh, home to The Titanic Experience. The museum is housed in the towns original White Star Line building, the site where the last 123 passengers boarded the ill-fated Titanic. The aim of the exhibition is to bring to life the experience on board and to share the highs and lows of an early 20th-century, luxury cruise liner through clever set designs, audio visual aids and interactive exhibits. After exploring Corks surroundings, proceed west to Killarney, where you will check into your B&B and have the evening at leisure. Day 4: After breakfast prepare for another day of exciting sightseeing. The most popular activity from Killarney is driving the Ring of Kerry, which is a scenic route along the coast; its beauty will amaze you. When driving along the ring you can visit The Muckross House, a mansion built in 1843, which is renowned for its beautiful landscaping. Just south of Killarney on the Ring of Kerry is Killarney National Park. Home to Ross Castle, Loch Lein and Ladies View, tourists and locals alike frequently hike this parks lovely trails. Ross Castles square medieval tower was built by the ODonoghue clan on the shores of Loch Lein the 15th century. Now restored, the castle houses a collection of 16th and 17th century oak furniture. Ross Castle is also the departure point for boat tours on Loch Lein. After a satisfying day of sightseeing youll return to your B&B in Killarney. Tonight enjoy the wide range of pubs and restaurants. Dont forget to make time to take a ride on one of Killarneys famous jaunting cars operated by local jarveys. Galway - 1 night Day 5: Arrive Galway After an early breakfast, load up the car and head north to Tarbert, where youll catch the 20-minute ferry to Killimer. Once in County Clare, continue up the scenic road to the picturesque Cliffs of Moher, one of Irelands most popular tourist attractions. From the cliffs and from atop OBriens Tower, visitors can see the Aran Islands in Galway Bay as well as the Maumturks and Twelve Pins mountain ranges to the north in County Galway. From the cliffs you should travel inland through The Burren, a rocky landscape region where you can find extraordinary stone tombs and monuments that date back as far at the Neolithic period. The easiest way to access this unique landscape is by visiting the Burren National Park. After exploring this fascinating countryside continue your journey to Galway and check in to your B&B. Bunratty - 1 night Day 6: Arive Bunratty Enjoy your final full day in Ireland as you like. Galway is known as Irelands Cultural Heart and is renowned for its vibrant lifestyle and numerous festivals, celebrations and events. If you are burnt out on beautiful countryside, get lost in the citys bustling atmosphere. Galway has a vibrant and varied musical scene, three cinema complexes and intriguing landmarks. It hosts many sporting, music, and arts events. If youre in the mood for more adventure, travel west to the district of Connemara. The main town of Connemara is Clifden, and its surrounding countryside is rich with megalithic tombs and white, fluffy sheep. After youve finished exploring County Galway, travel south to County Clare. Here you will check into the Bunratty Castle Hotel and enjoy a medieval banquet. BUNRATTY IRISH MEDIEVAL BANQUET - For over 40 years the ladies of the castle, aided and abetted by the Earls butler, have welcomed guests from the four corners of the globe to join them at the Earls banquet. You will reach the castle through the Entrance Cottage after taking a short stroll through the Folk Park to the Castle Gate. There a kilted piper will play a tune of welcome. A lively mead reception in the Great Hall will be followed by a four-course meal, served with red and white wines. Then enjoy the superb entertainment of the Bunratty Castle Entertainers, accompanied by the harp and violin. You are invited to enjoy an unforgettable evening in the splendor of this magnificent castle. Day 7: After breakfast , youll check out and proceed to Shannon Airport, where you can return your rental car. Wave goodbye to the Emerald Isle as you take off, and may the luck of the Irish smile on ye!
Posted on: Sun, 04 Jan 2015 19:33:04 +0000
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