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Itinerary

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Dublin, Ireland

 

Day 2: Arrive Dublin We arrive in the intimate, and beautiful, Irish capital today and check in at our hotel located right on St. Stephen’s Green. There’s time to refresh and relax before this evening’s welcome dinner at a local restaurant. D

Day 3: Dublin This morning’s city tour includes a visit to Trinity College, home of the stunning Book of Kells; and to St. Patrick’s, the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland. This afternoon is free to explore the busy streets of this enchanting capital as we wish. After dinner on our own this evening we gather at our hotel to embark on an informal evening walking tour (led by our tour director), passing some of the haunts and hiding places of Ireland’s beloved literary sons. B

Day 4: Dublin/Galway We leave Dublin this morning for Galway in the West, the region some consider to be the “most Irish part of Ireland.” Along the way we stop for tea and coffee at a local pub, then continue on to 6th-century Clonmacnoise, Ireland’s most important early monastic site and burial place of Rory O’Conor, the last High King of Ireland. After lunch on our own at Clonmacnoise we resume our journey, reaching Galway City this afternoon. Dinner tonight is at our hotel located in the village of Bearna just outside the city. B,D

Day 5: Galway/Aran Islands Today we embark on an excursion to Inismor, the largest of the fabled Aran Islands, whose unique culture and history has been an inspiration to artists, writers, and filmmakers. Sitting across Galway Bay in the midst of the Atlantic, the islands feature primitive stone forests, early Christian churches, and medieval castles – as well as shops, galleries, and restaurants. An islander guides our tour here, imparting local lore along the way. We stop at Dun Aenghus Fortress, the three prehistoric stone walls crowning the tallest cliffs of Inismor; have lunch in a local restaurant; and enjoy some free time before returning to the mainland and our hotel late this afternoon. During June and July we see a traditional Ragus performance of Irish music and dance from the Aran Islands. Tonight we’re free for dinner on our own. B,L

Day 6: Galway/Connemara A day of scenic highlights is in store as we travel through western County Galway in the legendary region known as Connemara, a rugged, silent landscape of mountains, glacial lakes, endless roads, and uninhabited bog lands. Our first stop is at beautiful Kylemore Abbey, built as a private home in 1861 and one of Ireland’s most photographed castles (it is now a school run by the Benedictine nuns who live here). We stop in the village of Clifden, spectacularly located on a high plateau above Clifden Bay, with the Twelve Ben Mountains at its back door. Dinner tonight promises to be memorable: it’s a medieval banquet at 17th-century Dunquaire Castle on the shores of Galway Bay. B,D

Day 7: Galway/County Clare/Killarney Another day of breathtaking scenery as we leave Galway for Killarney, traveling south along the fabled coastline of County Clare. We visit the Cliffs of Moher, the majestic flat-topped “mountains” that rise vertically from the sea and stretch for five miles from north to south. And we pass through The Burren, the 116-square mile “rocky place” of craggy gray karst (limestone) formations that stretch endlessly in all directions. After stopping for lunch on our own at O’Looney’s in Lahinch, we cross by ferry into County Kerry, arriving in Killarney, set in beautiful Killarney National Park, late this afternoon. Dinner tonight is on our own with plenty of options from which to choose in this vibrant town, from Dover sole to traditional pub fare. B

Day 8: Killarney Our exploration of this attractive city begins with a jaunting-cart ride from the center of town to 14th-century Ross Castle, the last strong­hold to fall to Oliver Cromwell’s forces in 1652. Then we travel by boat to Muckross House, a 19th- century Eliz­a­bethan-style manor with the Kerry Folklife Centre show­casing the art and craft of book­binding, pottery, and weaving. We tour the elegantly furnished rooms, as well as the informal garden. Lunch is on our own here before we return to Killarney mid-afternoon. This evening we enjoy dinner at a local farmhouse outside Killarney. B,D

Day 9: Killarney/Ring of Kerry Today we experience one of Ireland’s most popular attractions, the stunning mountain and coastal scenery of the Ring of Kerry, a 110-mile route connecting Dingle, Iveragh, and Beara peninsulas. This is the Ireland of postcards and pictures, with tiny villages dotting the breathtaking landscape; we stop in one of them for an Irish sheep dog demonstration and in another (Waterville) for lunch. We return to Killarney late this afternoon. Dinner tonight is at Kate Kearney’s Cottage, a 150-year-old family-run establishment at the entrance to the Gap of Dunloe. B,L,D

Day 10: Blarney/Waterford/Kilkenny On our way to Kilkenny this morning we stop in the small town of Blarney to visit the ruins of the 15th-century castle, with its celebrated Blarney Stone believed to bestow the “gift of gab” on those who kiss it. We also visit the Blarney Woolen Mills, housing an excellent selection of Irish crafts as well as knits and woolens of all kinds. After lunch on our own in Blarney, we continue on to the lively riverside town of Waterford, where we visit the famed ­Crystal Factory, the world’s largest producer of hand-crafted crystal, dating to 1783. Late this afternoon we reach Kilkenny and our hotel, where we dine tonight. B,D

Day 11: Kilkenny Today is devoted to Kilkenny, a medieval city known as Ireland’s cultural capital – and the country’s smallest city. We tour 12th-century Kilkenny Castle, considered one of the country’s most beautiful, then embark on an informal walking tour of Kilkenny itself, noting the many buildings of “black” or Kilkenny marble, quarried locally. After lunch together at a local restaurant, the remainder of the day is free to explore this charming town on our own. From contemporary craft and design studios to well-preserved historic architecture and monuments, Kilkenny offers a much admired creative tradition. B,L

Day 12: Kilkenny/Dublin We leave Kilkenny this morning to visit the National Stud Farm, the center of Ireland’s horse racing industry. Mid-afternoon we reach our hotel overlooking the Irish Sea outside Dublin, where tonight we celebrate our adventure over a farewell dinner in this seaside setting. B,D

Day 13: Depart for U.S. We leave this morning for the Dublin airport and our return flights to the U.S. B

Included

Tour Price Includes

• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities
• 11 nights' accommodations in Deluxe and Superior First Class hotels
• 21 meals: 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners
• Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
• Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
• Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
• Luggage handling for one bag per person
• Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
• $100 frequent traveler credit towards your next Odysseys Unlimited tour ($200 after three tours)

Dates and Prices

2009 Tour Dates & Prices

Prices Reflect $300 Savings	May 3 Oct 4	May 17 Sep 6	May 31 Jun 14 Jul 12 Aug 9
Boston, New York	$3,695	$3,895	$4,095
Baltimore, Chicago, Orlando, Philadelphia, Tampa, Wash, DC	$3,995	$4,195	$4,395
Atlanta, Charlotte, Cleve, Detroit, Miami	$4,095	$4,295	$4,495
Cincinnati, Dallas, Den, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, San Fran	$4,195	$4,395	$4,595
Phoenix, Portland (OR), Seattle	$4,295	$4,495	$4,695

 

Please call if your city is not listed or for land only prices. Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Single travelers please add $995. Your $375 deposit is fully refundable up to 95 days before departure. All 2009 tour prices above are guaranteed.

Airline taxes and departure fees of $314 per person are subject to change and will be listed separately on your invoice.

Hotels

Hotels & Ratings

Day Itinerary Hotel Rating 1 Depart U.S. for Dublin 2-3 Dublin Fitzwilliam Hotel Deluxe 4-6 Galway The Twelve Hotel Sup. First Class 7-9 Killarney Randles Court Sup. First Class 10-11 Kilkenny Pembroke Hotel Sup. First Class 12 Dublin Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Deluxe 13 Depart Dublin for U.S.

Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.