Irish Explorer

IRISH EXPLORER

Tour Code - 9200

9 days Dublin to Dublin
Dublin, Belfast, Sligo, Ennis, Killarney, Tramore

Price starting at: $999

Explore the Emerald Isle in depth; beginning in Dublin with an orientation drive that introduces you to the major attractions. Head to Northern Ireland and drive through the Mountains of of Mourne to Downpatrick to the vibrant city of Belfast. Continue north and pass castles and tower ruins, stopping for an overnight in Sligo. Then cross into Northern Ireland to visit the Belleek Pottery Factory. Visit the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher and overnight in the market town of Ennis. Drink in the scenery on the Dingle Peninsula and along the spectacular "Ring of Kerry" before spending two nights in Killarney. Next, stop in Blarney, famous for its castle and "Blarney Stone,". Enjoy an included visit to the world-famous crystal factory in Waterford and spend the night at seaside Tramore. Heading north, visit historic Enniscorthy, Ireland's oldest hand weaving mill at Avoca. Return to Dublin for the finale of your exciting adventure.

Meals
Breakfast - 8
Lunch - 0
Dinner - 3

Standard Features
Sightseeing: Visits to Downpatrick, Giant's Causeway, Derry, Donegal town, Knock, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Adare, Killarney, Blarney, Tramore, handweaving mill at Avoca, Glendalough; orientation drive in Dublin.

Scenic Highlights: Boyne Valley, Mountains of Mourne, Northern Ireland's Antrim coast, Donegal Bay, The Burren, Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerry and Lakes of Killarney, Wicklow Mountains.

Guides: Local Guides for visits to Belleek Pottery, House of Waterford Crystal. Service of a professional Tour Director in Ireland.
Transportation: Private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach

Hotels:Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges.

Meals: Full Irish breakfast (B); 3 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus.

DAY

Description

DUBLIN, IRELAND.
Check into your hotel. At 3 pm, meet your travelling companions for an afternoon orientation drive through statue-lined O'Connell Street and elegant Georgian squares to St. Patrick's Cathedral and Trinity College. Your Tour Director will have some suggestions for dining tonight.

DUBLIN-DOWNPATRICK,NORTHERN IRELAND-BELFAST.
On your northbound route today, pass Drogheda, scene of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, then through the fertile landscape of the Boyne Valley, known for its prehistoric passage graves. Cross the border into Northern Ireland and drive through the Mountains of Mourne to Downpatrick, the burial place of Patrick, Ireland's Patron Saint. Follow the shores of Strangford Lough to the vibrant city of Belfast, where the Titanic was built. Why not join a Local Guide on a "living history" tour that brings this fascinating city to life. (B)

BELFAST-GIANT'S CAUSEWAY-DERRY-DONEGAL, IRELAND-SLIGO.
First stop this morning is the Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Let the province's story unfold as you head for the city of Derry, before returning to the Republic to visit Donegal, the ancient town founded by the Danish Vikings and home of the O'Donnell Clan. Drive along Donegal Bay with its small fishing ports and hidden beaches before arriving in Sligo, tonight's destination. (B,D)

SLIGO-KNOCK-GALWAY-CLIFFS OF MOHER-ENNIS.
South to Knock, a village that has attracted pilgrims from all over the world since the townsfolk saw apparitions. Then, to Galway, a vibrant city with a great seafaring tradition, where you hear about the infamous Lynch Stone, commemorating the day Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen hanged his son for murder. Cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 204 metres (668 feet) Cliffs of Moher. Tonight, a chance to attend an optional medieval castle banquet. (B)

ENNIS-ADARE-DINGLE PENINSULA-KILLARNEY.
Skirting the city of Limerick, head to Adare, a village known for its prize-winning thatched cottages. Breathtaking scenery this afternoon on the Dingle Peninsula, where the 51.4 kilometre (32 mile) Slea Head drive affords magnificent vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. See the Blasket Islands and hear about the way of life and unique literary achievements of its inhabitants prior to their evacuation in 1953. The next two nights are spent in the popular resort of Killarney. (B,D)

KILLARNEY. RING OF KERRY EXCURSION.
At Killorglin, join the road known as the "Ring of Kerry" for a 161 kilometres (100 miles) coastal panoramic drive: sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly coloured farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and spectacular views of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Back in Killarney, a special optional adventure: take a horse-drawn jaunting car along the national park lakeshore for pictures of Ross Castle. Tonight, enjoy the optional outing to Tralee for dinner and a performance at Siamsa Tire, Ireland's National Folk Theatre. (B)

KILLARNEY-BLARNEY-WATERFORD-TRAMORE.
More scenic splendour as you head over the Kerry Mountains into County Cork. Stop in Blarney, famous for its Stone of Eloquence, with time at your leisure to see the castle and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. After lunch, drive past Cork, the country's second-largest city. Youghal and Dungarvan are further milestones on your way to Waterford, where a guided tour of the newly opened House of Waterford Crystal is included. Spend the night at the nearby seaside resort of Tramore. An optional pub tour might be fun this evening. (B,D)

TRAMORE-AVOCA-GLENDALOUGH-DUBLIN.
Highlights on your northbound journey: Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798; a visit to Ireland's oldest handweaving mill at Avoca; views of the Wicklow Mountains; and Glendalough with its ruins of a centre of Irish Christianity, founded by St. Kevin. Back in Dublin tonight, celebrate the success of your tour with an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse. (B)

DUBLIN.
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Dates and Prices. Rates are per head in US$:

Start Date

End Date

Twin Share

30-Jun-11

8-Jul-11

$1159 US

7-Jul-11

15-Jul-11

$1159 US

14-Jul-11

22-Jul-11

$1159 US

21-Jul-11

29-Jul-11

$1159 US

28-Jul-11

5-Aug-11

$1159 US

4-Aug-11

12-Aug-11

$1159 US

11-Aug-11

19-Aug-11

$1159 US

18-Aug-11

26-Aug-11

$1159 US

25-Aug-11

2-Sep-11

$1159 US

1-Sep-11

9-Sep-11

$1139 US

8-Sep-11

16-Sep-11

$1139 US

15-Sep-11

23-Sep-11

$1139 US

22-Sep-11

30-Sep-11

$1139 US

29-Sep-11

7-Oct-11

$1099 US

6-Oct-11

14-Oct-11

$1099 US

13-Oct-11

21-Oct-11

$1099 US

20-Oct-11

28-Oct-11

$999 US

Accommodation Prices:

Pre & Post

Tour

City

Start Date

End Date

Twin Price

PRE

Dublin

1-Jan-11

31-Dec-11

$80

POST

London

1-Jan-11

31-Dec-11

$80

Optional Gratuity : US$70

WHERE TO GET YOUR U.K & SCHENGEN VISA

REMARKS:

Rates are per head in US$ based on Twin Sharing
Rates do not include Airport Transfers, PRE & POST TOUR accommodations yet
Rates are subject to change without prior notice
Rates do not include Manila-Europe-Manila air tickets yet. For your convenience, we facilitate issuance of air tickets
Terms and Conditions apply

VISAS & PASSPORTS:

A valid national passport is needed for all tours. Passport should be valid at least 6 months prior to departure date from Manila
Passengers are responsible for getting their own visa’s and must ensure that they can obtain these visas before entering into a booking commitment with us.