Ireland in Depth
This grand tour takes in the best of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Starting off with the hustle and bustle of modern Dublin, we journey through the mountains of Glenveagh National Park to the impossibly green west, waves crashing against the rugged shore. History waits around every bend, from the prehistoric dolmens of the Burren to medieval castles to the tragedy of the Great Famine.
The tour will start May 12, 2010 in Dublin, Ireland and end on May 26, 2010 in Dublin, Ireland. You would need to leave the US on May 11, 2010 to arrive in Dublin on the morning of May 12. Departure from Dublin can be any time on May 26.
The tour is 14 nights, 15 days, and the cost is $3750 per person, based on double occupancy. A deposit of $500 per person is due at the time of booking. The balance is due 60 days prior to the trip departure date (ie, March 12, 2010).
Price includes: accommodations in comfortable, characteristic B&Bs and hotels, all in central locations and with private bathrooms; all ground transportation from arrival in Dublin to departure from Dublin; breakfast each morning; other meals as indicated in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner); entry and tour of all sights mentioned in the itinerary; the services of your Hand Crafted guide, who also acts as driver, interpreter, and window on European culture and history.
Not included: airfare to and from Europe; meals not shown in the itinerary; free time sightseeing admissions or transportation.
The tour is 14 nights, 15 days, and the cost is $3750 per person, based on double occupancy. A deposit of $500 per person is due at the time of booking. The balance is due 60 days prior to the trip departure date (ie, March 12, 2010).
Price includes: accommodations in comfortable, characteristic B&Bs and hotels, all in central locations and with private bathrooms; all ground transportation from arrival in Dublin to departure from Dublin; breakfast each morning; other meals as indicated in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner); entry and tour of all sights mentioned in the itinerary; the services of your Hand Crafted guide, who also acts as driver, interpreter, and window on European culture and history.
Not included: airfare to and from Europe; meals not shown in the itinerary; free time sightseeing admissions or transportation.
Day 1: Arrival in Dublin
After arrival and a chance to settle in, we'll take a walk of the city center including St. Patrick's Cathedral and St. Stephen's Green (D).
Day 2: Dublin
This morning we'll visit Trinity College, where we'll see The Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript produced by monks in the middle ages. Afternoon free to wander and explore on your own (B).
Day 3: Dublin - Derry
We leave Dublin behind this morning and cross the border into Northern Ireland. Its recent history is closely tied to The Troubles, but today Derry is a beautiful, peaceful city. The second largest city in Northern Ireland, it is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on the island. After arrival we'll take a guided walk of the city, including its medieval walls, the best preserved in Ireland and one of the best in Europe (B, D).
Day 4: Giant's Causeway - Antrim Coast
We'll day trip out from Derry today to the Antrim Coast, where we'll see the unique geological formation known as Giant's Causeway. Here over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns appear to be steps decending into the sea. The steps reappear on the opposite side of the sea in Scotland. Today we'll also tour Bushmills Distillery, makers of fine Irish Whiskey, and we'll walk across Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge to the tiny island of Carrick. Late afternoon and evening free back in Derry (B).
Day 5: Glenveagh National Park - Donegal Coast
From Derry we cross back into the Republic of Ireland and County Donegal. We'll drive through Glenveagh National Park, one of the most mountainous regions of Ireland, where we'll visit the beautiful Glenveagh Castle and leave some time for hiking the nearby trails. In the afternoon we head to our home on the sandy shores of the Donegal Coast (B, D).
Day 6: Donegal - Connemara - County Clare
Heading south through the small villages and verdant landscape of Connemara, we'll make our home for the next two nights in Doolin, a haven for traditional Irish music. This evening we'll have dinner in a local pub, followed by music (B, D).
Day 7: Cliffs of Moher - The Burren
This morning we visit the Cliffs of Moher, a high wind-swept section of coast where the Atlantic crashes savagely against the rocky cliffs. Afterwards we'll drive through The Burren a lunar landscape of rock that seems very out of place in this otherwise lush country. Here we'll see a Dolmen, a pre-historic rock tomb, and we'll explore part of a massive cave complex (B).
Day 8: Bunratty - Killarney
Our first destination this morning is Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. As you walk the paths of this outdoor museum you'll follow the history of Ireland, from the well-preserved castle to the farmstead to the small 19th century Irish village with its shops and tradesmen. In the afternoon we head to the village of Killarney in County Kerry (B, D).
Day 9: Ring of Kerry
We'll make a loop through some of Ireland's most dramatic scenery today. Starting with a boat ride on Lough Lein, we'll continue on by minibus around the Ring of Kerry, a cenic drive that takes in rugged coastline, mountain passes, and a stunning waterfall. Late afternoon return to Killarney (B).
Day 10: Killarney - Kinsale
Today we head off to Kinsale in County Cork. Kinsale has developed a reputation as a place for foodies, so there will plenty of good things on the table. After arrival we'll tour Charles Fort, one of the best preserved star-shaped forts in Europe, then have a guided walk through the delightful village of Kinsale (B, D).
Day 11: Kinsale
The entire day free to relax and do what you want in Kinsale. There are plenty of activities: horseback riding, pony treks, golf, sailing, hiking, harbor cruises and whale watching. Or just find a friendly pub and some good conversation (B).
Day 12: Rock of Cashel - Kilkenny
This morning we'll visit the Rock of Cashel, one of the most important spiritual and heritage sites in Ireland. Afterwards we continue on to Kilkenny, or home for the next two nights. Here we'll tour St. Canice's cathedral, and take a guided walk through the village to hear about the Statutes of Kilkenny, which enforced separation of the Irish natives from the Norman-English invaders (B, D).
Day 13: County Wexford
We'll day trip out from Kilkenny to visit the original Kennedy family homestead. In nearby New Ross we'll also visit the Famine Ship, a sailing ship like those that carried tens of thousands of Irish away from famine and to a new life in America (B).
Day 14: Glendalough - Powerscourt - Dublin
Our final lef of the journey brings us back to Dublin. Along the way we'll pass through the Wicklow Mountains, stopping to visit Glendalough, one of the oldest monastic sites in Ireland. We'll also visit Powerscourt Gardens, one of the finest country estates in Ireland (B, D).
Day 15: Tour over after breakfast
Transportation to the airport for those leaving today.
After arrival and a chance to settle in, we'll take a walk of the city center including St. Patrick's Cathedral and St. Stephen's Green (D).
Day 2: Dublin
This morning we'll visit Trinity College, where we'll see The Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript produced by monks in the middle ages. Afternoon free to wander and explore on your own (B).
Day 3: Dublin - Derry
We leave Dublin behind this morning and cross the border into Northern Ireland. Its recent history is closely tied to The Troubles, but today Derry is a beautiful, peaceful city. The second largest city in Northern Ireland, it is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on the island. After arrival we'll take a guided walk of the city, including its medieval walls, the best preserved in Ireland and one of the best in Europe (B, D).
Day 4: Giant's Causeway - Antrim Coast
We'll day trip out from Derry today to the Antrim Coast, where we'll see the unique geological formation known as Giant's Causeway. Here over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns appear to be steps decending into the sea. The steps reappear on the opposite side of the sea in Scotland. Today we'll also tour Bushmills Distillery, makers of fine Irish Whiskey, and we'll walk across Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge to the tiny island of Carrick. Late afternoon and evening free back in Derry (B).
Day 5: Glenveagh National Park - Donegal Coast
From Derry we cross back into the Republic of Ireland and County Donegal. We'll drive through Glenveagh National Park, one of the most mountainous regions of Ireland, where we'll visit the beautiful Glenveagh Castle and leave some time for hiking the nearby trails. In the afternoon we head to our home on the sandy shores of the Donegal Coast (B, D).
Day 6: Donegal - Connemara - County Clare
Heading south through the small villages and verdant landscape of Connemara, we'll make our home for the next two nights in Doolin, a haven for traditional Irish music. This evening we'll have dinner in a local pub, followed by music (B, D).
Day 7: Cliffs of Moher - The Burren
This morning we visit the Cliffs of Moher, a high wind-swept section of coast where the Atlantic crashes savagely against the rocky cliffs. Afterwards we'll drive through The Burren a lunar landscape of rock that seems very out of place in this otherwise lush country. Here we'll see a Dolmen, a pre-historic rock tomb, and we'll explore part of a massive cave complex (B).
Day 8: Bunratty - Killarney
Our first destination this morning is Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. As you walk the paths of this outdoor museum you'll follow the history of Ireland, from the well-preserved castle to the farmstead to the small 19th century Irish village with its shops and tradesmen. In the afternoon we head to the village of Killarney in County Kerry (B, D).
Day 9: Ring of Kerry
We'll make a loop through some of Ireland's most dramatic scenery today. Starting with a boat ride on Lough Lein, we'll continue on by minibus around the Ring of Kerry, a cenic drive that takes in rugged coastline, mountain passes, and a stunning waterfall. Late afternoon return to Killarney (B).
Day 10: Killarney - Kinsale
Today we head off to Kinsale in County Cork. Kinsale has developed a reputation as a place for foodies, so there will plenty of good things on the table. After arrival we'll tour Charles Fort, one of the best preserved star-shaped forts in Europe, then have a guided walk through the delightful village of Kinsale (B, D).
Day 11: Kinsale
The entire day free to relax and do what you want in Kinsale. There are plenty of activities: horseback riding, pony treks, golf, sailing, hiking, harbor cruises and whale watching. Or just find a friendly pub and some good conversation (B).
Day 12: Rock of Cashel - Kilkenny
This morning we'll visit the Rock of Cashel, one of the most important spiritual and heritage sites in Ireland. Afterwards we continue on to Kilkenny, or home for the next two nights. Here we'll tour St. Canice's cathedral, and take a guided walk through the village to hear about the Statutes of Kilkenny, which enforced separation of the Irish natives from the Norman-English invaders (B, D).
Day 13: County Wexford
We'll day trip out from Kilkenny to visit the original Kennedy family homestead. In nearby New Ross we'll also visit the Famine Ship, a sailing ship like those that carried tens of thousands of Irish away from famine and to a new life in America (B).
Day 14: Glendalough - Powerscourt - Dublin
Our final lef of the journey brings us back to Dublin. Along the way we'll pass through the Wicklow Mountains, stopping to visit Glendalough, one of the oldest monastic sites in Ireland. We'll also visit Powerscourt Gardens, one of the finest country estates in Ireland (B, D).
Day 15: Tour over after breakfast
Transportation to the airport for those leaving today.