Description
An Adventure to Ireland (Europe) with a Choice of Two Itineraries for Eight Days & Seven Nights for Two, Including Private Round Trip Airport Transfers, Tours of Dublin, Heritage Island, and a Car Rental (Land Only)
Though small, Ireland boasts ever-changing scenery that makes it an addictive place to explore. Within a few miles you can travel from plunging cliffs to flat pastureland to towering mountains to gloomy peat bog; you can discover 18th-century architectural splendors, awe-inspiring castles, thousands of years of history, dramatic cliffs, caves, coves and natural wonders. Get lost wandering the cobbled streets and surf-pounded coast of Ireland, then find your way home to a myriad of classic pubs where you can throw back a pint of Guinness for an authentic taste of Ireland, the Emerald Isle.
This tour features two similar itineraries that will take you around Ireland to some of its most cherished cities and towns, beginning and ending with Dublin. Depending on the itinerary you choose, you may also visit Galway, Connemara, Clifden, Kerry, Clare, Dingle Town peninsula and Limerick. Dive into Dublin, a city you won?t soon forget, with its eclectic mix of city, countryside and coastline, its charismatic personality, and countless opportunities to discover its culture and history. Explore this beloved city, which can be likened to a living museum, from its glens to medieval castles, cathedrals to galleries, distilleries to pubs, and bridges to cliffs!
Galway is steeped in history, with medieval remnants scattered across the city, and the sound of Irish being spoken along the streets; but it also offers a contemporary charm with brightly colored pubs, live music, and a large population of students. Take some time to walk along the Prom from Galway to Salthill to try to area's famous oysters! Ride the winding coastal roads of Connemara (Irish for Inlets of the Sea) and discover small bays, hidden beaches and coves along the Wild Atlantic Way. Stone walls decorate the land, along with valleys, marshlands and black lakes - it's all part of the desolate, unspoiled beauty that makes Connemara the real emerald of Ireland. Nestled amidst breathtaking mountain scenery and beautiful rugged coastline is the Victorian-era country town of Clifden. You'll want to take a stroll down Beach Road, one of the most peaceful and serene walks in Clifden. Exquisite beauty abounds in County Kerry, thanks in part to a coastline carved over millennia by a wild ocean. This is where you'll find Ireland?s 10 highest peaks and a vast national park containing the country?s oldest oak forests. The iconic Cliffs of Moher can be found in County Clare, as well as the Burren Perfumery and Floral Centre, Ennis Friary and Vandeleur Walled Garden. Mix in windswept landscapes and traditional Irish culture, and you'll see why Clare is known for its stunning soul. The quaint fishing port of Dingle Town, the capital of the peninsula, is also cosmopolitan, with many craft shops, seafood restaurants and pubs. Fresh from Limerick's stint as Ireland's first City of Culture, boasting revamped quays and riverside walks, spanking new city bikes and casual food scenes, the future is bright. Catch a game of rugby, swoosh Norman swords in King John's Castle, check out the Georgian architecture, or take a walk across the town - it only takes 15 minutes to walk from St. Mary's Cathedral to the train station!
You can also add on activities to enhance your experience in Ireland! Savor the Irish flavors with a cooking class, go on a tasting tour of Irish whiskeys, sample local chocolates and teas or sing a tune at a music session. Tour the historical Boyne Valley which will lead you into the ancient region of County Meath, better known as the "Royal County" because it is the primary location from where the High Kings of Ireland reigned over the country, which is rich in historical sites and strongholds spanning the ages. You can explore neolithic tombs, walk in the footsteps of kings and tour a Norman castle! At the heart of one of Europe's most magnificent coastlines is the Giant's Causeway, famed for its unique volcanic rock formations that have stood as a natural rampart against the unbridled ferocity of Atlantic storms for millions of years. Join millions of annual tourists at Europe's leading visitor attraction, the Titanic Belfast, the world's largest Titanic exhibition in Northern Ireland. This Titanic experience takes you through nine innovative and interactive galleries that tell the story of RMS Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her famous maiden voyage and tragic end.
Your trip for two includes:
8 days/7 nights accommodations at a Choice of Two Itineraries
Round-trip private airport transfers
Mid-size, automatic car rental
Private half-day Dublin sightseeing tour
Heritage Island touring guide
Merry Ploughboy dinner and show
Daily complimentary breakfast
All room-related taxes (including VAT)
Free concierge reservation service
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Travel package is non-refundable and subject to availability. Certificates/gift cards cannot be replaced. Passport required for travel outside the U.S. Hotel may be substituted with equal or similar accommodations. Local city taxes are the responsibility of the traveler and are required to be paid directly to hotel. A minimum 30-day advance reservation is required. Please email us at auction@stmaryhs.org to find out deadline to travel.