|
|
2009 Ireland West & Isles
|
|
 Highlights
View Europe's Highest Cliffs at Slieve LeagueCliffside Megalithic Fort on Aran IslandsTwo-night Home Stays in DonegalDay Tour to Achill IslandStay in Traditional Towns of Westport & ClifdenPub Dinner in ClifdenEnnis Walking Tour
|
| Details | | CIE Tours | | Offer valid through 4/30/2009 | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Depart U.S. for Dublin | Depart U.S. for Dublin : Take an overnight flight across the Atlantic and relax as you start your vacation. | | Day 2 | Dublin | Dublin City & Castle : Arrive in Dublin Airport, complete immigration formalities and pick up your luggage. Go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall to arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm join your group and a local guide for an introductory look around central Dublin. View the many elegant Georgian townhouses, public buildings and fashionable shopping areas. Visit Dublin Castle for a guided tour around the elegant Georgian State Apartments. Back at your hotel meet with your guide and fellow travelers for a welcome drink and discuss your itinerary. | | Day 3 | Donegal | Ulster American Folk Park & Donegal : Travel north through Monaghan and Tyrone to visit the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh. See many cottages including the boyhood home of Thomas Mellon, who emigrated to Pittsburgh in 1818 and later founded the Mellon Bank. The Park traces the story of Ulster emigrants by showing how they lived in the "Old Country" and sailed across the Atlantic to settle in the "New World" in Colonial times. Drive into the hilly region of County Donegal to Donegal town. Meet your Irish homeowners as you check in for your home stay and sit down to dinner with your hosts. (B, D) | | Day 4 | Donegal | Slieve League Cliffs & Donegal Tweed : Drive to the fishing port of Killybegs and on to Teelin to view Slieve League sea cliffs, which drop straight down to the wild Atlantic waves below. The highest point reaches 1,972 feet making them the highest in Europe. Continue west to Glencolumbcille and Malinbeg and through the majestic Glengesh Pass to Ardara to visit Triona Design. Donegal is renowned for wool production and here you will see demonstrations of spinning, weaving and knitting and enjoy tea with scones. Spend free time in Donegal town and in the evening head to a cozy restaurant for dinner followed by some traditional live music. (B, D) | | Day 5 | Westport | Belleek & Museum of Country Life : Journey south to visit the Belleek Pottery Factory to see how the craftspeople mold, shape and decorate clay, creating the world-famous fine china. Drive around Donegal Bay and stop to view the grave of the Nobel-winning writer, W. B. Yeats, before continuing through Counties Sligo and Mayo. Visit the Museum of Country Life in Castlebar to see collections of domestic goods, once used as part of daily life from 1850 to 1950. Exhibits and a movie explain how people used to live throughout the country. A short drive takes you to Westport to your hotel, which is located in the center of this interesting town. (B, D) | | Day 6 | Westport | Achill Island & Deserted Famine Village : This morning travel around Clew Bay to reach Achill Island, joined to the mainland by bridge. Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful, wild views of steep mountains and stretches of golden beaches. Near Slievemore see the Deserted Village, the remains of 100 cottages abandoned in the 1840's Famine. Return to Westport in good time to take a look around the town on your own. The estate town was laid out in 1780 and has many fine Georgian houses and a tree-lined mall. After dinner in your hotel you may like to explore some of the lively pubs, including Matt Malloy's Pub, of Chieftains fame. (B, D) | | Day 7 | Connemara | Connemara & Catamaran Cruise : Drive past the pilgrimage mountain of Croaghpatrick and the spectacular coastal route via Louisburg to Leenane at the head of the narrow inlet of Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord. Take a short catamaran cruise to see unspoiled mountain areas. You can see traces of pre-Famine fields on the hilly slopes and also thriving salmon and mussel farming. Travel into Connemara, one of Ireland's wonderful scenic regions with misty hills and open countryside. Drive through the Inagh Valley on the way to Clifden, known as the "Capital of Connemara." Check into your hotel in the heart of the town. Dinner this evening is served in the Station House Pub offering a cozy atmosphere and some local music. (B, D) | | Day 8 | Connemara | Aran Islands & Dun Aengus : Take a short ferry ride from Rossaveal to Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands. These rocky islands are renowned for the hardy islanders who maintained traditional fishing and farming methods and where the popular intricately-patterned fishermen's sweaters originated. The Irish language is still spoken widely. Take a minibus ride to Dun Aengus, a huge pre-historic fortress perched on sheer cliffs, which fall away to the Atlantic below. In Kilronan, the main town, visit the Aran Heritage Centre to learn about unique local customs. Return by ferry to the mainland and your hotel in Clifden in good time for dinner in the hotel restaurant. (B, D) | | Day 9 | Ennis | Ennis Friary & Walking Tour : Drive through another part of Connemara on the way to Galway city to take a look at the main points of interest, including the Spanish Arch and Galway Cathedral. Spend some time exploring on your own before driving south to Ennis, the main marketing town for County Clare. Take a short walk with a guide through Ennis Friary and the narrow streets to learn about local history. Check in to your hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, D) | | Day 10 | Return from Shannon | Return from Shannon : This morning take a taxi transfer to Shannon Airport in good time for your flight home. (B) |
| | | Bewleys Hotel Ballsbridge - Dublin - 1 night(s) | | Bed & Breakfast Homes - Donegal Town, Co Donegal - 2 night(s) | | Mill Times Hotel - Westport, Co Mayo - 2 night(s) | | Clifden Station House - Connemara, Co Galway - 2 night(s) | | Temple Gate Hotel - Ennis, Co Clare - 1 night(s) | |
| | Coach Tour and River Cruise prices are based on two people sharing rooms.Taxes, security fees and fuel surcharges are not included. This list indicates brochure rates and dates. If your date of choice is marked "On Request" or appears in the brochure but not on this page please contact your travel agent .Air price is based on departures from New York. The air inclusive prices below are for general information only and not a reflection of current seat availability.Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline's checked baggage policies.We highly recommend that you review our general conditions page for full details on terms, conditions, and penalties. |
|
|
|
|
732-280-7015 
