10 Day Classic Ireland

DAY 1, Saturday - Depart for Ireland Depart for Ireland. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for the journey   DAY 2, Sunday - Arrive in Dublin Arrive and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. This evening, enjoy a welcome drink and orientation with your tour manager Overnight: Dublin   DAY 3, Monday - Dublin City Tour, Travel to Galway This morning's sightseeing includes a panoramic tour of Dublin including a visit to Trinity College,  home to the Book of Kells. View St. Stephen's Green, Phoenix Park and St. Patrick's Cathedral. After time for lunch, continue westwards to Galway, a seafaring town steeped in tradition and a cultural center for the west of Ireland. Stop at Galway Cathedral and then continue to see the medieval city walls and colorful streets between the River Corrib and Eyre Square. Enjoy free time for a stroll in this fun loving town- lively pubs abound! Overnight: Galway Meals: Breakfast, Dinner   DAY 4, Tuesday - Connemara Excursion Today, enjoy a full day excursion into the Irish Countryside. Travel west towards Clifden before a visit to Kylemore Abbey in the heart of Connemara National Park. There, admire the lakes, mountains, and calm shades of green for which Ireland is renowned Optional: Dunguaire Castle Banquet (PM)* Overnight: Galway Meals: Breakfast   DAY 5, Wednesday - Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle, Killarney Begin with a drive south from Galway Bay through the rugged plateau known as the Burren and on view the mighty Cliffs of Moher, an impressive wall of rock that towers some 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Next, visit Bunratty Castle and the Folk Park, offering a unique insight into Irish life around the turn of the century. A drive through the pretty town of Adare brings you at last to scenic Killarney Overnight: Killarney Meals: Breakfast, Dinner   DAY 6, Thursday - Ring of Kerry Tour Today's sightseeing begins with a tour through Killarney National Park and the world-famous "Ring of Kerry," perhaps the most picturesque locale in all of Ireland. Pass by the remote villages of Cahirciveen and Sneem, which are full of traditional colorful houses. Return to Killarney in the late afternoon Optional: Jaunting Cars (PM) Overnight: Killarney Meals: Breakfast   DAY 7, Friday - Blarney Castle, Waterford Crystal Showroom This morning drive through the scenic south of Ireland to visit the 15th-century Blarney Castle, where you will have the opportunity to kiss the famous Blarney Stone.  Enjoy some free time for shopping at the Blarney Woollen Mills before stopping at the world-famous Waterford Crystal showroom for a factory tour to see the collection of exquisite glassware in its city of origin Overnight: Waterford Meals: Breakfast, Dinner   DAY 8, Saturday - Kilkenny En Route to Dublin Today, head for Kilkenny, a small city located on the banks of the River Nore. Enjoy the sights of this historic town, and view the 12th-century Kilkenny Castle. This afternoon, return to Dublin for a farewell dinner and lively traditional entertainment Overnight: Dublin Meals: Breakfast, Dinner   DAY 9, Sunday - Dublin Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Dublin independently. Spend time visiting famous sites throughout the city, including Dublin Castle or the National Gallery, where both Irish and European pieces of art are beautifully displayed. Perhaps purchase some souvenirs on Grafton Street, the city's stylish and popular shopping district. In the evening, stop by one of the lively pubs in the Temple Bar district beside the River Liffey Overnight: Dublin Meals: Breakfast   DAY 10, Monday - Depart Ireland Transfer to the airport for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast