Day 1: Depart U.S. for Shannon
Welcome aboard your overnight flight to Shannon. Relax with in-flight entertainment, dinner and continental breakfast.

Day 2: Shannonside & Medieval Feast
Land at Shannon Airport and after immigration, pick up your luggage and make your way to the Arrivals Hall where you will be transferred to your nearby hotel. If you have arranged flights independently, complimentary transfers will be offered from Shannon Airport between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later than noon, you will transfer to the hotel at your own expense. This afternoon you are at leisure to rest after your journey or take a stroll on your own through the Bunratty Folk Park, which is located close to your hotel. Join your fellow travelers and head out to the 15th century Knappogue Castle for a medieval-style meal and entertainment. (D)

Day 3: Cliffs of Moher & Killarney
This morning drive west through Ennis and Lahinch to see the Cliffs of Moher, which rise almost 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic surf. Then enjoy a short ferry ride across the wide estuary of the River Shannon to Tarbert and travel through Listowel and Castleisland to Killarney. This little town is famous for its exquisite location beside lakes and mountains. Check into your hotel and then see Killarney. Take a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the National Park and enjoy a guided tour of 19th century Muckross House, a fully furnished mansion on the shores of Muckross Lake. (B, D)

Day 4: Ring of Kerry Tour
Today embark on Ireland's most popular scenic drive - the Ring of Kerry. This full day tour will reveal constantly changing vistas of mountains, open Atlantic Ocean, beaches and cliffs. Drive through the remote towns of Cahirciveen and Waterville and return through the colorful village of Sneem. Enjoy plenty of stops to admire the natural beauty all along the way and at Moll's Gap see the three lakes with the mountains and town in the background. Return to Killarney and after an early dinner head to Tralee to Siamsa Tire, a show portraying Irish country life through mime and dance (April 25 - October 08 departures). (B, D)

Day 5: Blarney Castle & Waterford
Depart Killarney and drive through Macroom to Blarney. Here you can walk through the grounds and climb the steps of fabled Blarney Castle to kiss the famous "stone of eloquence." Travel past the outskirts of Cork to Cobh to visit the Cobh Heritage Center, which traces the history of emigration from Ireland to the United States. Follow the coastal route via Youghal, where Sir Walter Raleigh was once mayor, to Waterford for dinner and overnight stay. This evening a local guide will take you for a brief walk of this old city. (B, D)

Day 6: Kilkenny Castle & Doyle's Cabaret
Visit the Waterford Crystal Factory to see the cutting and polishing of this fine product and also the excellent display of trophies and stemware in the showrooms. Then head north to Kilkenny with its intriguing medieval streets and buildings. Take a guided tour around Kilkenny Castle, built in the early 13th century. Stop in the countryside near Athy for tea and scones in a farmhouse before driving to Dublin. This evening dine on Irish specialties at Doyle's Irish Cabaret, located right in your hotel. Afterwards sit back and enjoy a light-hearted show with song, dance and storytelling. (B, D)

Day 7: Dublin Sightseeing
This morning tour Dublin city center to see the prominent public buildings, elegant Georgian townhouses and peaceful gardens. Note the contrasts between centuries-old historic places and modern streets which pulse with activity. Visit Trinity College's Old Library to view the early illuminated manuscript of the Book of Kells and learn about its creation. Then tour the Old Jameson Distillery where you can see the many steps needed to create Irish whiskey and then sample some. The afternoon and evening are free for you to browse, shop and sightsee on your own. (B)

Day 8: Depart for Home or Clonmacnoise & Galway Bay
For those on our 8-day vacation, your tour ends today with a group coach transfer to Dublin Airport. Lucky passengers on the 9-day program will leave Dublin and journey across the rolling pastures of Ireland's heartland to visit Clonmacnoise. This monastic settlement was founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran and is delightfully set on the banks of the River Shannon. Then drive to Galway and stop to visit Royal Tara China Factory to see the production of finely decorated china. Check into your hotel and take a drive around the main sections of Galway, including the Cathedral, and drive to Salthill for views of Galway Bay. Enjoy some free time for shopping in the city center or relax in your hotel. (B, D)

Day 9: Back to the USA
Bid farewell to Galway and take a group transfer to Shannon Airport to arrive by 10:00 am in time for the principal transatlantic flights. After check in you'll have some time to shop at the duty free stores.(B)

What Your Tour Includes:

• Round trip flights between U.S. & Ireland
• Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
• Services of a professional Irish tour director
• Superior first class hotels with private bath/shower for 6 or 7 nights
• Full Irish breakfast daily (B)
• All dinners (D) except 1 in Dublin including
• Tea and scones at an Irish farmhouse
• Ferry ride across the River Shannon
• Performance at Siamsa Tire (National Folk Theatre) in Tralee (Apr 25 - Oct 08 departures)
• Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
• Tour of Old Jameson Distillery
• Walking tour of Waterford with local guide
• Visits and admissions to Cliffs of Moher, Muckross House, Blarney Castle, Cobh Heritage Centre, Waterford Crystal Factory, Kilkenny Castle, Book of Kells at Trinity College, Clonmacnoise and Royal Tara China Factory
• All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person

Your Hotels (or similar):

• Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty (1 night)
• Great Southern Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
• Granville Hotel, Waterford (1 night)
• Burlington Hotel, Dublin (2 nights)
• Radisson SAS Hotel, Galway (1 night - 7 night tour option only)