Day 01

CANADA - EUROPE
You board the transatlantic flight from your respective departure cities

Day 02

ARRIVE - DUBLIN
After arrival in the city we enjoy a Panoramic City Tour. Discover both sides of the River Liffey: the north side with striking monuments as the General Post Office on the main thoroughfare, O'Connell Street and the Customs House along the Quays as well as Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe. The south side appears more sophisticated with its vast Georgian squares characterized by colourful doors, along with Grafton Street and its luxurious shops - then we transfer to the hotel and time at leisure before dinner (D)

Day 03

DUBLIN
Morning sightseeing tour of this town full of art treasures and history. We visit Trinity College, founded in 1592 by Elizabeth I. One of the highlights here is the ancient library, containing over twenty thousand manuscripts. The famous Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript dating from the 9th century, is exhibited here. It was produced by monks at St.Columba's monastery on the island of Iona, north of Scotland. Along with other sites we will pay a visit to the Old Jameson Distillery, in Smithfield Village, the heart of Old Dublin. Irish Whiskey can trace its history back to the 6th century. A tour through the working distillery will be followed by a visit to the Jameson bar for a traditional Irish whiskey tasting. In the afternoon there is some time at leisure for a stroll down Grafton Street. A special highlight of our tour is already this evening as we head to Abbey Tavern, in the fishing village of Howth, overlooking Dublin Bay. We have dinner there, accompanied by traditional Irish entertainment supplied by local singers and musicians. (B,D)

Day 04

DUBLIN - BELFAST
Today we drive north and visit the Hill of Tara, which has occupied a special place in Irish legend and folklore for a millenia, although it is not exactly known when people first settled on this gently sloping hill with its commanding views over the plains of Meath. One of the many mounds on the hill was found to be a Stone Age passage grave from about 2500 BC, and during the Bronze Age people of high rank and status were buried here. We then continue on to Northern Ireland and check into our hotel in the capital - Belfast (B,D)

Day 05

BELFAST
On today's City Tour we see the Albert Memorial Clocktower as well as the Grand Opera House, one of the city's great landmarks: it was opened in 1895. It was closed for a considerable part of the 1970s when it was refurbished in and outside! The City Hall from 1906 and Queens University, Northern Ireland's prestigious university are both on our agenda as well. Then there is time to explore the town on your own this afternoon. (B,D)

Day 06

BELFAST - LONDONDERRY - DONEGAL
Off we go this morning as we drive out to the area's number one attraction - the Giant's Causeway. The hexagonal basalt columns are impressive and do look as if a giant might have playfully tipped out all 37,000 of them ( if you also count the ones under water ). We continue on to Londonderry for a a visit and then time for lunch. Later in the afternoon we continue on to Donegal. Check in and dinner (B,D)

Day 07

DONEGAL
We enjoy a full day of touring in the Donegal region, passing through Killybegs, famous fishing village and Glenties. Donegal matches anywhere else in Ireland for bleakness, dramatic cliffs and hectares of peat bogs. Visit to Glenveagh National Park, in many ways one of Ireland's hidden treasures - its 10,000 acres of protected wilderness are there to be explored as well as Glenveagh Castle and the splendid gardens which surround it. Donegal is a pleasant and popular place and the castle that dominates the town is impressive (B,D)

Day 08

DONEGAL - GALWAY
We travel past Sligo, made famous by the renowned poet Yeats. We visit Carrowmore Cemetery, in a beautiful setting not far from a mountain called Ben Bulben. It is a cemetery aged around 6000 years. The place is fascinating through its landscape, history burial techniques and most of all through its legends. We continue on to Galway (B,D)

Day 09

GALWAY
Today's Connemara Tour brings us to the country of the "Quiet Man" and the "Purple Taxi". It is full of contrast, granite mountains populated only by sheep with hundreds of lakes forming a fisherman's paradise and the coast with sandy beaches. 1st stone walls, small farms, thatched cottages and the heather covered hills create an unforgettable scene! Our route takes us to Maam Cross, then to the colourful town of Clifden. Visit Kylemore Abbey, a Benedictine Abbey in a superb location. We return to Galway via Southern Connemara with its countless lakes. This evening we have another special event as we have a Medieval Banquet at Dingier Castle. It is a testament to the cultural and social life of its former inhabitants. The ladies of the castle and the Earl's Butler ensure an evening of entertainment which follows the best tradition of Irish hospitality. The wine flows as the entertainers recreate the magical atmosphere of the Earl's banquet through drama, music and song... (B,D)

Day 10

GALWAY - KILLARNEY
We travel through the Burren region of county Clare, a vast lunar landscape harbouring some 200 species of rare plants and flowers. Continue to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, which are the most majestic cliffs in Ireland. The rise 215 metres from the Atlantic and stretch over 7 kilometres. From this height you can admire the Aran Islands, Connemare Mountains and the many seabird colonies in the area. We take the ferry from Killimer to Tarbert in county Limerick and end the day in Killarney (B,D)

Day 11

KILLARNEY
We tour the Dingle Peninsula today. The colourful town of Dingle offers the atmosphere of a typical Irish town with its plentiful pubs, narrow streets and busy harbour. A panoramic drive around the coast at Slea Head will offer breathtaking vistas! There is time to relax also before we return to our home base. The evening is at leisure to dine out on your own or sit back in a comfortable Pub. (B)

Day 12

KILLARNEY - TIPPERARY
This morning we leave and visit Blarney Castle, in Cork County. The Blarney Stone must be kissed and hence you will, as an 18th century French consul put it, "gain the privilege of telling lies for 7 years". The castle itself dates from 1446. We'll see the Blarney Woolen Mills, a famous family owned craft centre before we continue on and stop in Cashel, County Tipperary. We visit the Rock of Cashel with its churches and round tower, the former seat of the Kings of Munster where St.Patrick once preached. For over a thousand years, the Rock of Cashel has been a symbol of power and it is one of Ireland's most spectacular sites. Overnight and dinner in the area (B,D)

Day 13

TIPPERARY - DUBLIN - CANADA
Today we head back to Dublin to catch our flight home where we arrive the same day. (B)

Included:

• Departure taxes
• Insurance
• Lunches
• Gratuities for driver and guide

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