Detailed Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - Saturday: Overnight Flight to Shannon
Depart your North American gateway city and travel overnight to Shannon. (Land only tour starts on day two).
Day 2 - Sunday: Shannon Arrival, Doonbeg
Land at Shannon Airport and transfer to Doonbeg Lodge in the village of Doonbeg, County Clare. Complimentary transfers are available between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later than 12:00 noon, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. Settle into the luxurious five-star resort and enjoy a relaxing treatment in the White Horse Spa or an optional round of golf on the Greg Norman-designed course. Join your fellow travelers at 6 P.M. for a welcome drinks reception at Darby’s Pub hosted by Doonbeg General Manager Joe Russell and Flavors of Ireland author Margaret M. Johnson, your tour escort. Dinner tonight at Darby’s. (D)
Day 3 - Monday: Cliffs of Moher and Galway
Travel along the coast to view the Cliffs of Moher, a five-mile wall of limestone rising above the foaming Atlantic breakers, and the unique moonscape of the Burren. Stop in the attractive village of Lisdoonvarna for a guided tour of The Burren Smokehouse, one of Ireland’s premier salmon smokers. Continue to Galway for a walking tour of “The City of Tribes,” cheese tasting at Sheridan’s Cheese Mongers, and lunch in one of Galway’s charming pubs. Travel on to Ballynahinch Castle Hotel in the heart of Connemara in time for dinner in its Owenmore Restaurant. (B, D)
Day 4 - Tuesday: Connemara, Yeats’ Grave, Donegal
Travel through Connemara, a scenic region of misty hills, shimmering lakes, and Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord. Stop for photos at splendid Kylemore Abbey and visit Knock Shrine to see the church where locals saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1879. Cross into County Sligo for a visit to Drumcliff Cemetery and the grave of poet William Butler Yeats before traveling on to Solis Lough Eske Castle in Donegal Town in time for a casual dinner at the hotel’s Oak Bar. (B, D)
Day 5 - Wednesday: Donegal Town, Slieve League Cliffs, and Glengesh Pass
Drive to the fishing port of Killybegs and on to Teelin to view Slieve League sea cliffs, where the highest point reaches nearly 2,000 feet. Continue through the majestic Glengesh Pass and on to Ardara to visit Triona Design where the famous Donegal tweed is produced. Return to Donegal Town for free time. Join your fellow travelers at 6 P.M. at a drinks reception at the Oak Bar hosted by your escort, Margaret, and Lough Eske General Manager Jeroen Quint. Dinner tonight at the hotel’s fine dining Cedars Grill. (B, D)
Day 6 - Thursday: Belleek and Fermanagh Lakelands
Head south this morning to the Belleek Pottery Factory to see how craftspeople mold, shape, and decorate the world-famous fine china. Drive through the Fermanagh countryside to Lough Erne Resort in Enniskillen where you can enjoy a round of golf on the Nick Faldo-designed course, a relaxing treatment in the resort’s Thai Spa, or a one-hour cooking demonstration with Executive Head Chef Noel McMeel, “Ulster Chef of the Year 2011.” Join your fellow travelers at 6 P.M. at a drinks reception at the Blaney Bar hosted by your escort, Margaret, and Lough Erne’s General Manager. Dinner tonight at the hotel’s fine dining Catalina Restaurant. (B, D)
Day 7 - Friday: Dublin
This morning, drive directly to Dublin, where you’ll spend an exciting weekend in the Irish capital. Check-in to the luxurious Merrion Hotel hotel before enjoying an open-top bus tour past elegant Georgian squares, graceful cathedrals, and the General Post Office where the 1916 Rebellion started. Enjoy a tour and a taste at the Guinness Storehouse or Jameson Old Distillery. The remainder of the day is free for you to walk through the campus of Trinity College, stroll the pedestrian thoroughfare of Grafton Street, tour the National Gallery, Dublin Castle, or Kilmainham Jail. For dinner, choose from a selected list of restaurants, wine bars, or pubs. (B)
Day 8 - Saturday: Temple Bar Market, Dublin
After breakfast, join Margaret for a v isit to the Temple Bar Market, one of Ireland’s busiest farmer’s markets, and then tour the colorful Temple Bar area. You’re free this afternoon, but tonight you’ll enjoy dinner at the Merry Ploughman Pub followed by a show of traditional music and dance. (B, D)
Day 9 - Sunday: Rock of Cashel and Kinsale
Travel south to visit the Rock of Cashel, where Brian Boru was crowned King of Munster in 977. See the twelfth century Cormac’s Chapel and other ancient ruins near the historic site. Continue past the Galtee Mountains through Cork City and on to Kinsale, a delightful fishing town renowned for sailing, gourmet food, wine museum, and golf. Check-in to your harborside hotel, Perryville House, and then join Margaret and a local guide for a short walk around Kinsale's colorful streets. Tonight, chose to have dinner at one of the member restaurants of Kinsale’s “Good Food Circle.” (B)
Day 10 - Monday: Kinsale, Blarney
Enjoy a day at leisure in Kinsale, opt for a round of golf at The Old Head of Kinsale, one of Ireland’s finest courses, or travel to Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Dinner tonight at Martin Shanahan’s Fishy Fishy Café in Kinsale to sample some of his famous seafood cookery. (B, D)
Day 11 - Tuesday: Killarney
Drive to Killarney and check-in to the luxurious Killarney Park Hotel. Enjoy lunch at one of Killarney’s traditional pubs followed by a tour of Muckross House and a ride in a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car. Return to the hotel for a pre-dinner whiskey tasting and private dinner tonight at the hotel’s Ross Suite. (B, D)
Day 12 - Wednesday: Ring of Kerry, Killarney
After breakfast, board your coach for a breathtaking, day-long tour of the Ring of Kerry. Tasty stops will include The Smokery in Killorglin, the Skellig Chocolate Company in Ballinskelligs, and lunch in QC’s in Cahersiveen. Tonight’s farewell dinner will be a “flavors of Ireland” tasting menu presented by Killarney Park Head Chef Odran Lucy. (B, L, D)
Day 13 - Thursday: Return from Shannon
Complimentary group transfers are provided to Shannon Airport. After check-in, you'll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before boarding your flight for the journey home. (B)
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Flavors Of Ireland (3443 KB)