Ireland - Celtic Lands, Castles & Pubs
Friday, June 22 to Sunday, July 1

Come explore Ireland and its natural wonders and amazing sites:

- The Rock of Cashel rising high above the surrounding Tipperary countryside.
- The Cliffs of Moher providing exhilarating views.
- The Burren, “the great rock” stretching out towards the Atlantic.
- Take a voyage to the Skellig Islands rising sharply from the sea and walk to the summit to Skellig Micheal.
- Tour the Guinness Storehouse and the Old Jameson Distillery.
- Visit Cahir Castle surrounded by water at the entrance to the town.
- Tour Trim Castle used on location in the movie Braveheart.
- Sea Kayak in the port of Kinsale or take a bike on-boat-tour in the Ring of Kerry.
- Hike along the shores and cliffs of the Celtic lands.

9 days in Ireland - Air Service by Aer Lingus
Friday, June 22, 2007
Departure: 9:40 pm New York, USA JFK Terminal
Arrival: 9:10 am +1 day Dublin, Ireland

Sunday, July 1, 2007
Departure: 5:00 pm Dublin, Ireland
Arrival: 7:30 pm New York, JFK

Pricing: (Full Package, incl. International Flight!)
$1,995 - make deposit by April 10
$2,095 - make deposit by April 30
$2,195 - make deposit by May 20

Only $500 deposit needed to hold your spot

Included:
Non-stop International Flight from JFK to Dublin by Aer Lingus
All ground transportation
All accommodation (B & B, guesthouses)
Entrance fees to castles and Guinness Brewery
Irish breakfasts

Optional activities:
- Horseback Riding, Sea Kayaking, Old Jameson Distillery, Golf
- Ferry ride to Skelligs Islands
- Visit to Gap of Dunloe

Does Not Include:
Lunch and dinners and tips

Questions/ RSVP: igorbass@dointernational.com

General Itinerary:

Friday, June 22: Depart New York/JFK
Saturday, June 23: Early arrival in Dublin. A guided City Tour of Dublin; Self-guided tour of seven story Guinness Storehouse.
Sunday, June 24: A moderate exceptionally scenic hike in Wicklow Mountains
Monday, June 25: Visit Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle, Michelstown Cave
Tuesday, June 26: Visit the Blarney Castle, Explore the town of Kinsale, Sea Kayaking off the harbor of Kinsale,
Wednesday, June 27: Voyage to the Skellig Islands, Hike to Skellig Michael, and Little Skellig
Thursday, June 28: Killarney National Park, Bike(or hike)-on-boat-tour of the Gap of Dunoe
Friday, June 29: Drive to Loop Head, hike and explore the cliffs, dolphin watching
Visit the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren
Saturday, June 30: Tour of "Braveheart" Trim Castle
Sunday, July 1: Return to New York

Full Itinerary:

Friday, June 22: Depart NY/JFK at 9:40 pm

Saturday, June 23
We will arrive mid-morning in Dublin City. We will drop off our luggage at the hotel and have an early lunch. In the early afternoon we’ll have a walking tour of Dublin City. The tour will start at the seven-story Guinness Storehouse where you will be able to view the brewing process. At the top of the tower is the Gravity Bar where you can savoir your complimentary pint of perhaps the best Guinness in Dublin while absorbing the superb panorama of the city and countryside beyond. The rest of the evening will be spent enjoying the pubs, music, and Irish food in the city of Dublin.
Overnight in Dublin-Hotel

Sunday, June 24
After a hearty Irish breakfast, we’ll drive south to the Wicklow Mountains, nicknamed the “Garden of Ireland.” Here we will have a chance to explore the stunning scenery of the inland mountains as well as the sandy coast. We will take a moderate 14km scenic ridge walk high above Glendalough’s lakes, starting and finishing through beautiful oak woodlands. We will eat a packed lunch midway through the trail. After the walk, we will drive to our overnight destination. Overnight in Cashel-B&B

Monday, June 25

In the morning we will visit the Rock of Cashel. It is a captivating sight, a freak and solitary lump of rock, reflecting the light in diverse ways throughout the day and topped by a collection of walls, towers and turrets. From here we will visit the Cahir Castle. This castle is surrounded by water at the entrance to the town Cahir. We will have a picnic lunch next to the castle. Our last stop of the day will be to the Mitchelstown Cave. There will be a 30min. guided tour to see some stunning calcite formations, produced by the constant dripping of water on limestone over several eons. From here we will drive to the town of Kinsale. Overnight Kinsale-B&B

Tuesday, June 26

In the morning, we will drive to Cork City to see the Blarney Castle. This is a fifteenth-century tower house standing almost 90ft. in height and set in attractive grounds. In southwest Ireland, it became popular to kiss the Blarney Stone. It is said to give the gift of eloquence. Next, we will drive back to the town of Kinsale and enjoy an Irish lunch. After lunch we will have an optional day to explore the shores of Kinsale. Optional activities include kayaking, sailing, horseback riding, hiking, biking, any many others.
Overnight in Kinsale-B&B

Wednesday, June 27
Today we will take one of the most exciting and inspiring trips you can take in Ireland. A voyage to the Skellig Islands. The magnificent Skellig Islands lie 8 miles off the coast of Portmagee in South West Kerry. Rising majestically from the sea, Skellig Michael towers 714ft. above sea level. On the summit of this awe-inspiring rock you will find a remarkably preserved sixth century monastic settlement. We will get at least two hours on the island. We will also explore the Ring of Skellig, a quiet, scenic though often very steep route around the most westerly promontory of the Peninsula St. Finan’s Bay. Weather permitting the ferry ride. This is an optional activity. There are also scenic hiking along the penninsula. Overnight in Kenmare-B&B

Thursday, June 28

Today will rise early to visit Killarney National Park and the Gap of Dunloe. Killarney National Park protects the glaciated limestone valley around three lakes. Here we will have an optional full day bike(or hike)-on-boat tour. We will travel through the entire lake system on boat to Lord Brandon's Cottage at the head of the Upper Lake by open boat. From here, we will return to Killarney by cycling the Gap of Dunloe. This is a wonderful way to see and experience the scenic splendor, subtle beauties and cultural heritage of Killarney National Park.
Overnight Kilkee-B&B

Friday, June 29

In the morning we will drive to the tip of the penninsula called the Loop Head. Here we will be able to hike and explore the cliffs and scenery. There will also be a chance to do some dolphin watching. In the afternoon, we will take a drive to Limerick to see the popular Cliffs of Moher. These massive sea-battered cliffs stretch downwards almost 200m and provide exhilarating views of the Atlantic Ocean. We will next visit The Burren “stony place.” Its formation has lain unspoiled since the ice age and is composed of karstic limestone, the largest area of such in Western Europe.
Overnight in Galway-Guesthouse

Saturday, June 30
After a hearty Irish breakfast, we will start are drive back to Dublin City. On the way back we will stop in Meath to visit Trim Castle. This castle is in tact enough to have been used as a location for the film Braveheart. After a guided tour, we’ll have time to poke around the enclosure’s assorted towers, ruined buildings and mighty curtain wall. Then off we go to Dublin. Once in Dublin, there will be an optional tour of the Old Jameson Distillery where John Jameson set up his whiskey company. There will be a guided tour that will show the process itself, from milling and mashing to the essential distillation element. The tour ends with a tasting exercise in which testers are requested to sample four brands of whiskey, plus a bourbon and Scotch. The remainder of the day is open to explore the city of Dublin. In the evening, enjoy the local pubs and restaurants.
Overnight in Dublin-Hotel

Sunday, July 1
This morning we’ll be able to sleep and enjoy our last Irish breakfast. After checking out of the hotel, the remainder of the day is open to explore Dublin one more time. At 2:00 pm we will head for the airport to catch our 5:00 pm flight for New York. Arrive in NYC 7:30 pm.

Brace yourself for the gentle mountains, rugged ridges, wild moorlands, spectacular sea cliffs, remote islands, warm hospitality, Irish food, music, and spirits.

Questions/ RSVP: igorbass@dointernational.com

Cancellation Policy:
If you cancel before April 1, you would receive full refund minus $200
If you cancel before April 20, you would receive 75% refund
If you cancel before May 15, you would receive 50% refund
If you cancel before May 25, you would receive 25% refund
After June 1, we can only refund any money if we can replace you...

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