The Best of Ireland and Ashford Castle (201213)

Your Travel Includes:
Airport transfers in Dublin on days 2 and 9Twin-bedded rooms in hotels listed or similar; hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling7 Breakfasts (B), 1 Afternoon Tea (AT) at Rathbaun Farm and 5 three-course Dinners with choice of entree and coffee or tea (D) including a Welcome Dinner (WD)Services of a professional Irish Travel DirectorPrivate luxury motorcoach with air conditioning, reclining seats and emergency restroomSightseeing, special features and scenic highlights as indicated in the itinerary, including admission charges Headsets for sightseeing so you can easily hear your guide's commentary hidden delightPortfolio of travel documentsSouvenir group photo

Day 1: Depart USA
Board your overnight transatlantic flight (cost not included in land only price).

Day 2: Arrive in Dublin, Ireland
Welcome to Dublin! At 2 p.m. begin a city tour. Visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, see the Georgian squares, and walk the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College to its library and see the 8thcentury Book of Kells. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner with wine. (Welcome Dinner)

Day 3: Dublin / Blarney / Killarney
Drive south to the Rock of Cashel, an impressive pre-Christian settlement. A local guide will point out historic sites on an orientation tour. Then continue to Blarney. Browse through Blarney Woolen Mills and visit Blarney Castle with its magical stone that gives the gift of eloquence for a kiss. Afterwards, head to colorful Killarney. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4: Ring of Kerry Excursion
Travel the road that winds around the beautiful Iveragh Peninsula, better known as the Ring of Kerry. Stopping at Torc Waterfall, there is a chance to join a leisurely guided hike. You will walk by West Meadow Bay and visit Muckross Abbey. For those who do not want to join the hike, the motorcoach will return you to Killarney, where the rest of the day is free. (Breakfast) NOTE: The hike travels over wooded paths and lakeshore trails. While there are no mountains to climb, walkers need to be fit, have good walking shoes or boots, sunscreen and raingear.

Day 5: Killarney / Cliffs of Moher / Connemara
Head north and stop for a walk along the Cliffs of Moher, rising 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic waves. Next, drop in for afternoon tea at Rathbaun Farm and meet a local farming family. On to tour Galway, including Galway Cathedral. Then head to your hotel in Connemara. (Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Dinner)

Day 6: Killary Fjord Excursion
Head out for Killary Fjord and board a boat for a cruise through the calm waters of the bay. Later, stop at lakeside Kylemore Abbey, a castellated neo-Gothic mansion, occupied today by a Benedictine community of nuns. Then return to your hotel for dinner and a free evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7: Connemara / Cong (Ashford Castle )
Head through Connemara to Cong, where you enter the grounds of majestic Ashford Castle. There are many opportunities to explore the vast estate with golf, equestrian pursuits, falconry and trail walking. Or simply relax in the castle's luxurious interiors. Dining at Ashford Castle ranks among the finest culinary experiences in the world. An inspired use of seasonal ingredients and an innovative menu await you at dinner tonight (jacket and dress shirt required for men). (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8: Cong / Dublin
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and perhaps a stroll on the estate. Then cross the midlands to Dublin where the balance of the day is free. (Breakfast)

Day 9: Depart Dublin
Take an included transfer to the airport where your vacation ends. (Breakfast)

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/19/2012 - 5/27/2012	$2,099
5/23/2012 - 5/31/2012	$2,099
6/9/2012 - 6/17/2012	$2,185
6/16/2012 - 6/24/2012	$2,185
6/23/2012 - 7/1/2012	$2,185
6/30/2012 - 7/8/2012	$2,185
7/14/2012 - 7/22/2012	$2,185
7/21/2012 - 7/29/2012	$2,185
7/28/2012 - 8/5/2012	$2,185
8/1/2012 - 8/9/2012	$2,185
8/11/2012 - 8/19/2012	$2,185
8/18/2012 - 8/26/2012	$2,185
8/25/2012 - 9/2/2012	$2,185
9/1/2012 - 9/9/2012	$2,225
9/5/2012 - 9/13/2012	$2,225
9/8/2012 - 9/16/2012	$2,225
9/15/2012 - 9/23/2012	$2,225
9/19/2012 - 9/27/2012	$2,225
9/22/2012 - 9/30/2012	$2,225
9/29/2012 - 10/7/2012	$2,035
10/6/2012 - 10/14/2012	$2,035
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Begin in Dublin where St. Patrick's Cathedral and the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College greet you with their architectural splendor. Then visit Killarney, home of Ireland's most vibrant pubs and lively social venues complete with a cheery Irish atmosphere. Soon after, enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience spending a night in Ireland's deluxe 13th century Ashford Castle.

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