Compare The Best of Ireland: A Week on the Emerald Isle by Road Scholar vs Ireland Uncovered by Tours of Distinction
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 9 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 1,999 | $ 3,200 |
| Price Per Day | $ 222 | $ 320 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities | N/A |
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| Meals Included |
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8 Full Irish Breakfasts | 6 Dinners |
| Description | Go off the beaten path and learn the story of Ireland as you speak with locals, taste authentic cuisine, discover ancient traditions and enjoy expert-led excursions to historic sites. |
Ireland’s beauty has inspired romantics, poets and dreamers for centuries. Its towns and villages exude unforgettable charm, cheer, and the rich tapestry of Gaelic culture. Explore storied pasts in magnificent castles that dot the landscape, discover mysteries along Ireland’s stunning seascapes, emerald lakes and moss covered bogs on this tour to Island. Visit Dublin voted the 3rd friendliest city on earth, marvel at Waterford Crystal, and feast on Irish hospitality – it’s a country where locals love a chat. Start your conversation on this small group tour of Ireland. |
Day
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
Day
2
Arrival, Orientation, The Rock of Cashel
Cork. L,D The Metropole Hotel Cork
Morning: Early morning arrivals to Dublin airport and transfer to Cork. Ireland’s second largest city, Cork was founded in the seventh century. Today it is a bustling, lively city with a wealth of cultural life and a festive atmosphere. En route we will stop in Cashel for a light lunch before an expert-led field trip to the Rock of Cashel. A spectacular high medieval site dominating sweeping plains, its chapel, cathedral and castle are full of fascinating history.
Lunch: A light lunch will be taken in Cashel.
Afternoon: The transfer continues to Cork, where we will check in to our hotel. There'll be time to relax, before Orientation at approximately 5:30pm. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date Daily Schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities and answer any questions you may have. We have set aside some free time in the schedule for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner: A seated three course dinner will be taken in the hotel dining room with coffee, tea and water. Other beverages are available for purchase.
Evening: At leisure to unpack, relax and prepare for the program ahead.
Day
3
Titanic Trail, Cobh, The Queenstown Story
Cork. B,D The Metropole Hotel Cork
Breakfast: A full Irish breakfast buffet in the hotel dining room. Choices vary but will include a variety of eggs, bacon, sausages, tomato, potatoes, cereals, fruit, toast, pastries and jams served with water, juices, tea and coffee.
Morning: We begin this morning in the hotel with an orientation to Ireland, followed by a lecture on the Irish Exodus to the New World.
Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like. You may wish to sample one of Cork's many excellent pubs, cafes and restaurants.
Afternoon: This afternoon we depart by coach for Cobh, where we'll join our local expert on the Titanic Trail, a gentle walk through Cobh, a picturesque seaside town steeped in Maritime History. It was the final port of call for the ill-fated RMS Titanic, and the departure point for many immigrants to the Americas. We'll follow their story at the Queenstown Story, where we can retrace the steps of the 2.5 million adults and children who emigrated from Ireland on coffin ships, early steamers and finally on the great liners.
Dinner: A special evening dinner is held an Irish family home in the local area.
Evening: At leisure after dinner.
Day
4
The Ring of Kerry
Cork. B,D The Metropole Hotel Cork
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: This morning we travel by motor coach with a local expert to explore the Ring of Kerry. The Ring of Kerry is made up of spectacular coastal and mountain scenery, enveloping the towns of Glenbeigh, Cahersiven, Waterville and Sneem.
Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like in the delightful village of Waterville.
Afternoon: This afternoon visit a family run sheep farm. Kissane Sheep Farm, in Kenmare County Kerry, is a traditional, working sheep farm with approximately 1000 mountain sheep and hundreds of lambs. The farm is run by John and Anne Kissane, and has been run by the same family for the last 150 years.
Dinner: Dinner is taken en route back to Cork.
Evening: At leisure after dinner.
Day
5
Cork, Blarney Castle, Blarney Stone
Cork. B The Metropole Hotel Cork
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: We board the motor coach this morning for a visit a panoramic excursion around Cork, ending at the vibrant University where you will have chance to explore.
Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon: This afternoon, we make our way to Blarney Castle - home of the famous Blarney Stone. Tradition dictates that the gift of eloquence is conferred on all those who kiss the stone! Following our visit, we return to Cork by motorcoach for some free time to explore. Your Group Leader will be happy to offer advice, suggestions and directions.
Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening: At leisure.
Day
6
Transfer to Dublin
Dublin. B,L,D Academy Plaza Hotel
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: This morning we depart via motor coach for Dublin, via Waterford. Here we'll visit the House of Waterford Crystal to see the traditional artisan skills of mouth blowing, hand finishing sculpting and engraving which create the crystal pieces. Following the visit, we'll travel the short distance to the Waterford Treasures Museum.
Lunch: Taken out at the Waterford Treasures Museum.
Afternoon: Enjoy a very special behind the scenes look at the Waterford Treasures Museum's many exhibitions, before our transfer continues before we check into the hotel, with time to unpack and relax before dinner.
Dinner: A seated three course dinner will be taken in the hotel dining room with coffee, tea and water. Other beverages are available for purchase.
Evening: At leisure.
Day
7
Trinity College, The Book of Kells
Dublin. B,L Academy Plaza Hotel
Breakfast: Continental buffet. A full Irish breakfast served in the hotel dining room. Choices vary but will include a variety of eggs, bacon, sausages, tomato, potatoes, cereals, fruit, toast, pastries and jams served with water, juices, tea and coffee.
Morning: This morning we explore Trinity College. Trinity College, sometimes referred to as the University of Dublin, dates back to 1592 and is one of the seven ancient Universities of Britain and Ireland. It is also home to the Book of Kells, one of the finest examples of illuminated manuscript in the world. The artistry and attention to detail in its spellbinding calligraphy and illuminations truly is a sight to behold and the book, dating back to 800 AD, is considered Ireland’s finest national treasure.
Lunch: Enjoy lunch accompanied by a presentation of Dublin poetry and song.
Afternoon: This afternoon we visit the National Museum of Ireland, and enjoy a privately guided exploration of the renowned collection of Bronze Age gold work.
Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening: At leisure.
Day
8
Irish Music & Dance
Dublin. B,D Academy Plaza Hotel
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: Today is at leisure for you to explore further Dublin, or perhaps take a day trip to the stone age tombs at Bru na Boinne or the beautiful Celtic Monastic site at Glendalough. Your Group Leader will be happy to assist you in making arrangements.
Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon: Free time to continue your independent exploration.
Dinner: A served Farewell dinner. Spend your last evening in Dublin enjoying traditional Irish food and wonderful music and song as you say goodbye to your new found friends.
Evening: At leisure after dinner.
Day
9
Program Concludes
Dublin. B
Breakfast: In the hotel. Some participants may depart prior to breakfast, whereupon a boxed breakfast will be provided.
Morning: Transfer to Dublin Airport (DUB) for onward flights. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Day 1 - Depart for Dublin, Ireland
Today, transfer to the airport for your tour of Ireland and board your overnight flight to Dublin.
Day 2 - Arrive Dublin
Arriving at Dublin International Airport, you will be met by your local guide and escorted to your awaiting motor-coach. This morning, you will enjoy a tour of Dublin City; originally founded as a Viking settlement, Dublin has been home to the Irish Parliament since the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922. On your tour, witness Georgian Squares with their 18th Century houses, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College with the Book of Kells, Phoenix Park (biggest town park in Europe), statue filled O’Connell Street and the fashionable Grafton Street. Later, no visit to Dublin would be complete without a visit to the Guinness Brewery founded in 1759 by Arthur Guinness. Here, you will enjoy a guided tour which concludes with a leisurely pint of Guinness in the 360-degree roof top bar while enjoying some spectacular views of Dublin City. After, check-in to the Camden Court Hotel for our overnight stay and Welcome Dinner.
Day 3 - Waterford
After breakfast, we depart Dublin and travel south to County Wicklow, known as The Garden of Ireland. Your first stop will be Powerscourt House and Gardens. Powerscourt House which was badly damaged by fire in 1974 has been refurbished and opened to the public. The gardens at Powerscourt were laid out when the house was rebuilt in 1731. From here, you continue to Glendalough (Valley of Two Lakes) where you travel back in time to the 7th century with a guided tour of this remarkable early monastic settlement. Your tour continues through the beautiful Vale of Avoca to the Avoca Hand Weavers (the oldest in Ireland). We tour the weaving cooperative and get our own chance to try weaving!
Day 4 - Killarney
House of Waterford Crystal awaits today! See highly skilled local craftsmen demonstrate crystal blowing and cutting in the new state of the art visitor center. After, continue along the southern coastline to Blarney where you will have an opportunity to visit and kiss the famous Blarney Stone - said to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who dare. Following this adventure, continue to Killarney for a two-night stay in the Killarney Towers Hotel.
Day 5 - Dingle Peninsula
Today, you will enjoy the unspoiled beauty of the Dingle Peninsula, once cited as the most beautiful place on earth by National Geographic. You will stop at the Brian de Staic studio in Dingle which specializes in Celtic jewelry. This jewelry is handcrafted and engraved with ancient Celtic symbols and the letters of the ogham alphabet, an ancient Irish form of writing. As you continue around Slea Head, you will get some breathtaking views of the Atlantic coastline and see some beehive huts (early monastic settlements) dating back over a thousand years. Plus, we visit the westernmost point in Ireland where you can view the Blasket Islands. You will also see the locations for such films as Ryan’s Daughter and the more recently filmed Far and Away which starred Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. You will have some free time in Dingle for lunch before returning to Killarney.
Day 6 - Galway
This morning, you bid farewell to Killarney and travel to Tralee, capital town of County Kerry and famous for The Rose of Tralee Festival. You continue to Tarbert where you board the Shannon Ferry and cross the Shannon Estuary to Killimer. From here, you travel the coast to the majestic Cliffs of Moher, which rise to a height of 600 ft. over the Atlantic Ocean. Following some free time to view the cliffs, your tour continues through the ‘lunar’ type landscape of the Burren, from the Irish word ‘bhoireann’ meaning, ‘a stony place’ or ‘a rocky place.’ This is the perfect description for this 350 sq. kilometer limestone plateau in North Clare. Later, you continue along the shores of Galway Bay to Galway City and check-in to the Galway Harbour Hotel where we have dinner.
Day 7 - Westport
Today you depart Galway and travel through Connemara with an abundance of mountains, lakelands and boglands. Because of its wild and rugged beauty, it has been the location for many films - “The Quiet Man” with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara and, in more recent times, “The Field,” starring Richard Harris. Kylemore Abbey is our next stop. Built in 1866, it was home to Benedictine Nuns from 920 to 2008. You can also visit the Abbey’s Victorian Walled Garden which is completely enclosed by a brick and limestone wall and beautiful Gothic Church. From here, continue through the scenic Doolough Valley taking in a stretch of road known as the famine walk and follow in the footsteps of the many people who left their home in search of food during the great famine. You will visit Glen Keen Farm and enjoy some freshly baked scones followed by a sheep herding demonstration. From here you continue by the foothills of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s Holy Mountain to Westport. We unpack here for our two-night stay at the Hotel Westport.
Day 8 - Achill Island
After breakfast, travel to Mulranny and cross the Michael Davitt Bridge to Achill, Ireland’s largest offshore island. We follow the coastline and experience breathtaking views on the island’s spectacular Atlantic Drive and visit the deserted village at Slievemore. This village consists of 80 - 100 stone cottages (booley homes) on the southern slopes of Slievemore Mountain. There is a pub stop on Achill Island for lunch before returning to Westport, where you will have the remainder of the afternoon free. Take time to explore this picturesque town with its cheerful, multi-coloured shop fronts and an attractive selection of pubs, cafés and restaurants.
Day 9 - Dublin
Bid farewell to Westport this morning as we travel to the town of Knock, where Our Lady appeared in 1879, and has since become a great place of pilgrimage with thousands of people visiting each year. Then, continue to Dunboyne Castle Hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel.
Day 10 - Depart Dublin
After breakfast, we transfer to Dublin International Airport with fond memories, newly acquired accents and many stories. Upon arrival in the USA, transfer home.
