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Walk in the footsteps
of some of Ireland’s literary giants including Yeats,
Joyce and Swift and discover the mysteries of the tombs
of Newgrange, which predate the Egyptian pyramids, on
this fascinating exploration of the wonders of the
Emerald Isle! Your vacation begins with a 2-night stay
in Dublin where you will enjoy a historic tour featuring
St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Oscar Wilde’s Trinity
College. Experience the beauty of Ireland on your
journey south through the Wicklow Mountains to
Glendalough, known as the valley of two lakes. View the
awesome Cliffs of Moher, travel along the coastal Dingle
Peninsula, and spend three nights in the quaint Irish
town of Tralee. Experiences like a visit to the Marian
Shrines and Basilica in Knock; a demonstration of the
cutting of fine marble; learning first hand about daily
life on an Irish sheep farm, and dinner and a
performance by Ireland’s national folk dance theater all
make for one unforgettable trip.
- See historic Dublin on a
tour featuring St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Trinity College.
- Contemplate the mysteries of pre-historic
Irish civilization at the Boyne Valley Visitors Center.
- Visit Marian Shrine and Basilica in Knock,
Ireland's pilgrimage center.
- Irish country life comes alive with dance
performances at Siamsa Tire, Ireland's national folk theater.
 Day
1: Overnight Flight
Welcome as you join Collette Vacations in exploring
Ireland's rich history, culture and breathtaking
scenery. Your journey of discovery begins with an
overnight flight to Ireland.
Day 2: Arrive Dublin, Ireland - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in Dublin. Enjoy time at leisure in
this exciting Irish capital. Tonight, join your fellow
travelers for a memorable Irish Night featuring local
cuisine and traditional Irish music. (D)
Day 3: Dublin - Wicklow Mountains - Glendalough -
Dublin
Begin your day with a historic tour of Dublin featuring
St. Patrick's Cathedral, known as the longest church in
Ireland. Then continue to Oscar Wilde's Trinity College,
famous for the 8th century Book of Kells and the
magnificent Old Library. Depart Dublin and travel south
through the picturesque Wicklow Mountains to Glendalough.
Glendalough, known as the valley of two lakes, is one of
the most scenic areas of Ireland. Enjoy a visit to the
6th century monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin.
This early Christian religious settlement was one of
Ireland's greatest pilgrimage centers up to the middle
of the 19th century. Your day ends with a stop at the
famous Avoca Handweavers, Ireland's oldest handweaving
mill. (B)
Day 4: Dublin - Newgrange - Sligo
Visit the Boyne Valley, one of Ireland's most ancient
and historic areas where traces of Ireland's first
inhabitants can still be found today. A visit to the
Boyne Valley Visitors Center reveals the mysteries of
the nearby tombs of Newgrange which predate Stonehenge
and the Egyptian pyramids. In Longford, stop at
Strokestown House for a guided tour of the restored
1740's mansion and gardens. At the Famine Museum, learn
about the Great Irish Famine of the 1840's. In Boyle, a
picture stop is made at the Cistercian Abbey ruins
before continuing to Sligo. (B, D)
Day 5: Sligo - Yeats Country - Knock Shrine - Galway
This morning visit the gravesite of W.B. Yeats, the
Nobel Prize-winning poet who based much of his work on
the natural features of the Sligo area. Next, visit the
Marian Shrine and Basilica in Knock, Ireland's
pilgrimage center. Your day ends in picturesque Galway,
"The City of Tribes". (B, D)
Day 6: Galway - Connemara Coast - Galway
Enjoy a delightful day of sightseeing in the
Gaelic-speaking Connemara region. This unspoiled region
is known for its sweeping views of boglands, misty
mountains and picturesque seaside villages where locals
maintain their Irish language and traditional
lifestyles. At Moycullen, visit Connemara Marble Factory
where skilled artisans craft this beautiful local stone.
Continue to the charming town of Clifden before visiting
the 19th century Kylemore Abbey, home of Benedictine
nuns. Later, travel to the charming village of Cong,
made famous by the 1952 movie "The Quiet Man". (B)
Day 7: Galway - The Burren - Cliffs of Moher - Tralee
Begin your day with a visit to Galway Crystal and
Heritage Center. At Rathbaun Farm, join locals for
coffee and scones in a 150-year-old farmhouse where you
learn first hand about daily life on an Irish sheep
farm. Continue along the scenic route across the
limestone plateau of the Burren to view the awesome
Cliffs of Moher. Rising to nearly 700 feet, the Cliffs
of Moher stretch for nearly five miles and offer
spectacular views of Ireland's Atlantic coastline. In
Killimer you ferry across to Tarbert and continue to
Tralee. (B, D)
Day 8: Tralee - Dingle Peninsula - Tralee
Travel one of the most majestic coastal routes in the
world, the Dingle Peninsula. Spectacular views of the
Atlantic Ocean await you along the 32 mile Slea Head
drive. Explore charming coastal villages such as Ventry,
Dunquin and Ballyferriter. After dinner, enjoy a
performance at Siamsa Tire, Ireland's national folk
dance theater, which represents Irish country life
through dance. (B, D)
Day 9: Tralee
Enjoy a day at leisure to soak up the atmosphere,
explore the sights and chat with the locals. Tralee,
nestled in the shelter of Tralee Bay, is the gateway to
the Dingle Penninsula and offers beautiful views of the
sea and mountains. Wonderful shopping and authentic pubs
are found throughout the town. Tralee is also renowned
for its annual international beauty pageant, the Rose of
Tralee, where all girls of Irish decent are eligible for
the title. Celebrate the end of your wonderful trip with
a farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 10: Tralee - Shannon Airport - Tour Ends
Your tour to Ireland ends today. (B)
Stay another night -
Add a pre night stay in Dublin. Prices start at $100 per
person, double.
|
Uniquely For You
The Dingle Peninsula |
| The
Dingle Peninsula is perhaps the most
intriguing and beautiful park of
Ireland. A visit to Ireland is not
complete without a visit to this most
westerly part of the country. You'll
travel along this spectacular coastal
route during your Collette vacations in
Killarney. From spectacular mountains to
long sandy beaches to the staggering
mass of rocks, you'll witness the beauty
that defines this extraordinary coast.
This mountainous finger of land which
juts into the Atlantic Ocean has
supported various tribes and populations
for almost 6,000 years. Because of its
remote location, and lack of specialized
agriculture, there is a remarkable
preservation of over 2,000 monuments. It
is impossible to visit the Dingle
Peninsula and not be impressed by its
archaeological heritage. When you
combine the folklore and mythology,
which have been passed from generation
to generation through the Irish
language, you can begin to understand
how unique and complex the history of
this peninsula is. As if all this were
not enough, the peninsula has a place in
film history too: Ryan's Daughter was
filmed here, as were parts of Far and
Away, starring Tom Cruise. |
Base Rates Per Person
| Departure Date |
Tour Rate – Twin |
Tour and Air Rate |
|
May 25 2006 |
$1649 |
$2189 from NYC |
|
Aug 10 2006 |
$1599 |
$2459 from NYC |
|
Oct 05 2006 |
$1499 |
$2039 from NYC |
|
Nov 04 2006 |
$1399 |
$1899 from NYC |
*Tour and air prices are lead-in rates from a
specific gateway based on twin occupancy and are subject to change. Rates do not
include inter-air flights. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates.
Tours departing BEFORE 4/30/06 may follow a different itinerary than what is
listed here. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking. For
tours that feature a cruise, port taxes are not included in the prices above.
Additional tour dates
may be available, please call us for information.
10 days, 14 meals
8 Breakfasts, 6 Dinners
Day 1 - Overnight flight
Day 2, 3 - The Grand Canal Hotel, Dublin
Day 4 - Radisson SAS Hotel, Sligo
Day 5, 6 - Radisson SAS Hotel, Galway
Day 7 - 9 - Earl of Desmonde Hotel, Tralee
On some dates alternate hotels may be used.
NOTES:
- Siamsa Tire is included from
early May through September only, and this is reflected in the
tour price. It is not available on Friday except in July and
August.
- When Newgrange is not
available, you will visit the tombs of Knowth or Dowth
Back to Itinerary Page
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