Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.

Land at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities before meeting your CIE Tours driver/guide, who will welcome you to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the coach. Next, travel into the beautiful town of Malahide and stop to visit Malahide Castle, a visually remarkable ancient castle. After a tour of the castle you may like to explore this quaint upscale town. After, return to Dublin and enjoy a panoramic tour of the city given by your group leader, Colm. Continue your travel into Dunboyne, check into your hotel and enjoy some free time before meeting your group for a welcome drink followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant. In the evening, enjoy a performance by your group leaders, Colm and Laura.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: DUNBOYNE CASTLE HOTEL, DUNBOYNE

After breakfast, travel into County Wicklow and stop to visit the 6th century monastic ruins of Glendalough. The visitor centre explains how St. Kevin founded this settlement at a time when Christianity was burgeoning throughout Ireland. Next, travel into Kilkenny and stop to enjoy lunch at the Kilkenny Design Centre, which was built in 1760 as a coach house and stables for Kilkenny Castle. After, embark on a guided walking tour through this medieval city. The humorous and informative guide will show you many of Kilkenny’s historical sites, which help make stories about the past come to life. Motor a short distance to your hotel, check in and settle into your room. Spend the balance of the day at leisure for individual sightseeing, shopping, dining and more.

OVERNIGHT: RIVER COURT HOTEL, KILKENNY

Departing Kilkenny, travel into Cobh and stop to visit the Cobh Heritage Center, which depicts the varied history of emigration from Ireland and many European countries to the United States over the past 150 years. Cobh was the last port of call for the “Titanic” and many liners that carried emigrants to the New World. Next, drive into Blarney, where you can climb the battlements of Blarney Castle and kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products. You will also have time to browse around the village, charmingly set around a large village green. Continue your journey into Killarney, check into your hotel and relax or freshen up before joining your fellow travellers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY TOWERS HOTEL, KILLARNEY

After breakfast, discover the beauties of the Dingle Peninsula, once described by the National Geographic Traveler as “the most beautiful place on earth.” Drive along the south shore of the peninsula for plenty of vistas of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach, stunning green landscapes and rocky headlands. Pause at strategic locations to admire the views and take photos. Continue your drive into the village of Annascaul and stop at the South Pole Inn for a cup of Irish Coffee and to learn about the Antarctic explorer, Tom Crean. Return to your hotel in Killarney and enjoy some time at leisure before dining with your group at a local restaurant or pub.

OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY TOWERS HOTEL, KILLARNEY

This morning, enjoy a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary. Next, drive along the coast of scenic County Clare to visit the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most beloved, natural landmarks. See magical vistas, overlooking the shimmering Atlantic Ocean along with Ireland’s Western coastline. Continue your journey and stop to visit Caherconnell Farm, where you will have the opportunity to experience farm life and see sheepdogs, working in their natural environment. After, travel into Galway and embark on a panoramic tour to see the principal sights of the city. See the Spanish Arch in the Claddagh area, the City Museum and the Cathedral of Our Lady, which is built on the site of the former county jail. Drive a short distance to your hotel, check in and relax or freshen up before joining your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: GALWAY BAY HOTEL, GALWAY

Today, enjoy a short ferry ride from Rossaveal to Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands. These rocky islands are renowned for the hardy islanders who maintained traditional fishing and farming. The Irish language is still spoken widely. Next, take a minibus ride to Dun Aengus, a huge pre-historic fortress perched on sheer cliffs, which fall away to the Atlantic Ocean below. Have a look around Kilronan, the main town, before stopping to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or pub. Return to your hotel in Galway where the rest of the day is free for independent activities, sightseeing, shopping, dining, pubs and much more.

OVERNIGHT: GALWAY BAY HOTEL, GALWAY

After breakfast, travel through the Connemara Region to admire the sweeping views of boglands and misty mountains. As you drive along you will see many sheep that graze freely and also tracts of bogland where some people hand-cut peat for home heating. Return to your hotel in Galway and spend the balance of the day at your leisure.

OVERNIGHT: GALWAY BAY HOTEL, GALWAY

This morning, travel to the center of Ireland to visit Clonmacnoise. This monastic settlement was founded in 545 and is delightfully set on the banks of the River Shannon. Learn about the history of the site and take a walk around to see the ancient monuments. Next, drive into the town of Athlone and stop to visit Sean’s bar, the oldest pub in Ireland, before continuing your travel into the city of Dublin. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy some free time before tonight’s festivities.

This evening, head to the Abbey Tavern for dinner and a traditional ballad session. Built on the site of an old abbey, Abbey Tavern has been in business for over 200 years.

OVERNIGHT: ASHLING HOTEL, DUBLIN

All too soon, your vacation has come to its final day. Transfer to Dublin Airport in good time to check in for your flight. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores before boarding your aircraft and flying across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.