Scenic Ireland (GI2027)

Day 1:
ARRIVE IN SHANNON, IRELAND-LIMERICK Céad mile fáilte—a hundred-thousand welcomes! Enjoy free time upon arrival before meeting your Tour Director and travel companions at 6 pm for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 2:
LIMERICK-CLIFFS OF MOHER-GALWAY-CLIFDEN Seacliff Rocks & Sheep Flocks Embark on an exhilarating excursion along Ireland 's spectacular Atlantic coastline with a drive to the 668-foot Cliffs of Moher, where you take in the breathtaking panorama of the Clare coast. Visit Rathbaun Farm, [LF] try your hand a scone baking and learn about sheep herding from the farmer before enjoying coffee and your own home-made scones. A scenic route across the limestone plateau of The Burren takes you to Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan center with colorful shops and a busy café and bar culture, for some free time before an overnight in the small fishing town of Clifden. (B,D)
161 mi / 259 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Someone 's in the kitchen in Rathbaun Farm, just outside of Galway. You can don an apron and whip up your own delicious home-made scones, served with fresh preserves and whipped cream. Learn about the long-time tradition of sheep farming in this beautiful Irish landscape.

Day 3:
CLIFDEN-KYLEMORE-WESTPORT-SLIGO Abbey Roads & Irish Roses Start the day with a visit to Kylemore Abbey, home to the order of Benedictine nuns. At Westport, on the banks of the beautiful Carrabawn River, enjoy some free time before continuing through rugged landscapes to the coastal town of Sligo, known for its literary heritage. (B,D)
104 mi / 167 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Nestled between the woodlands and lakeshore near Galway City, Kylemore Abbey is home to the Benedictine Sisters who have been in residence since 1920 in a life of prayer, work, and community. The history of this stunning abbey reaches back to the 1800s as the estate of Irish patriot Mitchell Henry. Visit the abbey where handmade chocolates, wild Irish honey, and traditional fuchsia pottery are sold. Stroll the lovely grounds of Ireland 's largest walled garden in the heart of the Connemara countryside.

Day 4:
SLIGO-DERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND-GIANT 'S CAUSEWAY-BELFAST Ancient Walls and Giant Steps in Northern Ireland Head into Northern Ireland today and enjoy a [LF] walking tour with a local guide along the city walls of Derry 's Old Town. Follow in the legendary footsteps of Finn McCool as you admire the Giant 's Causeway, composed of 40,000 basalt columns formed millions of years ago. Stay in Belfast tonight, Northern Ireland 's seat of government. (B)
203 mi / 328 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
HISTORIC SPOT Derry is known as the only remaining completely walled medieval city in Ireland and one of the best-preserved walled cities in Europe. Walk around the 17th-century fortification masterpiece with 7 gates and 24 cannons while also discovering a city full of history, heritage, and culture.

Day 5:
BELFAST Spend your day your way in Belfast This morning, explore more of Belfast with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions. Relax with free time this afternoon.




Day 6:
BELFAST-CARLINGFORD, IRELAND-DUBLIN Belfast 's Big House Your first stop today is a guided tour Hillsborough Castle, the official residence of the Royal Family when they are in Northern Ireland, and also home of the Secretary of State. Leaving Northern Ireland stop in the charming village of Carlingford on the Cooley Peninsula, known for its oyster farms and medieval buildings, before arriving in Dublin. (B)
121 mi / 200 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE Hillsborough Castle is called the “grandest house in County Down” with an equally grand history of royal and political residents. Today, the Irish “big house” near Belfast is the official home of Northern Ireland 's secretary of state and of the Royal Family when they visit.

Day 7:
DUBLIN Ireland 's Capital City Take a morning orientation drive to see O 'Connell Street, Georgian squares, St. Patrick 's Cathedral, and Trinity College. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy this vibrant city. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS “In Dublin 's fair city where girls are so pretty,” you 'll also find great personality and charm. The charisma of Dubliners and the bounty of pubs here is matched only by the gorgeous Georgian Squares, 12th-century St. Patrick 's Cathedral, and Trinity College.

Day 8:
DUBLIN-KILKENNY-WATERFORD Medieval History and Crystal Making Mystery Your first destination today is the “Marble City” of Kilkenny where there 's time to enjoy one of Ireland 's most quaint towns or consider a visit to its 800-year-old castle. Continue to Waterford, a stronghold founded by Danish Vikings and take a guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal featuring the mold room and the glassblowing, cutting, and engraving departments to witness the highly skilled master craftsmen at work. (B,D)
119 mi / 191 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE “There once were two cats from Kilkenny. Each thought there was one cat too many.” Find out why people from Kilkenny are often referred to as “cats” while visiting the medieval town also known as “Marble City.”

Day 9:
WATERFORD-BLARNEY-KINSALE Irish Storytelling Start the day by joining your Local Guide for a walk through Ireland 's oldest city. Enjoy two cathedrals, four national monuments, and eleven centuries of rogues and rascals along the Viking Triangle. Hear their stories delivered in the witty, entertaining style of a master storyteller. Later, visit Blarney Castle, renowned for its magical Kissing Stone, before heading to the historic port and fishing town of Kinsale. (B,D)
105 mi / 171 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE Cut the blarney and hear the history of how telling tales is forever linked to the 15th-century castle and the village below in Blarney. One of the last estate villages that remain standing in Ireland, the village was built by an 18th-century landlord to house the castle workers there. It 's true!

Day 10:
KINSALE-GARINISH ISLAND-KILLARNEY Heaven on Earth Board your [LF] private boat for the short crossing to Garinish Island in Bantry Bay, followed by a walk in between the flowering trees and shrubs of this lush, tropical island. Then, a panoramic drive around part of Ireland 's spectacular southwest peninsula, the Ring of Kerry, before arriving in the vibrant town of Killarney. (B)
100 mi / 158 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
PICTURE PERFECT In the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff in Southwest Ireland 's Bantry Bay lies a place called heaven by frequent visitor, George Bernard Shaw. Stepping off your private boat onto the slip here, you 'll soon discover why this lush garden island and home to the historic Bryce house has enamored generations of visitors, including mystery author Agatha Christie. Explore this horticultural heaven with a walk through one of the most renowned gardens in Europe.

Day 11:
KILLARNEY. EXCURSION TO DINGLE PENINSULA Rugged Good Looks Enjoy panoramic views along Dingle Peninsula on the way to the Blasket Island Centre. Learn about the way of life and unique literary achievements on the string of remote offshore islands evacuated by the last inhabitants in 1953. Return to Killarney via the town of Dingle and enjoy some free time. (B,D)
107 mi / 172 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY LIVES Irish history comes alive on the Dingle Peninsula with a view beyond the breathtaking shores of the Wild Atlantic Way, where Irish families once lived off the land and sea on the Blasket Islands. The Blasket Islands Centre on the peninsula 's edge tells the story of these hearty people and their stories that live on in the prolific Irish literature of the 1800s islanders. Today, the town of Dingle is a vibrant spot and mecca for curious characters, artists, and artisans.

Day 12:
KILLARNEY-ADARE-LIMERICK Irish Eyes & Cheeky Rhymes Complete your stay in Killarney with a visit to Muckross House, situated in the heart of Ireland 's oldest National Park. Later, stop at the quaint village of Adare and admire its pretty thatched cottages before returning to Limerick for some free time. (B)
68 mi / 110 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PHOTO OPS There once was a town called Adare, with charm that was beyond compare... Adare 's charming thatched-roof cottages create visual poetry in County Limerick, some say the prettiest village in Ireland.

Day 13:
LIMERICK Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)