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www.escortedirelandtour.com A division of the Atlas Travel Network |
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The Best of Ireland A 13-Day tour starting from $4,990 |
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Live, experienced travel consultants available:
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About This Tour |
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| The Emerald Isle bids you a hundred thousand welcomes on Tauck's comprehensive Ireland tour. Splendid scenery, fascinating history, a vibrant culture and warm, hospitable people all contribute to the great charm of Ireland. Enjoy stays in two castle hotels, have lunch with a farm family at a working dairy farm, visit Blarney Castle and the Waterford Crystal visitors center. Experience the sophistication of Dublin and the peaceful ambiance of small villages. Have a memorable night at The Irish House Party, and find out what it's like to stay in a castle... two castles! Tauck's comprehensive Ireland tour is certain to be one of your most memorable travel experiences. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
What's Included? |
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| • TAUCKS YELLOW ROADS! Journey through the Burren to Ashford Castle, follow the Ring of Kerry and get an up-close look at some of the worlds most spectacular coastal scenery in County Donegal or Northern?Ireland |
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Sightseeing / Highlights |
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| Select departures of The Best of Ireland feature three days in Northern Ireland (days 4, 5 and 6), instead of County Donegal; ask at time of booking or see The Best of Ireland featuring Northern Ireland . 1. Arrive Shannon / Ennis Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Old Ground Hotel. A transfer is included from Shannon Airport to the Old Ground Hotel in the charming village of Ennis. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner tonight. Meals D 2. Cliffs of Moher / Ashford Castle Travel with us to the mighty Cliffs of Moher, where towering, sheer head-land plummets into the Atlantic Ocean. Continue on along scenic Yellow Roads through the Burren, among the eeriest country landscapes in Ireland, to Ashford Castle for a two-night stay. Located on a 350-acre private estate along the shores of Loch Corrib, it is consistently ranked as one of the finest hotels in the world and is sure to be a treasured highlight of your trip to the Emerald Isle. Meals BLD 3. Connemara / Kylemore Abbey Drive through Connemara, a rugged region whose diverse scenery includes windswept mountains, bogland, sparkling lakes and the dramatic Atlantic coastline. See a Gothic Revival lakeside castle, magnificent Kylemore Abbey on the shores of Kylemore Lough. A Benedictine abbey in World War I, it is now a girls’ boarding school. Return to Ashford Castle, where the remainder of the day is free; dine à la carte tonight in one of the castle’s celebrated restaurants. Meals BLD 4. County Sligo / Donegal Bay Travel to Sligo today, the largest town in the northwest of Ireland. Enjoy time at leisure in Sligo, the Land of Heart’s Desire as it is described by W. B. Yeats. Visit Yeats’ final resting place at Drumcliffe, beneath legendary Ben Bulben. Spend the next two nights in the Donegal countryside at a hotel on the shores of Lough Eske voted AA Ireland’s 2007 / 2008 “Hotel of the Year.” Meals BD 5. County Donegal Donegal regales the visitor with its incredible scenery and the charm of its people. Meander today along the fringe of Donegal Bay, where you will wind, dip and weave your way along the coast through Killybegs, one of Ireland’s major fishing ports; as the country road narrows, the farms and grazing lands look as if they sprang from artists’ imaginations. Locals in the villages want you to linger; we wish you good weather today! Meals BLD 6. Journey to Dublin Depart County Donegal this morning for travels across the Republic of Ireland to Dublin; en route, see the rich emerald-green landscapes the island is famous for, as well as bucolic fields of grazing cattle, sheep, abandoned abbeys and castles reflecting a bygone era. Arrive in Dublin, where the afternoon is free to explore. Tonight you’ll experience one of Ireland’s enduring traditions – an evening of traditional Irish music and Irish dancing. The Irish House Party takes place in the private parlor room of a family-owned Georgian building in the literary quarter. You’ll be treated to dinner and an evening that will both entertain and educate with stories about Dublin’s unique characters, traditional music by leading musicians, and dance. Meals BD 7. Sightsee Dublin Visit Trinity College, steeped in tradition and home to the Book of Kells, and 13th-century Dublin Castle, standing in the historic heart of the city. The afternoon and evening are yours to experience a bit of Dublin life. Your hotel, The Westin Dublin, is located in the heart of the city, close to Grafton Street and Nassau Street. Stroll down city streets lined with 21/2-story brick Georgian row houses, famous for their intricate, glass-laced doorways, and wander through some of Ireland’s beautiful parks, including St. Stephen’s Green. Nightlife in Dublin entices with traditional music and popular pubs, from the trendy Temple Bar area to traditional pubs not far from your hotel. Meals B 8. Powerscourt Gardens / Kilkenny The Wicklow Mountains lie south of Dublin, a blend of peaks, forests, streams and verdant valleys. Travel to Powerscourt for a visit to lovely gardens that are considered to be among the best in Ireland; set at the foot of Great Sugar Loaf Mountain, their design dates back to the 19th century. Stop in the picturesque medieval city of Kilkenny, world-renowned as a center for craft and design, en route to your hotel. Meals BD 9. Waterford / Cobh / Cork Stop in at the Waterford Crystal visitors centre for a look at Ireland’s famed glassware before a visit to the Old Jameson Distillery for a guided tour and tasting. Travel to scenic Cobh, a historic port that has played an important role in maritime history. Over 2.5 million people have emigrated from Ireland via Cobh; Sirius, the first steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean, departed from the harbor in 1838; Cobh was the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic in 1912; and, in World War I, the ocean liner Lusitania was torpedoed and sunk very near Cobh. Visit the Cobh Heritage Center where exhibits detail these, and other, events. You’ll spend the night at Hayfield Manor, an elegant country manor house in Cork; set within two acres of mature gardens, the manor has won numerous awards for its cuisine. Meals BD 10. Blarney / Kenmare Journey to 15th-century Blarney Castle to see the famous Blarney Stone; legend has it that if you kiss the stone, you will be blessed with the gift of the gab. Travel to County Kerry and Kenmare, a historic small town on the site where the Finnihy, Roughty and Sheen rivers converge into the Kenmare River. Then it’s on to Killarney and a visit to Muckross House, an Elizabethan-style mansion which was built in 1843. Set in Killarney National Park, the estate features distinguished 19th-century interiors; it is surrounded by magnificent gardens in a palette of sensational colors. Your accommodations for the next two nights are at the Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa, one of Ireland’s most luxurious five-star hotels. Overlooking the Lakes of Killarney, the hotel exudes the warmth of a country home – and every Tauck guest room gazes out upon Killarney’s majestic landscapes. Meals BD 11. The Ring of Kerry / Killarney Explore the ruggedly beautiful countryside on a drive along the Ring of Kerry, a 100-mile circle around the Iveragh peninsula – arguably Ireland’s most popular scenic drive. The fascinating landscapes change from the rugged beauty of the wild Irish coast to the tranquility of lakes, passing through charming towns such as Cahirciveen and Waterville. For centuries, poets, painters and writers have been inspired by the glens, mountains and shoreline along this stunning drive. Journey through Molls Gap and Ladies View for a most spectacular look at Killarney’s lakes before arriving back in Killarney late in the afternoon. Dine à la carte at your leisure in the hotel’s fabulous restaurant. Meals BLD 12. Dairy Farm / Dromoland Castle Discover the importance of farming in the west of Ireland on a visit to a working dairy farm, which has been in the same family for generations; enjoy a light Irish lunch at the farm. The last leg of our Irish adventure takes you to Dromoland Castle for a memorable stay. Steeped in luxury and boasting impeccable service, it is one of the few castle hotels that can trace its ownership back through history to Gaelic Irish families of royal heritage. Join us this evening for a farewell cocktail reception and dinner. Meals BLD 13. Journey Home Tour ends: Dromoland Castle. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Dromoland Castle to Shannon Airport. Allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for flight check in at the airport. Meals B | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Optionals & Add-Ons |
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Your Itinerary |
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| Day 1: Arrive Shannon / Ennis Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Old Ground Hotel. A transfer is included from Shannon Airport to the Old Ground Hotel in the charming village of Ennis. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner tonight. Overnight: Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, Ireland Meals Included: Dinner Day 2: Cliffs of Moher / Ashford Castle Travel with us to the mighty Cliffs of Moher, where towering, sheer head-land plummets into the Atlantic Ocean. Continue on along scenic Yellow Roads through the Burren, among the eeriest country landscapes in Ireland, to Ashford Castle for a two-night stay. Located on a 350-acre private estate along the shores of Loch Corrib, it is consistently ranked as one of the finest hotels in the world and is sure to be a treasured highlight of your trip to the Emerald Isle. Overnight: Ashford Castle, Cong, Ireland Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 3: Connemara / Kylemore Abbey Drive through Connemara, a rugged region whose diverse scenery includes windswept mountains, bogland, sparkling lakes and the dramatic Atlantic coastline. See a Gothic Revival lakeside castle, magnificent Kylemore Abbey on the shores of Kylemore Lough. A Benedictine abbey in World War I, it is now a girls’ boarding school. Return to Ashford Castle, where the remainder of the day is free; dine à la carte tonight in one of the castle’s celebrated restaurants. Overnight: Ashford Castle, Cong, Ireland Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 4: County Sligo / Donegal Bay Travel to Sligo today, the largest town in the northwest of Ireland. Enjoy time at leisure in Sligo, the Land of Heart’s Desire as it is described by W. B. Yeats. Visit Yeats’ final resting place at Drumcliffe, beneath legendary Ben Bulben. Spend the next two nights in the Donegal countryside at a hotel on the shores of Lough Eske voted AA Ireland’s 2007 / 2008 “Hotel of the Year.” Overnight: Harvey's Point Country Hotel, Donegal Town, Ireland Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner Day 5: County Donegal Donegal regales the visitor with its incredible scenery and the charm of its people. Meander today along the fringe of Donegal Bay, where you will wind, dip and weave your way along the coast through Killybegs, one of Ireland’s major fishing ports; as the country road narrows, the farms and grazing lands look as if they sprang from artists’ imaginations. Locals in the villages want you to linger; we wish you good weather today! Overnight: Harvey's Point Country Hotel, Donegal Town, Ireland Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 6: Journey to Dublin Depart County Donegal this morning for travels across the Republic of Ireland to Dublin; en route, see the rich emerald-green landscapes the island is famous for, as well as bucolic fields of grazing cattle, sheep, abandoned abbeys and castles reflecting a bygone era. Arrive in Dublin, where the afternoon is free to explore. Tonight you’ll experience one of Ireland’s enduring traditions – an evening of traditional Irish music and Irish dancing. The Irish House Party takes place in the private parlor room of a family-owned Georgian building in the literary quarter. You’ll be treated to dinner and an evening that will both entertain and educate with stories about Dublin’s unique characters, traditional music by leading musicians, and dance.Depart Overnight: The Westin Dublin, Ireland Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner Day 7: Sightsee Dublin Visit Trinity College, steeped in tradition and home to the Book of Kells, and 13th-century Dublin Castle, standing in the historic heart of the city. The afternoon and evening are yours to experience a bit of Dublin life. Your hotel, The Westin Dublin, is located in the heart of the city, close to Grafton Street and Nassau Street. Stroll down city streets lined with 21/2-story brick Georgian row houses, famous for their intricate, glass-laced doorways, and wander through some of Ireland’s beautiful parks, including St. Stephen’s Green. Nightlife in Dublin entices with traditional music and popular pubs, from the trendy Temple Bar area to traditional pubs not far from your hotel.Visit Overnight: The Westin Dublin, Ireland Meals Included: Breakfast Day 8: Powerscourt Gardens / Kilkenny The Wicklow Mountains lie south of Dublin, a blend of peaks, forests, streams and verdant valleys. Travel to Powerscourt for a visit to lovely gardens that are considered to be among the best in Ireland; set at the foot of Great Sugar Loaf Mountain, their design dates back to the 19th century. Stop in the picturesque medieval city of Kilkenny, world-renowned as a center for craft and design, en route to your hotel. Overnight: Mount Juliet Conrad, Thomastown, Ireland Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner Day 9: Waterford / Cobh / Cork Stop in at the Waterford Crystal visitors centre for a look at Ireland’s famed glassware before a visit to the Old Jameson Distillery for a guided tour and tasting. Travel to scenic Cobh, a historic port that has played an important role in maritime history. Over 2.5 million people have emigrated from Ireland via Cobh; Sirius, the first steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean, departed from the harbor in 1838; Cobh was the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic in 1912; and, in World War I, the ocean liner Lusitania was torpedoed and sunk very near Cobh. Visit the Cobh Heritage Center where exhibits detail these, and other, events. You’ll spend the night at Hayfield Manor, an elegant country manor house in Cork; set within two acres of mature gardens, the manor has won numerous awards for its cuisine. Overnight: Hayfield Manor Hotel, Cork, Ireland Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner Day 10: Blarney / Kenmare Journey to 15th-century Blarney Castle to see the famous Blarney Stone; legend has it that if you kiss the stone, you will be blessed with the gift of the gab. Travel to County Kerry and Kenmare, a historic small town on the site where the Finnihy, Roughty and Sheen rivers converge into the Kenmare River. Then it’s on to Killarney and a visit to Muckross House, an Elizabethan-style mansion which was built in 1843. Set in Killarney National Park, the estate features distinguished 19th-century interiors; it is surrounded by magnificent gardens in a palette of sensational colors. Your accommodations for the next two nights are at the Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa, one of Ireland’s most luxurious five-star hotels. Overlooking the Lakes of Killarney, the hotel exudes the warmth of a country home – and every Tauck guest room gazes out upon Killarney’s majestic landscapes. Overnight: Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa, Killarney, Ireland Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner Day 11: The Ring of Kerry / Killarney Explore the ruggedly beautiful countryside on a drive along the Ring of Kerry, a 100-mile circle around the Iveragh peninsula – arguably Ireland’s most popular scenic drive. The fascinating landscapes change from the rugged beauty of the wild Irish coast to the tranquility of lakes, passing through charming towns such as Cahirciveen and Waterville. For centuries, poets, painters and writers have been inspired by the glens, mountains and shoreline along this stunning drive. Journey through Molls Gap and Ladies View for a most spectacular look at Killarney’s lakes before arriving back in Killarney late in the afternoon. Dine à la carte at your leisure in the hotel’s fabulous restaurant. Overnight: Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa, Killarney, Ireland Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 12: Dairy Farm / Dromoland Castle Discover the importance of farming in the west of Ireland on a visit to a working dairy farm, which has been in the same family for generations; enjoy a light Irish lunch at the farm. The last leg of our Irish adventure takes you to Dromoland Castle for a memorable stay. Steeped in luxury and boasting impeccable service, it is one of the few castle hotels that can trace its ownership back through history to Gaelic Irish families of royal heritage. Join us this evening for a farewell cocktail reception and dinner. Overnight: Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Ireland Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 13: Journey Home Tour ends: Dromoland Castle. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Dromoland Castle to Shannon Airport. Allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for flight check in at the airport. Overnight: Meals Included: Breakfast |
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Dates & Prices |
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Specials |
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Tauck Tour Deals Traveling with a group of friends or family can add to the joy of any journey.
Book a group of 10 on any Tauck land journey or cruise and the 11th guest travels FREE.
Book a group of 8 on any Tauck Bridges family adventure and the 9th guest travels FREE Tauck Single Specials For those seeking singles tours, we are pleased to offer special values on select departures to our guests who choose to travel solo. You can travel with peace of mind, knowing that you are among like-minded travelers and will have all the day-to-day details handled for you! While everyone is welcome, on these select dates we offer special arrangements to those traveling solo at a reduced cost.
Tauck Single Specials in North America
Michigan's Lakes & Mackinac Island Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia San Fransisco, Sonoma & Napa Valleys
Tauck Single Specials in Europe
A Week in Ireland A Week in Spain Mediterranean Discovery Istanbul and the Black Sea Treasure of the Mediterranean Cruising Mediterranean Shores The Blue Danube Holland Belgium in Spring Strasbourg to Prague Serenade The Rhine and Moselle Budapest to Amsterdam by Riverboat Budapest to the Black Sea Classic Italy Bellissima Northern Italy Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence and Rome A Week in Paris and Provence
Tauck Singles Specials in Latin America
Panama Canal & Costa Rica |
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| Important Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. |
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