IRISH EXPLORER (92002010)

Transportation
Scheduled transatlantic flights and airport transfers in Dublin if Cosmos issues the air tickets. Private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach

Guides
Local Guides for visits to Belleek Pottery, Derry, Waterford Crystal factory showrooms. Service of a professional Tour Director in Ireland

Hotels


Dublin
Regency (ST),

Sligo
Southern (ST),

Ennis
Auburn Lodge (ST),

Killarney
Killarney Court (F),

Tramore
Majestic (ST),

Dublin
Jurys Inn Custom House (F)

Meals
Full Irish breakfast (B); 4 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus

Day 1:
Wed. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2:
Thu. ARRIVE IN DUBLIN, IRELAND. Check into your hotel. At 3 pm, meet your traveling companions for an afternoon orientation drive through statue-lined O’Connell Street and elegant Georgian squares to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Trinity College. Your Tour Director will have some suggestions for dining tonight.

Day 3:
Fri. DUBLIN–BOYLE–SLIGO. On your first day in the Irish countryside, discover why this is known as the “Emerald Isle.” Motor north through history-steeped landscapes with Ireland’s typical round towers and castle ruins, to the legendary Hill of Tara. See mighty Trim Castle, then across the River Boyne and via the agricultural and angling center of Mullingar to Longford, the county capital. On the way to Sligo, take your pictures at scenic Carrick-on-Shannon and the Cistercian abbey ruins at Boyle. (B,D)

Day 4:
Sat. SLIGO. NORTHERN IRELAND EXCURSION. At Drumcliff, see the grave of native son and poet W.B.Yeats. Then, step across the border into Northern Ireland to visit the Belleek Pottery, renowned for its exquisite cream-colored Parian china. Cross Boa Island in Lough Erne on the way to the fascinating city of Derry, where a walking tour with a Local Guide takes in the old city walls. Time in Donegal before returning to Sligo. (B,D)

Day 5:
Sun. SLIGO–KNOCK–GALWAY–CLIFFS OF MOHER–ENNIS. South to Knock, a village that has attracted pilgrims from all over the world since the townsfolk saw apparitions. Then, to Galway, a vibrant city with a great seafaring tradition, where you hear about the infamous Lynch Stone, commemorating the day Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen hanged his son for murder. Cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher. Tonight, a chance to attend an optional medieval castle banquet. (B)

Day 6:
Mon. ENNIS–adare–DINGLE PENINSULA–KILLARNEY. Skirting the city of Limerick, head to Adare, a village known for its prize-winning thatched cottages. Breathtaking scenery this afternoon on the Dingle Peninsula, where the 32-mile Slea Head drive affords magnificent vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. See the Blasket Islands and hear about the way of life and unique literary achievements of its inhabitants prior to their evacuation in 1953. The next two nights are spent in the popular resort of Killarney. (B,D)

Day 7:
Tue. KILLARNEY. RING OF KERRY EXCURSION. At Killorglin, join the road known as the “Ring of Kerry” for a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive: sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and spectacular views of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Back in Killarney, a special optional adventure: take a horse-drawn jaunting car along the national park lakeshore for pictures of Ross Castle. Tonight, enjoy the optional outing to Tralee for dinner and a performance at Siamsa Tire, Ireland’s National Folk Theatre. (B)

Day 8:
Wed. KILLARNEY–BLARNEY–CORK–WATERFORD–TRAMORE. More scenic splendor as you head over the Kerry Mountains into County Cork. Stop in Blarney, famous for its Stone of Eloquence, with time at your leisure to see the castle and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. After lunch, drive past Cork, the country’s second-largest city. Youghal and Dungarvan are further milestones on your way to Waterford, where a visit to the world-famous Waterford Crystal factory showrooms is included. Spend the night at the nearby seaside resort of Tramore. An optional pub tour might be fun this evening. (B,D)

Day 9:
Thu. TRAMORE–AVOCA–GLENDALOUGH–DUBLIN. Highlights on your northbound journey: Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798; a visit to Ireland’s oldest handweaving mill at Avoca; views of the Wicklow Mountains; and Glendalough with its ruins of a center of Irish Christianity, founded by St. Kevin. Back in Dublin tonight, celebrate the success of your tour with an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse. (B)

Day 10:
Fri. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
8/4/2010 - 8/13/2010	$1,229
8/11/2010 - 8/20/2010	$1,229
8/18/2010 - 8/27/2010	$1,229
8/25/2010 - 9/3/2010	$1,229
9/1/2010 - 9/10/2010	$1,199
9/8/2010 - 9/17/2010	$1,199
9/15/2010 - 9/24/2010	$1,199
9/22/2010 - 10/1/2010	$1,199
9/29/2010 - 10/8/2010	$1,169
10/6/2010 - 10/15/2010	$1,169
10/13/2010 - 10/22/2010	$1,169
10/20/2010 - 10/29/2010	$1,069
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

City Highlights
Visits to Hill of Tara, Boyle, Sligo, W.B.Yeats’ burial place, Donegal town, Knock, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Adare, Killarney, Blarney, Tramore, handweaving mill at Avoca, Glendalough; orientation drive in Dublin

Scenic Highlights
Boyne Valley, Lough Erne and Boa Island, The Burren, Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerry and Lakes of Killarney, Wicklow Mountains

Price Details US
Single room supplement: $360No triple room reduction.

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