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Gateway to Ireland

The Emerald Isle is a special place. There are ancient sites, rolling green hills, towering cliffs, and imposing castles to see. You can't help but enjoy the charm and wit of the Irish that you'll meet in the intimate villages, lively cities, and all those pubs. This tour is designed to give you a sampling of all that Ireland has to offer whether it be scenery, history, or culture. Erin go bragh.

NEW: See Photos from our May Ireland Tour.


Tour Is No Longer Available

   We're sorry, but this tour is very popular and the below tour is no longer available. We are currently in the process of scheduling all of our 2011 tours, so if you are interested please contact us to ensure you know as soon as it becomes available.


Tour Dates: September 5, 2010 - September 12, 2010 - 7 nights, 8 days plus departure day.
     [If you are taking an overnight flight (most from the U.S. and Canada are), you will actually leave on September 4th]


What you get for you're money:

- Better Hotel Location – We want you to be able to explore on your own and you can’t do that from a hotel outside of the city.

- Personal Service – For this, like all of our tours, we handle every aspect of the trip personally. From planning to customer service to leading the tour, you deal with the same people. This allows us to respond quicker and be flexible with changes and allows you to get to know us and feel more comfortable.

- Experienced Guide, Guaranteed – We are in our 10th year of guiding tours and we run each one personally. Traveling with another company leaves your vacation in the hands of several guides with widely varying levels of quality and experience. There’s no risk with Great Explorations Tours because you know what you’re getting every single time.

Great hotels, hometown service, and experience; you can’t find that with another tour company.


Itinerary:

Day 0 (Friday, May 14th, 2010) - Depart from North America

Today you'll be leaving for Dublin. We refer to it as day zero because you won't actually arrive in Ireland until the next day. Enjoy your flight and try to get some sleep.


Day 1 (Saturday, May 15th, 2010) - Arrive in Dublin, Ireland

Arrive in Dublin and catch your complimentary transfer to your first hotel. Take some time to relax and then it's time for a tour of the wonderful Irish capital. Your guides will lead you on a brief walking tour of central Dublin showing you all the great sights as well as filling you in on all the history of the city. The tour will include admission to St. Patrick's Cathedral and the Book of Kells exhibit at Trinity College (pictured).

In the evening the whole group will get together for a welcome dinner.

Hotel: Morrison Hotel or similar - We always stay right in the heart of downtown Dublin

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner


Day 2 (Sunday, May 16th, 2010) - Powerscourt Gardens and Glendalough

We'll be leaving Dublin this morning and heading south toward the Wicklow Mountains. Our first stop is the immaculately kept Powerscourt House and Gardens (pictured). You'll have time to wander the gardens and see all the manicured beauty.

After lunch, we continue south to the Viking city of Waterford, where we'll be spending the night. Before arriving in Waterford City, we make a stop at Glendalough, a gorgeous glacial valley with beautiful lakes that was the site of a monestary as early as the 6th century.

Dinner at the hotel is included tonight.

Hotel: Hotel still being determined

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner


Day 3 (Monday, May 17th, 2010) - Killarney via Cashel and Blarney

Today we'll be stopping by two of Ireland's most famous castles as we make our way to the charming town of Killarney. First we tour the amazing fortress that tops the imposing Rock of Cashel (pictured). Leaving Cashel we head to Blarney to tour their famous castle. You will all come away with the legendary Blarney "gift of gab" after kissing the well known stone.

Hotel: Scott's Hotel Killarney or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner.


Day 4 (Tuesday, May 18th, 2010) - Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry is some of the most varied, beautiful scenery in all of Ireland. Today we'll drive the amazing loop with a stop for lunch and plenty of stops for fantastic pictures.

The evening is all yours to enjoy the town of Killarney where you can do some shopping or create your own pub crawl. Your guide will gladly help you find the perfect way to spend your time in Killarney.

Hotel: Scott's Hotel Killarney or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.


Day 5 (Wednesday, May 19th, 2010) - Galway via Cliffs of Moher

Today we leave Killarney and County Kerry to head north toward the bayside city of Galway. On the way we'll be stopping at the picturesque Cliffs of Moher (pictured). From the top of the cliffs, you'll have a wonderful view from high above the Atlantic Ocean as it crashes into the rock below. We'll also pass through the limestone fields of the Burren and admire its unique composition.

Hotel: Galway Bay Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner.


Day 6 (Thursday, May 20th, 2010) - Connemara Region

North of Galway city lies the region known as Connemara. Home to Connemara National Park, the rugged, untouched beauty of the region will captivate you on our drive through it, with plenty of picture stops of course.

Hotel: Galway Bay Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast


Day 7 (Friday, May 21st, 2010) - Dublin

On our last full day in Ireland, we head back to Dublin. Before arriving at the hotel, we stop at the world famous Guinness St. James Gate Brewery (pictured). We'll take the tour through the museum that ends with a pint at the pub on top of the building.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy Dublin and do anything that you want on your last night in Ireland. Your guides will gladly give you tips and suggestions on places to go or things to see.

Hotel: Morrison Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast.


Day 8 (Saturday, May 22nd, 2010) - Depart Ireland

Today is sadly the day you will leave the Emerald Isle to head back home. Transfers to the airport will be provided. We hope you enjoyed your vacation.

Meals Included: Breakfast.


What's Included in This Tour:

  • Luxury Coach Transportation with Professional Driver
  • First Class Accommodations
  • Knowledgeable, Professional Tour Guides
  • Airport Transfers
  • Great Explorations Tours luggage tags
  • All Tips for Guides and Driver
  • Documents listing restaurants, pubs, sights, and public transportation
  • Breakfast Every Morning (except morning of arrival)
  • Lunch along the Ring of Kerry
  • Five dinners
  • Walking Tour of Central Dublin
  • Admission to the Following Attractions:
    • Book of Kells at Trinity College
    • St. Patrick's Cathedral
    • Powerscourt House and Gardens
    • Rock of Cashel
    • Blarney Castle
    • Cliffs of Moher Visitor's Centre
    • Guinness Storehouse Tour

Inerested in learning a little more about what a tour to Ireland might be like? Click here to read our travel tips for this tour.

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