Day 1

Bags are packed, passports in order, and we are off on a wonderful adventure. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and a light sweater or jacket as it can get a little chilly on the flight. We will have an overnight flight with dinner and continental breakfast served en route. Sit back, relax and sleep a "wee bit" before we take a peek out of our windows and see the lovely 40 shades of green appear welcoming us to Ireland.

• •Overnight transatlantic flight (not included in land price)
• •Comfortable layers and light sweater/jacket recommended for cabin

Day 2

Welcome to Ireland - the land of saints and scholars. We will clear customs, collect our luggage and then Ahhhh, stretch and breathe in the fresh Irish air. Our first introduction to Ireland is a MUST. Today we will begin our day in the 5th century as we hear the story of Christianity in Ireland. We will visit the St. Patrick's Centre which is the only permanent exhibition in the World about Ireland's Patron Saint. The History of Ireland starts here in Patrick's world beside Saint Patrick's Grave with a fantastic Craft Store and incredible Garden Cafe. We will journey on to the lovely Seaside Slieve Donard Hotel at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in the tiny town of Newcastle. The Slieve Donard was once an old railway hotel - it has changed hands over the years and is now regarded as a top luxury hotel. You can enjoy the full service spa (book ahead of time), indoor pool and health club, walk the beach or just relax in the pub over a lovely pint of Guinness.

• •Visit St. Patrick\'s Centre and Patrick\'s Grave
• •Arrival at Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle
• •Optional spa treatments (book ahead)
• •Indoor pool and health club access
• •Beach walk
• •Dinner & overnight: Slieve Donard Hotel

Day 3

Just up the road a bit is one of Europe's favorite cities, Belfast also known as the birthplace of the famed and doomed Titanic. At 11:00 am we will experience the Titanic's amazing story from her conception in Belfast, to the aftermath of her historic maiden voyage more than one hundred years ago. Enjoy a guided tour of Belfast on our coach as we learn the troublesome history of Belfast and enjoy the modern vibe she has today. We will return to our seaside Slieve Donard Hotel where you can choose dinner on your own at one of the restaurants in town.

• •Visit Titanic Visitor Centre (11:00 am)
• •Guided coach tour of Belfast city
• •Dinner on your own: Villa Vinci, Great Jones, or The Percy French
• •Overnight: Slieve Donard Hotel

Day 4

Enjoy breakfast in our lovely surroundings and we will be on our way. Relax and take in beautiful landscapes and stunning ocean views as we make our way to a place where science vs. mythology - The Giants Causeway. Be sure to wear your hiking shoes and have your cameras ready for some outstanding photos. The Giant's Causeway is an impressive area of 40,000 hexagonal interlocking columns which were formed over 60 million years ago by cooling lava; at least that is what the scientific explanation is. Some may choose to believe the magical, mythical explanation that you will hear once we arrive at this magnificent site. With myth and science still in our heads we will make our way to Derry City (also known as LondonDerry). Here in Derry we can walk the Peace Bridge and see the 400 year old ancient walls that surround the city. We will stay overnight in this very historical city.

• •Visit Giant\'s Causeway
• •Explore 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns
• •Drive to Derry City
• •Walk the Peace Bridge
• •See the 400-year-old ancient city walls
• •Overnight: The Ebrington Hotel
• •Dinner: The Walled City Brewery

Day 5

We will enjoy breakfast before departing to County Donegal and Donegal Town. Keep your eyes open and cameras ready as we drive through stunning countryside and winding mountain roads as we head for County Donegal and the Mill Park Hotel which is just a short walk from Donegal town. If time allows, you might want to go for a swim in the hotel's pool before dinner which is scheduled for 6:30 pm.

• •Scenic drive through County Donegal countryside
• •Winding mountain roads
• •Check-in: Millpark Hotel, Donegal
• •Optional swim in hotel pool
• •Dinner & overnight: Millpark Hotel

Day 6

Wear your hiking shoes today and perhaps bring an umbrella "just in case". We will first make a stop in a fishing village called Killybegs known as the largest fishing port in Ireland. Next we are on our way to the majestic wild beauty of the Slieve League Mountains, whose highest point reaches 1,972 feet, making it one of the highest in Europe. This mountain forms cliffs on the seaward side with a drop of 900 feet straight down into the wild Atlantic waves below. If time allows, we can journey to Ardara and the family owned Triona Designs to see demonstrations of the spinning, weaving, and knitting of unique sweaters and jackets that you can claim as your own. Enjoy free time to relax before enjoying dinner on your own either at the hotel's pub or in town.

• •Visit Killybegs fishing village (largest fishing port in Ireland)
• •Hike Slieve League Mountains (1,972 feet high)
• •See cliffs with 900-foot drops to the Atlantic
• •Optional: Visit Triona Designs in Ardara
• •See demonstrations of spinning, weaving, and knitting
• •Dinner on your own
• •Overnight: Millpark Hotel, Donegal

Day 7

We should be feeling very relaxed and ready for more towns and adventures after we enjoy breakfast. All packed up we will head for the tidy town of Westport. As we journey, we can stop in towns like Mullaghmore which rests in the shadow of Benbulben Mountain and is renowned as a surfers haven. We can also stop in Sligo town to visit the resting place of W. B. Yeats a well known famous Irish poet. Onto Westport in County Mayo. Westport is home of the pilgrimage mountain, Croagh Patrick. Croagh Patrick is one of Europe's best known places of pilgrimages. This mountain has provided a tough ascent for many pilgrims (as well as some of our own groups) each year, some climbing barefoot in the memory of St. Patrick who spent forty days and nights fasting on the summit more than 1500 years ago. The town of Westport is a charming, vibrant town and has won the "Tidiest Town Award" many times over. Our hotel, The Clew Bay is right inside the town center so you can get out and check out the shops, cafes, and pubs before we enjoy dinner together at our hotel this evening.

• •Stop in Mullaghmore (shadow of Benbulben Mountain, surfers haven)
• •Visit Sligo town and W.B. Yeats\'s gravesite at Drumcliff
• •Arrive in Westport (multiple "Tidiest Town Award" winner)
• •See Croagh Patrick pilgrimage mountain
• •Check-in: Clew Bay Hotel (town center)
• •Explore shops, cafes, and pubs
• •Dinner & overnight: Clew Bay Hotel

Day 8

We will enjoy our breakfast and will pray for clear skies today as we will have many outdoor activities to breathe in. Settle back as we take a drive into the land of sheep. Speaking of sheep - at 10:00 am we have a Sheep Dog Herding experience at the family run Glen Keen Sheep Farm. The loyalty between dog and shepherd is an experience you will not soon forget and will warm your heart. Sit back and enjoy as we tour the majestic countryside of Connemara where winding roads give way to gentle streams and lakes. Winding narrow lanes that are sheltered by the slopes of the Twelve Pins give way to the shores of Fannon Pool where a 19th century neo-Gothic mansion known as "Kylemore Abbey" awaits our arrival. A 1:30 pm guided tour of Kylemore Abbey will fill you in on the history involved in this place many describe as "most tranquil and peaceful." Visit the chapel and the restored Victorian gardens, which have won many awards. Be sure to stop along the lake to just take it all in, enjoy the moment, and breathe in the peaceful surroundings. We will return to Westport in time for dinner on your own and perhaps take in some music at one of the local pubs.

• •10:00 am: Glen Keen Sheep Farm Sheepdog Herding Experience
• •Tour the majestic countryside of Connemara
• •Drive through the Twelve Pins mountain range
• •1:30 pm: Guided tour of Kylemore Abbey
• •Visit the chapel and award-winning Victorian gardens
• •Lakeside walk
• •Dinner on your own in Westport
• •Optional: Live music at local pubs
• •Overnight: Clew Bay Hotel

Day 9

Have an extra cuppa coffee or tea this morning since you have a free day to experience Westport. There are so many exciting shops, cafes, pubs as well as historical sites like the Westport House (approx. 10 minute walk from hotel) which dates back to the 1500s and the trail-blazing pirate queen Grace O'Malley. Be sure to pop into Aunt Nellies where delicious treats await and our good friend Pamela is happy to help you with your selections. It is a great idea to pay a visit to the famous pub known for traditional Irish Music Matt Malloy's Pub and have a pint or two and listen to great music sessions - sometimes Matt is there himself. Enjoy this vibrant town and then decide where to have dinner on your own. Cobbler's Bar within our hotel has delicious pub food and oftentimes live music if you need a night in.

• •Free day to explore Westport
• •Optional: Visit Westport House (10-minute walk)
• •Visit Aunt Nellies for treats
• •Optional: Matt Malloy\'s Pub for traditional Irish music
• •Shops, cafes, and pubs throughout town
• •Dinner on your own (Cobbler's Bar at hotel or in town)
• •Overnight: Clew Bay Hotel

Day 10

Enjoy breakfast and bid our Westport friends farewell. We then depart for the Viking town of Galway. Galway is a robust University town tracing its proud Irish roots back to the year 1124. From a medieval trading port, drawing merchants from all over the known world including Christopher Columbus to what is now one of the fastest growing towns in all of Europe. We will be staying in the Salt Hill area where you can get out and walk the very popular Promenade, some have even been known to join the locals for a swim in the chilly waters of Galway Bay. Our hotel overlooks Galway Bay with a lovely balcony and glassed-in sitting area to relax in with great views of the Bay. We will gather together at 6:30 for another lovely dinner together with views of the beautiful Galway Bay. Circle of Life Commemorative Garden is just next to the hotel.

• •Drive to Galway city
• •Salt Hill area location
• •Walk the Promenade
• •Optional: Swim in Galway Bay
• •Check-in: Galway Bay Hotel
• •Views of Galway Bay from balcony and sitting area
• •Circle of Life Commemorative Garden nearby
• •Dinner & overnight: Galway Bay Hotel

Day 11

Relax over breakfast before we double check our rooms and make sure all is packed and ready to go. Today we head inland as we make our way to the town of Athlone right in the center of the midlands of Ireland and is also the largest midland town. You can have some time to take a short walk over the bridge to photograph Athlone Castle dating from the 12th Century. Stop by the beautiful St. Peter & Paul Cathedral, and be sure to make a stop for a pint at Sean's Bar, the oldest pub in Ireland. We will continue on to Dublin, the Capital of the Republic of Ireland. Before checking into our city center hotel, we will make an introductory drive around Dublin to get you familiar with the sights and sounds. We will then check into our very welcoming Ashling Hotel where you can relax before choosing to either dine at the hotel at Iveagh Bistro & Bar or choose from one of the many pubs and restaurants within walking distance.

• •Stop in Athlone (largest midland town)
• •Photo opportunity: Athlone Castle (12th Century)
• •Visit St. Peter & Paul Cathedral
• •Stop for a pint at Sean\'s Bar (oldest pub in Ireland)
• •Introductory drive around Dublin city
• •Check-in: Ashling Hotel (city center)
• •Dinner on your own at hotel or nearby
• •Overnight: Ashling Hotel

Day 12

Today is a good day for a relaxing morning. Today is yours to do as you please. Either relax and get ready for the flight back home or get out and experience Dublin. The Luas Tram, Dublin Bus station and the Luas Train are literally just outside the door of our hotel if you want transport to the city centre. Some may want to enjoy riding around on one of the Dublin Hop on Hop Off buses to see the town, others might just enjoy strolling and taking it all in. There are so many things to see and do in Dublin so get out and enjoy. We will gather together in the pub around 6:00 pm to take the short walk to Nancy Hands Pub for our farewell dinner together. Nancy Hands dates back to the public house era in Dublin towards the end of the 18th century. Nancy was the first female owner of a public house ever, in both Dublin and Ireland. This strong leader ran the pub in a time where religion was everything in Ireland, and holy hour was ingrained in society with all establishments closing from 2pm-4pm every Sunday after mass. However, Nancy had her eyes set on money, and although she had to adhere to the rules of the church, Nancy found a way around the two hours of having no business.

• •Free day to explore Dublin
• •Luas Tram, Dublin Bus, and train access from hotel
• •Optional: Dublin Hop-on Hop-off bus tour
• •Stroll the city at your own pace
• •Gather at hotel pub at 6:00 pm
• •Farewell dinner: Nancy Hands Pub
• •Overnight: Ashling Hotel

Day 13

WOW, we have seen and experienced so much and it goes by so quickly. Our memories are forever sealed in our hearts and many photos taken along the way. Perhaps rise a little earlier this morning to make sure everything is packed and secure for our flight back home. We will enjoy breakfast together and bid this beautiful, sparkling Emerald of the Sea farewell. Do a double check around the room, secure passports as we depart for Dublin Airport in plenty of time for some duty free shopping and to claim any VAT funds before we depart for home.

• •Group transfer to Dublin Airport for departure
• •Time for duty-free shopping and VAT reclaim
• •Safe travels home