THE BEST OF IRELAND and the
International Quilt Festival of Ireland 2012
Galway - Dingle - Kilkenney - Dublin
June 1 - 11, 2012
$3466 including AIRFARE from your hometown
$100 discount for final payment with cash or check
A visit to the International Quilt Festival of Ireland's website will turn up thirty or so themed tours visiting Ireland and the Quilt Festival. All such tours include a three-day pass to the Quilt Festival and a tour around the island. Many of these tours are escorted by noted authors and quilters coming along to see Ireland with you.
WITH SO MANY TOUR CHOICES...
WHY TRAVEL TO IRELAND WITH EXPLORING EUROPE?
› David has traveled around Ireland, on his own and leading tours, for more ten years.
› Charlotte, David's wife, is a quilter with a passion for the craft and will be leading this tour.
› This is a small group tour with 28
or fewer guests.
› Although the Quilt Festival is important, there is much more to Ireland than quilting.
› Enjoy the hospitality of family-run B&B's and home cooked Full Irish breakfasts.
› All rooms neatly appointed and with modern private baths.
› Enjoy at least three gourmet dining experiences in local restaurants with character.
› Dining included - six dinners and a "full Irish Breakfast" each morning.
› Not much in the way of "tourist" traps on this tour. You will not visit Bunratty, Adare, the Ring of Kerry, Killarnay, AVOCA, the Kildare Stud Farms, or the Guinness Storehouse. Instead, experience real castles, true famine sites, amazing natural beauty, authentic traditional music, Guinness in a pub, and a bit of the life of a local. All this is laced with plenty of "craic," conversation, history, and experiences to provide a lifetime of memories.
› These "must see" sights and experiences are included: the Burren exposure, Cliffs of Moher, Shannon River Ferry, Dingle's Slea Head Driving tour, Blasket Island Centre admission, authentic traditional music sessions, Glendalough monastic site entrance and exhibit, Waterford Crystal showroom and demonstration, Blarney Castle entrance, Blarney Woolen Mills shopping, Dublin historical walking tour, the Book of Kells, a three admission pass to the International Quilt Festival of Ireland 2012, and much more.
› Daily "lessons" on history, culture, economy, nature, and folklore.
› A daily printed news bulletin covering the tour destinations and experiences.
› Interaction with locals who will bring to life your tour experiences.
› Tips and Gratuity Included - for the guide, driver, hotel staff, and restaurant staff (a $200 value).
› We'll not "nickle-and-dime" you everyday. Many tours tack on extra fees to attend "optional" events, such as excursions, shows, and entertainment. These can often amount to hundreds of Euros! Our tour includes EVERYTHING, there are no extras to purchase.
› $3466.00 is THE final price. It will not change for any reason, even if the exchange rate takes an upward jump.
› $100 discount for making your final payment with check or bank draft.
Friday, June 1, 2012: Fly overnight to Dublin, Ireland — International flights from your hometown's major airport to Dublin and return are included in the tour cost.
Saturday, June 2: Arrival at Dublin International Airport - After airport formalities, join a walking tour of Dublin as we trace its development from Viking times, to the British occupation, and into the vibrant city it is today. Then, after a little time to relax in your hotel, enjoy a hearty group dining experience in our hotel neighborhood.
Sleep in Dublin for 2 nights.
Sunday, June 3: Dublin — Enjoy a tour of Trinity College led by a local university
student. The tour will end with a look at the “illuminated” Book of Kells, created by Celtic monks around 800 A.D. You will have the remainder of the day to explore more of Dublin on your own. Tonight, experience a gourmet dining experience at La Mer Zou, David’s favorite French restaurant this side of Paris. Then, let’s hit the “hip” Temple Bar area, known for its nightlife and traditional Irish music.
Monday, June 4: Glendalough and Kilkenny — After breakfast, we will begin our journey around the island. The first stop is the ancient monastic site of Glendalough, located in the beautiful Wicklow Mountains. Enjoy a peaceful walk along the lakes and through the woods while learning about the monastery and its role in history. Later, travel directly to Kilkenny, where you will have an event-free afternoon. Enjoy dinner on your own at one of the many fine restaurants or pubs in town.
Sleep 2 nights in Kilkenny.
Tuesday, June 5: Waterford Crystal -- We will make an excursion to Waterford for a visit to the famous Waterford Crystal Showroom and crystal-making demonstration. After lunch, return to Kilkenny for a free afternoon to explore the town, castle, cathedral and shops. Finally, enjoy a taste bud tingling dinner at David’s favorite Italian restaurant this side of Tuscany.
Wednesday, June 6: Blarney and Dingle — Today, we will travel to the little village of
Blarney. The castle, known for its famous “Blarney Stone,” is one of the most popular
tourist destinations in Ireland.
After an opportunity to “kiss the Blarney Stone,” visit Blarney Woolen Mills. This huge shopping complex is your one-stop spot for authentic Irish arts, crafts, textiles, and clothing.
After lunch, travel to Dingle, David’s favorite Irish fishing village. You'll have two days here to experience the wild and scenic countryside that we Americans have come to know as Ireland. Enjoy dinner at a classy restaurant featuring locally sourced products and warm Irish hospitality. Sleep 2 nights in Dingle.
Thursday, June 7: The Dingle Peninsula — Experience some of Ireland's wildest natural beauty and oldest pre-historic settlements on our driving tour of the Slea Head. Enjoy
endless fields of "40 shades of green," rock-crashing waves, and all the sheep you'll ever want to count. Visiting the Blasket Islands Heritage Centre, you will get a close look at a traditional Gaelic community. Tonight, back in Dingle, enjoy dinner on your own. We'll meet about 8:00 p.m. at O'Flaherty's, a traditional pub, for live folk music. The "trad" session begins sometime around 9:30 or whenever the musicians get ready. It’s all over by 11:00 p.m. when you finish your pint and head home.
Friday, June 8: The Cliffs of Moher and Galway — After a breathtaking drive through the coastal mountains, we will follow the River Shannon north to County Clare. Enjoy a stop at the Cliffs of Moher where you’ll find yourself teetering on the edge of a 600 foot windy cliff perched on the North Atlantic. Farther up the road, drive thrrough the rocky moonscape-like region known as the Burren. Arriving in the Galway area, enjoy your first look at the International Quilt Festival of Ireland. Later, meet for dinner at a local restaurant. Sleep 2 nights in the Galway area.
Saturday, June 9: Connemara Sightseeing and International Quilt Festival of Ireland — You will have some tour choices to make today. Either spend the entire day in Galway at the Quilt Festival, or explore the vast wild regions of Connemara National Park, where the scenery is beautiful and famine stories abound. Regardless of your choice, there will be time to experience the International Quilt Festival of Ireland. Dinner on your own tonight at the Festival or in Galway.
Sunday, June 10: Galway to Dublin -- Enjoy the morning in Galway for one final visit at the Quilt Festival. After lunch, travel toward Dublin, possibly making a sightseeing stop, or two, enroute. Later, l check into our Dublin hotel and enjoy a grand farewell dinner to to wrap up your Irish tour experience.
Sleep 1 night in Dublin.
Monday, June 11: Heading home — Fly from Dublin to your hometown airport.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST?
-Transportation by bus,van, and ferry from your arrival at DUBLIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT to your final hotel in Dublin on June 10.
--Twin room accommodations each night in clean and safe Irish hotels and guesthouses with private bath.
- Limited single rooms are available for a supplement of $425.00
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All breakfasts and six of your dinners.
· Amazing dining experiences at some of David's personal favorite restaurants. You can expect fine regional fare, and plenty of it at all our dining experiences.
- All tips and gratuities to guides, drivers and hotel staff.
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Full time services of a travel-savvy Exploring Europe guide and local experts dedicated to bringing to life the art, history, and culture of Europe.
--David McGuffin's Exploring Europe Tour Handbook covering the major sights and destinations visited on this tour itinerary.
· Tours and admissions to the following attractions, experiences, and sights: ▪ Dublin walking tour ▪ The Book of Kells exhibit ▪ Trinity College walking tour ▪ Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains historical tour ▪ Kilkenny orientation walk ▪ Waterford Crystal Exhibition ▪ Blarney Castle admission ▪ Dingle orientation walk ▪ Dingle Pub music experience ▪ Blasket Island Heritage Centre entrance▪ Slea Head bus tour ▪ River Shannon ferry crossing ▪ the Cliffs of Moher ▪ a three-day pass to the International Quilt Festival of Ireland ▪ and much more (itinerary specifics are subject to change).
- Our Unconditional Tour Price Guarantee that will not change for any reason.
- Emergency medical, trip delay, and baggage insurance is included.
· Credit Card payments accepted.
