Southern Gems 7 Day Tour

You are here: » Choose your vacation » Coach Tours of Ireland » Southern Gems 7 Day Tour

Tour Highlights

• Traditional Irish Night in Dublin
• Killary Fjord Catamaran Cruise
• Historic Kinsale walking tour
• Foynes flying boat museum
• Bunratty Castle Banquet

Day 1: Dublin Castle & City Tour

Arrive in Dublin Airport and go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall to arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives
later, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm tour Dublin city centre with a local guide to see elegant Georgian squares, Trinity College, St. Stephen’s Green, the Famine Memorial and O’Connell Street. Tour the State Apartments of Dublin Castle, which contain magnificently-furnished chambers. Back at your hotel enjoy a welcome drink and discuss your tour.

Day 2: National stud & Pub Dinner

Depart Dublin and stop in Kildare to visit the Irish National Stud. Horseracing is a passion for the Irish and you will see some of the finest stallions and learn about breeding. Walk through the charming Japanese Gardens, created to symbolize life from birth to death. Return to Dublin where the afternoon is free to take your independent open-top bus tour and visit Guinness or Jameson. Head to a typical Dublin Pub for dinner with traditional music, songs and step-dancing. (B, D)

Day 3: Waterford Crystal & Historic Kinsale 

Visit the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre to see how molten glass is blown into shapes before being cut by hand by experts and view priceless trophies to Kinsale, a delightful
old fishing town which is now renowned for sailing and gourmet food. Join a local guide for a short walk around Kinsale’s historic centre and then drive a few miles to your elegant hotel. (B, D)

Day 4: Muckross House & Killarney

Drive via Macroom to Kenmare and along part of the Ring of Kerry route for splendid views. Tour Muckross House with a guide to tell you about influential owners and visitors before heading into Killarney for free time. Continue your journey along the Dingle Peninsula, enjoying views of heathery mountains, sandy beaches and rocky headlands. Check in to your hotel, located in the centre of this lively, attractive town. (B, D)

Day 5: Dingle Peninsula & Gallarus Oratory

Today discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula, made famous by two movies, “Ryan’s Daughter” and “Far & Away.” Drive to Slea Head at the westernmost tip and tour the Blasket Experience to learn about the Blasket Islands. Visit Gallarus Oratory, a small
church dating from the 6th to 9th centuries, which has remained watertight through the centuries. Travel up to the Conor Pass for sweeping views before returning to Dingle. (B, D)

Day 6 –Cliffs of Moher & Banquet

Visit the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, which recalls the era during the 1930s and early 1940s when Pan Am’s Clipper traffic created a hive of activity. Continue to Bunratty and
check in to your hotel. At 2:30 pm depart for the Cliffs of Moher, a dramatic wall of rock that plunges to the Atlantic Ocean. Return to Bunratty to experience dinner at the Mediaeval Banquet at the 15th century Bunratty castle. (B, D)

Day 7: Thu: Home from Shannon

Complimentary group transfers are provided to Shannon Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. (B)

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES

• Group transfers on arrival and departure
• Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
• Dublin open-top bus tour with complimentary visit and a drink at Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery
• Services of a professional Irish tour director
• Superior first class hotels with private bath/shower for 6 nights
• 6 full Irish breakfasts (B)
• 5 dinners (D) including:
• Dinner and traditional Irish entertainment at a Dublin pub
• Mediaeval Banquet at Bunratty Castle
• 3 table d’hôte dinners
• Welcome get-together drink
• Tour of Dublin with local guides
• Walking tour of Kinsale with local guides
• Visits and admissions to Dublin Castle, National Stud & Japanese gardens, House of Waterford Crystal, Muckross House & Gardens, Blasket Experience, Gallarus
  Oratory, Foynes Flying Boat Museum and Cliffs of Moher
• Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
• All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person

YOUR HOTELS

Stay at the following (or similar):

• Davenport Hotel, Dublin  (2 nights)
• Carlton Hotel, Kinsale (1 night)
• Benner’s Hotel, Dingle (2 nights)
• Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty (1 night)