Ireland 2007 Land of , Lush Green Countryside, Charming Seaport Villages and Dramatic Cliffside Scenery October 10 to 24 $3095 CDN

The Emerald Isle, Leprechaun Land, Waterford Crystal, Guinness Stout and Celtic Colors are all expressions coming to mind when "Ireland" enters the conversation. And they all become reality during our Ireland Discovery Adventure.

Our trip is a holiday sampler of rolling hills, waterfalls, scenic vistas, historic castles & cathedrals, monastic sites, glorious gardens, distilleries, and traditional Irish villages; all blended with the music, beverage, food and lifestyles of the Irish people. The trip starts with our entry point of Dublin, (Nights #1, 2, 3)where will visits sites from breweries, cathedrals, shopping meccas and Trinity College to pubs and music venues. We also day trip to Boyne Valley, Ireland's archeology center. We travel to Kilkenny(Nights #4, 5) via the Wicklow Hills, and spend an eventful day in the Mediaeval city including Kilkenny Castle and Smithwicks Brewery.

Travelling southward via Waterford Crystal Center, we settle in the historic walled port of Youghal(Nights #6, 7). We relax in the attractive seaport living a bit of Viking, Norman and Desmond Dynasty history prevalent around town. Next we are off to Killarney via the scenic south shore and the villages of Kinsale and . Killarney(Nights #8, 9, 10, 11) will be our hub for visiting the classic scenery of south west Ireland from the Bearra to the Dingle.

Heading north to Oranmore in the Galway area(Nights #12, 13, 14), we visit the Cliffs of Moher and cross over the desolately beautiful Burren. Oranmore is our home base for touring Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey and Cliffden to the north. Our return home is from Shannon Airport, early in the afternoon of day 15.

Photo Travelogue

	Dublin Guides Bruce and Nancy Gurnham greet you at Dublin Airport eager to take you into the lively city of Dublin. Dublin is a city renown for history, culture, leisure and friendly pub going people. We will visit Trinity College, the Old Library, see the Book of Kells, take in Jamieson Distillery, stroll about Temple Bar, frequent a pub or two and tour numerous other sites including O'Connell Street, Grafton Street, Christ Church Cathedral and Georgian Dublin.
Newgrange We day trip to Boyne Valley north, home to Ireland's greatest archeology treasures. Newgrange, a 5000 year old passage tomb, will receive us through its informative visitor center.
	Powerscourt Gardens In the foothills of the Wicklows, the Powerscourt Gardens is a 45 acre blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuaries and walled gardens. We take time for a leisure stroll throughout and visit the craft shop and garden center.
Glendalough in the Wicklows The 6th century monastic site of Glendalough is a pilgrimage center for travelers seeking romantic scenery, historic monuments and fabulous rolling hills countryside with leisure walks featuring babbling brooks, lakes and bountiful woodlands.
	Kilkenny In Ireland's Mediaeval capital we tour the 14th century Norman Castle, roam through its Rose Garden and view its National Craft Gallery and Picture Gallery. Our spare time is spent roaming the narrow streets, browsing the craft shops, specialty stores, St. Canice's Cathedrals, priories and select gardens.
Youghal This classic 12th century walled seaport is full of history, brightly colored pubs, miles of golden sand beaches, almshouses, ancient gates, superb river walks, excellent craft boutiques and some of Ireland's finest seafood dining.
	Killarney This busy market town at the head of the beautiful Killarney Lakes is our comfortable base for exploring the famous Ring of Kerry, Dingle Penninsula, Bearra Seacoast drive as well as Killarney National Park, the Muckross House and Gardens.
Ilnacullin Island A short boat ride past seal covered islets in Glengarriff harbor we land on Garinish Island, a 37 acre "Island Garden". Our peaceful ramble over the island shows us walled gardens, an Italian Chapel, the Greek Temple, the Martello Tower and remarkable vistas of nearby islands and the mainland.
	Kenmare Gaelic for "Head of the Sea" Kenmare offers a picturesque setting nestled between the mountains of Kerry and the Kenmare River Valley. The town centre features The Kenmare Heritage Centre, numerous shops with traditional Irish crafts and specialty gives of all sorts. The village is surrounded by stone circles, historic towers and ancient monuments and our village walk follows the Kenmare Heritage Trail taking in such sites as the Rose Cottage, Poor Clare Convent, Fair Green and the Kenmare Stone Circle.
Ring of Kerry Perhaps southwest Ireland's most celebrated peninsula, the Ring of Kerry drive offers majestic seacoast views, picture perfect villages, the Derrynane Estate and Gardens, Valentia Island, Kells Bay and emerald green fields patchwork quilted by stone walls. All this is ringed about the mountainous backbone of the Penninsula, beginning with the Macgillycuddy Reeks outside Killarney.
	Skellig Islands We boat to Ireland's famous ancient monastic outpost perched on the cliffs of Great Skellig; explore the early Christian monastic settlement, experience the phenonmenol residents of the bird sanctuary, and absorb a bit of lighthouse and seafaring folklore.
Dingle peninsula Your guides favorite "world" in Ireland from the freshly painted bright colored village of Dingle to the famine cottages, marble monuments, Celtic Crafts and cobblestone street villages. We spend an entire day exploring this famous peninsula from Castlemaine to Castlegregory.
	Slea Head Cliffside Splendor, emerald green hillsides and pinkish white sand beaches, all the elements of the film, "Ryan's Daughter"; this is Slea Head the western tip of the Dingle Peninsula.
Cliffs of Moher The grey stone grassy topped Cliffs of Moher rise majestically over 600 feet above the Atlantic Ocean on the Western coastline of Ireland. Views of the Aran Islands,from the stone watchtower at the summit of the cliffs, are well worth the short climb.
	The Burren A geological wonder akin to a lunar landscape, a limestone desert of awesome dimensions. After a visit to the well presented visitor center we go "down under" in a visit to the Ailwee Caves, an underground wonder of bridged chasms, geological formations and a thundering waterfall.
Connemara National Park En route to Kylemore Abbey, our northernmost point of travel, we pass through Connemara National Park, a 2000 hectare conservation area of mountains, woodlands, lakes and abundant wildlife. Our route takes us to the Spiddal Celtic Crafts Village, the Connemara Heritage Centre, the Famine Village, the thatched roof village of Maam Cross as well as the seaside village of Cliffden.
	Kylemore Abbey and Gardens Completed in 1871, the 70 room Neo-Gothic Castle is now owned and operated as an Educational Abbey by the Irish Benedictine Nuns. Our time on the magnificent grounds are spent visiting the abbey, the Gothic Church, and roaming through the nearby walled Victorian Gardens.
Dunguaire Castle Our Farewell to Ireland is an enchanting evening in 500 year old Dunguaire Castle, a Irish Fortress on the Shores of Galway Bay. A traditional dinner and Irish literary entertainment provide us with a night to remember.

Quality Lodging: Lodging on all of our tours is selected from a range of high quality, comfortable B & Bs, country manors, small family run hotels, specialty castles, hunting lodges and when necessary for convenience, a western style hotel. We stay most of the tour, either two or three nights in the same place for comfort and relaxation. Travel time and mileage occasionally will require a one night stay.

• 14 nights lodging, country manors, B & Bs, and small country hotels
• Full Irish Breakfasts daily
• Ten picnic style or pub lunches
• Two evening dinners at select pubs
• Mini van transportation throughout the trip
• All Ferry and miscellaneous transportation
• Services of an experienced guide
• Admissions to 4 selected Castles, Heritage Sites or historic/scenic attractions
• 3 guided walks in villages or countryside
• Participation in 4 select events or traditional Irish activities

Not included in the tour package price are airfare, evening meals (except 2), optional events as presented by your guide, airport arrival or departure taxes, pre and post tour extra night lodgings and gratuities

Deposit and Refund Schedule:

Within 14 days of your trip reservation being made . . . . . $895. CDN

90 days prior to commencement of the tour. . . . . $1200. CDN

30 days prior to commencement of the tour, balance of. . . . . $1000. CDN

Full refunds (less $100 administration fee)are given up to 60 days prior to commencement of the tour

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