Ireland and optional Scotland - tour is full

TOUR ITINERARY

The meals included on the tour are specified for each date: Breakfast (B) and Dinner (D). . 

DAY 1 - Sunday, Aug. 28

Flight on your own to Dublin, Ireland.

DAY 2 - Monday, Aug. 29 (D)

After your flight arrives, you are on your own to explore the many sites in Dublin. Recommended sites are the Book of Kells, Guinness Storehouse, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Grafton Street. We will eat dinner as a group.

Lodging: Premier Inn City Centre Temple Bar - https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/republic-of-ireland/dublin/dublin/dublin-city-centre-temple-bar.html

DAY 3 - Tuesday, Aug. 30 (B,D)

We go to Bunratty where we experience a window into Ireland’s past and explore the acclaimed 15th century Bunratty Castle and the 19th century Bunratty Folk Park. The castle is the most complete and authentic medieval castle in Ireland. Built in 1425, it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendor and now contains mainly 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art which capture the mood of those times. At the folk park you will enjoy sights, sounds, tastes, and scents as you stroll from house to house or around the charming village street complete with school, post office, doctors house, hardware shop, printers and of course McNamara’s pub! Meet the village characters and even sample some freshly baked bread. You will have lunch on your own in Bunratty. We then head to Adare for free time to explore. Adare is a small village in County Limerick, Ireland, located southwest of the city of Limerick. Renowned as one of Ireland's prettiest towns, Adare is designated as a heritage town by the Irish government. Then it's off to Killarney where we check into our hotel and have dinner as a group.

Lodging: Arbutus Killarney - www.arbutuskillarney.com

DAY 4 - Wednesday, Aug. 31 (B)

The Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland’s best known attractions on the southwest side of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. We will observe dramatic sea views, sheer cliffs and ever changing skies. Rural sheep farming is a way of life here, carried on in green fields and valleys divided by ancient stone walls. Our tour will take us  through quaint villages and towns dotted along the coastal route with their old world pubs, restaurants and craft centers. We will visit the birthplace of Daniel O’Connell, the Liberator, and his ancestral home at Derrynane House. The area is surrounded by Ireland’s highest mountain ranges reaching down to the wild Atlantic Ocean and perched on the very edge of the continent of Europe. We will drive through Killarney’s National Park with its world-renowned scenic locations such as Molls Gap and Torc Waterfall and home to Ireland’s only surviving herd of native red deer and the recently reintroduced rare white-tailed sea eagles. The tour will conclude with a visit of the exterior of Killarney’s Muckross House and Gardens.

Lodging: Arbutus Killarney

DAY 5 - Thursday, Sept. 1 (B)

Today we visit the Dingle Peninsula, taking in Inch Beach, the scenic driving route of Slea Head with its magnificent views of the Great Blasket Islands, the wild Atlantic Ocean and ancient Beehive Huts. We will also visit the Kilmalkedar Church and monastic site.

Lodging: Arbutus Killarney

DAY 6 - Friday, Sept. 2 (B)

We start with a visit to Blarney Castle and Woolen Mills where you will have the opportunity to kiss the Blarney Stone and be bestowed with the “Gift of Eloquence”. We also visit the 17th century Charles Fort which overlooks Kinsale and was built to protect Kinsale from invasions. One such invasion was The Spanish Armada of 1601 that was led by Don Juan Del Aquila. The invaders entered the harbor unopposed and together with Irish forces eventually fought a famous battle with the English which would change forever the historical landscape of Ireland and heralded the end to the ancient Irish way of life and old Gaelic order. We will visit Ringfinnan Memorial Garden dedicated to Father Mychal Judge and the 343 firefighters who died in the Twin Towers of The World Trade Centre. Free time is given to provide you with an opportunity to stroll and browse through the narrow streets and numerous craft shops of Kinsale and enjoy lunch before returning to Killarney.

Lodging: Arbutus Killarney

DAY 7 - Saturday, Sept. 3 (B,D)

We visit Gougane Barra, located in a scenic valley and heritage site in the Shehy Mountains of County Cork.  Then we go for the town of Glengarriff and take a boat trip to Garnish Island which is renowned for its walled garden and Martello tower. It is well known to horticulturists and lovers of gardens, trees and exotic flowers. Seal Island is close to Garnish Island which is home to a seal colony visible from the boat. We arrive back to Glengarriff for lunch in one of its many pubs and restaurants. We return to Killarney via the town of Kenmare with a visit to the ancient Stone Circle which is over 1000 years old. 

Lodging: Arbutus Killarney

DAY 8 - Sunday, Sept. 4 (B,D)

We say goodbye to Killarney and head to the Cliffs of Moher, the most famous and spectacular sea cliffs in Europe.  The Cliffs of Moher are spectacular, rising 720 feet above sea level and offering stunning views of the Aran Islands. Lunch will be at the Cliffs before we drive to Dublin.

Lodging: Premier Inn Dublin Airport - https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/republic-of-ireland/dublin/swords/dublin-airport.html

DAY 9 – Monday, Sept. 5 (B,D)

You either fly home full of great Irish memories or continue on to Glasgow, Scotland. For those going to Glasgow, we will arrive in the mid-afternoon and will stay at an airport near the hotel. You can go explore Glasgow on your own or just relax and prepare for our time in Scotland.

Lodging: Premier Inn Glasgow Airport - https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/scotland/strathclyde/glasgow/glasgow-airport.html

DAY 10 – Tuesday, Sept. 6 (B)

Today we will explore some of the mainland Scotland’s most memorable sights. We start with a saunter around Loch Lomond in the pretty village of Luss. A perfect spot to drink a coffee and sing the "Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond." Next we go through the unforgettable landscapes of Glencoe before a lunch stop at the traditional Clachaig Inn. Now it’s time to reach the remote wilds of Scotland. We hop on a 10-minute ferry to a mountainous peninsula and travel to the port of Lochaline. Here we board another ferry and make your way to the east coast of Mull. Wild nature is abundant here, and your first glimpse of the magic is in Aros Park, a beautiful area boasting waterfalls and forest footpaths. In the early evening, we arrive in Tobermory with time to wander.

Lodging: Park Lodge Hotel -  https://www.park-lodge-tobermory.co.uk/ 

DAY 11 – Wednesday, Sept. 7 (B)

Saying goodbye to lovely Tobermory is hard, but don’t worry, you’ll be back in the evening.

This morning, you travel past epic mountains to the south of Mull. This is where we will take a ferry to two of the most mysterious and dramatic locations in the region, Iona Abbey and Fingal’s Cave. One is an ancient religious site and the other is an unforgettable geological wonder. After satisfying your adventurous spirit, we take you north back to Tobermory. Maybe it’s time to try the seafood.

Lodging: Park Lodge Hotel

DAY 12 - Thursday, Sept. 8 (B, D)

We travel south to Craignure to catch our ferry back to the mainland. The ferry arrives in Oban where we have time to taste the fantastic local seafood and wander around this Victorian harbor town. We then venture to Kilmartin Glen, an archaeologist’s dream. Within this area, there are around 800 ancient monuments, including burial chambers, rock carvings, standing stones, castles and more. Our guide will help you understand the significance of these and make the best use of your time here. Our last stop before arriving in Glasgow for the evening is Inveraray, a gorgeous little town boasting an impressive view over Loch Fyne.

Lodging: Premier Inn Glasgow Airport

DAY 13 - Friday, Sept. 9 (B)

We fly home full of memories of Ireland and Scotland!

Please note that while changes to the tour are not likely, weather, site renovations, and other factors could keep the tour group from any given site or could require a change of lodging. Any changes will be comparable in value.

Tour Costs and Payments

IRELAND

$2,100 (per person) for a double occupancy room and $2,500 for a single occupancy room (Ireland only)

SCOTLAND

 $1,140 (per person) for a double room and $1,440 for a single room.

BOTH TOURS 

$3,240 (per person) for a double room; $3,940 for a single room 

$300 (per person) deposit will secure your place on this tour. Please include your completed Registration Form with the deposit; Terms & Conditions and the Registration Form can be found at https://internationaltourco.com/important-documents 

Your balance is due by June 10, 2022.

You may purchase your tour with a check or credit/debit card. Please make your check payable to International Tour Company and put 2022 Ireland / Scotland Tour in the memo line. 

You may give a check to Aaron Garber in person or mail it to:

International Tour Company

P.O. Box 23

Cloverdale, VA 24077-0023

You may pay with a credit/debit card by requesting an invoice that can be securely paid. There is a 3% fee added to credit card payments.

What is included:

• Tour Director Aaron Garber will be with you the entire tour.
• Ray or Mary Walsh, Killarney natives, will guide us days four through eight
• Lodging every night in Ireland; see the itinerary for lodging options in Scotland
• Ground Transportation except for airport transfers
• Meals as outlined in the itinerary
• Entrance fees to various sites, as applicable
• All tips for your driver and guides
• Flight from Dublin to Glasgow (for those going to Scotland); flight from Glasgow home is not included
• Guide in Scotland
• Cost of ferries in Scotland

What is not included:

• Your airfare is not included in this tour (except the Dublin to Glasgow flight)
• Drinks that are not already included with our group meals
• Travel insurance is highly recommended. International Tour Company is an agent for  Allianz Travel Insurance and will be pleased to help you with your insurance. Purchasing your insurance within 14 days of your first tour payment/deposit gives you coverage for pre-existing medical conditions with Allianz.

Other Important Information

• I suggest bringing $300 in cash or less cash if you choose to use a credit/debit card. Ireland uses the euro. Scotland uses the pound sterling. Visa and MasterCard should work most places on this tour, but you may need to contact your credit card company before you leave.
• You need a U.S. passport that is valid for the entire trip to Ireland and valid for a minimum of six months from the date we depart Scotland.