Scenic Ireland
Scenic Ireland Breathtaking, lush landscapes combined with vibrant cities and historical attractions—all of this and more await you on this Scenic Ireland tour, which includes Northern Ireland. You’ll visit some of the most famous cities as well as some of the smaller towns. Along the way, you’ll learn about the Irish way of life, see breathtaking scenery, hear about Ireland’s tumultuous history, and visit some of its historical sights. Spectacular scenery also awaits you on this Ireland tour. See the 668-foot Cliffs of Moher on Ireland’s west coast, offering breathtaking views of rugged cliffs dropping into the ocean. You’ll visit beautiful Garinish Island, home to a lush garden, and you’ll join part of the Ring of Kerry, a 100mile drive with sparkling seascapes and mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses. In Northern Ireland, you’ll visit awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway, basalt columns formed millions of years ago by volcanic eruptions. LIMERICK Welcome dinner CLIFFS OF MOHER Savor the spectacular views RATHBAUN F ARM See the farmer at work and enjoy morning coffee in the farmhouse GALWAY Orientation CONNEMARA Visit a marble workshop KYLEMORE Visit the Benedictine abbey WESTPORT Visit this heritage town KNOCK Visit the religious sit BELLEEK Guided tour of the pottery factory DERRY Guided walking tour COUNTY ANTRIM Take pictures of Dunluce Castle, visit Giant’s Causeway BELFAST Guided “Living History” tour, visit the Titanic Exhibition, guided tour of Hillsborough Castle and enjoy Afternoon Tea in one of the State Rooms BOYNE VALLEY Guided tour of the Bronze Age passage-grave at Knowth DUBLIN Orientation drive BALLYKNOCKEN HOUSE Baking demonstration and morning coffee and scones KILKENNY Explore this pretty county town WATERFORD Enjoy an Irish Coffee demonstration; guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal; guided walking tour BLARNEY Visit the famous castle and kiss the Blarney Stone GLENGARRIFF Private boat to Garinish Island RING OF KERRY Take pictures of the Lakes of Killarney DINGLE PENINSULA Visit the Blasket Islands Centre and the town of Dingle ADARE Admire the thatched cottages
ITINERARY DAY 1 Arrive in Shannon, Ireland–Limerick Céad míle fáilte! A hundred-thousand welcomes! After checking into your hotel, free time to relax and perhaps enjoy the hotel’s leisure amenities or explore the city. This evening, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner with wine at your hotel. (Dinner) Clarion Limerick DAY 2 Limerick–Cliffs of Moher–Galway–Clifden Drive to the CLIFFS OF MOHER, rising 668 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, and savor the breathtaking panorama of the Clare coast. Next, a special treat: at RATHBAUN FARM, watch the farmer shear a sheep and maneuver a flock with the help of a sheep dog, then enjoy your morning coffee. On to Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan center with colorful shops and a busy café and bar culture. Call at the Joyce family’s MARBLE WORKSHOP before spending the night at Clifden, a small fishing town in the far west. (Breakfast, Dinner) Station House Hotel DAY 3 Clifden–Kylemore–Westport–Knock–Bundoran Visit KYLEMORE ABBEY this morning, the massive castle acquired by Benedictine nuns, and see the restored house, church, and gardens. Pause at Westport before continuing on to Knock, a village that attracts pilgrims from all over the world since townsfolk saw apparitions. Overnight is in Bundoran, the popular seaside resort in County Donegal. Before dinner, you might want to join an optional excursion to a local pub. (Breakfast, Dinner) Great Northern Hotel DAY 4 Bundoran–Belleek, Northern Ireland–Derry–Giant's Causeway–Belfast A rich string of Northern Ireland attractions awaits you today. First, visit the BELLEEK POTTERY factory, renowned for its exquisite cream-colored Parian china. In Derry, walk the city walls in the company of a Local Guide, and after lunch, pass Dunluce Castle before visiting awe-inspiring GIANT’S CAUSEWAY. Hear how millions of years ago, the earth cracked open, lava forced its way out, and as it cooled slowly and evenly, more than 40,000 interlocking basalt columns were formed, leading from the cliff foot into the sea. Spend the next two nights in Belfast, Northern Ireland’s seat of government. (Breakfast) The Clayton Hotel Belfast
DAY 5 Belfast This morning’s “Living History” tour in the company of a Local Guide will take you past all the city’s
attractions, including City Hall, the Albert Memorial Clock Tower, Queens University, and the Parliament Buildings at Stormont. Then, visit the fascinating TITANIC EXHIBITION and learn all about the building of the largest passenger steam ship, its maiden voyage, and the tragic night of April 14, 1912. In the afternoon, join your guide for a tour of HILLSBOROUGH CASTLE, the official residence of the Royal Family when they are in Northern Ireland, and home of the Secretary of State. Afterwards, enjoy AFTERNOON TEA in one of the elegant State Rooms with views overlooking the glorious grounds and gardens. (Breakfast) The Clayton Hotel Belfast DAY 6 Belfast–Knowth, Ireland–Dublin Drive in the lee of the Mountains of Mourne back into the Irish Republic, and at Bru na Boinne (Palace of the Boyne), one of the world’s most important archaeological landscapes, visit KNOWTH, where your guide explains the fascinating passage-grave dating from the Bronze Age. For a first taste of the Irish capital, join an optional cabaret evening with dinner and entertainment. (Breakfast) Royal Marine Hotel or Hilton Dublin Kilmainham DAY 7 Dublin An orientation drive in the “Fair City” includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College. The afternoon is at leisure for you to enjoy this vibrant city. Tonight, maybe take in an optional dinner outing to the Guinness Storehouse. (Breakfast) Royal Marine Hotel or Hilton Dublin Kilmainham DAY 8 Dublin–Kilkenny–Waterford Vistas of the Wicklow Mountains unfold as you head for a special visit to BALLYKNOCKEN HOUSE, a typical Irish family-run farm guesthouse. Your host will present an entertaining BAKING DEMONSTRATION, and then serve coffee and scones fresh from the oven. Travel on to the pretty county town of Kilkenny, then to Waterford for a guided tour of the HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL. You may also want to join an optional excursion to a local pub. After dinner at your hotel, enjoy an IRISH COFFEE DEMONSTRATION. (Breakfast, Dinner) Granville Hotel DAY 9 Waterford–Blarney–Cork The first of the day’s highlights is an entertaining walk through Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, in the company of a Local Guide. Then, visit BLARNEY CASTLE, renowned for its magical KISSING STONE. Overnight in Cork, Ireland’s second-largest city. An optional suggestion would be a visit to Cobh’s Queenstown Story, which tells of the transatlantic liner route between Liverpool and North America and last port of call for the Titanic. (Breakfast) Clarion Hotel Cork DAY 10 Cork–Garinish Island–Killarney This morning, board a private boat for the short crossing to GARINISH ISLAND in Bantry Bay, whose warm waters attract colonies of seals. Follow the winding paths between the strong-scented flowering trees and shrubs of this lush tropical island garden. Then, head over the mountains into County Kerry. At Kenmare, join part of the RING OF KERRY and stop for spectacular photos of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View before arriving in the popular resort of Killarney. Tonight, an entertaining optional evening in Tralee with dinner and tickets for Siamsa Tire National Folk Theatre. (Breakfast) Killarney Towers Hotel DAY 11 Killarney. Dingle Excursion Enjoy panoramic views on Dingle Peninsula on the way to the BLASKET ISLANDS CENTRE. Learn about the way of life and unique literary achievements on the string of remote offshore islands evacuated by the last inhabitants in 1953. Visit Dingle, then return to Killarney. (Breakfast, Dinner) Killarney Towers Hotel DAY 12 Killarney–Adare–Limerick A final morning at leisure in Killarney with time for an optional excursion by horsedrawn jaunting car. In the afternoon, drive via quaint Adare, renowned for its pretty thatched cottages, to Limerick. A suggestion for a very special night out: attend an optional banquet at Bunratty Castle. (Breakfast) Clarion Limerick DAY 13 Limerick Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
Departures: April - September Most Tuesdays and Saturdays. Call for availability.
Land Only, $3,249 per person
Oakville 905-338-2077 or 1-800-361-6688 635 Fourth Line, Oakville, ON L6L 5W4 [email protected] Ontario TICO Registration #4406856 Vancouver 604-468-2624 or -1866-682-2627 [email protected] www.bobscruises.com
ITINERARY DAY 1 Arrive in Shannon, Ireland–Limerick Céad míle fáilte! A hundred-thousand welcomes! After checking into your hotel, free time to relax and perhaps enjoy the hotel’s leisure amenities or explore the city. This evening, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner with wine at your hotel. (Dinner) Clarion Limerick DAY 2 Limerick–Cliffs of Moher–Galway–Clifden Drive to the CLIFFS OF MOHER, rising 668 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, and savor the breathtaking panorama of the Clare coast. Next, a special treat: at RATHBAUN FARM, watch the farmer shear a sheep and maneuver a flock with the help of a sheep dog, then enjoy your morning coffee. On to Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan center with colorful shops and a busy café and bar culture. Call at the Joyce family’s MARBLE WORKSHOP before spending the night at Clifden, a small fishing town in the far west. (Breakfast, Dinner) Station House Hotel DAY 3 Clifden–Kylemore–Westport–Knock–Bundoran Visit KYLEMORE ABBEY this morning, the massive castle acquired by Benedictine nuns, and see the restored house, church, and gardens. Pause at Westport before continuing on to Knock, a village that attracts pilgrims from all over the world since townsfolk saw apparitions. Overnight is in Bundoran, the popular seaside resort in County Donegal. Before dinner, you might want to join an optional excursion to a local pub. (Breakfast, Dinner) Great Northern Hotel DAY 4 Bundoran–Belleek, Northern Ireland–Derry–Giant's Causeway–Belfast A rich string of Northern Ireland attractions awaits you today. First, visit the BELLEEK POTTERY factory, renowned for its exquisite cream-colored Parian china. In Derry, walk the city walls in the company of a Local Guide, and after lunch, pass Dunluce Castle before visiting awe-inspiring GIANT’S CAUSEWAY. Hear how millions of years ago, the earth cracked open, lava forced its way out, and as it cooled slowly and evenly, more than 40,000 interlocking basalt columns were formed, leading from the cliff foot into the sea. Spend the next two nights in Belfast, Northern Ireland’s seat of government. (Breakfast) The Clayton Hotel Belfast
DAY 5 Belfast This morning’s “Living History” tour in the company of a Local Guide will take you past all the city’s
attractions, including City Hall, the Albert Memorial Clock Tower, Queens University, and the Parliament Buildings at Stormont. Then, visit the fascinating TITANIC EXHIBITION and learn all about the building of the largest passenger steam ship, its maiden voyage, and the tragic night of April 14, 1912. In the afternoon, join your guide for a tour of HILLSBOROUGH CASTLE, the official residence of the Royal Family when they are in Northern Ireland, and home of the Secretary of State. Afterwards, enjoy AFTERNOON TEA in one of the elegant State Rooms with views overlooking the glorious grounds and gardens. (Breakfast) The Clayton Hotel Belfast DAY 6 Belfast–Knowth, Ireland–Dublin Drive in the lee of the Mountains of Mourne back into the Irish Republic, and at Bru na Boinne (Palace of the Boyne), one of the world’s most important archaeological landscapes, visit KNOWTH, where your guide explains the fascinating passage-grave dating from the Bronze Age. For a first taste of the Irish capital, join an optional cabaret evening with dinner and entertainment. (Breakfast) Royal Marine Hotel or Hilton Dublin Kilmainham DAY 7 Dublin An orientation drive in the “Fair City” includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College. The afternoon is at leisure for you to enjoy this vibrant city. Tonight, maybe take in an optional dinner outing to the Guinness Storehouse. (Breakfast) Royal Marine Hotel or Hilton Dublin Kilmainham DAY 8 Dublin–Kilkenny–Waterford Vistas of the Wicklow Mountains unfold as you head for a special visit to BALLYKNOCKEN HOUSE, a typical Irish family-run farm guesthouse. Your host will present an entertaining BAKING DEMONSTRATION, and then serve coffee and scones fresh from the oven. Travel on to the pretty county town of Kilkenny, then to Waterford for a guided tour of the HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL. You may also want to join an optional excursion to a local pub. After dinner at your hotel, enjoy an IRISH COFFEE DEMONSTRATION. (Breakfast, Dinner) Granville Hotel DAY 9 Waterford–Blarney–Cork The first of the day’s highlights is an entertaining walk through Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, in the company of a Local Guide. Then, visit BLARNEY CASTLE, renowned for its magical KISSING STONE. Overnight in Cork, Ireland’s second-largest city. An optional suggestion would be a visit to Cobh’s Queenstown Story, which tells of the transatlantic liner route between Liverpool and North America and last port of call for the Titanic. (Breakfast) Clarion Hotel Cork DAY 10 Cork–Garinish Island–Killarney This morning, board a private boat for the short crossing to GARINISH ISLAND in Bantry Bay, whose warm waters attract colonies of seals. Follow the winding paths between the strong-scented flowering trees and shrubs of this lush tropical island garden. Then, head over the mountains into County Kerry. At Kenmare, join part of the RING OF KERRY and stop for spectacular photos of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View before arriving in the popular resort of Killarney. Tonight, an entertaining optional evening in Tralee with dinner and tickets for Siamsa Tire National Folk Theatre. (Breakfast) Killarney Towers Hotel DAY 11 Killarney. Dingle Excursion Enjoy panoramic views on Dingle Peninsula on the way to the BLASKET ISLANDS CENTRE. Learn about the way of life and unique literary achievements on the string of remote offshore islands evacuated by the last inhabitants in 1953. Visit Dingle, then return to Killarney. (Breakfast, Dinner) Killarney Towers Hotel DAY 12 Killarney–Adare–Limerick A final morning at leisure in Killarney with time for an optional excursion by horsedrawn jaunting car. In the afternoon, drive via quaint Adare, renowned for its pretty thatched cottages, to Limerick. A suggestion for a very special night out: attend an optional banquet at Bunratty Castle. (Breakfast) Clarion Limerick DAY 13 Limerick Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
Departures: April - September Most Tuesdays and Saturdays. Call for availability.
Land Only, $3,249 per person
Oakville 905-338-2077 or 1-800-361-6688 635 Fourth Line, Oakville, ON L6L 5W4 [email protected] Ontario TICO Registration #4406856 Vancouver 604-468-2624 or -1866-682-2627 [email protected] www.bobscruises.com
