EUROPE - Scenic Tours

IRELAND AND RIVER CRUISING
Giant’s Causeway
Day 1 Dublin Welcome to Dublin. Your Scenic
Tours Representative will personally greet you at the
airport and arrange your transfer to your centrally
located hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure before
meeting up this evening over a welcome drink with
your fellow travellers and Tour Director. Two Night
Special Stay : Westin Dublin.
Day 2 Dublin Vikings were the fi rst known settlers
of this cosmopolitan city in 988AD, and Dublin
remained a small, walled medieval town until the
middle of the 17th century. Our expert local guide
will help us discover the history and charm of Ireland’s
capital city, set along the banks of the River Liffey. Dublin
is awash with Georgian architecture, grand squares
and historic monuments. We’ll fi rst see the historic
O’Connell Bridge to get a stunning overview of the city
before seeing Dublin University, St Patrick’s Cathedral
and Parliament House, built by Ireland’s greatest
18th century architect Edward Lovett Pearce. We’ll
also see the famous Trinity College before visiting the
home of ‘the black stuff’ – the Guinness Storehouse.
This afternoon choose one of the following Included
Scenic FreeChoice activities: (1) a guided tour of Trinity
College which includes access to the amazing Long
Room which is 65 metres in length and lined with
200,000 of the library’s oldest books; in addition you
will see the famous ‘Book of Kells’, created around
800AD; or (2) an opportunity to tour the National
Museum with a guide and discover Ireland’s cultural and
natural history. Tonight enjoy dinner in one of Dublin’s
oldest pubs.
Meals: FB,HD
Day 3 Dublin – Waterford Today we enjoy
our fi rst sights of lush emerald-green rolling hills as we
head to County Wicklow and Ballyknocken House
where we learn how to make traditional Irish scones.
Naturally we sample the fi nished goods with morning
tea before our journey south continues. Our next stop
is to the ruins of the 6th century monastic settlement of
Glendalough where we’ll explore its 9th century round
tower and St. Kevin’s Cathedral. We continue our
travels to Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city dating back to
the Vikings in 914, where we have an orientation of this
pretty town made famous for its crystal. Overnight Stay:
Granville Hotel.
Meals: FB,D
Day 4 Waterford – Killarney This morning
we journey through the picturesque fi shing villages of
Youghal and Dungarvan and then on to Cobh Heritage
Centre, the embarkation point for over two million
emigrants who left Ireland in search of a better life in
Australia and the Americas. It was also tragically the
last port of call for RMS Titanic on her fateful maiden
voyage. From Cobh we travel to Blarney Castle near
Cork, site of the famous Blarney Stone. Your chance
to kiss the famous stone and receive the gift of the
gab. We then travel through West Cork, home to
some of the most breathtaking scenery in Ireland,
before arriving in Killarney. You will truly savour your
two night stay in this picturesque town, which is
surrounded by three lakes with the Macgillycuddy
Reeks (Ireland’s highest mountain range) overlooking
it. Two Night Stay: Killarney Plaza. Meals: FB,D
Day 5 Killarney – Ring of Kerry –
Killarney Today we experience a journey to
remember – the Ring of Kerry. The route takes us
along the shores of Dingle Bay where the Iveragh
Mountains dramatically drop into the Atlantic Ocean.
Around each twisting bend tiny fi shing villages and
offshore islands magically appear. It’s often said
that the landscape varies a hundred times in 100
kilometres, so be sure not to miss anything! We’ll
stop at some fi ne locations including Sneem, gaelic
for ‘twisting winding river’. Wander this pretty town,
before enjoying a jaunting car ride – a traditional
pony and trap, where your driver will regale you
with local tales. En-route back to our hotel we’ll
visit Muckross House, a Tudor-style mansion built in
1843 and made famous for hosting Queen Victoria
in 1861. Unfortunately, the cost of upgrading the
accommodation for the royal visit left the owners in
ruin. The reproduction farms created in the grounds
of the House will give us a great insight into Irish life
in the 1930’s. This evening after dinner we will visit
a traditional local pub for some true Irish music and
hospitality - your Tour Director will shout the fi rst
round!
Meals: FB,D
Day 6 Killarney – Galway We travel north
upon departing Killarney and take the ferry ride
across the mouth of the river Shannon into County
Clare. From here we admire glimpses of the Atlantic
Ocean and lush green fi elds as we pass the Cliffs of
Moher. We then journey through the Burren region,
an amazing limestone plateau containing dozens of
megalithic tombs and celtic crosses before reaching
the ‘City of the Tribes’, Galway. Our Included
orientation tour of this 500 year old city will show
us the impressive Main Square and quaint old streets
where you can admire local handicrafts. Tonight
enjoy a highlight dinner in the Abbey surrounded by
its lovely grounds. Two Night Special Stay : Glenlo
Abbey.
Meals: FB,HD
Continued
Blarney Castle
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