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GARDENS & CASTLES OF IRELAND
Luxury Escorted Motorcoach Tour
August, 2006
Call Warren Tours at 1-888-833-7089
Day 1:
August 17, Sunday:
Depart the U.S. for Ireland.
Day 2: August 18, Monday: Failte!
Welcome to Ireland!
Dromoland Castle
Co. Clare |
Arrive at Shannon Airport, meet your driver and guide and transfer
to Dromoland Castle for a full Irish breakfast. Considered one of
Ireland’s top castle-hotels, Dromoland is a fairytale castle
complimented by an extensive estate, fine dining, and excellent
service. After breakfast depart for the Cliffs of Moher. The West
of Ireland’s most visited natural wonder, these dramatic cliffs
stand 700 feet over the Atlantic, offering views of the Aran Islands
(on a clear day!). Drive through the unique Burren Region, a unique
expanse known for its lunar-like terrain and colorful wild flowers.
Arrive back at Dromoland Castle and enjoy lunch in the Clubhouse
at Dromoland Castle. After lunch check in to Dromoland Castle and
spend the afternoon relaxing in the splendor of the Castle. This
evening enjoy a Welcome Cocktail reception before enjoying fine
dining at the Castle this evening.
Overnight: Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-on-Fergus,
Co. Clare
Lunch: Dromoland Castle, Clubhouse
Dinner: Dromoland Castle
Day 3: August 19, Tuesday:
Birr Castle Gardens
Glin Castle
Glin, Co. Limerick |
Depart Dromoland Castle after breakfast and drive to Birr Castle
where you will enjoy a tour of the castle and gardens, followed
by lunch with the Earl and Countess of Rosse. This castle dates
back to the 17th century and has remained in the Parsons family
for 14 generations. Hear from the Earl himself of the castle’s
long history, tour the centuries old gardens, and dine exclusively
in the preserved edifice. Continue to Glin County Limerick and check
into Glin Castle for a 1-night stay. Situated on the banks of the
River Shannon this elegant Norman castle, owned by the Knight of
Glin, is an authentic example of Irish grandeur, offering individually
decorated bedrooms, antique furnishings, and outstanding cuisine.
Enjoy a tour of both the castle and Gardens upon arrival at Glin
Castle. Later this evening enjoy fine dining in the castle.
Overnight: Glin Castle, Glin, Co.
Limerick
Lunch: Birr Castle
Dinner: Glin Castle
Day 4: August 20, Wednesday:
Killarney & Kenmare
Park Hotel Kenmare
Kenmare, Co. Kerry |
This morning drive to Islanmore Stud in Croom, visit the stud farm
and enjoy a coffee with the owners who offer visitors some impressive
grounds. Continue to Killarney and see the spectacular Gap of Dunloe
before arriving at Kate Kearney’s cottage for lunch. After
lunch, travel into Killarney town where you take a horse and cart
ride to Muckross House. Enjoy a tour of the House and gardens before
returning to Killarney for some free time in this picturesque town.
Arrive in Kenmare, County Kerry and check into the Park Hotel Kenmare
for a 2-night stay. As Ireland’s most established luxury hotel,
the Park Hotel set the standard for 5-star service and offers individually
decorated rooms, as well as beautifully manicured grounds. Enjoy
dinner at the Park Hotel Kenmare this evening.
Overnight: The Park Hotel Kenmare,
Kenmare, Co. Kerry
Lunch: Kate Kearneys Cottage
Dinner: Park Hotel Kenmare
Day 5: August 21, Thursday: Garnish &
Dereen
Park Hotel Kenmare
Kenmare, Co. Kerry
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This morning drive to Garnish Island and enjoy a self-guided tour
around these magnificent gardens. This treasured island is home
to an Italian garden of tropical rare tropical plants. George Bernard
Shaw is said to have written St. Joan on the island, which is an
understandably tranquil environment. Continue to Ballylickey, County
Cork where you will arrive at Sea View House to enjoy a gourmet
lunch. After lunch at this gorgeous country house hotel, depart
for Lauraugh and tour Dereen Gardens. In the late afternoon return
to Kenmare and enjoy dinner this evening at The Lime Tree, the best
of Kenmare’s acclaimed gourmet restaurants.
Overnight: The Park Hotel Kenmare,
Kenmare, Co. Kerry
Lunch: Sea View House Hotel
Dinner: The Lime Tree
Day 6: August 22, Friday:
The Gift of the Gab
Waterford Castle
Ballinakill, Co. Waterford |
Depart the Park Hotel after breakfast and travel to Blarney, County
Cork and visit Blarney Castle, where a kiss of the Blarney Stone
is said to impart eloquence. Perhaps do some shopping at the Blarney
Woolen Mills, where you will find everything from clothing to crystal,
all Irish-made. Continue to Brian Cross’s “Lakemount”
Gardens where you will tour the gardens followed by lunch. Continue
east and arrive in Waterford and check into Waterford Castle for
a 2-night stay. This authentic 12th century castle hotel is situated
on its own private island with only 20 bedrooms and offers a private
18-hole golf course. This evening enjoy dinner and live entertainment
at the castle.
Overnight: Waterford Castle, Ballinakill,
Co. Waterford
Lunch: Lakemount
Dinner: Waterford Castle
Day 7: August 23, Saturday:
Medieval Ireland
Dunbrody Country House |
This morning take a tour of Waterford Crystal Factory, where you
will have a tour of the process that has made Waterford synonymous
with crystal. Continue to Cashel County Tipperary and tour the impressive
Rock of Cashel. Dating back to the 4th Century, this mountaintop
medieval fortress was once the seat of the High Kings of Ireland.
Enjoy a gourmet lunch at Cashel Palace Hotel before driving to medieval
Kilkenny. Visit the dominating sight of Kilkenny Castle. Situated
on the River Nore, this Norman castle dates back to 1192, and has
been restored to its original grandeur. Across the street from the
Castle is Kilkenny Design Centre. Originally the coach house and
stables for Kilkenny Castle, this building is now home to some of
the best designers and craftspeople in Ireland. Late afternoon return
to Waterford. Enjoy dinner this evening in a local Waterford restaurant.
Overnight: Waterford Castle, Ballinakill,
Co. Waterford
Lunch: Cashel Palace
Dinner: Dunbrody Country House
Day 8: August 24, Sunday:
Dublin’s Fair City
The Merrion
Dublin
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This morning enjoy a guided tour of Mount Usher Gardens in County
Wicklow, “the Garden of Ireland”, located in the scenic
Wicklow Mountains. Later continue north to Dublin. Arrive in Dublin
and check into The Merrion for your final 2 nights in Dublin. Comprising
four Georgian mansions just steps from St. Stephen’s Green,
The Merrion has set new standards in Ireland for deluxe accommodation,
featuring priceless artworks, a Michelin-rated restaurant, and the
finest example of 5-star Irish service. Enjoy lunch today at Mornington’s
restaurant in the Merrion hotel. This afternoon enjoy a Dublin City
Tour taking in the cities famous sites. Enjoy some free time in
Dublin before having dinner this evening at Shanahan’s on
the Green, an exquisite restaurant situated in a Georgian Townhouse
on St. Stephen’s Green.
Overnight: The Merrion, Dublin
Lunch: The Merrion
Dinner: Shanahan’s on the Green
Day 9, August 25, Monday:
Irish Georgian
Leixlip House
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This morning make the short trip to Leixlip, County Kildare and
enjoy a slideshow and tour of Leixlip Castle, the home of the Honorable
Desmond Guinness. You will see an audio visual presentation in the
drawing room showing the works of the Irish Georgian Society, an
organization founded by the Hon. Mr. Guinness, that has been quite
successful in preserving the Irish Georgian architecture of Ireland.
After the lecture have lunch at Leixlip House. Later tour the recently
restored Castletown House, the pride project of the Irish Georgian
Society. Return to Dublin and later this afternoon enjoy a visit
to the Helen Dillon Gardens. This evening enjoy a farewell cocktail
reception and dinner at The Merrion.
Overnight: The Merrion, Dublin
Lunch: Leixlip House
Dinner: The Merrion
Day 10, August 26, Tuesday:
Transfer to Dublin Airport and depart Ireland for the US.
Warren Tours
Gardens & Castles of Ireland
Luxury Escorted Motorcoach Tour
2006
This package includes:
• Roundtrip Airfare on Aer Lingus
from New York (other cities available for a supplement)
• 8 days Luxury motorcoach transportation and services of
a professional driver
• 8 days services of Marianne Gorman a gardens and Castles
expert tour guide
• Transfer from The Merrion to Dublin Airport
• 8 nights deluxe room accommodation in Deluxe 5-star castles
and hotels
• Full Irish breakfast daily
• 8 gourmet dinners with wine
• 8 lunches
• Welcome and Farewell Cocktail Receptions
• Lectures and tours with Ireland’s foremost Garden
and Castle experts
• Gratuities to all drivers, guides, and hotel/restaurants
staffs
• Admissions to all the attractions listed in itinerary
• All taxes and service charges
• Deluxe travel documents including reference material delivered
by overnight courier
• 5-star service from Warren Tours travel planners
Cost:
Cost based on sharing a double room:
$5,189.00 per person
Tour Supplements:
First/Business Class Up-grade: Add $3,600.00 per person
Room upgrade (at al hotels): Add $500.00 per person
Early Check-in on 8/18/03: Add $250.00 per person
Trip Cancellation Insurance:
From $238 per person depending on trip cost and age
Itinerary subject to change
Maximum of 20 guests per tour
Inquire for menus
Inquire for self-drive/chauffeur-drive options of this tour, tour
extensions, or special requests
Please note:
A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 per person, plus total airfare,
is due immediately if you wish to reserve any or all of the above
arrangements. Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. All
changes and cancellations are subject to penalty. Please inquire
about trip cancellation insurance. |