An Ireland Adventure
departs October 5, 2016
Steve Bertrand and WGN Radio present a 9-day private group journey to Ireland.
Departure:
Chicago: $2,959.00 per person* (includes all departure & government taxes.) *Single supplement is additional $624.
Package Includes:
Air: Round-trip air from Chicago on Aer Lingus
Accommodations:
Kilkenny – 1 night, 4-Star Hotel Kilkenny
Killarney – 2 nights, 4-Star Randles Hotel
Galway – 1 night, 4-Star Park House Hotel
Ballina – 1 night, 4-Star Mount Falcon Estate
Dublin – 2 nights, 4-Star Stephens Green Hotel
Other Inclusions:
Breakfast each morning, except day of arrival
5, three-course dinners including a special welcome dinner in Kyteler’s Pub and dinner and an evening of Irish folklore and storytelling in The Brazen Head Pub
Luxury motorcoach with services of a professional Irish driver/guide
Kilkenny Castle
Old Jameson Distillery Midleton
Cobh Heritage Centre
The Ring of Kerry
The Skellig’s Experience
Foynes Flying Boat Museum and Irish Coffee demonstration and sample
The Cliffs of Moher
Clonmacnoise
The Guinness Storehouse
Portfolio of travel documents
Porterage of one suitcase per person
24-hour Emergency Customer Service while in Ireland
Click here for the reservation form
For more information contact: Steve Bertrand at 847-606-6065 or steve@stevebertrandtravel.com
Please book early as space is subject to availability.
*Terms and Conditions: This is a Private Group Journey based on a minimum of 25 passengers to operate. Single supplement additional $624. Departure taxes and fuel surcharges are included. Air inclusive rates are subject to availability and are based on departure from Chicago on Aer Lingus. Not eligible for accrual of frequent flyer points/mileage. Above mentioned hotels are subject to change. Cancellations/Changes: Fares are non-refundable. For a full list of terms and conditions, please visit http://journeysconnect.com/about-1/group-terms-and-conditions
SB Ireland Adventure Reservation Form
Steve Bertrand WGN Ireland Adventure Overview_October_Rev 4-19
Itinerary(subject to change):
DAY 1 (October 5) – USA/DUBLIN: Fly transatlantic overnight from Chicago to Dublin, Ireland. Dinner is served and in-flight entertainment is provided.
DAY 2 (October 6) – ARRIVE DUBLIN / KILKENNY: Welcome to Ireland! After clearing customs, you will be met by your professional driver/guide in the arrivals hall and shortly afterwards, begin your transfer south to Kilkenny, undoubtedly Ireland’s loveliest inland city. After some time to rest, you have time to explore on your own. In medieval times, this was a prosperous trading center and the narrow streets still follow ancient routes. This afternoon, visit Kilkenny Castle, built in the 13th century and home to the powerful Butler family for almost 600 years. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner in a local pub, Kytelers Inn, one of Ireland’s oldest, with a history dating back to 1263. You might want to sample the local red ale, Smithwicks. Hotel Name: Newpark Hotel. (D)
DAY 3 (October 7) – KILKENNY / MIDLETON / COBH / KILLARNEY: Travel south towards County Kerry. Pause for a photo stop at the Rock of Cashel, a spectacular group of medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale including the 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century Castle and the restored Hall of the Vicars Choral. Next, travel south to the Old Midleton Distillery, home of Jameson Irish Whiskey, a local specialty, and taste the triple-distilled, twice-as-smooth whiskey. Onwards to Cobh Heritage Centre. Here you will view a dramatic exhibition of the origins, history and legacy of Cobh. Cobh is situated on the southern shore in one of the world’s finest natural harbors. Between 1848 and 1950, over 6 million adults and children emigrated from Ireland – over 2.5 million from Cobh, making it the single most important port of emigration in the country. Cobh was the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic. Afterwards, continue on to bustling Killarney. The town on the lakes is amous for its lively pubs and open, cheerful atmosphere, full of what the Irish call “craic!” – Gaelic for fun. Tonight, enjoy dinner in a local restaurant within walking distance of the hotel. Hotel Name: Randles Hotel. (B/D)
DAY 4 (October 8) – THE RING OF KERRY: Travel the road that winds around the beautiful Iveragh Peninsula, better known as The Ring of Kerry. It is undoubtedly one of the most magical places in all Ireland. Here mountains, valleys, lakes and sea blend into a landscape that is often breathtaking beyond words. A number of stops will allow you to marvel at the spectacular scenery; walk around the colorful village of Sneem and pause at Moll’s Gap for amazing views of the Lakes of Killarney. You will also cross to Valentia Island by bridge to visit the Skellig Experience and learn about early Christian monks who lived on the isolated islands and about the prolific bird life today. The Skellig Islands were also one of the film locations for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Return to Killarney where the remainder of your day and evening are free to explore Killarney’s many pubs and restaurants. Hotel Name: Randles Hotel. (B)
DAY 5 (October 9) – KILLARNEY / FOYNES / CLIFFS OF MOHER / GALWAY: After breakfast, depart Killarney and head north towards County Clare. In Foynes, visit the Flying Boat Museum, which recalls the early days of air travel during the 1930s and early 1940s. This is also where the Irish coffee was first created. Learn how to make a perfect one, and enjoy a warming sample. Afterwards, cross the River Shannon by ferry and continue on for a walk along the Cliffs of Moher, rising 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic waves. Travel onwards through the Burren towards Galway for overnight. Tonight, enjoy dinner in your hotel. Hotel Name: Park House Hotel. (B/D)
DAY 6 (October 10) – GALWAY / CONNEMARA / BALLINA: Enjoy breakfast. Afterwards, enjoy a panoramic tour of Galway. Continue onwards towards Connemara, the land of rocky mountains and whitewashed cottages towards Ballina and the Mount Falcon Estate. This Victorian Gothic manor house (est. 1876) exudes understated elegance from a bygone era. Originally constructed as a wedding gift, Mount Falcon Estate has subsequently become known as the most romantic house in Ireland. Enjoy dinner in the estate. Hotel Name: Mount Falcon Estate. (B/D)
DAY 7 (OCTOBER 11) – BALLINA / CLONMACNOISE / DUBLIN: After breakfast, you depart from Mount Falcon and make your way to Dublin. On your way, pause to visit Clonmacnoise, an early Christian site founded by St. Ciarán in the mid-6th century on the eastern bank of the River Shannon. The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, seven churches (10th-13th century), two round towers, three high crosses and the largest collection of Early Christian graveslabs in Western Europe. The original high crosses and a selection of graveslabs are on display in the visitor center. The long and varied history of Clonmacnoise is recounted in an audiovisual presentation shown in the visitor center. There are also exhibitions that deal with the flora, fauna and landscape of the region. Continue on to Dublin and visit the Guinness Storehouse. Raise a mug of the “black stuff” and drink in Dublin views at the Gravity Bar. This evening you are free to explore Dublin. Hotel Name: Stephens Green Hotel. (B)
DAY 8 (October 12) – DUBLIN: Enjoy a day at leisure in Dublin. This evening, experience an enchanting evening of Irish folklore and storytelling while enjoying a candlelit traditional Irish dinner in The Brazen Head, Dublin’s oldest pub. Hotel Name: Stephens Green Hotel. (B/D)
DAY 9 (October 13) – DUBLIN / USA: After breakfast, bid farewell to Ireland as transfers begin to Dublin airport where, after check-in, you will have plenty of time for your last minute duty free shopping. Your flight to the US arrives the same day. (B)
Click here for the reservation form
For more information contact: Steve Bertrand at 847-606-6065 or steve@stevebertrandtravel.com
Please book early as space is subject to availability