Enchanting Ireland 2015 Travel Brochure

The Renaissance Academy presents

Enchanting Ireland A Tour of the Emerald Isle

May 3 - 15, 2015 From $4,560 per person (Land & Air) Optional Post Tour Extension to Northern Ireland

It’s a beautiful, magical land, where the gentle green landscape dazzles and the people delight; where warmth and hospitality are national traits and poets are national heroes. From Dublin to Galway, Killarney to Kilkenny, this full yet well-paced tour showcases Ireland’s many charms – both old and new – to our small band of travelers.

The Renaissance Academy of FGCU, 1010 5th Avenue South, Naples, FL 34102 239-434-4838 (t), 239-594-2665 (f), jguerra@fgcu.edu (email)

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Enchanting Ireland Daily Itinerary - May 3 - 15, 2015 Day 1 - Sunday, May 3: Depart the U.S. for Dublin, Ireland Early this evening, depart the United States for your flight to Dublin.

Day 2 - Monday, May 4: Arrive Dublin You’ll arrive in Dublin today and transfer to our hotel. The afternoon is at leisure to rest and relax, or to begin exploring near our well-located accommodations on St. Stephen’s Green. Tonight you meet your Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director and fellow travelers for a briefing on the journey ahead followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodations: The Shelbourne Dublin; Meals: D

Day 3 - Tuesday, May 5: Dublin This morning’s tour of Ireland’s intimate, and beautiful, capital city includes one of the nation’s most precious treasures, housed in Trinity College Library: the 8th-century Bo o k of Kells, considered the finest illuminated manuscript in existence. The library contains a masterful collection of other breathtaking illuminated manuscripts as well. We also visit St. Patrick’s, the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland, whose religious laws have shaped the lives of the Irish for centuries. This afternoon is free for independent exploration; possibilities abound, including visiting Dublin Castle or Christ Church Cathedral in the heart of medieval Dublin; sipping a pint at the Guinness Storehouse; shopping along trendy Grafton Street; strolling through St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin’s lovely park immortalized by James Joyce in Ulysses – or paying tribute to Joyce at the museum in his name; or viewing art at the National Gallery or artifacts at the National Museum of Archaeology and History. After dinner on your own this evening we gather at our hotel to embark on an informal evening walking tour (led by our tour director), passing some of the haunts and hiding places of Ireland’s beloved literary sons. Accommodations: The Shelbourne Dublin; Meals: B

Day 4 - Wednesday, May 6: Dublin/Galway We leave Dublin this morning for Galway in the West, considered by some to be the most “Irish” part of this most Irish country. En route we stop for tea at a local pub then continue on to the ruins of 6th-century Clonmacnoise, the most important monastic site in Ireland. Located on the East Side of the River Shannon, the monastery occupied a central position in Ireland. For that reason, it was the chosen burial place of the Kings of Connaught as well as those of Tara, including Rory O’Connor, the last High King of Ireland. At one time, it was also the most illustrious school in Europe, predating many universities. Though destroyed by the English garrison in 1552, the monastery has since been transformed into one of Ireland’s most famous visitors’ centers. After lunch on your own here, we continue on to Galway, arriving mid-afternoon. We reach our hotel located in the beautiful countryside village of Bearna outside of Galway City. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure, and tonight we enjoy dinner together at the hotel. Accom mod ations: The Tw elve Hotel; Meals: B, D

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Enchanting Ireland Daily Itinerary - May 3 - 15, 2015 Day 5 - Thursday, May 7: Galway/Connemara For pure atmosphere, few places can compete with the wild and barren landscapes of Connemara, our destination today. Northwest of Galway City, it’s a patchwork quilt of bogs, valleys, mountains, and glacial lakes, punctuated by a lonely cottage from time to time.

It’s also a favorite for hill walkers, who are attracted to the spare beauty of the landscape. During our travels we visit one of Ireland’s most beautiful sights: Kylemore Abbey, a turreted castle in the lush Connemara hills.

Built in 1861 by Mitchell Henry as a gift for his wife, it was purchased in 1920 by the Benedictine Nuns, who set about transforming the crumbling structure into a boarding school for girls, which it remains today. The tourist revenue generated from the Kylemore Abbey goes towards keeping the school and grounds in good repair; it also has helped to restore the Gothic church here. We continue on through this rugged region that offers spectacular views of the Twelve Ben Mountains on one side and the pounding sea on the other. After lunch on your own en route, we continue touring, returning to our Galway hotel late this afternoon.

Tonight we have dinner together at Padraicins (Irish pronunciation: Por-i-keens), a noted local establishment in a dramatic rural setting overlooking Galway Bay. Along with dinner, we will have the opportunity to enjoy a performance by traditional Irish musicians and dancers. Accomm od ations: The Twelve Hotel; Meals: B, D

Day 6 - Friday, May 8: Galway/Aran Islands Today we embark on an excursion by coach and ferry to Inismor, the largest of the fabled Aran Islands off the coast of Ireland, which on a clear day can be seen from the Cliffs of Moher. Long an inspiration to writers (including John Millington Synge, who wrote The Aran Islands), filmmakers (including Robert O’Flaherty, who made Man of Aran), and artists, the Aran Islands are a place apart; indeed, a place beloved by the Irish and by those who visit. Sitting across Galway Bay in the midst of the Atlantic, the islands feature primitive stone forests, early Christian churches, and medieval castles – as well as shops, galleries, and restaurants. An islander imparting local lore leads our tour of the island; we stop at Dun Aenghus Fortress, whose three prehistoric stone walls crown the cliffs of Inismor. After lunch together in a local restaurant and some free time to explore on our own, we return to the mainland late this afternoon.

We enjoy dinner together tonight at a local restaurant in the village of Bearna.

Accommodations: The Twelve Hotel; Meals: B, L, D

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Enchanting Ireland Daily Itinerary — May 3 - 15, 2015 Day 7 - Saturday, May 9: Galway/Country Clare/Killarney Another day of scenic beauty is in store as we leave Galway for Killarney, traveling south along the fabled coastline of County Clare. En route, we stop at one of the most visited sites in Ireland: the Cliffs of Moher, the majestic flat-topped “mountains” that rise vertically some 600 feet from the sea and stretch for five miles from north to south. The best views of the terrain can be seen from O’Brien’s Tower, an observation point built in 1835. On a clear day you may be able to glimpse the Aran Islands and the Twelve Bens, as well as Galway Bay. We also pass through The Burren, the 116-square mile “rocky place” of craggy gray k arst (limestone) formations that stretch endlessly in all directions. While it’s an incredible sight any time of the year, it’s especially impressive in the spring when the wildflowers bloom. After stopping at a local restaurant for lunch on your own, we cross by ferry into County Kerry, arriving in the capital city of Killarney late this afternoon. Surrounded by 25,000-acre Killarney National Park, the city is both charming and vibrant. This evening we enjoy dinner at a local farmhouse outside Killarney. Accommodations: Killarney Royal Hotel; Meals: B, D

Day 8 - Sunday, May 10: Killarney Established as a resort in the mid-eighteenth century, the town of Killarney is quite charming, with small lanes leading to the main street. You’ll find a variety of cafés, bookshops, pubs, and restaurants in which to poke around and soak up the atmosphere. We begin our day’s events with a ride from the town center to late 15th-century Ross Castle on a jaunting cart, the horse-drawn carriage with a “Jarvey” (driver) that is Killarney’s traditional form of transport. Considered a typical example of the stronghold of an Irish Chieftain during the Middle Ages, Ross Castle boasts a fairy tale setting on the shores of Killarney’s Lower Lake; it was the last stronghold to fall to Oliver Cromwell’s forces in 1652. Next we travel by boat to Muckross House (c.

1843), a grand Elizabethan-style manor on the shores of Muckross Lake that ranks among Ireland’s top attractions. Here we get a glimpse into the lives of the landed gentry, who resided in elegantly furnished rooms upstairs while the “help” lived downstairs. Muckross House’s gardens are as famous as the manor itself, which is surrounded by magnificent views of Killarney’s mountains and lakes. We see the informal garden’s lush rhododendrons, and the rock garden with its collection of rolling dwarf conifers. From here we visit the Kerry Folklife Center, located on the manor’s grounds, where artisans create and exhibit fine examples of bookbinding, pottery, and weaving. There’s time here to explore and enjoy lunch on your own at Muckross House before we return to Killarney mid-afternoon. Dinner tonight is on our own; Killarney offers a variety of restaurants from which to choose. Accommodations: Killarney Royal Hotel; Meals: B

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Enchanting Ireland Daily Itinerary — May 3 – 15, 2015 Day 9 - Monday, May 11: Killarney/Ring of Kerry Today we experience one of Ireland’s most popular attractions: the stunning mountain and coastal scenery of the Ring of Kerry, a 110-mile route connecting the Dingle, Iveragh, and Beara peninsulas. If you haven’t yet experienced the Ireland of your imagination, you’ll probably find it here, as our motorcoach follows winding roads through remote landscapes.

This is one of the last bastions of the Gaelic language, and it feels as ancient as time. We pass a number of monastic ruins en route, as well as some breathtaking vistas from the clifftops. Numerous villages also dot the landscape here; we stop in one (Kells) for an Irish sheep dog demonstration, and in another (Portamagee) for lunch together. We’ll also visit Waterville, home to the worldrenowned golf links, before heading back to Killarney, arriving late afternoon. Dinner tonight is on our own. Accommodations: Killarney Royal Hotel; Meals: B, L

Day 10 - Tuesday, May 12: Killarney/Blarney/Cashel/Kolkenny We leave Killarney this morning bound for Kilkenny. Along the way, though, there’s something that every visitor to Ireland must experience: Blarney Castle and the infamous Blarney Stone. Built in the 15th century, the castle is now in ruins but is perhaps even more evocative for it. If you like, you can proceed to the Blarney Stone for a chance to kiss the rock and receive the gift of eloquence. Be careful – to kiss the stone you have to bend backwards, so only do it if your back is strong! After our visit here we proceed to one of Ireland’s largest and most famous stores, the Blarney Woollen Mills, which houses an excellent selection of Irish crafts as well as knits and woolens of all kinds. After lunch on our own in Blarney, we continue on to County Tipperary and the Rock of Cashel, the celebrated – and beloved – archaeological complex dating to 432 CE. Towering over the surrounding plain, Cashel exudes the mystery and aura of Irish legend, along with the scenic beauty that attracts visitors from near and far. Late this afternoon we reach Kilkenny and our centrally located hotel, where we dine tonight.

Accommodations: The Pembroke Hotel; Meals: B, D

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Enchanting Ireland Daily Itinerary — May 3 - 15, 2015 Day 11 - Wednesday, May 13: Kilkenny Today we discover Kilkenny, a medieval city known as Ireland’s cultural capital. We tour 12th-century Kilkenny Castle, considered one of the country’s most beautiful; then we embark on an informal walking tour of Kilkenny itself, noting the many buildings of “black” or Kilkenny marble, quarried locally.

After we enjoy lunch together at a local restaurant the remainder of the afternoon and this evening is free for independent exploration. The center of Ireland’s artisan and handcraft industries, the city offers the Kilkenny Crafts Trail to guide visitors to the best of the jewelers, potters, glassblowers, ceramicists, and wood and ironworkers who live and work here. Kilkenny also boasts important historic and architectural sites, including ancient monuments, monastic settlements, old country homes, and burial sites. Dinner tonight is on our own.

Accommodations: The Pembroke Hotel; Meals: B, L

Day 12 - Thursday, May 14: Kilkenny/Dublin Heading back to Dublin this morning today we stop in Tully, County Kildare, to visit the National Stud Farm, where we see stables as well as the paddocks, foaling unit, saddlery, forge, and the museum that comprise this center of Ireland’s horse racing industry. Mid-afternoon we reach our hotel; the balance of the afternoon is at leisure. Tonight we celebrate our adventure over a farewell dinner at the hotel.

Accomm od ations: Finnstown Country House Hotel; Meals: B, D

Day 13 - Friday, May 15: Depart for U.S. After breakfast, we transfer to the Dublin airport for our return flights to the United States. Meals: B

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Enchanting Ireland Daily Itinerary — May 3 - 15, 2015

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This tour involves some full days of touring and considerable walking, often along uneven terrain or cobblestone streets.

In addition, we will do our best to adhere to our printed itinerary. Occasionally, though, unexpected obstacles, and opportunities, may arise that will force us to deviate from the itinerary as written.

We would ask you to be open-minded and flexible should we vary the itinerary slightly. Additionally, please note that airline schedules are subject to change. We will provide you with updated flight information closer to your departure.

Included in Your Tour Price: 

11 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe and Superior First Class hotels

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21 meals: 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners

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Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees

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Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director

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Private motor coach transportation throughout your trip

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Luggage handling for one bag per person

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Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers

Optional Post Tour Excursion “Northern Ireland”

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4 days/3 nights: $1,195 - Single Supplement: $195

Day 13 - Friday, May 15: Depart Dublin/Arrive Belfast Depart Dublin/Arrive Belfast: This morning we transfer to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Upon arrival in this historic capital city, we embark on a brief city tour and visit iconic Belfast City Hall, a grand example of Classical Renaissance architecture and fortunate survivor of “The Blitz” mounted by the German Luftwaffe in World War II. Completed in 1906, this magnificent building houses Belfast’s original city charter granted by King James I in 1613. Following our tour, we check in to our hotel, where we dine tonight.

Day 14 - Saturday, May 16 : County Antrim County Antrim: Our exploration begins today with a full-day tour of County Antrim, located in the northeastern region of Northern Ireland. Our first stop: Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge, the bridge formerly frequented by salmon fisherman and now used for tourism walks to view the beautiful panoramic views of Larrybane Island and Sheep Island seen in the distance. Next we visit Bushmill’s Distillery, the world’s oldest, where we enjoy lunch followed by a tour to learn how single malt Irish whiskey is made. This afternoon we travel to Giant’s Causeway, one of Ireland’s most popular attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage site of some 40,000 interlocking basalt columns at the water’s edge. Here we see rare views of isolated ruins and hexagonal rocks formed centuries ago by flowing lava, as well as kelp walls and shoreline fields that fisherman have used for many generations. We return to the hotel late this afternoon and dine there this evening.

Day 15 - Sunday, May 17: Belfast/Dublin Belfast/Dublin: This morning we visit the dramatic Titanic Belfast, a new museum which opened in 2012 on the 100th anniversary of the ship’s sinking. The Titanic Belfast has quickly become a major attraction and a monument to Belfast’s maritime heritage on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. The building comprises a nine-gallery interactive exhibit about the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Here we learn in poignant detail of the behemoth ship built in this Belfast shipyard, and of its disastrous fate when some 1,500 passengers perished on its tragic maiden voyage in 1912. After this moving experience we drive to Dublin, arriving late afternoon. We check in at our airport hotel and then enjoy time at leisure before dinner together this evening.

Day 16 - Monday, May 18: Depart Dublin for U.S.

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Enchanting Ireland Hotel Accommodations The Shelbourne Dublin: 27 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 Ireland Phone:011-353-1-663-4500; Fax:011-353-1-661-6006 www.marriot.com Well-located right on St. Stephen’s Green in the heart of Dublin city center, The Shelbourne Dublin offers easy access to shopping on Grafton Street and to Dublin’s many cultural attractions, including St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Trinity College. The hotel, built in 1824, offers restaurant, bar, and lounge; fitness center; internet access; and laundry and dry cleaning services. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, TV, and phone.

The Twelve Hotel: Bearna Village, Galway, Ireland Phone 011-353-91-597000; Fax:011-353-91-597003 www.thetwelvehotel.ie Opened in 2007, the boutique-style Twelve Hotel sits on the west coast of Ireland just a short drive from Galway City and its many shops, restaurants, and pubs. This 48-room hotel combines classic Irish culture with many up-to-date amenities including a restaurant, bar, lounge, internet access, laundry and dry cleaning services, and wellness center. Each air-conditioned guest room comes with private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, wet-bar, TV, and phone.

Killarney Royal Hotel: College Street, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland Phone: 011-353-646-631853; Fax:011-353-646-634001 www.killarneyroyal.ie Owned and managed by the Scally family for three generations, the Killarney Royal Hotel stands in the heart of Killarney and just minutes from the Outlet Center. This boutique-style hotel offers a restaurant, bar, bistro, internet access, laundry and dry cleaning services, and safe deposit boxes. Airconditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, TV, and phone.

The Pembroke Hotel: 11 Patrick Street ,Kilkenny ,Ireland Phone011-353-567-78-3500; Fax:011-353-567-78-3535 www.pembrokekilkenny.com Located at the top of High Street, Kilkenny’s primary shopping district, The Pembroke Hotel offers beautiful views of the city and of neighboring Kilkenny Castle. With its marble façade and tinted glass windows, this boutique-style hotel resembles a traditional Irish hotel enhanced with contemporary facilities including a restaurant, bar, lounge, complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, laundry and dry cleaning services, fitness center, and indoor pool with spa. The 74 air-conditioned rooms have private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, mini-bar, TV, and phone.

Enchanting Ireland Hotel Accommodations (con’t)

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Finnstown Country House Hotel: Newcastle Road Lucan, Co. Dublin Ireland Phone: 011-353-1-601-0700 www.finnstown.com This charming late 18th-century restored mansion is situated in a tranquil setting of 45 acres of mature gardens and conveniently located outside Dublin’s city center, a short drive from the airport. The 82room hotel has a restaurant, coffee shop, lounge, steam room, fitness center, indoor pool, and tennis court. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, tea- and coffeemaking facilities, ironing facilities, TV, phone, and complimentary internet access.

Post Tour Excursion Accommodations The Fitzwilliam Hotel: Great Victoria Street Belfast, Northern Ireland Phone: 011-44-28-9044-2080 Fax:011-44-28-9044-2090 www.fitzwilliamhotel.com Well-located in the heart of Belfast on Great Victoria Street, the 131-room Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast offers easy access to many cultural attractions including the Grand Opera House, the Ulster Museum, and the Botanical Gardens. This classic-style hotel, opened in 2009, boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant, as well as a bar, fitness center, internet access, laundry and dry cleaning services, and elevators. Airconditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, TV, and phone.

Carlton Hotel Dublin Airport: Old Airport Road Cloghran, Dublin Airport, Co. Dublin, Dublin, Ireland Phone: 011-353-1-866-7500 Fax: 011-353-1-862-3114 www.carlton.ie Adjacent to the Dublin airport with complimentary 24-hour shuttle service, the contemporary Carlton Hotel Dublin Airport offers a variety of amenities including a rooftop restaurant, bistro, bar, internet access, laundry and dry cleaning services, and fitness center. The 100 air-conditioned guest rooms offer private bath with hair dryer, tea- and coffee-making facilities, in-room safe, TV, and phone.

Enchanting Ireland: A Tour of the Emerald Isle Enclosed is my/our non-refundable deposit for $__________($750 per person) for _____ person/people on the “Enchanting Ireland” tour departing the USA on May 3, 2015 and return on May 15, 2015. I/we understand the final payment is due on or before January 28, 2015. Your deposit may be paid by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, VISA, or personal check. This excursion is limited to 24 participants. Please mail this completed form as soon as possible to: The Renaissance Academy of FGCU, Attention: John Guerra, 1010 5th Ave South, Naples, FL 34102.

(PRINT CLEARLY)

Name: (Tr aveler #1) Address:

Name: (Tr aveler #2) Address:

Tel: Email: Emergency Contact Name #1: Emergency Contact Tel #1:

______ ____________

Tel: Email: Emergency Contact Name #2: Emergency Contact Tel #2:

 I/We wish to reserve AIR & LAND for $4,560 pp (Roundtrip air from JFK; BOS; including airline taxes, fuel surcharges and fees)  I/We wish to reserve AIR & LAND for $4,860 pp (Roundtrip air from ORD including airline taxes, fuel surcharges and fees)  I/We wish to reserve AIR & LAND for $4,960 pp (Roundtrip air from RSW including airline taxes, fuel surcharges and fees)  I/We wish to reserve LAND ONLY for $3,895 per person  I prefer single accommodations for an additional cost of $895 (Single accommodations are limited)  I/We wish to reserve the Post-Tour Northern Ireland Extension for $1,195 per person ($195 single supplement)  I have the following special requirements (including dietary):  I am travelling alone but will share a room with ____________________________________________  I/We wish to reserve a Business Class upgrade on the RT Trans-Atlantic flight from Newark of Dulles (price available upon request & subject to change)

I/We have read and understood this brochure and agree to be bound by its terms, policies and conditions:

Signature:___________________________________

Date:_______________________________________

Signature:___________________________________

Date:_______________________________________

PLEASE ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF YOUR PASSPORT WITH YOUR DEPOSIT IMPORTANT: THIS IS A MODERATE EXERTION TOUR. PARTICIPANTS MUST BE ABLE TO WALK, STAND AND CLIMB STAIRS WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. I understand that The Renaissance Academy of FGCU is unable to accept any person as a tour passenger who may require special attention because of a medical condition unless they have a companion traveling with them who can provide whatever services and assistance is necessary. I further understand that The Renaissance Academy of FGCU cannot accept or retain any person whose health or general deportment impedes the operation of the tour or affects the rights, welfare or enjoyment of other tour passengers. I accept sole responsibility for determining that I am in good physical and mental health and am able to participate

Method of Payment (Circle One) – Make Checks Payable to Odysseys Unlimited Check

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Card/Account #____________________________________ Exp. Date___________ CCV___________ Name As It Appears On Card: ____________________________________________________________ Signature:

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Enchanting Ireland: A Tour of the Emerald Isle May 3 (Depart USA) – May 15, 2015 GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS Please read this information carefully, as payment of a $750 deposit per person represents your acceptance of the following General Terms and Conditions. Please retain a copy of these General Terms and Conditions for your records.

Tour Cost: Total tour cost, air and land, fr om J FK or BOS is $4,560 per per son, $4,860 per per son fr om Chicago, or $4,960 fr om RSW. Land-only cost is $3,895 per person. A non-refundable deposit of $750 per person is required with your signed application. Final payment in full is due on or before January 28, 2015. The single supplement is $895. Tour costs, which are based on current exchange rates and a group size of 24 participants, are subject to change. Airline taxes, departure fees, and fuel surcharges are subject to change and will affect the total cost of the tour.

Upon reservation you must provide your full legal name as it appears on your passport. In the event an air line ticket is issued with incorrect information you have provided, you will be responsible for charges associated with the ticket’s reissue.

Luggage: Only one car r y-on and one checked bag per person is accepted on tour.

Documents: U.S. citizens ar e r equir ed to have a valid passpor t for entr y into Ir eland valid for at least 6 months after your r etur n home.

Cost of Tour Includes: Round-trip airfare; 11 nights' accommodations in Superior First Class and Deluxe hotels; 21 meals: 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners; Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees; Services of a private Tour Director; Private motor coach transportation; Luggage handling for 1 bag per person; Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers.

Cost of Tour DOES NOT Include: Roundtr ip air far e fr om any depar tur e point other than those listed her ein or with the pur chase of a land-only tour package; costs of passports, visas, personal expenses such as beverages, laundry, room service, and meals and beverages not specified; airline baggage fees; communication charges; airline transfers when purchasing a land-only package; gratuities to your Tour Director (suggested gratuities: $10-$15 per traveler, per day), which are at your discretion; optional sightseeing; and travel protection insurance.

Cancellations: All deposits ar e non-refundable. If you must cancel your trip, the effective date of cancellation will be upon our receipt of your written notification. Cancellations received 95 days or more from the date of departure will be subject to a $300 processing fee plus any and all additional charges dependent upon the obligations of The Renaissance Academy of FGCU to its suppliers and the airline refund policies. Cancellations received at or within 94 days of departure are subject to the following schedule of cancellation fees: 94-65 days prior to departure - 65% of the tour cost per person; 64-30 days prior to departure - 85% of the tour cost per person; 29 days or less prior to departure – 100% of the tour cost per person. If a guest makes any changes within 94 and 30 days prior to departure to either their departure city and/or the optional post-tour extension, a $150 per person administrative fee, in addition to any fees or penalties imposed by third parties will apply. No changes are allowed within 30 days of departure.

Travel Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Tr avel insur ance is str ongly r ecommended. Compar e and pur chase insur ance at www.squaremouth.com or contact your personal travel agent. Neither the Renaissance Academy nor Odysseys can offer travel insurance.

Medical Conditions: If you or a member of your par ty suffer fr om any physical challenge or medical condition, you must check with your doctor about the advisability of traveling abroad and make this known to us before you book. We will make reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of tour participants, but are not responsible for denial of services by carriers, hotels, restaurants and other independent suppliers.

Smoking: Smoking is NOT per mitted in the hotels, on motor coaches, or other modes of tr anspor t used by the gr oup.

Responsibility-Tour Participation Contract – IMPORTANT: The Renaissance Academy of FGCU does not pr ovide tr avel ser vices or act as the agent of any provider of travel services. The liability of Florida Gulf Coast University, as a sponsor, and Odysseys Unlimited, Inc., as a tour operator, is strictly limited. The Renaissance Academy of FGCU is not responsible or liable for any of the services provided for/by Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. or any other travel agency, or for any of the services of hotels, motor coaches, trains, vessels, aircrafts or other forms of transportation that may be used in connection with the tour. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. purchases transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurant and other services from independent suppliers not under its control. All arrangements for transport, accommodations, and services are made upon the express condition that The Renaissance Academy of FGCU, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and their affiliates shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damage, injury, loss, accident, delay or irregularity of any kind occasioned by reason of any act or omission beyond its control, including without limitation, any act of negligence or breach of contract of any third party such as an airline, cruise line, train, hotel, restaurant, tour operator/supplier, ground handler, etc., including their employees, agents, servants or representatives, who is to or does supply any goods or services to the tour. Without limiting the foregoing, The Renaissance Academy of FGCU, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and their affiliates are not responsible for any losses or expenses due to delay or changes in schedule, overbooking of accommodations, default of any third parties, sickness, weather, strikes, acts of God, acts of terrorism, war, quarantine, criminal activity, the defect of any vehicle or for any other cause beyond their control. The Renaissance Academy of FGCU reserves the right to change the itinerary of the tour or to substitute similar quality hotels or airlines without prior notice. If the tour is cancelled by The Renaissance Academy of FGCU for any reason, The Renaissance Academy of FGCU, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and their affiliates shall have no liability beyond the refund of all tour participant deposits received by them, net of any and all expenses due to suppliers and the airline refund policies. The Renaissance Academy of FGCU, in its sole discretion, may increase the tour price in the event costs increase. The Renaissance Academy of FGCU may decline to accept or retain any tour participant as a participant on the tour at any time. Airline tickets may be sold in conjunction with the services of any airline. The passenger tickets in use by the carriers, cruise line, and other independent suppliers when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the passenger. If you choose to make your own air arrangements, The Renaissance Academy of FGCU and Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. shall not have any liability for any loss resulting from cancellation of or changes to this tour. The parties agree that Ft. Myers (Lee County) in the state of Florida shall be the venue for any disputes arising out of this tour. A signed FGCU General Release and Waiver Agreement is required from each participant prior to departure.

Important Note: When you pur chase a “land only” package, air por t tr ansfer s and luggage handling at the ar r ival and depar tur e air por ts at the beginning and end of the tour are not included. Should you be at the arrival airport and departure hotel concurrent with the group of arriving Odysseys Unlimited travelers, you are welcome to transfer with the group at no charge, providing additional seating is available. However, please note that the motor coach cannot wait for you; you must be aboard when the coach is leaving. Business Class upgrades apply ONLY to the TransAtlantic portion of your itinerary from Newark or Dulles.