9 minute read

Sip, Savor & Sláinte

Family Adventure Emerald Isle 0n the

7 DAYS | DUBLIN TO DUBLIN

GOOD FOR | THE FAMILY VACATIONER, THE YOUNG & THE YOUNG AT HEART

WHAT’S INCLUDED

6 Nights Accommodation, 6 Breakfasts, Private Airport Transfers, Sightseeing as mentioned, Private Vehicle & Chauffeur.

RECOMMENDED HIGHLIGHTS

EXPERIENCE a Vintage Tea Tour, Irish Hurling Experience, The Ring of Kerry, Jaunting Car through Killarney National Park, Cruise along the Cliffs of Moher, Irish Wolfhounds and Falconry at Ashford Castle. JOIN A LOCAL SPECIALIST FOR a Kilkenny City Walking Tour. VISIT EPIC – The Irish Emigration Museum, The Irish National Stud, Blarney Castle and Muckross Farm.

RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATIONS

GREAT SOUTHERN KILLARNEY

Killarney |

ASHFORD CASTLE

Cong, Co.Mayo |

NORTHERN IRELAND

IRELAND

1 1

ASHFORD CASTLE

Cli s of Moher Co. Kildare 1 1 1 DUBLIN DUBLIN

1 1

KILKENNY KILKENNY

Ring of Kerry 2 2

KILLARNEY KILLARNEY

Blarney Vintage Tea Tour, Dublin

A trip that captures the imagination of all the family – from indulging in unique afternoon tea, hurling a slither (stick and ball) in one of the fastest field sports in the world, to walking with ancient birds of prey – adventures that are shared are more meaningful, uplifting and have a lifelong impact on all the family. Here we delve into all the emotions we feed off as families and then relax, connect and reconnect with ourselves, our loved ones and the locals. There’s still room for a bit of magic by staying at the magnificent Ashford Castle – sharing this experience is unique and everyone will cherish the memories forever.

PACKAGES FROM:

LOW:C$5044PP* | MID:C$6109PP* | HIGH:C$6386PP*

* Sample ‘from’ pricing is based on the following travel months: Low – January, Mid – October, High - July, is per adult (child discounts available dependent on inclusions and travel dates), land only and based on double occupancy. Subject to change and varies by inclusions and travel dates.

TAKE IT PERSONALLY

To personalize this sample itinerary, see Catherine’s Collection on pages 78-105 or visit our website for additional accommodation and activity options, suggestions and recommendations.

Your Fully-Customizable Sample Itinerary

DAY 1 | FÁILTE TO DUBLIN, TIME FOR TEA & CONNECTIONS AT EPIC

Welcome to Dublin, Ireland’s lively capital! Join a Vintage Tea Tour for a truly unique experience. Afternoon tea is a cherished ritual dating back to the 1840s, but this is afternoon tea the Irish Way. Board a vintage bus in the historic Temple Bar area and take in the sights of the city while enjoying a host of delicious delicacies and stories from your host. Afterwards, visit EPIC – The Irish Emigration Museum to enjoy a unique blend of learning and fun for all the family.

DAY 2 | JOURNEY TO KILKENNY

Nowhere better symbolizes all that is great about County Kildare – the beating heart of Ireland’s horse industry, than a visit to the Irish National Stud in Tully. A place of outstanding natural beauty that is home to some of the most magnificent horses and gardens. Continue on to Kilkenny where you will enjoy a unique experience learning about, and trying out, the three thousand year-old game of Hurling. Test your skills in what’s believed to be one of the fastest field sports around and end your experience with a bowl of tasty Irish stew. (B)

DAY 3 | KILKENNY CATS, BLARNEY & KILLARNEY

Join a Local Specialist this morning and discover the magic of this Medieval city. Why are Kilkenny people called cats? All will be revealed. Next, journey to Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Blarney Stone to receive the ‘gift of gab’ before exploring the mystical grounds, gardens and Rock Close. End your day in Killarney, renowned for its lively pubs and open, cheerful atmosphere that’s full of what the Irish call craic! (B)

DAY 4 | RING OF KERRY, A LAKE SIDE JAUNT & JARVEY’S TALES

Wind ‘round the beautiful Iveragh Peninsula, better known as The Ring of Kerry. Take in views of mountains, valleys, lakes and sea as you travel through little towns along this unspoiled land that has inspired artists and poets for centuries. After your drive, visit Muckross Farm for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Enjoy three working farms, a small farm with an animal petting area, a carpenter’s workshop and blacksmith’s forge. Then listen to the clip-clop as you enjoy your jaunt along Killarney’s lakes, guided by your ‘Jarvey’ (local guide) who’ll regale you with old stories and legends of the area. (B)

DAY 5 | CRUISE A FAMOUS CRAGGY CLIFF FACE & ARRIVE AT ASHFORD CASTLE

Heading north, stop at the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. See this natural phenomenon from a different perspective, gazing up at the sheer, craggy cliff face rising six hundred and fifty-feet above you as you cruise along the five-mile shoreline. Back on dry land, continue to the majestic Ashford Castle – a place full of stories waiting to be told. Set alongside the glistening waters of Lough Corrib, Ashford dates back to 1228 and became the home of the Guinness family in the mid 1800’s. This is your chance to live like royalty and join the ranks of guests that have included Princes and Presidents. (B)

DAY 6 | WOLFHOUNDS, FALCONRY AND BACK TO DUBLIN

Before leaving this magnificent estate, do make time to say hello to the castle’s famous Irish Wolfhounds and indulge in the ancient art of falconry. Discover the fascinating story behind this tradition while being enthralled by the resident birds of prey. Travel back to Dublin where there’s a chance to do some last-minute shopping or people-watch in a lively pub or café. (B) EPIC – The Irish Emigration Museum | © Tourism Ireland

DAY 7 | DEPART DUBLIN

It’s time to say slán abhaile to these magical lands and head for home with your cherished memories. (B)

Tastes & Tipples Ireland of Kylemore Abbey e Burren 2 2 Connemara Cli s of Moher

GALWAY GALWAY

NORTHERN IRELAND

IRELAND

1 1 1 1

DUBLIN DUBLIN

8 DAYS | DUBLIN TO DUBLIN

Foynes CASHEL 1

Ballykeefe Distillery

GOOD FOR | TASTE ENTHUSIASTS, FOODIES

WHAT’S INCLUDED

7 Nights Accommodation, 7 Breakfasts, 1 Dinner, Private Airport Transfers, Sightseeing as mentioned, Private Vehicle & Chauffeur.

Ring of Kerry

Caherdaniel 2 2

KILLARNEY KILLARNEY

Blarney

RECOMMENDED HIGHLIGHTS

JOIN LOCAL SPECIALISTS FOR a VIP Guinness Experience, the ‘Delicious Dublin’ Food Tour, a Whiskey Masterclass at Jameson Distillery, Ring of Kerry Seaweed Foraging, Galway Culinary Walking Tour and a Walk of the Burren with a Herbalist. VISIT Trinity College & the Book of Kells, Ballykeefe Distillery, the birthplace of Irish coffee, Kylemore Abbey, the Cliffs of Moher, The Rock of Cashel and Beechmount Farm to taste Cashel Blue Cheese.

RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATIONS

THE DAVENPORT

Dublin |

CAHERNANE HOUSE HOTEL

Killarney |

CASHEL PALACE

Cashel, Co.Tipperary |

Your Fully-Customizable Sample Itinerary

DAY 1 | FÁILTE TO DUBLIN

Welcome to Ireland! Dublin is the starting place for your grand culinary adventure. Stop at Trinity College and visit the spectacular library that holds the famous Book of Kells – a hand-illuminated manuscript of the Gospels. Afterwards, visit the Guinness Storehouse to enjoy a VIP Guinness Experience and a tasting like no other - Sláinte!

DAY 2 | JOURNEY TO KILLARNEY

Hear many of the Master Distiller’s secrets direct from their fields to your glass on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the award-winning family-operated Ballykeefe Distillery. Next, visit Blarney Castle, built nearly six hundred years ago. Kiss the famous stone and wander through this iconic spot and the beautiful gardens surrounding it. Continue on to the charming town of Killarney and enjoy the culinary excellence and the finest locally-sourced seasonal produce while dining at Herbert Restaurant, Cahernane. (B,D)

DAY 3 | RING OF KERRY & SEAWEED FORAGING

Travel the road that winds around the beautiful Iveragh Peninsula, better known as The Ring of Kerry and see the rugged landscapes and crashing seas that have inspired writers and poets for centuries. Stop along the way in Caherdaniel Village to discover the seaweed bounty thriving on our shoreline. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, learn how to forage, find and sustainably harvest these super-foods, then feast on a range of tasty sea veggies – certainly worth a try. (B)

DAY 4 | IRISH COFFEE & ON TO GALWAY

This morning, visit the Flying Boat Museum at Foynes. Housed in the original terminal building, the museum recalls that nostalgic era when Foynes was the center of the aviation world. Explore the exhibits before enjoying a tasty Irish Coffee, in the place where it was invented. Next head to Galway, a thriving bohemian and cultural city. (B)

DAY 5 | TASTY TREATS & KYLEMORE ABBEY

Enjoy another MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on a fabulous two-hour culinary walking tour of Galway with a Local Specialist – Meet artisan producers and sample everything from cheese to strawberry tarts. This city is known for its amazing café and bar scene – where traditional Irish music performances often spill out on to the streets. Later, tour Connemara and stop at the lakeside Kylemore Abbey – a former castle-turned-abbey that boasts a love story like no other. (B)

DAY 6 | BURREN HERBALIST WALK, CRAGGY CLIFFS & ON TO CASHEL

The Burren hedgerows have abundant plants and flowers that have been used for medicine since ancient times. This morning, meet a Local Specialist and walk along country lanes foraging for wild herbs. Next, travel to the Cliffs of Moher for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. This natural masterpiece, set against the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean and part of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Burren Geopark. Afterwards, discover that it’s not such a ‘long road to Tipperary’, before settling in for your lavish overnight at Cashel Palace. (B) Galway | © Tourism Ireland

Ireland’s green pastures and abundant waters have helped create outstanding natural flavors that you won’t get anywhere else. When you meet the producer, shop owner, distiller, forager, restaurateur or chef, you get a first-hand human connection that makes tasting produce all the better. From the bluest cheese to sublime smoked salmon and the creamiest butter imaginable – Ireland is serving up a food and drink renaissance that is best enjoyed here, where it comes from.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

SEAWEED DISCOVERY WORKSHOP

A relaxed tour for anyone with a love of nature and salty sea air. Join a guided foraging walk to learn about the sustainability and versatility of seaweed, before enjoying a range of fresh seaweed dishes and beverages.

PACKAGES FROM:

LOW:C$6102PP* | MID:C$7055PP* | HIGH:C$7213PP*

* Sample ‘from’ pricing is based on the following travel months: Low – January, Mid – October, High - July, is per person, land only and based on double occupancy. Subject to change and varies by inclusions and travel dates.

TAKE IT PERSONALLY

To personalize this sample itinerary, see Catherine’s Collection on pages 78-105 or visit our website for additional accommodation and activity options, suggestions and recommendations.

Fish ‘n’ Chips | © TourismNI

DAY 7 | RETURN TO DUBLIN

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the Cashel Palace followed by a unique visit to the famous Rock. Continue to Beechmount Farm where you will sample the famous Cashel Blue Cheese before your journey back to Dublin. Later this evening, enjoy a sixty minute masterclass in the art of making whiskey cocktails at the Jameson Distillery. Learn about exciting new methods, drink like the locals and discover how this ancient spirit has changed with the times. (B)

DAY 8 | DEPART DUBLIN

You are transferred to the airport for your return flight home. (B)

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