Caren's Charters

Day 1 - Tue April 17, 2012

USA – Shannon.  We start our trip when we meet at the KCI Airport to begin our adventure!  Join us as we fly together to the Emerald Island.  In-flight meals before we arrive in Shannon, Ireland.

Day 2 - Wed April 18, 2012

Shannon – Gort – Galway – Headford – Ballinrobe – Westport.  Upon our arrival we’ll travel north to Galway, City of the Tribes, where we’ll take a short stop to stretch our legs.  We’ll then continue on to Westport on an arm of Clew Bay.  Westport is a unique town designed by Georgian architect William Wyatt, with beautiful lime trees along both sides of the Carrowbeg River.  Here we’ll check into our lavish 4-star hotel, The Castlecourt, for the next two nights.  Remainder of the day is free to relax and take in the local atmosphere of this town.  Enjoy an included dinner at the hotel this evening.

Day 3 - Thu April 19, 2012

Mayo County Drive/ Mulrany-Achill-Ballycastle-Ballina-Turlough-Castlebar-Westport.  Our morning scenic drive takes us along the shores of Clew Bay via Newport and Mulrany to Achill Island.  The English writer William Thackery describes this as some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.  We’ll spend some time here before continuing to Belmullet and onto Ballycastle where we pause for a guided tour at the visitor centre.  Beneath the bogs lie the Ceide Fields, the most extensive Stone Age monument in the world, housing field systems, dwelling areas and megalithic tombs of 5000 years ago.  We continue via Ballina to Turlough Park and the National Museum of Country Life.  Here we’ll take time for a visit and stroll through the impressive grounds. Later, we’ll pass through Castlebar on our return to Westport.  Why not sample a local pub or restaurant for dinner?

Day 4 - Fri April 20, 2012 

Westport-Louisburg/ Connemara Excursion/ Kylemore Abbey-Cashel.  Leaving Westport  behind, our tour today offers contrasting scenery of tranquil lakes, stark mountains, bog and wild haunting landscape.  Included

will be a visit to the location for the great, classic film ‘The Quiet Man’.  Later, we’ll travel on to one of the prettiest settings in Ireland.  Along the tranquil waters in a mystic setting, rises Kylemore Abbey, where mists of fog blend with trees.  Explore the interior, the Gothic Church, and six-acre Victorian Walled garden.  Our drive ends in Cashel, where we check into our hotel for the next two nights.  The Cashel House is a 4-star hotel, once a 19 century country home.  Enjoy an included dinner this evening.

Day 5 - Sat April 21, 2012

Inishbofin Excursion.  Today we leave the hustle and bustle of the mainland behind and head for Inishbofin (Island of the White Cow) one of the most westerly islands off the Irish coast.  We travel via the coastal town of Clifden to the local port of Cleggan to board a ferry to the island famous for its beautiful beaches, scenery and spectacular wildlife.  See St. Coleman's Abbey, Cromwell Barracks and unusual coastal features.  Later our ferry returns us to the mainland with free time in Clifden for dining before returning to the hotel.

Day 6 - Sun April 22, 2012

Cashel-Galway-Kilcolgan-Burren Country-Cliffs of Moher-Kilfenora-Kinvarra.  Today’s adventure takes us to the Burren Country.  The limestone terraces of the Burren depict a lunar type landscape, adorned with a rare and unusual collection of flora and fauna.  We’ll visit the breathtaking, spectacular Cliffs of Moher, rising hundreds

of feet above the Atlantic Ocean.  We continue via Kilfenora and Ballyvaughan to Kinvarra for check in to our hotel for dinner and an overnight.  Kinvarra is a quaint fisherman’s village on Galway Bay.  We’ll stay in a thatched roof building, family owned.  In the evening, perhaps take a stroll to the colourful local pubs where impromptu music sessions frequently occur.

Day 7 - Mon April 23, 2012

Ardrahan – Corofin – Killimer – Tarbert – Listowel – Tralee / Dingle Peninsula Drive / Milltown – Killarney.  Today, we leave the friendly town of Kinvara and travel east and south.  At Killimer we’ll board a ferry for a short ride to Tarbert.  Our journey continues via Listowel enroute to Tralee, the county town of Kerry.

This afternoon we explore the wild and rugged scenery, vividly captured in the film Ryan's Daughter, as we travel west to Dingle town and Slea Head.  Listen for the Gaelic as this is one area where that portion of the culture is preserved.  Later we return through Annascaul, Castlemaine and Milltown to the resort town of Killarney, nestling at the foot of the Macgillycuddy Reeks for check in to our hotel for two night stay.  Dinner included this evening.

Day 8 - Tue April 24, 2012

Macroom – Blarney – Cork – Cobh – Killarney.  Today is not all Blarney but our first stop this morning is the renowned Castle with an opportunity to kiss the famous stone atop the battlements and maybe receive the gift of the Blarney.   Time for shopping at the nearby Woollen Mills prior to an orientation drive of Cork City, founded by St. Finbar in the 6^th century.  Later it’s on to picturesque Cobh, exit port to the United States during the last two centuries for thousands of emigrants from Ireland and mainland Europe, for visit to the Heritage Centre.  Over 50% of the immigrants to the United States passed through here.  Later we return to Killarney with dinner on your own in this lively town this evening.

Day 9 - Wed April 25, 2012

Mallow –Doneraile- Kildorrey- Ballyorgan –Mitchelstown - Cahir – Cashel - Limerick - Ennis / Farewell Medieval Banquet.  Bidding farewell to the Kingdom of Kerry we journey into the heart of Ireland with a unique opportunity to experience local hospitality whilst visiting an Irish home and conversing with the owners – homemade refreshments included.   Later, we’ll travel via Mitchelstown and Cahir en route to Cashel, seat of the ancient kings of Munster with free time to stroll this ecclesiastical town and perhaps visit the famous Rock. Then it’s on to Tipperary town and to the medieval city of Limerick for a brief orientation drive including views of King John's Castle and the Treaty Stone.  We’re off to Ennis, where we’ll stay the night in the 4-star Old Ground Hotel, a former manor house in the center of this medieval town   Tonight, celebrate with a medeval banquet in the beautiful 15th century Bunratty castle.

Day 10 - Thu April 26, 2012

Ennis - Shannon – USA.  Early morning transfer to Shannon Airport with time for duty free shopping before boarding our return transatlantic flight to the United States.

• Airfare to/from Kansas City and Ireland
• 4-star hotels (except one 3-star)
• Full Irish Breakfast daily
• Four Dinners – three course table d’hôte with choice plus tea/coffee
• Medieval Banquet with wine
• Return Island Ferry
• Farm Visit with refreshments
• Entrances to, Ceide Fields, Kylemore Abbey & Walled Garden, Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre, Blarney Castle and Cobh Heritage Centre
• Coach and professional driver
• Services of informative local guide plus Caren’s Charters  Inc. escorts throughout
• Leisurely pace
• Porterage based on one normal sized suitcase per person at Hotels
• Gratuities for included meals and all local taxes (VAT at current levels)
• Map of Ireland

• All items of a personal nature and any services not listed above as included.
• Gratuities to Driver and Guides are not included
• Travel Insurance

$3,500 Double, plus insurance $380

$4,300 Single, plus insurance $499

Airfare prices go up after Jan 16, 2012.

DUE NOW:  $500 plus insurance to reserve your space
DUE Feb 1, 2012:  $1,500
DUE Mar 1, 2012:  Final Payment

NOTE:  In order to maximize your enjoyment, the number of spaces available in each category are limited.  Sign up as soon as possible.  Most rooms available are double rooms. Once the available "singles" are filled, single reservations will be subject to availability, and at an increased price.

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20 Passengers