I emailed this itinerary last week but some folks didn't receive it, so here it is again. I apologize if you saw this before. I'm offering a $100 gift card to the first 15 people to book this tour, that would be $200 if you booked as a couple! But do it soon. If you'd like to give this trip as a Christmas present, contact me. Thanks, Linda

CELTIC RAINBOW TOUR OF IRELAND ITINERARY

October 29 – November 7, 2010

Fri, Oct 29 UNITED STATES TO DUBLIN

Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.

Sat, Oct 30 DUBLIN ARRIVAL, BOYNE VALLEY & ENNISKILLEN

After landing at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities. Then your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you to the coach. Travel north to the Boyne Valley Visitor Centre where you can learn about the nearby underground burial sights, exhibits and audio-visual presentations. Walk through a full-size replica of the largest tumulus, Newgrange, before visiting the actual site. The Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange was built about 3200 BC. The kidney-shaped mound covers an area of over one acre and is surrounded by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with megalithic art. Continue on to visit the Hill of Tara, seat of the High Kings of Ireland, which was at the height of its power in the early centuries after Christ. All that remains today are huge circles of earthworks which are impressive by their size and age. Also visit the Hill of Slane, the site of a 6th-century monastery and church. These buildings and those that succeeded them were ravaged in turn by the Vikings, Normans, and Cromwell’s troops. The church tower has a narrow spiral stairway that leads to a flat roof with panoramic views of Meath. Then drive to Kells and visit the Kells High Cross and Round Tower. As one of the religious centers of Western Europe in the 8th and 10th century, this holy site not only housed the Book of Kells for centuries but also produced one of Ireland's most important collection of High Crosses, some of them still standing in the shadow of the Round Tower. Following your visit travel through County Cavan to reach Enniskillen and check into your hotel. Enjoy some time to settle in before joining your group for a welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLYHEVLIN HOTEL, ENNISKILLEN

Sun, Oct 31 CRUISE ON LOUGH ERNE & FREE TIME

This morning enjoy a scenic cruise on Lough Erne. Relax and enjoy the panoramic view while the crew gives a live commentary. The abundance of waterside wildlife includes Mallard Ducks, Mute Swans, Grey Herons, Coots, Moorhens, Great Crested Grebe and the colorful Kingfisher. Stop en route on the famous Devenish Island Monastic Site with its history dating back to the sixth century and including the best preserved Round Tower in Ireland, Augustinian Abby, church ruins, ancient graveyards and high cross. After your cruise, enjoy the balance of the day free for independent activities before dining in the hotel restaurant. In the later evening transfer to Derrylin to attend a Halloween Bonfire, which has been arranged for you by your Tour Leader. Return to Enniskillen for your overnight stay.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLYHEVLIN HOTEL, ENNISKILLEN


Mon, Nov 1 ULSTER AMERICAN FOLK PARK & DERRY WALKING TOUR

Leaving Enniskillen drive towards Omagh to visit the Ulster American Folk Park, an outdoor museum of cottages, including that of Thomas Mellon’s ancestors. See traditional cottages and displays of life in rural Ireland together with portrayals of the sea crossing to the United States and the life of the early settlers. Continue north to Derry for a walking tour of the city to see the principal sights. See the 17th century city walls, which are some of the best-preserved in Europe, and the Diamond, the main central square. Also pass the 17th century St. Columb's Cathedral, the Tower Museum with local history displays and the Guildhall where the history of Derry is depicted in stained-glass windows. Enjoy some free time to browse independently before continuing your drive to Buncrana to check into your hotel. Enjoy some time to relax before joining your group for dinner.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: INISHOWEN HOTEL, BUNCRANA

Tue, Nov 2 GIANT'S CAUSEWAY & BUSHMILLS DISTILLERY

Today travel via the outskirts of Derry and through the town of Coleraine to reach the Giant's Causeway, an impressive area of hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago by cooling lava which has given rise to many legends. Continue on to visit the Bushmills Distillery which is the world's oldest whiskey distillery, having received a license in 1608. See how whiskey is distilled and then try a sample at the end of your tour. Return to Buncrana where you will have some free time before dinner.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: INISHOWEN HOTEL, BUNCRANA

Wed, Nov 3 INISHOWEN SIGHTSEEING & GRIANAN OF AILEACH

Today enjoy sightseeing of the Inishowen Peninsula. Motor along the coastline and enjoy the wonderful views. Drive to the rugged promontory of Malin Head, Ireland’s most northerly point. This spectacular headland offers distant views of the Scottish islands of Islay and Jura on a clear day. Its highest point at 363’ is called ‘Banba’s Crown’ after one of the pagan queens of pre-Christian Ireland. Continue southward to visit the Grianan of Aileach, one of Ireland’s greatest circular ring forts that gets its name from the Irish language meaning “The stone fort of the sun.” Archaeologists say that the fort itself dates from 500 BC or earlier, but the circular ramparts may go back as far as 5,000 years ago. Visit the Grianan of Aileach Visitor Center, housed in a former 150-year-old stone church, situated at the foot of the monument. Various exhibits and interactive multi-media displays provide background on the fort ranging from its history and mythology, to the flora and fauna of the area. A short drive will return you to Buncrana where you will have some time to relax before dinner.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: INISHOWEN HOTEL, BUNCRANA



Thu, Nov 4 ST. COLUMBA’S BIRTHPLACE, GLENVEAGH PARK & DONEGAL

Depart Buncrana this morning and drive through County Donegal to the town of Gartan to visit the birthplace of Saint Columba, also called Columbcille. There is a megalithic stone monument that pre-dates Columbcille by thousands of years. People place coins on one of the stones of the megalithic monument. According to a story told by Rev John R.Walsh. PP of the Derry diocese, the stone is where Columbcille slept and now it has miraculous powers to cure loneliness and sorrow. Continue your drive into Glenveagh National Park with extensive gardens and also tour Glenveagh Castle, a 19th century Scottish style baronial manor. Travel to Donegal through Letterkenny and Ballybofey and the scenic Blue Stack Mountains. Upon arrival in Donegal visit Hanna Hats, world famous makers of indigenous Irish tweed hats and caps as well as other items of fine tweed, linen and wax apparel. Then check into your hotel and enjoy some time to relax and freshen up before joining your group for dinner.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: MILL PARK HOTEL, DONEGAL

Fri, Nov 5 SLIEVE LEAGUE & ARDARA

Today enjoy sightseeing in Donegal, with its windswept hills where only sheep can thrive. The area is renowned for woolen production and tweeds. Motor west through delightful scenic countryside via the fishing center of Killybegs to Slieve League. Visit the sea cliffs of this famous mountain where the highest point reaches 1,972 feet, making them the highest in Europe. This mountain forms cliffs on the seaward side with a drop of 900 feet straight down into the wild, Atlantic waves below. Continue to the town of Kilcar for a visit to Rathlin Knitwear to shop for 100% Donegal tweed wool hand woven knitwear. The unique thing about this product range is that the raw material and manufacturing is totally made in South West Donegal. Then drive a short distance north to Ardara and enjoy the afternoon and evening free to attend the Matchmaking Festival and dine independently. Return to Donegal for your overnight stay.

OVERNIGHT: MILL PARK HOTEL, DONEGAL

Sat, Nov 6 BELLEEK CHINA & DUBLIN

Drive around the shores of Donegal Bay to Belleek to tour the Belleek China Factory. Here you can watch skilled craftspeople mold and decorate the clay to form delicate and highly decorative pieces. See the full range in the showrooms and also a historic exhibit with pieces from when the factory first opened. Travel along the beautiful shores of Lower Lough Erne to Enniskillen. Drive through the lake-studded region of Cavan and through the midlands of Ireland where you can see how many Irish people make their living from agriculture and into Dublin, Ireland's capital. Upon arrival take an orientation drive around Dublin city center. Dublin is one of the liveliest capitals in Europe but there are plenty of historical places also. See the main thoroughfares of O’Connell Street and Nassau Street, the shopping streets and some lovely public parks. Then check into your hotel and enjoy the balance of the day and evening free for independent activities and dining.

OVERNIGHT: ASHLING HOTEL, DUBLIN



Sun, Nov 7 RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES

All too soon, your vacation in Ireland has come to the end. Transfer to Dublin Airport in plenty of time to check in for your flight, clear security and claim your VAT refund. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores. Then clear U.S. Immigration before boarding your aircraft and fly west across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.

LAND ONLY PRICE –DOUBLE OCCUPANCY $1995 per person
Single Occupancy $2375.
Deposit of $400 due ASAP, Travel Insurance of $159 can only be purchased at time of booking. Deadline: March 31, 2010. Make checks payable to "NACTA". Send to: Celtic Rainbow Gifts, PO Box 447, Bar Harbor, ME 04609.
Please call or email me with any questions: 207-244-5486
linda@CelticRainbowGifts.com
http://www.CelticRainbowGifts.com

LAND FARE INCLUDES

• Transport by luxury motorcoach with a driver/guide (one man) for 9 days.

• Hotel accommodation based on twin bedded rooms with private bath as listed opposite for 8 nights.

• Full breakfasts (8)

• Table d’hôte dinners (6)

• Boat cruise on Lough Erne

• Guided walking tour of Derry

• Visits and admission fees to:
Boyne Valley Visitor Centre & Newgrange
Hill of Tara
Hill of Slane
Kells High Cross and Round Tower
Ulster American Folk Park
Giant’s Causeway
Bushmills Distillery
Grianan of Aileach
St. Columba’s Birthplace in Gartan
Glenveagh Castle & National Park
Hanna Hats
Slieve League Cliffs
Rathlin Knitwear
Belleek China Factory

• Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes.

• Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap.








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