Enchanting Emerald Isle

A warm welcome to Dublin, a modern multi-cultural city that embraces its past and exudes an enduring sense of fun. Meet your local specialist this afternoon for a guided city tour to view the elegant Georgian Squares and St. Patrick's Cathedral. A special welcome reception this evening sees you visiting EPIC - The Irish Emigration Museum.

Journey through the lush green countryside before your first stop at Strokestown where you will dive into culture at the Irish Famine Museum, delving into the stories of the 1840s famine. Learn of the haunting pleas of starving tenants on the estate and the response they received, before you continue to Enniscrone.

Travel to Westport and meet your local specialist for a walking tour during which you'll learn about the town's heritage - from its settlement 5,000 years ago to modern-day times. Later, visit the Benedictine monastery of Kylemore Abbey, set against the striking backdrop of Lake Kylemore, and stroll through its walled Victorian gardens. Continue to Galway, the "City of Tribes", where you'll see Galway Cathedral and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

The sheer Cliffs of Moher plunge dramatically into the Atlantic Ocean, providing endless ocean views which you'll have an opportunity to admire during a morning visit. Later, we cross the Shannon estuary by ferry to Killarney, your home for the next two nights. Spend a free evening soaking up some unforgettable Irish craic or delve into the town's centuries-old history.

Dramatic vistas are yours to enjoy as we circle the achingly beautiful Ring of Kerry - one of the most scenic drives on the "Emerald Isle." See a soul-stirring landscape that has inspired poets, artists and writers for centuries, before returning to Killarney where you have the rest of the afternoon free to explore on your terms. Consider a leisurely guided walk at Torc Waterfall with a local specialist taking you along the lakeshore and past the farmlands of the 19th-century Muckross Estate.

Kiss the famous Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle and receive the "gift of the gab." Travel to County Kilkenny to discover the 12th-century town of Newtown Jerpoint and hear about the saint buried there, who inspired the legend of Santa Claus. Later, we meet local farmers Joe and Maeve O'Connell at their home, Belmore House, to connect with locals at a Be My Guest experience and hear the tale of the "lost" town over dinner.

Visit Kilkenny Castle, an Anglo-Norman stone castle that sits majestically over the Nore River. In the castle basement, you'll find the Butler Gallery, one of Ireland's most important art galleries outside of Dublin. Returning to the Irish capital, visit Trinity College and enjoy priority access to see the Book of Kells, said to be the world's most famous medieval manuscript. All that's left to say is a rousing sláinte or two while you indulge in a memorable farewell dinner, enjoying a fun night out at a classic public house in the city. Admire the authentic Victorian bar and walk up the original staircase from Trinity College, which was featured in the Michael Caine film "Educating Rita."

It's time to close the chapter on an unforgettable Irish holiday. We bid our newfound friends and Travel Director a fond farewell.