Day 1: Sat: Depart U.S. for Shannon
Travel to Shannon on an overnight flight to start your vacation.

Day 2: Sun: Shannon Arrival & Ennis Walking Tour
Land at Shannon Airport and locate the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall for a group transfer to the charming marketing town of Ennis. Complimentary transfers are available between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later than 12:00 noon, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm join a local guide for a walking tour around the main points of interest, including Ennis Friary. Meet your fellow travelers and tour director over a welcome drink, before enjoying dinner with some informal entertainment in your hotel. (B, D)

Day 3: Mon: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Travel to the coast to view the Cliffs of Moher, a five-mile wall of limestone rising above the foaming Atlantic breakers. See the rounded limestone hills of the Burren and the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a huge stone monument marking a Neolithic burial place. Stop in the attractive village of Ballyvaughan for a stroll and continue your journey to Moycullen, just north of Galway. Visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory, which specializes in intricate designs in colored crystal, before heading to Galway. Enjoy some time on your own before dinner. (B, D)

Day 4: Tue: Connemara & Catamaran Cruise
Today explore Connemara, a scenic region of misty hills and shimmering lakes. At Leenane embark on a catamaran cruise through Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord. See steep hills where reminders of the 1840's Famine, ridges of potato fields, are still visible. Learn about mussel and salmon farming in the clear waters. Drive to Cong, a charming village that was the location for the 1952 movie, “The Quiet Man.” A short walking tour will show you movie locations as well as Cong Abbey and the Quiet Man Cottage. (B, D)

Day 5: Wed: Yeats' Grave & Belleek China
Outside Castlebar tour the Museum of Country Life to see collections of domestic goods, used when most Irish people made a living by farming. Stop briefly at Knock Shrine to see the church where locals saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1879. Cross into County Sligo and stop at the grave of W. B. Yeats before continuing to the Belleek Pottery Factory. Watch skilled craftspeople create intricate basket-weave designs in delicate china. Continue your journey past the hazy Blue Stack Mountains to Stranorlar. (B, D)

Day 6: Thu: Glenveagh Castle & Grand Atlantic Drive
Travel into the heart of Donegal to Glenveagh National Park. Captain Adair evicted 225 tenants in order to build Glenveagh Castle in 1870. Learn about the history of the mansion, owners and guests as you tour the many rooms and walk around the many different gardens filled with exotic plants. Then head north to experience the glorious natural beauty of the Grand Atlantic Drive, which winds through Downings and Rosapenna and around the coastline. Pass Letterkenny on your return to Stranorlar in ample time for dinner. (B, D)

Day 7: Fri: Giant's Causeway & 17th Century Ballygally Castle Hotel
Travel to Derry to join a local guide for a walking tour to see medieval city walls, the Diamond and St. Columb's Cathedral. Next, drive along the north coast, pausing for photos at Dunluce Castle. Explore the Giant's Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Experience wonderful views of mountains, valleys and bays along the “Nine Glens of Antrim” route. Check in to Ballygally Castle, overlooking Ballygally Bay. It is Northern Ireland's only 17th century building still used as a residence - ask to see “The Ghost Room.” (B, D)

Day 8:  Sat: Belfast & Dublin's Merry Ploughboy Pub
Tour Belfast with a local guide to see Victorian buildings, the Harland & Wolff shipyards where the Titanic was built and the Falls Road and Shankill residential areas. Drive south to visit the Battle of the Boyne Centre. Learn about the 1690 conflict between King William III and his father-in-law, King James II for dominance over the British throne and religious power in Ireland. Travel into Dublin and check in to your city center hotel. In the evening head to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner, which is followed by a show of traditional music and step-dancing. (B, D)

Day 9: Sun: Dublin Tour & Book of Kells
This morning tour Dublin city center to see elegant Georgian squares with the famous colorful doorways; pass the peaceful St. Stephen's Green and the bustling shopping areas around Nassau Street; cross the River Liffey to O'Connell Street and view the General Post Office where the 1916 Rebellion started. Visit Trinity College's Old Library to view the 8th century manuscript of the Book of Kells and learn about its creation. The afternoon is free for independent activities and your open-top bus tour voucher will help you to get around and also visit either Guinness or Jameson. (B)

Day 10: Mon: Farmhouse Tea & Blarney Castle
Drive south through prime agricultural country and pause for photos at the Rock of Cashel, a limestone outcrop topped with medieval ruins. Visit a nearby sheep farm to sample freshly-baked scones with tea and find out about country living. Continue south to Blarney and climb to the top of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills or take a look around the village green. Continue your journey to Killarney, famous for its beauty and check in to your deluxe hotel overlooking the mountains and lakes. (B, D)

Day 11: Tue: Jaunting Car Ride & Muckross Gardens
Travel at a leisurely pace by traditional horse-drawn jaunting car to Ross Castle for views of Killarney's largest lake, Lough Leane. Drive to the delightful town of Kenmare where traditional buildings are gaily painted and enhanced with flowers. Pass through Moll's Gap, a wonderful vantage point on the Ring of Kerry and stop at Ladies' View. Take a walk around the charming Muckross Gardens, which were laid out in the 19th century on the shores of Muckross Lake. See a variety of mature trees and colorful plants before returning to Killarney. (B)

Day 12:  Wed: Dingle Peninsula & Bunratty Banquet
Drive along the Dingle Peninsula to admire views of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach and rocky headlands. Stop in Dingle and travel up to the Connor Pass for panoramic views. In Foynes learn about the early days of flight at the Flying Boat Museum, when Pam Am Clippers from the United States and Europe landed here. This is the birthplace of Irish Coffee so watch a demonstration on its creation and then enjoy one. Drive to Bunratty and check in to your hotel. This evening head to 15th century Bunratty Castle's Great Hall for an excellent medieval-style banquet with wine and music to carry you to the Middle Ages in spirit. (B, D)

Day 13: Thu: Home from Shannon
Complimentary group transfers are provided to Shannon Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. After check-in, you'll have time to shop at the duty-free stores boarding your flight for the journey home. (B)