Italian & Irish Jaunt

Details

Tour Operator

CIE Tours

Duration

15 Days

Escorted

Escorted - Yes

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
Day 1	Depart USA	Depart U.S. for Italy: Depart your hometown and fly to Venice.
Day 2	Venice	Arrival in Venice: Land in Venice where your tour escort will be at the exit from Customs to meet you from 8:00 am until 12:00 noon and accompany you to a motor launch to transfer to your hotel. This is a wonderful introduction to a city built on water! Check in to your hotel, located on the Grand Canal, and enjoy free time. In the evening enjoy a welcome drink with your group, followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant. (D)
Day 3	Venice	Saint Mark's Square & Doges' Palace: This morning start your walking tour of Venice at the Piazza San Marco. Visit the elaborate Doges' Palace where the impressive state rooms contain Renaissance paintings by Titian, Veronese and Tintoretto. Cross the Bridge of Sighs, linking the Palace with the Piombi Prisons. Then visit the Basilica San Marco, consecrated in 1094, to see its famous golden mosaics on the interior domes and archways. Head to a glassblowing factory to watch craftspeople create the popular glass. The balance of the day is free to explore Venice on your own. (BB)
Day 4	Florence	Verona's Roman Amphitheater & Tuscany: Travel to Verona, the setting for Shakespeare's love story of Romeo and Juliet. See Juliet's Balcony at her family's house, which dates from the 13th century. Also see the well-preserved Arena, a 1st century Roman amphitheater. Drive through the Emilia Romagna region and the Tuscan countryside with olive groves, vineyards and sunflower fields. Arrive in Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. After checking into your hotel, you will have free time before dining with your fellow travelers. (BB, D)
Day 5	Florence	Florence Cathedral & David: Take a half-day walking tour of Florence, beginning at the majestic Piazza Del Duomo to see the green, white and pink cathedral crowned by Brunelleschi's dome. See the Campanile, Giotto's Bell Tower dating from 1359 and the famous bronze doors by Ghiberti on the 11th century Baptistery. Then visit the Academy of Fine Arts, founded in 1563, to see Michelangelo's superb "David" and many of his unfinished works. The afternoon and evening are free for independent activities and dining. (BB)
Day 6	Rome	Umbria & Torgiano Wine Tasting: Today, drive through Tuscany and Umbria to Torgiano, a hilltop town with vineyard-filled valleys. Visit the Wine Museum and tour the Cantine del Vino to see production methods and enjoy a sample. Take a stroll around the attractive town and stop for photos in the medieval city of Todi. Continue your journey south into Rome. Take a short orientation drive around the major monuments in the city center, stopping for photos at the Colosseum before checking in to your hotel and dining with your group. (BB, D)
Day 7	Rome	Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's: This morning experience a guided tour around the Vatican, starting at the Corte della Pigna with an overview of the history of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. See the Hall of Tapestries and the Maps Gallery but the highlight of the tour will be the Sistine Chapel, where the ceiling is covered with Michelangelo's famous paintings of the "Creation" and "Last Judgment." Walk across St. Peter's Square to enter St. Peter's Basilica to see the famed "Pieta" by Michelangelo and many other treasures. The afternoon and evening are at leisure. (BB)
Day 8	Dublin	Fly to Dublin: Transfer to Rome Airport this morning for your flight to Dublin. (Rome to Dublin flight is not included in land only price - please ensure that you have an airline ticket for this segment.) Arrive in Dublin Airport and go to the CIE Tours desk where personnel will arrange a group transfer to your hotel before 12:00 noon. If you arrive later than noon, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. Once in the city center, use your independent Dublin open-top bus tour pass (valid for 24 hours) to get to know the city and visit Guinness or Jameson as cost is included. (BB)
Day 9	Dublin	Dublin Tour & Book of Kells: You may use your independent bus pass this morning to see more of Dublin. At 2:00 pm join your group and a local guide for an introductory look around central Dublin. See the fashionable shopping areas around Grafton and Nassau Streets, view the many elegant Georgian townhouses and pass the Dail where the government convenes. Visit Trinity College's Old Library to view the early illuminated manuscript of the Book of Kells. Back at your hotel meet with your guide and fellow travelers for a welcome drink. (B)
Day 10	Killarney	Rock of Cashel & Blarney Woollen Mills: Depart Dublin to travel through the Irish countryside. Visit the Rock of Cashel, where Brian Boru was crowned King of Munster in 977. See the 12th century Cormac's Chapel, the large cruciform cathedral and a round tower. Just outside Cork shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills, renowned for their quality Irish merchandise. While it is not included in the tour, you will have time to climb Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone. Continue to your hotel in the center of Killarney. (B, D)
Day 11	Killarney	Ring of Kerry & Muckross Gardens: Today discover the scenery of the famous Ring of Kerry. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Ireland's highest mountains, and the varied Atlantic coast. You will be amazed at the breathtaking views as you stop for photos. Continue through the remote villages of Cahirciveen and Waterville. On the return, pass through the colorful village of Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney. Stop for a stroll through the splendid Muckross Gardens on the shores of Muckross Lake and enjoy free time in Killarney. (B, D)
Day 12	Galway	Cliffs of Moher & Galway: Depart Killarney and travel north through Listowel to Tarbert. Take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon and drive along the coastline of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher. This wall of limestone rises to heights of almost 700 feet above the churning Atlantic swells. Drive through the Burren, an area of rounded limestone hills where rock has weathered into amazing formations and around the shores of Galway Bay. Take a short tour around Galway before checking into your hotel. (B, D)
Day 13	Galway	Connemara & Catamaran Cruise: Today explore another of Ireland's famous scenic regions, Connemara. Drive through the granite hills of the Inagh Valley on the way to Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord. Take a short catamaran cruise to see unspoilt mountain areas. You can see traces of pre-Famine fields and also thriving fish farming. At Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory watch skilled craftsmen work and learn about the symbolism of the motifs. Return to Galway for some leisure time before dinner. (B, D)
Day 14	Dublin	6th Century Clonmacnoise & Abbey Tavern: Drive to the center of the country to visit Clonmacnoise. This early Christian monastic site was founded by St. Ciaran in 545 AD, when Christianity flourished throughout Ireland. See round towers, church ruins and Celtic crosses with elaborate carvings, set on the banks of the River Shannon. Continue to the greater metropolitan area of Dublin once more and check into the same hotel. In the evening drive to the Abbey Tavern for a hearty dinner followed by a lively show of traditional music, songs and step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 15	Return USA	Depart for Home: As this is the final day of your tour, complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. (B)

Dates/Pricing

Lodging

	Grand Hotel Carlton - Venice - 2 night(s)		Hotel Raffaello - Florence - 2 night(s)
	Hotel Mantegna Rome - Rome - 2 night(s)		Bewleys Hotel Ballsbridge - Dublin - 2 night(s)
	Killarney Towers Hotel & Leisure Centre - Killarney, Co Kerry - 2 night(s)		Courtyard by Marriott, Galway - Galway City, Co Galway - 2 night(s)
	Bewleys Hotel Ballsbridge - Dublin - 1 night(s)

Disclaimer

Coach Tour and River Cruise prices are based on two people sharing rooms

This list indicates brochure rates and dates.

Air price is based on departures from New York. Additional add-on airfares from other cities are available! The air inclusive prices below are for general information only and not a reflection of current seat availability.

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