I'm so excited... and I just can't hide it...

Yes, Travis and I have booked our trip to the Emerald Isle. :-)


Here is our itinerary:

Day 1: Depart U.S for Dublin
Depart the U.S gateway city in the evening and fly through the night to Ireland to start your vacation.

Day 2: Guinness Brewery & "Shindig" Evening
Arrive at Dublin Airport and proceed through immigration and pick up your baggage. Go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall where personnel will arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If you arrive later than noon, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 3:00 pm join your group for an introductory look around central Dublin. Visit the Guinness Storehouse for an explanation of the making of this famous brew and try a creamy pint in the rooftop bar overlooking Dublin. In the evening attend a "Shindig" at the Old Jameson Distillery. Tour the recreated distillery and enjoy a welcome drink to get to know your fellow travelers before sitting down to a dinner of Irish specialties, followed by some traditional entertainment. (D)

Day 3: Dublin Sightseeing & Book of Kells
This morning take a city sightseeing tour with a Dublin guide to learn about the lore and legends as you drive around the principal sights of the city. See the fashionable shopping areas around Grafton and Nassau Streets, view the many elegant Georgian townhouses and pass the Dail where the government convenes. Tour St. Patrick's Cathedral, founded in the 12th century, to see memorials to many prominent people who contributed to Dublin life. Visit Trinity College's Old Library to view the 8th century Book of Kells with exquisite illustrations and learn about its origins and monastic traditions. The afternoon and evening are completely free for further sightseeing, shopping and dining. (B)

Day 4: Rock of Cashel & Blarney Castle
Depart Dublin to travel through the Irish countryside where you can see the "Forty Shades of Green" as you pass many farms. Stop for photos at the Rock of Cashel, a magnificent limestone outcrop with church ruins. Just outside Cork visit Blarney Castle where you may kiss the popular stone in the ramparts of the castle. Take some time to walk through the gardens, around the village green or shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills, renowned for their quality Irish merchandise. Continue your drive into the mountains of County Kerry to your hotel in the center of Killarney. Enjoy a welcome drink and talk about your vacation with your fellow travelers before dining in your hotel. After dinner you may like to take a stroll around this compact town and sample one of the singing bars. (B, D)

Day 5: Ring of Kerry Tour
Today you will discover the wonderful scenery around Killarney as you drive around the famous Ring of Kerry. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Ireland's highest mountains, and the Atlantic coast. You will be amazed at the variety of views and you will stop for photos at the most dramatic scenes. Cross to Valencia Island by bridge to visit the Skellig Experience to learn about early Christian monks who braved a harsh existence on the rocky offshore islands. Continue your trip through the remote villages of Cahirciveen and Waterville. On the return, pass through the colorful village of Sneem and stop at Moll's Gap to view the three lakes of Killarney. Enjoy some free time in Killarney before dinner in your hotel. (B, D)

Day 6: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Depart Killarney and travel north through the village of 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 rock formations. Drive around the shores of Galway Bay take a short drive around central Galway before checking into your hotel. (B, D)

Day 7: Connemara & Catamaran Cruise
Today explore another of Ireland's famous scenic regions-Connemara. This region of hills, lakes and peat bogs is poor farming land but visually stunning. Constantly-changing cloud formations give the scenery an added dimension. Travel alongside Galway Bay to Spiddal where most locals speak the Irish language. Travel through the wonderful open scenery of Connemara on the way to Leenane to embark on a short cruise of Killary Harbour, a 9-mile fjord (March 28 to October 24 departures). Enjoy scenic views of hills where traces of pre-Famine "lazy beds" of potato ridges can still be seen. Keep an eye out for seabirds and see mussel and salmon farms. On your return to Galway stop in Moycullen at the Celtic Connemara Crystal Factory which specializes in Celtic designs cut into colored pieces. Enjoy a farewell dinner in your hotel. (B, D)

Day 8: Depart for Home
Passengers on the 8-day tour take a group transfer to Shannon Airport where the tour concludes at 10:30 am. If you need to arrive at Shannon Airport before 10:30 am, your guide will arrange an early group transfer once you are on tour. (B)

I'm so excited I can barely sit still.