Day 1

Your Irish adventure begins as you depart on your trans-Atlantic flight. Overnight in flight

Day 2

Arrive in historic Dublin, capital city of the “Emerald Isle.” If you purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations, a YMT representative will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel. For those guests on early morning arrivals into Dublin, a traditional Irish breakfast will be available for purchase at your hotel, following which the rest of the day is at your leisure. The Irish culture has taken thousands of years to develop, so cherish every moment of your cultural discovery and Dublin is a great place to start. It is usually the first port of call for most visitors and this vibrant, colorful city offers a compelling mix of history, culture, traditional pubs, elegant architecture, great shopping and dining. The great thing about Dublin is that the city is compact, the shops and restaurants, the River Liffey and many of the highlights are all within walking distance of each other and easy to explore on foot. This evening meet your fellow travelers and learn about the exciting days ahead, then relax over a welcome dinner. Overnight: Belvedere Hotel (D)

Day 3

This morning enjoy a motorcoach panoramic sightseeing tour of the highlights of this rich historical city. Its graceful Georgian townhouses with noted colorful doors, prominent public buildings and peaceful gardens make a delightful sight along the River Liffey. See the Bank of Ireland, built in the 18th century to house the Parliament; and Leinster House, where the government convenes today. Stop to see the famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral, originally built in 450 AD, then rebuilt in 1191, it is still the largest church in Ireland. This afternoon is at leisure and leaves you plenty of time to visit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, a 9th century version of the Christian gospels (extra charge). This evening enjoy an optional evening out at the Guinness Storehouse. Belvedere Hotel (B)

Day 4

Today, we begin our motorcoach tour of Ireland with a drive across Wicklow County known as the “Garden of Ireland.’ We make a stop at a pretty hillside village of Enniskerry. This town features tearooms and shops as well as a host of picturesque cottages. Our drive continues to Wexford to visit the Irish Agricultural Museum. Showcased here are exhibitions of country life technologies advances in farming including carts, ploughs, Ferguson tractor system, dressers and sugan chairs. We spend the night in the Wexford/Waterford area. Overnight: Treacy’s Hotel* (B,D)

Day 5

After breakfast, a short visit to Waterford and the famous Waterford Crystal Factory visitor center before our onward journey to Blarney Castle, one of Ireland’s oldest and most historic castles. Explore the castle, and perhaps kiss ‘The Stone of Eloquence’ (the Blarney Stone), so you can, as tradition says, acquire the “Gift of the Gab.” Our drive continues through the rolling hillsides to County Kerry, arriving in Killarney by mid afternoon. Overnight: Killarney Oaks Hotel* (B,D)

Day 6

This morning you will visit Kissane Sheep Farm**, a local traditional, working sheep farm with approximately 1000 mountain sheep and hundreds of lambs. The farm has been family run for the last 150 years and here you will also have the exciting chance to see a sheepdog display. Next, we drive north and drive through the scenic Burren area, stopping to view the picturesque Cliffs of Moher, standing 700 feet tall and 5 miles long, with incredible views of the Atlantic. We arrive in Galway by late afternoon. Overnight: Clare Galway Hotel* (B,D)

Day 7

Today, we first travel through the beautiful and rugged landscape of the Connemara region, then, on through the quiet hills and maze of gentle lakes and rivers. Next we visit the palatial Kylemore Abbey, majestically nestled at the base of Druchruach Mountain. Originally built as a castle in 1867 by local icon Mitchell Henry, in 1920 became an Abbey and today is the oldest of the Irish Benedictine Abbeys. Our drive continues to Westport where we make a short stop and today’s journey ends late this afternoon when we arrive in the Bundoran area. Overnight: Grand Central Hotel Bundoran (B,D)

Day 8

Next, we travel to the picturesque town of Enniskillen - built on an island between Upper and Lower Lough erne, it offers a wonderful display of traditional pubs and redbrick Georgian style buildings. Here we visit the Thursday morning Enniskillen Livestock Mart**. Feel the excitement and energy as walk around the livestock mart with the possibility to meet staff to discuss general mart commerce. In the afternoon, we visit the Ulster American Folk Park, a living history settlement showing Ireland in the mid 1800’s, and the story of how and why so many Irish immigrated to America. Explore the ‘village’ with its inviting countryside cottages, farms, schools and costumed docents. Our drive then continues driving east, to arrive in Belfast, Northern Ireland, your home for the next two nights. Northern Ireland is actually part of the United Kingdom, so you’ve entered a new country (although there are no customs or passport checks) and you’ll need to get used to a new currency, the British Pound, for a couple of days until you arrive back In the Irish Republic. Overnight: Days Hotel Belfast (B,D)

Day 9

Today, we make two visits in Northern Ireland which should not be missed. Enjoy a scenic excursion all the way to the North Channel of the Irish Sea. We drive along the beautiful coastal road and take in some stunning scenery and from the motorcoach you will have a view of Dunluce Castle. We spend time exploring “The Giant’s Causeway,” a UNESCO World Heritage Site with remarkable rock formations made up of over 40,000 hexagonal stacks. Here, you may visit the rock formations on foot, or take the Causeway Shuttle in either direction at a normal charge of £1 each way. On your return journey back to Belfast, we stop and take a look at the fascinating process of whiskey making at the famous Bushmills Distillery. Enjoy the scenery en route back to Belfast. Overnight: Days Hotel Belfast* (B,D)

Day 10

This morning we make an included visit to Titanic Belfast; the brand new $150 million Titanic visitor experience in the city where the doomed liner was built. 2012 marks 100 years since she sank and here you will see full-scale reconstructions, learn about her conception, through her construction and launch, to her infamous maiden voyage and catastrophic demise. The journey goes beyond the aftermath of the sinking, to the discovery of the wreck and continues into the present day with a live undersea exploration centre. Before we leave Belfast we will continue on a panoramic motor coach tour of the city taking in sights such as the impressive Parliament buildings at Stormont, Belfast City Hall and the murals of the Falls Road which depict the religious-political strife of the 20th Century. In the afternoon we drive south to Dublin. Overnight: Belvedere Hotel or similar (B)

Day 11

Today we take an excursion to visit the Irish National Stud**. Established in 1946, The Irish National Stud plays an active role in the development and promotion of Irish bloodstock and it is the only Stud farm in Ireland open to the public. After, we venture to the Ballard Organic Farm**, which as been family owned since 1844. You will get an insight to an authentic modern Irish family and their organic farm. After your full day of excursions we head back to Dublin. No trip to Ireland is complete without visiting a good Irish pub, so why not enjoy this optional Irish Night – with a 4-course dinner and lively show of Irish music and a full cast of Irish dancers. Overnight: Belvedere Hotel* (B)

Day 12

Today, bid farewell to Ireland, taking home a suitcase full of memories and stories to share about your YMT Irish vacation! If you purchased airline tickets through YMT Vacations, your airport transfers are arranged. (If you made your own flight arrangements, please make your own way to the airport in plenty of time to check-in for your flight.) (B)

*Or similar accommodations as available
**Planned Visit-as a working farm, unforeseen circumstances can arise that would require us to offer an alternative visit.

*Note: By their nature, all tours vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our Guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing and visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical and farm sites.

Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations.

Note: By their nature, all tours vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights.

The Motor Coach Experience