A Week In... Ireland

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Dromoland Castle. A transfer is included from Shannon Airport to Dromoland Castle, your royal home for two nights. Join us this evening for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner in the castle. Please note: Airline schedules and arrival airport details may fluctuate; ask at time of booking. Stay Two Nights: Dromoland Castle (D)

Towering 700 feet, for nine miles over the rugged West Clare coastline, the Cliffs of Moher are a breathtaking sight to see, and an ageless way to embrace the legends and history of Ireland. This morning, you'll visit the Cliffs of Moher, with some free time to explore and take in the staggering heights from O'Brien's Tower and along the pathways. On a clear day you can see across to the Aran Islands and capture the entire Liscannor Bay and Galway Bay. Drive through the Burren, stopping for lunch and a walking tour in the riverside town of Ennis.

Return to Dromoland Castle and have dinner at your leisure this evening. (B/L/D)

Today, it's off to County Cork to visit the grounds of Blarney Castle, built nearly six hundred years ago for MacCarthy of Muskerry. There are many legends about Blarney Castle, but one that brings thousands of visitors every year is the Blarney Stone – a block of limestone built into the castle, it is said that when one kisses the stone, they are endowed with the gift of eloquence. If you're brave enough to give it a try, the only way to make those wishes come true is by leaning backwards to kiss the stone upside down.

After free time to explore on your own, drive to St. Fin Barre's Cathedral in Cork for an opportunity to hear music from the amazing pipe organ. Dine at the hotel tonight. Stay Two Nights: Hayfield Manor Hotel (B/D)

Drive to the picturesque harbor village known as Summer Cove of Kinsale harbor, for a visit to Charles Fort, a star-shaped military fortress and one of Ireland's best examples of 17th-century fortifications. Kinsale's architecture is a picturesque blend of narrow winding streets lined with colorful 18th-century buildings, reflecting its rich maritime history and creating a vibrant, photogenic townscape. Stroll through the town and enjoy lunch as you please this afternoon; it is renowned as a gourmet capital with an array of seafood restaurants, popular with food lovers.

Return to Cork for dinner at one of the hotel's restaurants. (B/D)

Drive to Waterford today for a behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic House of Waterford factory, the heart of the world's luxury crystal manufacture. Discover how the intricate crystal pieces come to life as you watch master glassmakers blow and shape the molten crystal with the use of wooden moulds and hand tools – a technique that has remained unchanged throughout the centuries. Follow the process through the cutting, sculpting and engraving steps to the finished pieces.

Enjoy free time to explore the city of Waterford, dating back to the Viking era, before continuing on to Dublin for a three- night stay. Dinner is at an Irish pub tonight. Stay Three Nights: The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection (B/D)

Laid back and laden with charm, Dublin is made for walking, despite it being the largest city in Ireland. Get an overview of the city on a driving tour with a local expert that takes you down O'Connell Street, and past elegant Georgian squares to 12th-century St. Patrick's Cathedral, where you will enjoy a guided tour. Then head out of the city to county Wicklow for a private cooking class and lunch at Ballyknocken House & Cookery School, "a little slice of heaven" – the childhood home of an Irish culinary celebrity, where you'll learn cooking tips and taste her award-winning recipes.

Return to Dublin for a free afternoon. (B/L)

Today is free to spend as you please in Dublin. Wander at your own pace through the city's charming streets and Georgian squares. Visit one of the city's many world-class museums, check out the storied historic pubs with their warm wood interiors and lively conversation, enjoy the pleasures of leafy, flower-filled Stephen's Green (right outside of your hotel), or explore vibrant Grafton Street – a pedestrianized thoroughfare known the world over as a cultural hotspot, alive with street performers, upscale boutiques, and the rhythm of daily Dublin life.

Join us this evening for a farewell reception and elegant dinner at The Shelbourne, a landmark of timeless sophistication, where everyone's Irish eyes will be smiling. (B/D)

Tour ends: Dublin. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection to Dublin Airport; allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in. (B)