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Custom
Designed Tours 2008
Ireland:
Gardens & Gourmet
What
could be better than a delightful tour that satiates your palette, literally
and figuratively, by exploring some of the most extensive gardens and
exquisite gourmet venues in the country? This tour offers an example
of the possibilities. Coupling the beautiful gardens and the delicious
cuisine that Ireland has to offer is the perfect way to get a true taste
of the country. Gather 10 cooks, gardeners, adventurous friend and enjoy
this unique tour that highlights the magnificent cuisine as much as
the majestic scenery. Spend 6 nights in Ireland on this custom designed
tour featuring fabulous gardens and fine cuisine!
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Included:
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Tour Dates
2008
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| Travel
Period |
Land
only |
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- Two nights
at Glin Castle
- Two nights
at Dunbrody House Hotel
- Two nights
at Tinakilly Manor House
- Full Irish
breakfast daily
- Six table
d'hote dinners
- 1-Day at Dunbrody
Cookery School
- Services of
an experienced Irish driver/guide
- Porterage
of one suitcase
- All service
charges & local government taxes
- Isle Inn Tours
flight bag & luggage tag
- Deluxe document
holder with information package
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| May
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$2709* |
| Jun
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$2709* |
| July
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$2709* |
| Sep
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$2709* |
| Oct
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$2709* |
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Departure
Tax not included
Legend:
B = Breakfast D = Dinner
*All
prices are per person sharing.
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ITINERARY |
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Day
1 |
Arrive Shannon
and be met by your Driver/guide. First you will stop in Bunratty
for Tea and Scones. Than on to The Cliffs of Moher just south
of Doolin, one of the most spectacular sights of The Burren.
These majestic cliffs rise more than 700 feet above the wind
swept Atlantic Ocean. They stretch five miles along the west
coast of Clare from Hag's Head to just beyond O'Brien's Tower.
Composed of shale and sandstone, the cliff's ledges make ideal
roosting homes for birds. One of the best views can be enjoyed
from O'Brien's Tower, built in the early 1800's. On a clear
day you can see as far as the Mountains of Kerry, Connemara
and the Aran Islands. Continuing on you will arrive at Glin
Castle one of Ireland's great heritage houses, on a property
held for over 700 years by the Fitzgerald family. This is
a superb center for exploring southwest Ireland.
Overnight: Glin Castle (B,D)
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Day
2
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Today you
will tour several award winning gardens in the area. These
will include the walled kitchen garden at Glin Castle with
espaliered fruit trees and cutting borders. This garden dates
back to 1820 and is one of three such gardens to still be
maintained for its original purpose in the country. You will
also visit some smaller private gardens with everything from
water features to a laburnum walk underplanted with lavender.
Overnight: Glin Castle ( B,D)
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| Day
3 |
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Today
you will travel through a region that embraces the full diversity
of rural Ireland, with picture perfect villages as well as unpretentious
country towns. You will visit the beautiful Robinsonian garden
of Anne's Grove. Set on a sloping site around an elegant early
18th century house overlooking the River Awbeg, the 30-acre garden
is filled with thousands of thriving plants that merge unobtrusively
into the landscape. This is a garden in the "wild" style.
You will arrive at Dunbrody Country House, set in 200 acres of
gardens and parkland just outside Arthurstown. Relax the rest
of the afternoon and prepare yourself for your day of cookery
classes.
Overnight: Dunbrody Country House (B,D) |
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| Day
4 |
Enjoy a full
day of both demonstration and hands on technique with Master
chef Kevin Dundon. These classes are designed to cater to
both the novice and experienced cook. Kevin's belief is that
cooking should be fun. His emphasis is on freshness of ingredients
without overly complicated recipes. After class you may wish
to indulge in one of the Spas many unique experiences. Dine
tonight in the award winning Harvest Restaurant. Overnight
: Dunbrody Country House (B,D)
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Day
5
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Today visit
The John F. Kennedy Arboretum, founded in 1968. This park
boasts 4500 types of trees and provides panoramic views for
photo taking. Than on to Johnstown Castle and a walk through
the castle grounds, with sunken Italian gardens and ornamental
lakes. Arrive this afternoon at Tinakilly House in Wicklow.
Perhaps you will find time to stroll its peaceful Victorian
gardens and take in the breathtaking sea views. Overnight:
Tinakilly House (B,D)
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| Day
6 |
The gardens
of Ireland are as diverse as its ever-changeable weather.
Some of the most spectacular date back to the eighteenth century
such as Powerscourt House and Gardens. Our visit there will
be the highlight of the day. Richard Wingfield, Viscount Powerscourt,
began the gardens in the 1740s. They now stretch out over
45 acres, blending house, formal gardens and natural landscape
in such a seamless way. The breathtaking amphitheatre of descending
terraces, monumental stairway, and antique statuary combined
with the backdrop of the Sugarloaf Mountain makes for a very
dramatic setting. Enjoy! Overnight: Tinakilly House. (B,D)
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Day
7
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Today leaves
for Dublin airport and bid your driver and the Emerald Isle
good-bye (B)
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