September 12, 2003 -- As the threat of winter air approaches, prices shrivel up on European travel. Case in point: CIE Tours International's blarney bargain to Ireland starts from just $499 for a four-night stay, with breakfast and dinner daily, sightseeing program, entertainment and admissions.
This six-day "Taste of Ireland" deal is for Thursday departures on November 6, 13 and 20, 2003 and again on January 15, 22 and 29, 2004. Departures for other months from October through April (except December) are priced from $559. Airfare is not included, so you'll want to do a little digging to find a decent fare. One of the best offers right now is through Aerlingus discounted round-trip airfares for January-March travel coming in at $306.77 for east cost departures; $438.71 out of Chicago; and $538 out of the west coast -- including all taxes and fees.
Included in this land-only package are fully escorted sightseeing on the private bus; superior and first-class hotel accommodations with private bath or shower for four nights; full Irish breakfasts daily; four dinners (including a medieval banquet and entertainment at Bunratty Castle and a dinner/cabaret at the Abbey Tavern in Dublin); a welcome drink; tea and scones at an Irish farm; a horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarny National Park; tour and tasting at the Guinness Storehouse; and a ferry ride across the Shannon River. Oh, yes, and all taxes and hotel service charges.
You visit Dublin, Blarney, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, the Clare Coast, and the Cliffs of Moher. Separately, the CIE firm has self-drive vacations starting at $39 a day (higher in 2004).
Contact CIE Tours International at www.cietours.com, e-mail helpdesk@cietours.com or phone 800/CIE TOUR (243-8687).
Now, if it's Irish ghosts you'd be after, consider getting in touch with Destinations Ireland & Great Britain, who offer a "Haunted Castle" package on October 1, 2003. The seven-day itinerary includes four-nights of lodging at Kinnitty Castle in County Offaly and two nights at Glin Castle in County Limerick, both luxury properties. Other haunted spots on the tour include Charleville Forest Castle, Killua Castle, Clonony Castle and the Poulaphuca Cave. Most important, Leap Castle, said to be Ireland's most haunted, is to be visited. It's a self-drive itinerary, with rates beginning at $1,499 per person (based on double occupancy), land-only. The price includes lodging, full Irish breakfast daily, car rental with unlimited mileage, VAT tax, CDW and theft insurance, taxes and service charges, concierge service and more. Adding airfare from New York's JFK will cost you $499 roundtrip extra.
Contact Destination Ireland & Great Britain at 800/832-1848 or visit www.destinations-ireland.com.
