The specific promotions described in this article have now passed, but it remains online so that the resources named will be of future use to travelers.
See if Irish eyes smile for themselves with your own trip to the land of the Leprechaun. From large lakes to mystical sites to raucous pubs with fresh Guinness, from Dublin to the quaint villages, Ireland greets the winter traveler with an outdoor chill and ever-friendly warmth.
While catching up on some news for your Ireland trip at www.ireland.com, the official website of the Irish Times, might as well check out the latest travel deals as well at www.ireland.com/travel (tel. 800/896-4600). Listing mostly land-only deals such as 3-day tours of Dublin to more comprehensive seven-night full-country tours, the packages give inside views of the Irish way of life. A nine-day seven-night "Treasures" tour of Ireland starting at $1,129 with two departures each (on the 6th and 23rd) in February, March and April tours the country in a luxury motor coach led by a professional Irish tour guide. A full Irish breakfast everyday as well as five dinners are included in the price of this tour that includes seven-night accommodations at the Bunratty Castle Hotel (one night), the Killarney Towers (two nights), the Faithlegg Manor House (one night), the Jury's Ballsbridge Hotel (two nights) and a night at the posh Drumoland Castle. Some tour highlights include Cliffs of Moher, Adare, the Ring of Kerry, a tour of Dublin and a visit to the Waterford Crystal Factory.
Dooley Vacations (tel. 877/331-9301; www.dooleyvacations.com) has a special six-night land-only "Irish Castle Spree" where all accommodations are included with stays in some of Ireland's castle bed and breakfast, inns and a night in a luxurious castle. This package includes a three-day car rental, first night at a hotel in Shannon as well as a welcoming reception, four nights at B&B locations of your choice with over 450 different accommodation selections, and one night at the Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort, which comes with a five-course dinner. Of course, a hearty Irish breakfast will be served daily. Travel is good for this trip through March 31, 2006 with the $399 price available through January and February if you start your trip in Shannon. For those wanting to begin their drive in Dublin, a $30 surcharge applies.
With 74 years of experience in Irish and United Kingdom tours, CIE Tours (tel. 800/243-8687; www.cietours.com) has a smattering of tours to choose from including air/land and land-only Pub and Folk Tours, a Spirit Tour, an Irish Legends Tour, and an Irish Harmony Tour. An eight-day Irish Pub and Folk Tour with round-trip airfare out of New York starts at $998. In addition to airfare, the trip includes a night of folk music at the Abbey Tavern, a Bunratty Folk Party, a tour of the Jameson Whiskey and Guinness Factory, a Kinsale Ghost Tour, and some of the usual Irish sites such as the Ring of Kerry, the Blarney Castle and the Cliffs of Moher. All hotels in the four stops on this tour--Dublin, Kinsale, Galway and Killarney are also included as are all dinners except for one-night in Dublin where a little exploration is encouraged. Of course with this group tour, you'll receive a flight bag, ticket wallet, and luggage tags. More importantly to some, all local taxes, hotel service charges and baggage handling (one bag per person) are also included. Air security fees and departure taxes are not included. See the site for departure dates, but this tour leaves once in January, twice in February and then five times in March.
For an independent city tour of Dublin, Gate 1 Travel (tel. 800/ 682-3333; www.gate1travel.com) has a six-day/four-night jaunt to Ireland's most well-known city including air and accommodations starting from $749 for departures out of New York City throughout January and February. Other U.S. gateways are available at varying and additional prices. Accommodations range from three-star European properties to luxury hotels. Daily breakfast is included. Air security fees and departure taxes are not.
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