Shasta College

The Shades of Ireland

10 DAYS - Rates - $3,969 pp double INCLUDING air and transportation to the SFO airport (requesting a non-stop flight from SFO)/ $4,469 single.

Departing: Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Deposit Amount: A deposit of $698 per person is due upon reservation.

Final Payment Due: Aug 24, 2024

Departure Gateway: San Francisco Intl Airport

For more information and to book your reservation for this trip, visit: https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1224254 

Travel Itinerary - 

Day 1: Wednesday, October 23, 2024 Overnight Flight Anticipation mounts as you make your way toward the Emerald Isle and its many wonders. Rich history, rolling hills and warm smiles lie ahead in Dublin, Waterford, Killarney and Limerick. With tomorrow comes quintessential Ireland.

Day 2: Thursday, October 24, 2024 Dublin, Ireland - Tour Begins Get a taste of old Dublin. Tonight, you and your fellow travelers revel in a traditional Irish evening, including regional cuisine. 

Day 3: Friday, October 25, 2024 Dublin. Today, it’s your choice! Choose to ride with a local guide to see St. Patrick’s Cathedral, O’Connell Street, the National Gallery, and the historic Phoenix Park -OR- choose a walking tour of the city’s historic center, exploring St. Stephen’s Green, Grafton Street, and the General Post Office. Either way, what follows is an afternoon to discover Dublin’s charms on your own. Later, you may join an optional tour to the Guinness Storehouse, followed by dinner at a contemporary restaurant showcasing Irish cuisine. 

Day 4: Saturday, October 26, 2024 Dublin - Kilkenny - Waterford.  Step back in time and begin the day in the medieval splendor of 12th century Kilkenny on the River Nore. Then, in Waterford, embark on a leisurely paced walking tour of Ireland’s oldest city. It’s your choice! Tour the Waterford Crystal factory and learn how exquisite crystal has been made for centuries -OR- visit the Medieval Museum for a guided tour and a glass of wine in the 15th-century Mayor’s Wine Vault. 

Day 5: Sunday, October 27, 2024 Waterford - Blarney Stone - Killarney The legend goes that those who kiss the Blarney Stone gain the gift of eloquence – give it a try if you wish at historic Blarney Castle. Cross into County Kerry and continue on to charming Killarney. Enjoy a traditional jaunting car ride* through Killarney National Park before boarding a boat* and sailing through the breathtaking lakes in the company of an expert boatman. Tonight, it’s Diner’s Choice... choose your included dinner from a "menu" of Killarney’s great restaurants. 

Day 6: Monday, October 28, 2024 Killarney - Ring of Kerry - Killarney Take in the rugged coastline as you loop your way around the picturesque Ring of Kerry, past pristine beaches, quaint villages and majestic landscapes. At the Gap of Dunloe, shop for local artisan-made crafts. The night is free for reminiscing about the day as you find your own authentic taste of Irish culture. 

Day 7: Tuesday, October 29, 2024 Killarney - Cliffs of Moher - Limerick Today brings you to the dramatic, 700-foot-high Cliffs of Moher for cinematic views of the mighty Atlantic. Continue to Limerick, where a panoramic city tour showcases King John's Castle and the Treaty Stone. Delve into the fascinating history of the "city of the violated treaty." This evening you may join an optional medieval banquet dinner, hosted in a castle. 

Day 8: Wednesday, October 30, 2024 Limerick - Galway - Limerick.  Pass through the windswept, limestone landscape of the Burren, known for its stark beauty and Neolithic tombs. See border collies in action during a traditional sheepdogdemonstration. Continue on to Galway for a brief tour that showcases “The City of Tribes.” Return to Limerick to relax over dinner. 

Day 9: Thursday, October 31, 2024 Limerick - Kilbeggan - Kingscourt.  You don’t have to be a connoisseur to appreciate the old-world heritage of Ireland’s whiskey territory. Your journey brings you to Kilbeggan in the heart of Ireland, where a superb distillery brings whiskey craftsmanship to life and gives you a taste of the final product. Top your day off with an overnight stay on the stately grounds of Cabra Castle, where you toast the end of a memorable trip during an elegant dinner. 

Day 10: Friday, November 1, 2024 Kingscourt - Tour Ends Your journey ends in Kingscourt.