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Home , Cahir Castle, Drogheda, Galway, Kerry County Museum, Kilkenny

VIRGINIA RETIRED TEACHERS PRESENTS

ITINERARY 7/13-7/27, 2019

Ireland in Depth PRE-TRIP OPTION: 5 nights in Northern

IRELAND: , , , , Arrival/Departure DAY 1 / Depart U.S. Nights at destination Arrival/DeparturArrival/Departure 2 e I Included Tour Nights atNights destination at destination2 2 Ir I OptionalIncludedIncluded Tour Tour I Included Tour DAY 2-4 / Dublin, Ireland ConnemaraConnemaraConnemara r MotorcoachOptional Route Tour Dublin ir Optional Tour 3 r Optional Tour MotAiror Routcoache Route HOTEL Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane or similar 3 Dublin i Motorcoach Route Galway Dublin si Motorcoach Route Dublin 3i 33 3 Air RoutAire Route INCLUDED TOURS Dublin, Storehouse Galway3 Ireland s Air Route Galway 3 s Galway sh Burren Ireland OPTIONAL TOUR Traditional Irish Night Ireland h IrelandGlendalough h h PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Burren Cli s of MoherBurrenBurren Glendalough PRE-TRIP EXTENSION

Glendalough PRE-TRIP EXTENSION S Glendalough PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Cli s of Moher Londonderry Cli sCli s of of Moher Moher S

S Londonderry DAY 5-6 / Kilkenny S 2 Atlantic e AtlanticLondonderry Londonderry 2Belfast e Atlantic 2 2 e Atlantic 2

Atlantic Kilkenny e N. Ireland a Atlantic 2 HOTEL Pembroke Hotel or similar AtlanticOcean Kilkenny 2 Ocean N. Ireland Belfast

Ocean a Belfast2 Kilkenny 2 Ocean N. Ireland

Ocean Kilkenny 2 a N. Ireland 2 INCLUDED TOURS Ocean a Ireland 2 Avoca Handweavers, Castle Ireland1 Irish Cahir Castle IrelandDroghedaDrogheda 1 Irish Glendalough, Kilkenny Cahir Castle Ireland 1 IrisSeah Sea Cahir Castle DroghedaDublinDublin1 Irish Sea Dingle Waterford Dublin WaterfordWaterford DingleDingle Blarney Blarney POST-TPORIPST -TEXTENSIORIP EXTENSION N DAY 7-8 / Cork Killarney Killarney3 3 POST-TRIP EXTENSION CastleBlarney Castle POST-TRScoIP EXTENSIOtlanScodtlanNd KillarneyKillarney 33 Blarney HOTEL Maldron Hotel South Mall or similar Castle 2 Cork 2 Cork Scotland Ring ofCastle GlasgoScoGlasgowtlan5 wd5 Ring of 2 CorkCorkCobh Cobh INCLUDED TOURS Waterford Crystal factory, Cahir Kerry 2 5 KerryRingRing of of CobhCobh Glasgow 5 Castle, Cobh KerryKerry CelticCeltic EdinburEdinburgh gh Ireland England CelticCeltic Sea Ireland EdinburEnglandgh Sea Ireland Dublin IrelandGaDublinl England SeaSea Gal wayEngland DAY 9-11 / Killarney G wayDublin Ga lwayDublin lway HOTEL Killarney Towers or similar MAXIMIZE YOUR INCLUDED TOURS , Ring of Kerry DISCOVERIES & VALUE OPTIONAL TOURS Dingle Experience, National Folk 15 Days from $5095 Theatre Performance with airfare from Dulles OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS DAY 12-14 / Galway HOTEL The Galmont Hotel or similar 5 NIGHTS PRE-TRIP FROM $1195 INCLUDED TOURS & , Galway 15 Days from $3795 GLASGOW, SCOTLAND OPTIONAL TOUR Connemara & Kylemore Abbey Tour Only 5 NIGHTS POST-TRIP FROM $1795

DAY 15 / Galway • Return to U.S. IT’S INCLUDED POST-TRIP OPTION: • Choose to purchase Grand Circle’s • Exclusive services of a local Grand 5 nights in Glasgow, Scotland airfare, and your airport transfers, Circle Program Director (assigned to government taxes, fees, and airline no more than 42 travelers) fuel surcharges are included. Or, • Gratuities on your main trip for local make your own air arrangements guides and motorcoach drivers • Accommodations for 13 nights in • Personal headset for all included and comfortable rooms with private baths optional tours on your main trip • 22 meals: 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, • Private motorcoach land travel and 6 dinners (including 1 Home- Baggage handling for 1 piece of lug- Hosted Lunch) • gage per person, including tips • 17 included features: 12 guided tours 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward and 5 exclusive Discovery Series • your next trip—an average of $263 events: demonstration • Home-Hosted Lunch • Irish history & culture discussion • School visit • Sheep farm experience PLEASE MENTION THIS CODE WHEN BOOKING G9-28536

For reservations and information 1-800-597-2452 www.gct.com/eid2019 WHAT TO EXPECT

Group Size • Travelers using walkers, crutches, or Climate • A maximum of 42 travelers, led by a local other mobility aids must travel with a • Daytime temperatures range from Grand Circle Program Director companion who can assist them 48-67°F during touring season Pacing • We reserve the right for Program • June-August are the warmest months • 5 locations in 14 days Directors to restrict participation, or • Weather in Ireland can be unpredictable in some circumstances send travelers and change quickly Physical Requirements home, if their limitations impact the • is common and should be expected • Walk 2 miles unassisted and participate group’s experience in 1.5-2.5 hours of physical activities daily, including stairs Terrain & Transportation • Agility, balance, and stair-climbing are • Uneven walking surfaces, includ- required to kiss the Blarney Stone ing unpaved paths, hills, stairs, and cobblestones • Not accessible for travelers using wheel- chairs or scooters • Travel by 45-seat motorcoach, jaunt- ing car (horse-drawn carriage), ferry, and boat

YOUR ITINERARY

Day 1 • Depart U.S. Day 4 • Dublin • field or lacrosse—when you visit a This morning, learn about the history of former player who will show off the skillful Day 2 • Dublin, Ireland Ireland’s famous brew during a tour of the moves of the game, and watch as a craftsman Your arrival time will depend on your depar- Guinness Storehouse. A guide will walk you transforms a plank of ash into a hurley (the ture city. A Grand Circle representative will through the museum, and you’ll conclude stick used to play the game) in his workshop. meet you at the airport and assist you to your your tour in the building’s Gravity Bar, Then, discover Kilkenny’s well-preserved hotel to meet your Program Director and where you’ll enjoy panoramic 360-degree medieval ambiance on an included walking fellow travelers arriving from their optional views of Dublin, and a perfectly-poured pint tour. You’ll wander the compact city’s Northern Ireland extension. (on the house). narrow lanes, and visit the immaculately Tonight, get to know your group members The rest of the day is yours to spend at manicured, sprawling gardens of Kilkenny over a Welcome Drink and Dinner at leisure, with lunch and dinner on your own. Castle, built around 800 years ago, and a your hotel. B—Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane or similar delightful destination for locals and visitors D—Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane or similar alike today. After an included lunch this afternoon, the Day 5 • Dublin • Glendalough • Avoca rest of the day is yours to discover Kilkenny Day 3 • Dublin • Optional Traditional Handweavers • Kilkenny at leisure. Irish Night This morning, depart toward Kilkenny, After breakfast today, you’ll begin your stopping along the way at the rustic monastic B,L—Pembroke Hotel or similar discoveries of Dublin, Ireland’s political and site of Glendalough, founded in the sixth cultural center. Discover the city on a guided century by St. Kevin. Next, continue on to Day 7 • Kilkenny • Waterford Crystal panoramic tour, and stop at Trinity College the river of Avoca, made famous by the factory • Cahir Castle • Cork to view the ancient Book of Kells. Believed to Avoca Handweavers. During our visit, you’ll Travel from Kilkenny to Cork today, stopping have been crafted in AD 800, the Book of hear about what it’s like to work at the oldest en route to visit Waterford and Cahir Castle. Kells is a stunningly illustrated collection of clothing manufacturer in all of Ireland. You’ll visit the Waterford Crystal factory, the four Gospels of the New Testament. Then, travel south to Kilkenny, where you’ll renowned globally as the standard for the arrive later today and check into your hotel This evening, join us for an optional highest quality lead-cut crystal. After before an included dinner with your fellow Traditional Irish Night, for a hearty three- your tour and free time to shop, depart for travelers. course meal accompanied by lively tunes Cahir castle. Situated on a rocky island in from local musicians. Feel free to raise your B,D—Pembroke Hotel or similar the , Cahir Castle once featured a voice and join in the chorus as the merriment state-of-the-art defensive design, and is now takes you away into the evening. one of Ireland’s best-preserved castles. Later Day 6 • Kilkenny B—Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane or similar today, transfer to Cork, where you’ll enjoy an EXCLUSIVE DISCOVERY SERIES EVENT included dinner at your hotel. This morning, learn about hurling—an ener- getic and uniquely Irish sport, not unlike B,D—Maldron Hotel South Mall or similar

For reservations and information 1-800-597-2452 www.gct.com/eid2019 Itinerary continued Day 11 • Killarney • Ring of Kerry • inhospitable climate, a diverse array of plant School visit • Optional National life thrives here. Day 8 • Cork • Cobh • Home- Folk Theatre performance Arrive in Galway later today, where you’ll Hosted Lunch On this morning’s included tour, you’ll enjoy an included dinner. This morning, enjoy an included tour discover the Ring of Kerry, enjoying breath- of Cobh, a seaside town that served as a taking views of Ireland’s majestic mountains B,D—The Galmont Hotel or similar major emigration point for families leaving and rugged coastline. We ride most of the Ireland during the Great Potato Famine. way, making scenic stops and disembarking Day 13 • Galway • Optional The city was also the last port of call for two in the picturesque village of for lunch. Connemara & Kylemore Abbey tour famously doomed ships: the RMS Titanic and EXCLUSIVE DISCOVERY SERIES EVENT Join our optional Connemara & Kylemore the RMS Lusitania, the sinking of the latter Then return to Killarney to visit St. Oliver’s Abbey tour today. You’ll explore the former being the event that brought America into School, a primary school supported in Mitchell Henry mansion before enjoying World War I. part by Grand Circle Foundation. Meet the lunch onboard The Connemara Lady cruise EXCLUSIVE DISCOVERY SERIES EVENT students and teachers and see for yourself the boat while viewing the spectacular scenery This afternoon, learn about contemporary improvements that you’ve helped to make in of Ireland’s only fjord. Then move on to life in Ireland while savoring a traditional the school just by traveling with us. Clough Na Mara, where you’ll learn about meal during a Home-Hosted Lunch with a After, return to Killarney, where the after- the hardships of life in early Ireland. Or take local family. noon is yours to explore on your own. This the entire day today to explore Galway at The rest of the day is yours to make your own evening, join us for an optional performance your own pace. discoveries. by the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, B—The Galmont Hotel or similar including dinner. B,L—Maldron Hotel South Mall or similar B,L—Killarney Towers or similar Day 14 • Galway Day 9 • Cork • Blarney Castle This morning, enjoy a walking tour of • Killarney Day 12 • Killarney • Cliffs of Moher & the Galway, a burgeoning center for the technol- After breakfast this morning, bid Cork Burren • Galway ogy industry and a lively bohemian mecca, farewell and begin your transfer to Killarney. This morning, set off for Galway, stopping with your Program Director, followed by time along the way to discover the majestic to explore at your own pace. Enjoy a Farewell On the way, stop in Blarney, a village nestled Cliffs of Moher, precipitous rock formations Dinner with your fellow travelers at your in the Irish countryside. Atop the south towering more than 700 feet above the ocean. hotel tonight. battlement of its famous castle, you’ll find Next, travel up the coastal road to the Burren, the Blarney Stone, reputed to bestow elo- B,D—The Galmont Hotel or similar a surreal moonscape full of huge limestone quence on those who manage to kiss it—a feat crags, massive dolmens, and ancient stone that can only be accomplished by hanging forts, known as cahers. Despite the seemingly Day 15 • Galway • Return to U.S. upside down. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for EXCLUSIVE DISCOVERY SERIES EVENT your flight home. Or cross the sea to join Then, stop to view Ireland’s finest border our NEW optional post-trip extension collies in action during a visit to a working in Glasgow, Scotland. sheep farm (weather permitting). B Arrive in Killarney in the afternoon. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for dinner at your hotel. EXCLUSIVE DISCOVERY SERIES EVENT This evening, you’ll also learn about rural Irish life during a discussion with a local resident who grew up on a small farm in the 1950s. B,D—Killarney Towers or similar

Day 10 • Killarney • Optional Dingle Experience tour After breakfast, join our optional Dingle Experience excursion. First, you’ll travel to Kerry Museum, where you’ll enjoy a re-created medieval street in . Then visit the rugged Dingle Peninsula, known for its spectacular coastline, where you’ll stop for a fish-and-chips lunch in the fishing town of Dingle. B—Killarney Towers or similar

For reservations and information 1-800-597-2452 www.gct.com/eid2019 DISCOVER MORE AND MAXIMIZE YOUR VALUE

PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Northern Ireland

5 nights from $1195 Single Supplement: FREE

TRAVEL FROM ONLY $239/NIGHT

IT’S INCLUDED • Accommodations for 5 nights • 7 included tours: Belfast, Giant’s • Exclusive services of a local Grand Circle • 6 meals: 5 breakfasts and 1 dinner Causeway, Londonderry, American Program Director Folk Park, , , • Gratuities on this extension for local site guides and motorcoach drivers

This extension may not be available on all departures. Select departures feature similar accommodations. Additional taxes and fees apply. Ask your Travel Counselor for details. This extension may not be available on all departures.

POST-TRIP EXTENSION Glasgow, Scotland

5 nights from $1795 Single Supplement: FREE

TRAVEL FROM ONLY $359/NIGHT

IT’S INCLUDED • Accommodations for 5 nights • Exclusive services of a local Grand Circle • All transfers • 10 meals: 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners Program Director • 3 included tours: Glasgow, Loch Lomond, • Gratuities for motorcoach drivers on Robert Burns Museum your extension

This extension may not be available on all departures. Select departures feature similar accommodations. Additional taxes and fees apply. Ask your Travel Counselor for details. This extension may not be available on all departures.

For reservations and information 1-800-597-2452 www.gct.com/eid2019 WATCH VIDEOS & FILMS OF THIS VACATION ONLINE Learn more about Ireland in Depth

Watch travelers explore Get more information Learn what Sean Curren Watch travelers explore quaint landscapes and share about your detailed loves about Ireland and history in and step lunch with a local family. itinerary, like optional his hometown, Killarney. onto the astonishing tours, exclusive Discovery Giant’s Causeway on their Series events, and more. optional extension.

Watch these videos and more at www.gct.com/eid2019

2019 DEPARTURES Save up to 7.5% with Grand Circle GRAND CIRCLE TOUR PRICES Travel’s exclusive Good Buy Plan

Here’s how you’ll save up to 7.5% based Tour only $3795 on a trip price of $5500 Months that you pay in full Guarantee prior to your Final Payment Good Buy your price DEPART FROM: July 13, 2019 Due Date (90 days prior to Plan savings: and receive: Dulles $1300 your departure date) 9 months 7.5% $412 Deposit: $350 per person. Single accommodations are limited. If Single Supplement: FREE. 8 months 6% $330 single rooms are full, ask about our Roommate Matching Service.

7 months 5% $275 GOVERNMENT TAXES AND FEES The following government taxes and fees are now included in your airfare price. Government and other authority taxes and fees: September 11th Security Fee of up to $2.50 USD applies per pas- 6 months 4% $220 senger, per flight segment (maximum charge per trip—$5.00 USD one-way, $10.00 USD round trip). A flight segment is defined as one takeoff and one landing. Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) of up to $18 per passenger. Federal 5 months 3% $165 Domestic Flight Segment Fee of up to $3.70 USD applies per passenger, per flight segment (defined as a takeoff and a landing). U.S. or International Departure and Arrival Charges of up to $200 USD may apply depending Make your final payment by $50 OFF $50 on itinerary. On select itineraries that include the purchase of a pre- and/or check within 120 days post-trip extension, U.S. or international departure and arrival charges of up to $300 USD may apply. Call for details. Standard Terms & Conditions can be found on the web at www.gct.com/tc. Good Buy Plan savings is calculated based on total reservation cost For more information, visit www.gct.com/gbd RESERVATIONS & INFORMATION

Call Toll-Free: PLEASE MENTION THIS 1-800-597-2452 CODE WHEN BOOKING G9-28536

CST 2041626-40