IRELAND’S WEST COAST Aboard Greg Mortimer
May 12-26, 2022 ©2021
Skellig Michael, Ireland - Tourism Ireland
Ireland’s West Coast, Page 2
For millennia, man and nature have thrived in the region we know as the British Isles. These ancient lands, timeless and undeniably beautiful, are repositories of natural and historical wonders, places where biological heritage intertwines inextricably with human legacy.
On this departure, the first of a three-part series of North Atlantic cruises we’re offering in collaboration with Aurora Expeditions, we present an exciting circumnavigation of Ireland, a multi- themed cruise offering plentiful activities for both the birding and natural history oriented and those whose preference is history, culture, and sightseeing. Traveling aboard the lovely 130-passenger Greg Mortimer, we’ll make a complete voyage around this land of saints and scholars, with special emphasis on the less visited west coast, tracing a route to ports, islands, and landmarks legendary in Celtic lore: Dublin and the cliffs of Moher; County Donegal, featuring the Inishowen Peninsula, Tory Island, and the Slieve League Cliffs; Mullaghmore Peninsula; and the Dingle Peninsula and Slea Head Drive.
Birders and nature enthusiasts will be thrilled by visits to seabird breeding grounds in the Atlantic, with colonies of storm-petrels, Northern Gannets, Razorbills, Black Guillemots, murres, Atlantic Puffins, and more, while shore excursions bring opportunities to sight a fine variety of waterbirds and landbirds such as Stock Dove, Common Wood-Pigeon, Common Ringed Plover, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Red-billed Chough, Rook, Coal and Great tits, Northern Wheatear, White Wagtail, Rock Pipit, Eurasian Linnet, and more. Aficionados of scenery will be transfixed at every turn by landscapes of unsurpassed beauty.
In tandem with our natural history endeavors, time ashore includes options for visits to superb natural, historical, and cultural attractions including centuries-old villages, island monasteries, Dunlupuffinsce Castle and the Giant’s Causeway, the rugged Connemara Coast, the famous Stone Age archaeological site of Céide Fields, and incomparable Skellig Michael. Ireland’s West Coast, Page 3
Atlantic Puffins, Saltee Islands, Ireland - Courtesy Aurora Expeditions
May 12, Day 1: Travel to Dublin, Ireland. Participants should plan to depart from your home on Day 1 aboard flights to Dublin Ireland (airport code DUB), arriving on the morning of Day 2.
Night: En route
May 13, Day 2: Dublin. Arrive in Dublin and transfer to your hotel. Upon check-in, please remind reception staff to provide you with Aurora Expedition cabin tags. Please fill out the luggage tags clearly, showing your name and cabin number so that we can deliver your luggage to your cabin ahead of your arrival (no meals are included in the cruise fee for today). Night: The Alex Hotel & The Davenport Hotel, Dublin
May 14, Day 3: Dublin, embark Greg Mortimer. This morning, please take your luggage, clearly labelled with your name and cabin number, down to the hotel lobby by 9.00 am. Your luggage will be collected and transferred directly to the port for clearance, and delivered to your cabin. Please ensure you keep any valuable documents with you throughout the day. Once you have checked out of your hotel, you have free time before meeting back in the hotel lobby at 1.00 PM to commence a tour of Dublin, UNESCO City of Literature, before embarking the Greg Mortimer in the late afternoon. You’ll have time to settle into your cabin before our important briefings.
As we begin sailing, we’ll pass Giant’s Causeway, an area of about 40,000 interlocking and stacked basalt columns that resulted from an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. The stunning geometric sculptural forms, a national nature reserve, and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, resemble a man-made art installation. From the ship, we may also see the ruins of medieval Dunluce Castle, located on the edge of a basalt outcrop overlooking the Atlantic Ocean (breakfast and dinner included; lunch is at own expense).
Night: Greg Mortimer
May 15, Day 4: Donegal - Inishowen Peninsula & Tory Island. Ireland is blessed with impressive natural scenery: vast valleys, glittering lakes, and cliffs hoisted up from the Atlantic. The jewel in the crown of Donegal is the Inishowen Peninsula. At the peninsula’s tip is Malin Head, Ireland’s most northerly point and a wonderful spot for bird watching as you meander along abandoned beaches along this deserted coastline.
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We’ll continue to Tory Island, located off the northwest coast of Donegal. Known simply as ‘Tory’, it’s a place that seems to have frozen in time, ruled by its own elected king, and where people still talk of 'travelling to Ireland'. Tory's spectacular cliff scenery is complemented by a rich and varied history which is related in the islanders distinctive Gaelic. Many of Tory’s ancient customs still survive, including the appointment of the island king or Rí Thoraí. Colm Cille figures prominently in the history of this sacred island which he chose as a place of retreat and meditation for his monks. Shipwrecks, poitín (a type of distilled whisky) smuggling and tales of violent storms have also been drawn into its folklore.
Interesting historical sites include a round tower that once protected monks from Viking raids, the ruins of St Colmcille’s 6th century monastery and the intriguing Tau Cross that suggests early seafaring links to the Coptic Christians of Egypt. The island also boasts an abundance of rare bird life and wild flower species. However, it is neither the flora and fauna, myths, the monastic ruins nor even the majestic cliffs which make the greatest impression on visitors to Tory. It is the local islanders themselves, and typical of hardworking people who live in remote, the islanders know how to enjoy themselves and they always make visitors feel extremely welcome.
Night: Greg Mortimer
May 16, Day 5: Donegal, Slieve League Cliffs. Slieve League Cliffs, situated on the south west coast of County Donegal, are said to be the one of the highest and finest marine cliffs in Europe. There will be various hiking and birding options offered this morning, and throughout the day.
Less experienced hikers can start from the Bunglas Viewpoint, that offer classic views of the cliffs. More experienced hikers can continue all the way to the Pilgrim’s Path. The Pilgrim’s Path is narrow and steep and parts of it can be rocky underfoot, and boggy in other places. The trail’s name comes from the time when Ireland’s Penal laws in the 18th and 19th centuries forced Irish Roman Catholic dissenters to convert to the English Anglican Church. This meant that official Catholic worship was outlawed. However, many Catholics refused to convert, and met secretly to say mass in remote, rural places, such as Slieve League.
Night: Greg Mortimer
May 17, Day 6: Sligo, Mullaghmore. Jutting out of Sligo’s northern edge, the small peninsula of Mullaghmore sits dramatically out into the North Atlantic. Land and sea meet in dramatic confluence along the coast of County Sligo, a dazzling landscape of jagged mountain peaks that inspired the work of Nobel-winning poet William Butler Yeats. Mullaghmore resides in the shadows of iconic Benbulben mountain, undoubtedly Ireland’s most distinctive mountain, sometimes referred to as Ireland’s own Table Mountain. The most distinctive peak among the Dartry range, it was formed during the ice age by massive glaciers segmenting the landscape.
Mullaghmore village, is largely the vision of Henry John Temple, better known as Lord Palmerston, who served two terms in office as British Prime Minister. He inherited a large estate of 10,000 acres in north Sligo, and not only instigated the building of Classiebawn Castle, the dominant landmark of the area, but also the magnificent stone harbor and the main buildings that characterize the village today.
After your morning of birding, we’ll return to the ship for lunch. In the afternoon, land on one of the offshore islands to see a protected wildlife sanctuary and a 6th century monastery, where the discovery of a cist burial and carved ‘cursing’ stones suggests prehistoric occupation.
May 18, Day 7: Céide Fields / Clare Island. Ireland’s Stone Age ancestors constructed houses, walls and fields that created an early farming community complete with megalithic tombs. One of these communities was Céide Fields, which contains the oldest known stone-walled fields in the world – dating back nearly 6,000 years. Céide Fields overlooks the mighty Atlantic Ocean pounding against the cliffs below. The landscape itself has been forged from the dramatic upheaval and movement of the earth’s crust over millions of years.
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Visit the remarkable Céide Fields Interpretative Centre. The centre has won several awards, including the Gold Medal for architecture. It is located beside some of the most spectacular cliffs and rock formations in Ireland and a viewing platform is positioned on the edge of the 110m high cliff. One of the exhibits that confronts visitors upon entering the centre is a 4,000-year-old pine tree that was unearthed from nearby bog land.
Clare Island is a mountainous island guarding the entrance to Clew Bay in County Mayo. It is famous as the home of the pirate queen Grace O'Malley (Granuaile), who was known as a tyrant of the ocean, clan chieftain, mother, wife, survivor and brilliant politician. Although her deeds relatively unknown outside of Ireland, the legacy of her mastery survives in the ruined monuments and the folk-consciousness on Clare Island and Ireland.
Clare is the largest and highest of Clew Bay's many islands, with dramatic coastal cliffs and spectacular views of one of Ireland's best-known peaks, Croagh Patrick. Its spectacular cliffs are home to large numbers of nesting sea birds. Night: Greg Mortimer
May 19-22, Days 8-11: Connemara. Dubbed a place of "savage beauty" by Oscar Wilde the Connemara lets you experience authentic Ireland. On coastal hills walks take in views of soaring mountains, clear turquoise waters and rare flora and fauna.
Killary Harbour, carved by glaciers, it’s been described as Ireland´s only true fjord. It forms the border between Galway and Mayo counties and features some of the most spectacular scenery on the west coast. This deep-water inlet from the Atlantic was once a hiding place for U-boats in World War Two. The sheltered fjord is also a real treat for birdwatching, with nationally important populations of many species, including ringed plover, mute swan, whooper swan, mallard duck, tufted duck, and barnacle goose. Dolphins are often seen in the fjord, along with otters, a protected species that are known to breed at Killary Harbour.
Breathtaking mountain vistas provide a dramatic backdrop for Leenane, a town nestled beside the water at the head of the fjord. In 1903, Leenane played host to King Edward VIII and Queen Alexandra when they made a tour of Connemara including a visit to nearby Kylemore. Visit the Sheep and Wool Centre in the town centre that includes an excellent museum featuring the history of sheep farming and the woolen industry in Connemara, along with a gift shop and café.
Connemara is Irish landscape at its most dramatic. With soaring mountains, scattered loughs and an intricate coastline, this remote part of Galway offers superb hiking. Stretch out your legs on the Killary Harbour Coastal Walk, also known as the ‘Famine Trail’, where you’ll walk past little cottages that faced extremely grueling times during the 1840s. In recent times, Killary Harbour has become a centre for aquaculture, with mussels being farmed in the deep, clear waters of the fjord. Fish cages belonging to a salmon farm and mussel rafts are a prominent feature. This spectacular walk offers views of dramatic Mweelrea Mountain towering at your side.
Connemara Islands Scattered out in the harsh Atlantic, these islands have been shaped by the sheer force of the ocean. Experience Gaelic culture and remnants of life long lost in modern Ireland. Land and explore numerous abandoned or sparsely populated islands off the Connemara coast. Given the moniker “The Enchanted Island”, Inishboffin is set in the wild splendour of Connemara amid the magical beauty of sea, cliffs and mountains that make up the Galway- Mayo coastline. With its westerly position and its protected harbor, Inishbofin was one of the most important shipping havens on the West coast of Ireland. It was one of the last Royalist strongholds to fall to Cromwell’s army. The ruins of Cromwell’s impressive star-shaped fort from 1656 still overlook the harbor.
Inishbofin is also home to “Dún Gráinne”, the remains of a fort used by the legendary Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley from neighboring County Mayo. It is also home to a second Celtic fort which dates all the way back to 1000 B.C. The island is a breeding area for many bird species, the rarest or most threatened of which is the corncrake. Other species include common tern, Arctic tern, fulmars, shags, guillemots, various gulls, Manx shearwaters, and choughs. Ireland’s West Coast, Page 6
Perhaps the most famous of Ireland’s isles, Galway’s Aran Islands are synonymous with traditional Irish culture, language, music and tradition. Famed for their wild landscapes, distinctive knitted jumpers and pretty thatched cottages, the picturesque Aran Islands never fail to impress visitors. The islands form part of one of Ireland’s several protected Gaeltacht regions where Irish rather than English is the spoken language.
Inishmore (Inis Mór) is the largest of the Aran Islands and has been attracting visitors to its rugged shores for generations. The island is home to over 50 different monuments of Christian, pre-Christian and Celtic mythological heritage. The geology is an extension of the famous limestone rocks of The Burren, where limestone pavements crisscrossed with grikes, host a plethora of, often extremely rare, wild flowers such as gentian violets and orchids. The landscape of Inishmore is a patchwork of fields hemmed in by precariously balanced drystone walls.
Explore Inishmore, including a visit to the island's most celebrated monument, Dún Aonghusa, considered to be one of the best examples of its kind in Europe. Occupying a site of 14 acres, Dún Aonghusa is a fort that consists of three terraced walls surrounding an inner enclosure containing a platform on the edge of a 100-m / 300-ft high cliff. The views from it are breathtakingly spectacular. Excavations carried out in the 1990s indicated that people had been living at the hill top from c.1500 BC with the first walls and dwelling houses being erected c. 1100 BC. A remarkable network of defensive stones known as a Chevaux de Frise surrounds the whole structure.
Late Bronze Age objects such as rings, tools, beads and foodstuffs found on site are now in Dublin’s National Museum. Archaeologists and scholars from all over the world visit the site annually, and some scholars suggest that the platform overlooking the Atlantic Ocean may have had ritual significance. The Dun Aonghasa Visitor Centre is located on the edge of Kilmurvey Craft Village and provides a wealth of information about Dun Aonghasa, the cliffs, and the Aran Islands in general. It has a number of exhibits and educational materials which are set out in a simple way as so most people can get a good understanding of Dun Aonghasa prior to entering the site itself. You have the option of reaching Dún Aonghasa from the pier at Kilronen village by bicycle (6 km / 3.7 mi) or by coach.
From Dún Aonghasa, you can walk to the Worm Hole, a natural rectangular shaped pool into which the ocean ebbs and flow at the bottom of the cliffs south of Dún Aonghasa. The Worm Hole has recently become more popular since it has become a venue for the Red Bull Cliff diving competition. From Dún Aonghasa the walk to the Worm Hole follows the cliff-edge and offers dazzling ocean views. Back at Kilronan village, where the ship awaits, you can brave a chilly swim in the turquoise water, people watch, or you relax and enjoy a coffee or a pint of Guinness. As we continue our journey south, sail below the towering Cliffs of Moher.
Nights: Greg Mortimer
May 23, Day 12: Dingle Peninsula. There are over 2,500 archaeological sites on the Dingle Peninsula, spanning a period from 6,000 BC through to 1700 AD. The area is regarded as having one of the richest concentrations of archaeological monuments in Western Europe. National Geographic once described it as “the most beautiful place on earth”, and more recently, one of the locations where Star Wars was filmed, at Sybil Head.
We enjoy a ship cruise at Great Blasket Island, and perhaps launch our Zodiacs allowing us to get closer to the cliffs to perhaps get a glimpse of the huge number of breeding seabirds such as puffins, fulmars, guillemots, storm petrels and shearwaters. In the water, you may be lucky and encounter dolphins, whales, orcas and porpoise.
After lunch, we anchor at Dingle and embark on a guided tour of some of Dingle Peninsula’s ancient sites. The tour travels west of Dingle Town on the Slea Head route, considered one of the most scenic landscapes in Europe. Among the sites visited are Ogham stones, monastic sites, beehive huts, ringforts, medieval churches, holy wells, Gallarus oratory.
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Afterwards, visit the renowned Dingle Distillery for a tour of their facility where you can learn about the production process of their gin and vodka as well as enjoy a tasting. The distillery is not in the business of creating megabrands, nor do they distil for anyone else. Their scale is modest, their approach to what they make is essentially artisan and they have rekindled the tradition of independent distilling in Ireland. Two hundred years ago, this small island had over a hundred officially recognized distilleries; by the turn of this century there were two. Their unique Dingle Whiskey continually matures in the mild, moist climate of Ireland’s south-west coast while those first spirits are bottled into a magnificent single malt whiskey. You can also enjoy the fruits of their labors in the form of Dingle Original Gin and Dingle Distillery Vodka.
Night: Greg Mortimer
May 24, Day 13: The Skelligs. Off the coast of County Kerry, two rocky pinnacles rise from the Atlantic Ocean. These spectacularly Skellig Islands are world-renowned for their ornithological and archaeological significance. Skellig Michael is known throughout the world of archaeology as the site of a well-preserved monastic outpost of the Early Christian period – now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Little Skellig (Irish: Sceilg Mhichil) is equally renowned in matters of ornithology as the home of roughly 27,000 pairs of gannets – the second largest colony of such seabirds in the world. Enjoy a ship cruise around Little Skellig (Irish: Sceilg Mhichil) to get a glimpse of the incredible gannet colony on the island. Afterwards, we dock at Portmagee, and with the blessing of fine weather, we plan to visit and land on Skellig Michael.
Approximately 1,400 years ago a small group of men were searching for a place to practice their religion in complete solitude and isolation. These remarkable men ventured into the open ocean off southwest Ireland determined to build a monastery on one of the most extraordinarily remote locations on earth. Generation after generation of monks helped to hand-carve the 600 stone step with the simplest tools, to build a hilltop monastery 200 m / 656 ft above the pounding waves. The monastery has six corbel stone beehive huts and two boat-shaped oratories. The survival of the terraces and drystone walls to this day are testament to the skill and dedication of the monks. The monastery is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a striking example of Early Christian architecture. The archaeological remains show the dramatically spartan conditions in which the monks lived, and after enduring several Viking raids, the monks eventually left the island in the 13th century. The site has subsequently become a place of Christian pilgrimage.
After lunch and a rest, we’ll disembark at Castletown-Bearhaven for late-afternoon birding at Beara Peninsula. One area we may choose is called the Bullig Bay Loop Walk, starting near the ruin of Dunboy castle - seat of the O’Sullivan Bear clan who ruled the Beara Peninsula for 600 years, which offers a pleasant mix of farmland, quiet country road & forest tracks, and wonderful views of Bullig bay and Bear Island.
Night: Greg Mortimer
May 25, Day 14: At Sea. As we come to the end of the voyage, you may choose to enjoy final talks and presentations from our team of experts, edit and organize your photographs or reminisce over a few drinks with fellow travelers and expedition team on a remarkable voyage.
Night: Greg Mortimer
May 26, Day 15: Disembark Greg Mortimer. During the early morning, we cruise into Dublin port, where you disembark at approximately 8.00 a.m. Farewell to your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys. A transfer to the Dublin airport is included in the fare of the voyage. Please do not book your return flight from Dublin to depart prior to 12:00 p.m. in case there are any delays.
This cruise program is designed as expeditions which require a degree of flexibility and spontaneity. Every effort will be made to follow the published itinerary, but please note that they are offered subject to change at the discretion of the ship’s captain, based on sea, weather, and ice conditions. Ireland’s West Coast, Page 8
EXTRA ARRANGEMENTS: Should you wish to make arrangements to arrive early or extend your stay, please contact the VENT office at least two months prior to your departure date. We can very easily make hotel arrangements and often at our group rate, if we receive your request with enough advance time.
TOUR SIZE: The Greg Mortimer holds 132 guests of which VENT has reserved 15 berths for this expedition. If registrations do not warrant this size of an allotment, the cruise company may sell any unsold berths to the general public.
VENT LEADER: David Ascanio
David Ascanio, a Venezuelan birder and naturalist, has spent 35 years guiding birding tours throughout his native country, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica, the Orinoco and Amazon river basins, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, the Guianas, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Lesser Antilles, Cuba, Chile, and Panama. He is especially interested in bird vocalizations and has a private library containing voices of more than 70% of all the birds of Venezuela. David combines superb birding skills with an astonishing command of bird vocalizations. He has published a book for children about bird songs and has coauthored the descriptions of two new species, the Rio Orinoco Spinetail and the Delta Amacuro Softtail. David has also published various manuscripts about the birds of the llanos (plains), the Orinoco River island species, and the pan-tepui endemic species for which he has become an authority. He is the first author of the Field Guide to the Birds of Venezuela (2017). David is an excellent communicator, has a great sense of humor, and is tireless in helping others find birds and wildlife. These traits have made him one of the most popular naturalists/guides in the Neotropics.
CRUISE INFORMATION
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: Prices quoted are per person based on double occupancy. All staterooms are outside cabins with two lower beds and en suite bathroom. Cabins will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited single accommodations are available at 1.5X the double occupancy rate listed above.
Please note quoted prices are per person in double occupancy:
BALCONY STATEROOM C: $12,395 BALCONY STATEROOM B: $12,995 BALCONY STATEROOM A: $13,895
Included in your cruise package: • Land transfers as stated in the itinerary including: transfer from airport to our group hotel on Day 2; group transfers hotel to ship on Day 3; group transfer from ship to airport on Day 14 • Accommodations: Shipboard (12 nights, days 3-14); Non-shipboard (1 night in Dublin, Day 2) • Half-day tour in Dublin prior to embarkation • All shipboard meals, including soft drinks, beer and wine with dinners • Zodiac excursions • Services of Ship staff (Expedition Leader and lecturers), crew (including Zodiac drivers), and VENT leaders • On-board medical officer • All visitation fees, landing fees, and port charges • A 3-in-1 waterproof polar expeditions jacket • Complimentary use of muck boots during the voyage • Gratuities for ship crew Ireland’s West Coast, Page 9
Not included in your cruise package: • International airfare from your home to Edinburgh and return from Aberdeen • Hotel accommodations other than those stated in the itinerary • Meals prior to dinner on Day 2 or after breakfast on Day 17 • Optional excursions not mentioned in the itinerary • Items of a personal nature including but not limited to: laundry, postage, telephone calls, emails and internet usage, bar charges, and alcoholic beverages and soft drinks outside of dinner service. • Insurance coverage such as emergency evacuation, accident, baggage, and cancellation • Medical services • Passport or visa fees • Excess baggage charges • Airport arrival and departure taxes • Optional gratuities to ship staff, Expedition Leader and lecturers
FUEL AND FUEL SURCHARGES: In the uncertain, often volatile oil market of late, it is difficult – if not impossible – to predict fuel costs over the long term, and more specifically, at the time of operation of this voyage. Our prices are based upon the prevailing fuel rates at the time of brochure printing. While we will do everything possible to maintain our prices, if the fuel rates increase significantly, it may be necessary to institute a fuel surcharge.
EXCHANGE RATE SURCHARGES: In the erratic global financial markets of today, it is difficult to predict foreign currency exchange rates over the long term or at the time of operation of a tour or cruise departure. Tour prices are based upon the rate of exchange at the time of itinerary publication. If exchange rates change drastically, it may be necessary to implement a surcharge. If a surcharge is necessary, every effort will be made to minimize the amount. In many cases, these additional foreign exchange rate surcharges are passed to VENT by its vendors and suppliers.
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REGISTRATION: A deposit of $2,500 is required to reserve a space on this cruise. A second deposit of $3,000 is due 210 days prior to departure (August 16, 2021). The balance of the fee is due 150 days prior to departure (January 13, 2022).
If you prefer to pay the initial deposit using a credit card, your deposit must be made with MasterCard or Visa at the time of registration. If you would like to pay your initial deposit by check, money order, or bank transfer, your tour space will be held for 10 days to allow time for the VENT office to receive your deposit and completed registration form. The VENT registration form (available from the VENT office or by download at https://ventbird.com) should then be completed, signed, and returned to the VENT office.
This cruise is designed for persons in reasonably good health. By forwarding the expedition deposit, you certify that you do not have a physical condition or disability which would create a hazard to you or other passengers. VENT reserves the right to decline to accept or retain you or other passengers should your health, actions, or general deportment impede the operations of the expedition or the rights, welfare, or enjoyment of other passengers.
PLEASE NOTE: Aurora Expeditions currently requires all embarking crew, Expedition Team and guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to embarking on any of its cruises. Full vaccinations must occur four- weeks prior to the embarkation date of the voyage and proof of vaccination will be required to be provided to Aurora Expeditions in advance of the voyage. Additionally, guests will be required to bring a printed copy of their proof of vaccination documentation to board. Vaccinations acceptable are those that have been approved by the CDC in the USA, the UK and European Authorities, and these vaccines are limited to Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and AstraZeneca.
PAYMENTS: All tour payments may be made by credit card (MasterCard or Visa), check, money order, or bank transfer (contact the VENT office for bank transfer information). These include initial deposits, second deposits, interim payments, final balances, special arrangements, etc. Full payment of the tour fee is due 150 days prior to the tour departure date.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Cancellation by Participant: Refunds, if any, for any cancellation by a participant are made according to the following schedule: the initial deposit of $2500 is fully nonrefundable. For cancellations that occur between 209 and 151 days, both deposits are non- refundable; cancellations within 150 days of the departure date are 100% non-refundable whether previously paid or not. Any refunds will be reduced by applicable airline cancellation penalties. No refunds will be made in the event of “no shows” or cancellations made on the day of sailing.
If you cancel: Your refund will be: 210 days or more before departure date Your deposit minus $1,000 Between 209 and 151 days before departure No refund of the deposits, but any payments on the balance will be refunded Fewer than 150 days before departure date No refund available
Cancellations by VENT:
If VENT cancels a tour prior to departure without cause or good reason, VENT will provide the participant a full refund, which will constitute full settlement to the participant.
If VENT cancels or delays a tour or any portion of a tour as a result of any Force Majeure event, VENT will use its reasonable best efforts to refund any payments on the balance of the tour fee to participant; provided that, VENT will have no obligation to provide a participant with a refund and will not be liable or responsible to a participant, nor be deemed to have defaulted under or breached any applicable agreement, for any failure or delay Ireland’s West Coast, Page 11 in fulfilling or performing any term of such agreement. A “Force Majeure” event means any act beyond VENT’s control, including, without limitation, the following: (a) acts of God; (b) flood, fire, earthquake, hurricane, epidemic, pandemic or explosion; (c) war, invasion, hostilities (whether war is declared or not), terrorist threats or acts, riot or other civil unrest; (d) government order, law or actions; (e) embargoes or blockades; (f) national or regional emergency; (g) strikes, labor stoppages, labor slowdowns or other industrial disturbances; (h) shortage of adequate power or transportation facilities; and (i) any other similar events or circumstances beyond the control of VENT.
This VENT Cancellation & Refunds policy does not apply to air tickets purchased through VENT or to any special arrangements, such as additional hotel nights, that fall outside of the services described in the tour itinerary. Victor Emanuel Nature Tours is not a participant in the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund. California law requires certain sellers of travel to have a trust account or bond. This business has a bond issued by Travelers in the amount of $50,000. CST #2014998-50.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: To safeguard against losses due to illness, accident, or other unforeseen circumstances, we strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance as soon as possible after making a deposit. VENT has partnered with Redpoint Travel Protection as our preferred travel insurance provider. Through Redpoint, we recommend their Ripcord plan. Designed for all types of travelers, Ripcord is among the most comprehensive travel protection programs available.
Critical benefits of Ripcord include a completely integrated program with a single contact for emergency services, travel assistance, and insurance claims; medical evacuation and rescue services from your point of injury or illness to your hospital of choice; comprehensive travel insurance for trip cancellation/interruption, primary medical expense coverage, and much more. Optional expanded insurance coverage is available and includes items such as security evacuation coverage in case of a natural disaster or other security events, waiver for pre-existing medical conditions exclusion, and a “Cancel for Any Reason” benefit. Ripcord is available to U.S. and non- U.S. residents.*
For a price quote, or to purchase travel insurance, please visit: ripcordtravelprotection.com/ventbird; or click the Ripcord logo on our website (click Help and Trip Insurance); or call +1-415-481-0600. Pricing is based on age, trip cost, trip length, and level of coverage.
*To be eligible for the pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver and the optional Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade, you must purchase your policy within 14 days of making your tour deposit. The CFAR benefit provides reimbursement for 75% of covered costs, and increases the policy premium by approximately 50%. Policies may be purchased either for the full value of the tour fee at the time of deposit or in segments as individual tour payments are made (deposit, mid-payment, final balance, additional arrangements, etc.). The “pay as you go” approach reduces up-front expense and ensures that the amount paid toward your full policy premium is in proportion to the amount paid toward the full tour fee. If you choose to “pay as you go,” you must cover each deposit or payment within 14 days in order to maintain the CFAR benefit. Please refer to the policy for a full description of coverage.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): The coronavirus pandemic has brought uncertainty for many people currently holding travel insurance policies or who are considering future travel and purchasing such insurance. Redpoint has added a Coronavirus FAQ page to its website that addresses questions and concerns regarding its travel insurance and the impact of COVID-19. We strongly recommend that you visit the page for an overview of topics such as policy coverage and limitations, policy modifications, cancellation, refunds, and more. Among the most important points: 1) Trip cancellation solely for concern or fear of travel associated with COVID-19 is not covered; 2) Should you request cancellation of your policy, a full refund of your premium is available only under a limited set of conditions; and 3) Should you request cancellation, you may be eligible to receive a pro-rated refund of the unused portion of your premium or a travel insurance credit. Travel insurance credit (“Premium Credit”) is for the value of the policy purchased and may be applied to future policies. Premium Credits have no expiration dates. Rules and regulations apply. Ireland’s West Coast, Page 12
Please visit the Coronavirus FAQ page at the following link: https://redpointtravelprotection.com/covid_19_faq/
Additionally, as countries begin opening up for travel, many are instituting an array of COVID-19 entry requirements, including mandates to purchase travel insurance covering medical expenses due to COVID-19 Illness and accommodation in case of quarantine. Ripcord’s comprehensive travel insurance plans are designed to satisfy the various country-specific travel insurance entry requirements. Those who purchase a Ripcord policy will receive a “letter of confirmation” that affirms that the policy satisfies such requirements.
AIR INFORMATION: Victor Emanuel Travel is a full-service travel agency and wholly owned subsidiary of Victor Emanuel Nature Tours (VENT). Victor Emanuel Travel will be happy to make any domestic or international air travel arrangements from your home and return. All internal flights will be booked through our local operator. Please be sure to check with the VENT office prior to purchasing your air ticket to confirm that the tour(s) is sufficiently subscribed to operate. VENT cannot be responsible for any air ticket penalties.
BAGGAGE: We request you limit your baggage to one large duffel (or soft sided suitcase) and one carry-on bag. Please consult your pre-departure materials and airline to find out specific weight restrictions. The airlines now strictly enforce baggage regulations. Excess baggage charges, which can be substantial, are the personal responsibility of each participant. As a precaution against lost luggage, we suggest that you pack a change of clothes, essential toiletries, medications, a change of clothing, important travel documents, optics, and any other essential items in your carry-on. Due to ever-changing circumstances in the government’s attempts to improve airport security we recommend that you check the website of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for the most updated information: http://www.tsa.gov/
When travelling, it is suggested that you wear clothing and a pair of shoes suitable for birding in case your baggage is delayed. It is wise to carry several copies of a list of your expensive equipment—cameras, binoculars, tape recorders, spotting scopes, etc.—for customs inspectors. This list should include a description of the object (include the serial number if possible), place of purchase, and price. Visitors are rarely challenged about such equipment, but U.S. customs may be more difficult. If you are taking a large amount of equipment with you, it is advisable to declare this to a customs officer before you leave the United States.
GENERAL INFORMATION
GOVERNMENT FEES, TAXES, AND VISITOR’S FEES: Greg Mortimer is responsible for port costs at embarkation and disembarkation. Visitor fees for the various landings presently scheduled for this itinerary are not being assessed. In the event, however, that Visitor Fees are assessed by any governmental or governing bodies before embarkation of the cruise, Victor Emanuel Nature Tours reserves the right to pass such fees to the Client and must be paid before the commencement of the voyage.
CONDITIONS:
The Ship – The Greg Mortimer can accommodate 132 guests per voyage within 76 cozy, comfortable cabins – all cabins have a view of the ocean and 85% of cabins have their own balcony. The ship also features a modern lecture lounge, multiple observation areas, zodiac launching platforms, a restaurant serving excellent meals, a gym and wellness center, Jacuzzis, a mudroom and many other amenities. A fleet of Zodiac landing craft permits landings anywhere nature or curiosity dictates.
Technical Information: Passengers: 132 Crew: 90 (includes Staff) Built in: 2019 Class: Ice Class 1A and Polar Code 6 compliant Ireland’s West Coast, Page 13
Zodiac Landing Craft – Expedition cruise ships carry fleets of Zodiac landing craft. Developed as a means for gaining access to places where larger vessels cannot go, Zodiacs are employed to bring greater intimacy to your travel experience. Each craft is constructed of high performance plastimer fabrics and outfitted with a powerful motor, and designed to withstand the challenging conditions of the harsh Antarctic environment. During your cruise you’ll make numerous excursions to shallow bays and landings on isolated beaches, coming face-to-face with an assortment of wildlife. Each craft holds as many as 10 passengers. Although flat-bottom design allows for direct on-shore landings, passengers will need to walk through shallow surf on some occasions.
Dining – The restaurant can comfortably seat all passengers at leisurely single seating for all meals, with tables unassigned. A choice of a buffet or table service is available for breakfast or lunch. Dinner is served at the table. The chefs can prepare food according to special dietary needs, provided the ship receives sufficient notification. Please advise of any special needs at the time of registration. Kosher meals are not available.
LAUNDRY SERVICE: Laundry service is provided by the ship staff for an extra charge. Check with the staff upon embarkation for procedures and turnaround time.
EQUIPMENT: One of the most important aspects of having an enjoyable travel experience is being prepared with proper equipment. The following items will come in handy during your expedition: • Backpack – Good for carrying extra clothing, field guides, supplies, and optical equipment during all landings and excursions • Ziploc bags – Excellent for keeping small items or any items of value dry; bring several different sizes • Notebooks and pens • Travel alarm clock • Polarized sunglasses with good UV protection • Sunscreen, lip balm, skin lotions • Personal toiletries • Cameras, lenses, film, memory cards, and extra batteries • Collapsible walking stick • Tissue packs
Binoculars – We strongly recommend good binoculars of at least 7x35, 8x42, 10x40, or 10x42 magnification. We recommend that you do NOT bring mini-binoculars of any kind. Some people like them because they are small and lightweight; but they have an extremely small field of view and very poor light gathering power. Trying to find a bird in your binoculars using minis is like trying to read a book through a keyhole. You will be very frustrated, and even if you do manage to get the bird in your binoculars before it flies, you will have a poor view. You will find that 7x35 or 8x42 binoculars are compact and light enough.
Spotting Scopes – Since most wildlife viewing will take place on a moving ship or zodiac,you do not need to bring a spotting scope. Your tour leaders will have one available for group use on the occasions where it is necessary to have one.
PASSPORTS AND DOCUMENTS
PASSPORTS - A valid passport is required. Please check the expiration date on your passport. If it is not valid for at least six months after your trip return date, you will need to get it renewed. You will also want to make sure that you have at least two blank pages in your passport for stamps. If you need a passport, you should get it well in advance of your trip departure date. For additional fees, a passport can be issued on an expedited basis. In the United States this can be done at the nearest passport office, most post offices, or the county clerk’s office. You may also visit www.state.gove/travel/ for information on how to get or renew a passport.
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As a safety measure, photocopy the first two pages of your passport. Keep the photocopies in a safe place, so if your passport is lost you will have proof of identification. Your passport should be signed and easily available at all times. You will need it for check-in at the airport on your first day of departure, so do not pack it in your checked luggage.
On board ship, it is customary for the purser to hold all passports for clearance with Customs and Immigration authorities. Your passport will be collected prior to or upon embarkation, and returned upon disembarkation.
VISAS - Visas are not required for U.S. and Canadian citizens for entry into any country on this itinerary. Citizens of other nationalities should check with their embassy or consulate for instructions.
CURRENCY & MONEY MATTERS: Your trip includes most necessary expenses, including all meals aboard the ship. You will want to bring enough cash to cover such extra expenses as taxi rides, gifts, laundry, gratuities, meals on your own before and after the cruise, and personal items. The USD is the official currency onboard the Greg Mortimer. Please check with your bank and credit card issuer for more information regarding banking and the use of ATM and credit cards overseas.
The official currency of Ireland is the Pound Sterling (GBP), which is the legal tender throughout the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). You can check the latest currency conversion rate by visiting “XE-The World’s Favorite Currency Site” at: http://www.xe.com/.
ELECTRICITY: Power in Europe is 220V, with the recessed outlets of the round, two-pronged European type (often referred to as Type C electrical receptacle). If you plan to use American standard 110V equipment with the flat-pronged plugs, you will need to bring an all-purpose transformer to convert the current for 110V use, in addition to a round European-type adapter plug. Power onboard the Greg Mortimer is both the American-style outlets (two flat prongs) at 110 V and the round European-type.
TIME: Ireland is in GMT +1, five hours ahead of Eastern Time Zone.
MEDICAL SERVICES: A qualified physician is in attendance at all times, but must be made aware of any potential medical problems that might arise because of any medical condition, disability, or illness of any passenger on board. Please return your medical information form in a timely manner.
If you will be bringing personal, prescriptions or over-the-counter medications, be sure to bring an ample supply that will allow you to get through the expedition safely. Please consult your physician as necessary and remember to pack all medications in your carry-on baggage, preferably in original containers or packaging. As airline baggage restrictions can change without warning, please check with your airline for procedures for packing medications.
HEALTH: VENT follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for standard travel precautions, which includes vaccination against a variety of preventable diseases. Among these so-called Routine Vaccinations are measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, poliovirus vaccine (boosters for adult travelers), and Varicella (Chickenpox). You should also be up-to-date with Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccinations.
Although we make every effort to provide the most recent information on travellers’ health recommendations, it is advisable to check with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, which operates a 24-hour recorded Travelers’ Information Line (800) CDC-INFO (800-232-4636). You can check the CDC website at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel. Canadian citizens should check the website of the Public Health Agency of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health.html (click on Travel Health).
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If you are taking personal medication, prescription or over-the-counter, be sure to bring an ample supply that will allow you to get through the tour safely. Please consult your physician as necessary. Remember to pack all medication in your carry-on baggage, preferably in original containers or packaging. As airline baggage restrictions can change without warning, please check with your airline for procedures for packing medication.
COVID-19: The world has been in the grip of a pandemic since early 2020, a result of the uncontrolled spread of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes the illness COVID-19. COVID-19 is transmitted through person- to-person contact, almost always through inhaling respiratory aerosols or droplets exuded from an infected person. Common signs of COVID-19 illness include fever or chills, fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, loss of taste or smell, and more. Based on what is known about the disease, COVID-19 is far more serious than seasonal flu. Few places in the world have been unaffected. The impact on travel has been substantial, as demonstrated by the fact that VENT did not operate a tour between late March 2020 and late April 2021. The development and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly in the United States, has allowed VENT to return to tour operations. We emphasize that our number one priority is the health and safety of our customers and employees. With this in mind, VENT instituted a COVID-19 vaccination requirement. All tour participants and tour leaders must be fully vaccinated in order to travel with us while we are still in a declared public health emergency. In accordance with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), full vaccination is defined as an individual being 14 days beyond having received the required amount of vaccine for reaching full immunity to the degree specific vaccines confer. In the United States, so far, this means either the two-shot sequence for the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines or the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Proof of vaccination must be provided to our office at least one week before the start of the tour and kept with you while on the tour. Because the world is a very different place than it was before the pandemic, we’ve made a number of important adjustments to our processes to ensure that our tours can operate as safely as possible. Please visit the Coronavirus Travel Update page of our website https://ventbird.com/covid-19, where you may view our COVID-19 Protocols for VENT Tours document, which details the guidance VENT will follow in the operation of its tours in the time of pandemic. Our decision and policy are firmly rooted in the latest CDC guidance regarding recommendations for avoiding COVID-19. As we move forward, VENT will continue to follow the latest information from the CDC and will update our policy accordingly. Please visit the CDC website for the most up to date information about COVID-19 and associated guidance for proper health and hygiene: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- nCoV/index.html.
SUGGESTED READING: A number of traditional booksellers and online stores list excellent inventories of field guides and other natural history resources that will help prepare you for this tour. We recommend www.amazon.com which has a wide selection; www.buteobooks.com and www.nhbs.com which specialize in ornithology and natural history books; and www.abebooks.com for out-of-print and hard-to-find titles.
Field Guides: Jonsson, Lars. Helm Field Guides: Birds of Europe with North Africa and the Middle East. Published by Christopher Helm in UK, 2005. Excellent illustrations and comprehensive. Svenson, Mullarney, Zetterstrom & Grant. Collins Bird Guide: The Most Complete Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe. Second edition, 2009. This field guide has received excellent reviews for its identification detail and illustrations. The most updated & highly recommended! Also available as an App edition produced in partnership by, NatureGuides, William Collins, Bonnier Fakta and Gyldendal.
Recordings: Sample, Geoff. Collins Field Guide: Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Northern Europe. 1996. Kettle, Ron and Ranft, Richard. British Bird Sounds on CD: The Definitive Audio Guide to Birds in Britain. British Library, 2006.
TIPPING: All tipping (restaurants, porters, drivers, local guides, and ship’s crew) is included. If you feel one or all of your VENT leaders, or any local guide has provided exceptional service, it is entirely appropriate to tip. We emphasize that such tips are not expected and are entirely optional.
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RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT: Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, Inc., a Texas corporation, and/or its agents (together, “VENT”) act only as agents for the participant in regard to travel, whether by railroad, motorcar, motorcoach, boat, or airplane and assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the participant or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. VENT accepts no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in airfare or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, terrorism, or other causes. All such losses or expenses will be borne by the participant, as tour rates only provide for arrangements for the time stated.
VENT reserves the right (i) to substitute hotels of similar category, or the best reasonable substitution available under the circumstances, for those indicated and (ii) to make any changes in the itinerary that are deemed necessary by VENT or which are caused by third party transportation schedules (i.e. railroad, motorcar, motorcoach, boat, airplane, etc.).
VENT reserves the right to substitute leaders or guides on any tour. Where VENT, in its sole discretion, determines such substitution is necessary, it will notify tour participants.
VENT reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure with or without cause or good reason. See the VENT Cancellation & Refunds policy set forth above.
Tour prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect on January 14, 2021, and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change thereto.
VENT reserves the right to decline any participant’s Registration Form and/or refuse to allow any participant to participate in a tour as VENT deems reasonably necessary, in its sole discretion. VENT also reserves the right to remove any tour participant from any portion of a tour as VENT deems necessary, in its sole discretion, reasons for such removal include but are not limited to, medical needs, injury, illness, inability to meet physical demands of a tour, personality conflict or situations in which such removal is otherwise in the best interest of the tour, the tour group and/or such participant. A participant may also voluntarily depart from a tour. If a participant is removed from a tour or voluntarily departs from a tour, such participant will be responsible for any expenses associated with such removal or departure, including but not limited to, transportation, lodging, airfare and meals, and VENT will have no obligation to refund or reimburse any such removed or departed participant for any tour payments or deposits previously paid by such participant.
Baggage is carried at the participant’s risk entirely. No airline company, its employees, agents and/or affiliates (the “Airline”) is to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time participants are not on board the Airline’s aircraft. The participant ticket in use by any Airline, when issued, will constitute the sole contract between the Airline and the purchaser of the tickets and/or the participant. The services of any I.A.T.A.N. carrier may be used for VENT tours, and transportation within the United States may be provided by any member carrier of the Airlines Reporting Corporation.
IWCC:20220512 Rev: 08/05/21 – GL P: 08/05/21 – GL