PIXELS FOTO & FRAME June 5 – 20, 2010 Itinerary Sat, June 5 UNITED STATES TO Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.

Sun, June 6 DUBLIN ARRIVAL & SIGHTSEEING After landing at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities. Then your tour driver/guide will welcome you to and escort you and your luggage to the coach. Take an orientation drive around Dublin city center. Dublin is one of the liveliest capitals in Europe but there are plenty of historical places also. See the main thoroughfares of O’Connell Street and Nassau Street, the shopping streets and some lovely public parks. Stop to visit to see what punishment was like during its years of operation from 1796 to 1924. Learn about political prisoners, especially from the 1916 Rising, detained here because of their efforts to shape Ireland’s history. Next tour Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, an 8th century illuminated manuscript of the gospels and see the Old Library. Then drive to your hotel and check in. After you settle into your room you may like to rest or explore some of the city on your own before dinner. This evening drive to the town of Rathfarnham to The Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs, dancing and music. OVERNIGHT: ASHLING HOTEL, DUBLIN

Mon, June 7 DUBLIN HIGHLIGHTS & IRISH HOUSE PARTY Set off with a local guide who will show you around the prominent historic buildings and monuments of Dublin. Dublin is an ancient settlement, founded by the Vikings in the 9th century. The city has been molded through the centuries with many architectural styles, reflecting the economic, political and artistic influences. Stop to tour St. Patrick's Cathedral, which is almost as old as the city itself and famous for its connections with the brilliantly eccentric Dean Jonathan Swift. Continue on to visit , a medieval heritage center where history comes to life through life-sized figures and many artifacts from the nearby Viking excavations. You can climb the 17th century tower for a view of Dublin, check out the punishment stocks and suits of armor, and cross the Gothic-style pedestrian bridge to visit Christ Church Cathedral. Christ Church Cathedral is Dublin's oldest building, founded in 1038 by King Sitric, later rebuilt in 1169 by Strongbow, and restored in Gothic style in 1871. The crypt dates from 1172 and both cathedral and crypt contain remarkable monuments and sculptures. After your tour, head over to the Shelbourne where you will enjoy tea and scones with your fellow travelers. Tonight join your fellow travelers for an evening at The Irish House Party. Your traditional evening is hosted by Irish musicians and dancers in an intimate and homely setting. Begin your evening with a delicious four-course dinner followed by live traditional Irish music with all-Ireland champion musicians and dancers. OVERNIGHT: ASHLING HOTEL, DUBLIN

Tue, June 8 FOURKNOCKS MEGALITHIC TOMB & BRU NA BOINNE Leaving Dublin travel north to visit Fourknocks, a Passage Chamber Tomb built about 5000 years ago. It is located 10 miles southeast of Newgrange between Ardcath in and the Naul in . The name Fourknocks may be from the Irish Fuair Cnocs meaning Cold Hills or maybe Four Cnocs is a reference to the Four Tombs (Four Hills). After your visit continue on to visit the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, open in 1997, is designed to present the archaeological heritage of the Boyne Valley, which includes the megalithic passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth. The Centre is the starting point for all visits to both monuments, and contains extensive interpretative displays and viewing areas. Then board the coach and journey north via Dundalk and Belfast to reach the town of Ballygally for dinner and overnight stay. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: BALLYGALLY CASTLE HOTEL, BALLYGALLY

Wed, June 9 GIANT'S CAUSEWAY & Depart Ballygally and drive north to experience one of Ireland's popular scenic routes along the coast road. Here you'll see the "Nine Glens of Antrim" which offer wonderful views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Stop to visit the Giant's Causeway, an impressive area of hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago by cooling lava which has given rise to many legends. Then continue along the coast to Derry and check into your hotel. In the evening join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: CITY HOTEL, DERRY

Thu, June 10 DERRY WALKING TOUR & Enjoy a walking tour of central Derry to see the principal sights. See the 17th century city walls, which are some of the best-preserved in Europe, and the Diamond, the main central square. Also pass the 17th century St. Columb's Cathedral, the Tower Museum with local history displays and the Guildhall where the history of Derry is depicted in stained-glass windows. Then board the coach and drive a short distance to visit Grianan of Aileach, one of Ireland’s greatest circular ring forts that gets its name from the meaning “The stone fort of the sun.” Archaeologists say that the fort itself dates from 500 BC or earlier, but the circular ramparts may go back as far as 5,000 years ago. Visit the Grianan of Aileach Visitor Center, housed in a former 150- year-old stone church, situated at the foot of the monument. Various exhibits and interactive multi-media displays provide background on the fort ranging from its history and mythology, to the flora and fauna of the area. Return to Derry and enjoy some free time before joining your group for dinner. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: CITY HOTEL, DERRY

Fri, June 11 SLIEVE LEAGUE CLIFFS & GLENVEAGH NATIONAL PARK Drive south past the lovely Blue Stack Mountains and through the town of Donegal. Drive on to Teelin to view Slieve League sea cliffs, where the highest point reaches 1,972 feet making them the highest in Europe. The cliffs drop straight down to the wild Atlantic waves below and you will see marvelous vistas. After your visit drive through countryside of windswept hills where sheep are the only animals that can really thrive in this harsh, though starkly beautiful, landscape. Visit Glenveagh National Park where high walls and conifers provide shelter for an amazing collection of exotic plants, trees and flowers gathered from all over the world. Continue south through the open countryside to return to Donegal town. Upon arrival check into your hotel and relax before dinner. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: MILL PARK HOTEL, DONEGAL

Sat, June 12 BELLEEK , CARROWMORE & 'QUIET MAN' TOUR Leaving Donegal follow the Atlantic shoreline of Donegal Bay to Belleek where you’ll visit the Belleek Pottery Factory. See how skilled craftspeople form and decorate clay to produce delicate porcelain masterpieces. Then travel south through County Sligo and stop to visit Carrowmore, the largest cemetery of megalithic tombs in Ireland, and the second largest in Europe. About 60 tombs, a variety of dolmens, stone circles, and passage graves dot the site, spread over an area roughly half a mile wide and one and a half miles long, from north to south. Then board the coach and continue your journey to the attractive village of Cong, a place made famous by the 1952 movie of “” featuring and Maureen O’Hara. Discover places featured in the movie on a brief walking tour around this tranquil village and see some of the movie memorabilia in the Quiet Man Heritage Cottage. After your tour, check into your castle hotel where you will have some free time to relax or explore on your own. In the evening join your fellow travelers for a superb dinner in the castle’s fine restaurant. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: HOTEL, CONG

Sun, June 13 CELTIC & MARBLE FACTORIES & KYLEMORE ABBEY This morning depart Cong and travel south via to reach to visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory. This family business specializes in designs based on the shamrock, ring and harp, often in colored crystal. Watch a craftsman demonstrate the cutting of designs and see the full range of products in the showrooms. Next visit the Connemara Marble Factory which is quarried in Connemara. The soft green shades of the marble echoes the colors of the countryside from which it is cut. See how it is made into many decorative items. After your visits continue your drive through Connemara and admire the sweeping views of boglands and misty mountains. Stop to visit Kylemore Abbey, a 19th century neo-Gothic mansion overlooking Kylemore Lake. Originally a private residence, it is now a prestigious girls' school. Visit the chapel and the restored Victorian gardens, which have won awards. Then drive to the small town of and check into your hotel. Tonight drive south around to , a beautifully restored 15th century castle. This imposing castle makes a delightful and intimate setting for a sumptuous meal followed by entertainment which focuses on Ireland's literary heritage and includes music, song and extracts from the works of major Irish writers such as J. M. Synge, W. B. Yeats, Sean O'Casey and many others. Return to Clifden for your overnight stay. OVERNIGHT: CLIFDEN STATION HOUSE HOTEL, CLIFDEN

Mon, June 14 TOUR TO THE Today visit the Aran Islands, which are located in Galway Bay 30 miles west of Galway city. Irish is still the vernacular in this isolated setting and the islanders retain many traditional ways of farming and fishing. The land is extremely stony and the islanders have formed dry stone walls to protect the windswept fields. The popular hand-knit aran sweaters evolved from unique patterns used by each family and the oiled wool repelled the rain. Take a ferry from on the mainland to Aran Mor, the largest of the three islands. Travel around the island by minibus with a local driver who will explain many of the island traditions to you. At the western end of Inis Mór visit Dun Aengus. This vast fortification is perched on the side of a cliff that falls to the Atlantic Ocean 300 feet below. The site consists of three concentric enclosures and dates back to 1,000 BC or earlier. Return to Clifden and freshen up before dinner. This morning drive to for dinner at Moran’s Oyster Cottage which is a family business dating back more than 250 years. In the 1800's it did a flourishing trade when Kilcolgan was a prosperous little port. Situated on an inlet of Galway Bay, 11 miles from the City of Galway - this picturesque thatched Cottage has seen may famous people like Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, Woody Allen and the Emperor and Empress of . OVERNIGHT: CLIFDEN STATION HOUSE HOTEL, CLIFDEN

Tue, June 15 AILWEE CAVES & KILMACDUAGH ROUND TOWER & DINGLE Depart Clifden this morning and travel southeast via Galway and into the rounded limestone hills of the Burren country. Stop in to visit Aillwee Caves, a stunning creation of nature carved from limestone by the melt waters from the prehistoric ice age. Animals, including bears which have been extinct in Ireland for more than a millennium, inhabited the caves for thousands of years and many historic remains have been found. Continue on towards stopping en route to visit the Kilmacduagh Round Tower which sits amidst a monastic complex of medieval churches, a cathedral, cemetery, and Grebe House. Then continue your drive through the Shannon region, south through the rugged countryside of and along the scenic Dingle Peninsula to reach the town of Dingle. Upon arrival check into your town and country homes and enjoy some time to settle in before dinner. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: TOWN & COUNTRY HOMES, DINGLE

Wed, June 16 DINGLE PENINSULA TOUR & GALLARUS ORATORY This morning enjoy a tour of the Dingle Peninsula. Enjoy spectacular views of mountains and coastline with new vistas opening up at every turn in the road. You can also see the to the south. Drive to the very tip of the peninsula to see the primitive stone “beehive” huts of the early monks and then visit the Gallarus Oratory, built in the 6th century of unmortared stone and watertight after 14 centuries. Then travel along the coast to view Inch Strand, three miles of sandy beach, ideal for bathing, surfing and sea angling. Inch Strand was chosen by David Lean as the beach location for "Ryan's Daughter".

Return to Dingle where you will have some free time to relax before dinner. This evening enjoy dinner and entertainment at Kate Kearney’s Cottage, which is picturesquely situated at the entrance to what must be the most beautiful glaciated valley in Ireland, the Gap of Dunloe. The Irish night consists of a superb meal and traditional entertainment, which includes songs and musicians playing a wide array of instruments along with costumed dancers doing the jig and other traditional sets. OVERNIGHT: TOWN & COUNTRY HOMES, DINGLE

Thu, June 17 HERITAGE CENTER, & Leaving Dingle travel east through the rich farming country of reach to Cobh, the harbor town for large ships. Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which depicts the varied history of emigration from Ireland and many European countries to the United States over the past 150 years. Cobh was the last port of call for the "Titanic" and many liners that carried emigrants to the New World. This informative display is housed in the rail station through which all of the Irish emigrants had to pass. Then drive to Blarney where you may climb to the battlements of to kiss the “Stone of Eloquence.” Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products of all types. Leaving Blarney drive through Tipperary, past the gentle slopes of the Galtee Mountains and stop for photos at the , majestic church ruins which are clustered high on a limestone outcrop overlooking the surrounding countryside. Continue your drive to Kilkenny which is renowned for its massive castle and Rothe House, a medieval merchant's house which is now a museum. Upon arrival check into your hotel and relax before dinner. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: ORMONDE HOTEL, KILKENNY

Fri, June 18 , JERPOINT ABBEY, GRAIGUENAMANAGH & INISTOIGE Today take a guided tour around Kilkenny Castle, home of the Butlers, Earls and Dukes of Ormonde. The castle was first built in 1192 and added to over the centuries. Restored to 1830’s splendor, it houses wonderful paintings and furniture. Then drive south of Kilkenny to visit Jerpoint Abbey, a Cistercian abbey founded in the 12th century. See the church with Romanesque details from this period as well as a tower and cloisters from the 15th century together with detailed carvings. Continue on to visit the town of Graiguenamanagh which is situated on the River Barrow and nestled in a valley with the Blackstair Mountains on one side. Enjoy some free time browse on your own before driving on to Inistioge, a small scenic village situated on the . Inistioge has been the scene for a number of films, most notably Circle of Friends and Widows' Peak. After some free time return to Kilkenny and relax before dinner. This evening enjoy dinner at Kyteler’s Inn, a medieval tavern dating back to 1324, where cut stone, wooden beams and floors and vintage memorabilia create a fashionable and intimate ambience. OVERNIGHT: ORMONDE HOTEL, KILKENNY

Sat, June 19 NATIONAL STUD, GLENDALOUGH & DUNBOYNE Leaving Kilkenny drive to Kildare which is in the heart of Ireland's horse country. A visit to the Irish National Stud will show you the history and current trends of horse-breeding in Ireland. See some of the magnificent horses and learn about horse-breeding. Then take a walk around the Japanese Gardens which were established in 1908 and represent the "Life of Man" from cradle to grave in the traditional Japanese style of gardening. Also see the charming St. Fiachra’s Garden with water features and beehive huts. Then continue your drive southeast to see the 6th century monastic ruins of Glendalough, where the peacefulness of the valley conjures up the spirit of the monks. The Visitor Centre explains how St. Kevin founded this settlement at a time when Christianity was burgeoning throughout Ireland. Today the monks have long gone, leaving the ruins of numerous churches and a round tower. After your visit drive to Dunboyne and check into your hotel. Tonight join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner followed by an evening with a traditional Irish storyteller in the hotel. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: DUNBOYNE CASTLE HOTEL, DUNBOYNE

Sun, June 20 RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES All too soon, your vacation in Ireland has come to the end. Transfer from Dunboyne to Dublin Airport in plenty of time to check in for your flight, clear security and claim your VAT refund. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores. Then clear U.S. Immigration before boarding your aircraft and fly west across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.