IRELAND, ENCHANTED II
Step into a world of enchantment and beauty, where the verdant green landscape astounds and the people captivate your heart. Ireland, a land where warmth and hospitality are a part of the national character and poets are revered as heroes. Join our intimate group as we embark on a full yet carefully paced journey, unveiling the myriad charms of this remarkable country, from the vibrant city of Dublin to the captivating landscapes of Galway, Killarney, and Kilkenny. Experience the perfect blend of Ireland's timeless traditions and contemporary allure as we venture through its picturesque towns and cities, guided by the spirit of exploration.
Program Highlights:
- Dublin, including Trinity College and St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- Magnificent natural beautiful of counties Galway and Kerry: Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Connemara
- Irish sheepdog demonstration
- Beautiful Kylemore Abbey
- Dramatic Aran Islands
- Ring of Kerry
- Historic Muckross House
- Blarney Castle
- Rock of Cashel
- Kilkenny Castle
- Outstanding accommodations that enhance the Irish experience
Price: $5,895 per person, double occupancy, land only
$6,495 per person, double occupancy with economy class round-trip airfare from Charlottesville, VA, plus $597 airline taxes and fees
Other Gateway Cities Are Available
A limited number of single rooms will be available for a supplement of $1,595 to the per person, double occupancy rates.
Kevin K. Gaines is the Julian Bond Professor of Civil Rights and Social Justice, with a joint appointment in the Corcoran Department of History and the Carter G. Woodson Institute for African American and African Studies. The new professorship was created to honor the legacy of Bond, the civil rights champion and former University of Virginia professor.
He is author of Uplifting the Race: Black Leadership, Politics, and Culture During the Twentieth Century (University of North Carolina Press, 1996), which was awarded the American Studies Association’s John Hope Franklin Book Prize. His book, American Africans in Ghana: Black Expatriates and the Civil Rights Era (UNC Press, 2006), was a Choice Outstanding Academic Title. Gaines is a past president of the American Studies Association (2009-10). He was Jazz Director at WBRU-FM in Providence. From 2008 to 2014 he was a member of the advisory board of the Detroit Jazz Festival.
His current book project is The African American Journey: A Global History (forthcoming, Oxford University Press). His next book is on the intellectual projects of African American writers, artists, and activists, interventions that redefined blackness and acknowledged the relationship of structural and ideological forms of racism to economic inequality, patriarchy, and homophobia.
His essays, columns, and reviews on African American history, art, music, literature, and culture have been published in major academic journals, including American Quarterly, The American Historical Review, The Journal of American History, American Literary History, Small Axe, Radical History Review, Social Text, and such newspapers as the New York Times and the Providence Journal. He has lectured at universities throughout the U.S. as well as internationally, in Japan, Korea, England, France, Ghana, South Africa, and Australia.
Depart for an overnight flight to Dublin, Ireland.
We arrive in the intimate, and beautiful, Irish capital today and check in at our hotel located right on St. Stephen’s Green. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
The Shelbourne Dublin
Dinner (D)
This morning’s city tour includes a visit to Trinity College, home of the stunning 8th-century Book of Kells illuminated manuscript; and to St. Patrick’s, the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland. This afternoon we embark on an informal walking tour (led by our tour director), passing some of the haunts and hiding places of Ireland’s beloved literary sons. Dinner tonight is on our own in this enchanting city.
The Shelbourne Dublin
Breakfast (B)
We leave Dublin this morning for Galway in the West, the region some consider to be the “most Irish part of Ireland.” En route we stop for tea and coffee at Tyrrellspass Castle then continue to 6th-century Clonmacnoise, Ireland’s most important early monastic site. Located on the East Side of the River Shannon, the monastery occupied a central position in Ireland. For that reason, it was the chosen burial place of the Kings of Connaught as well as those of Tara, including Rory O’Connor, the last High King of Ireland. At one time, it was also the most illustrious school in Europe, predating many universities. After lunch on our own we resume our journey, reaching Galway City this afternoon. We dine at our hotel located in the village of Bearna just outside the city.
The Twelve Hotel (B,D)
A day of scenic highlights is in store as we travel through western County Galway in the legendary region known as Connemara, a rugged, silent landscape of mountains, glacial lakes, endless roads, and uninhabited bog lands. Our first stop is at beautiful Kylemore Abbey, built as a private home in 1861 and one of Ireland’s most photographed castles. We then continue our tour of this rugged region that offers spectacular views of the Twelve Ben Mountains on one side and the pounding sea on the other, returning to our Galway hotel late this afternoon. Tonight, we enjoy dinner together, with traditional Irish entertainment. The Twelve Hotel
(B,D)
Today we embark on an excursion to Inishmore, the largest of the fabled Aran Islands, whose unique culture and history have been an inspiration to artists, writers, and filmmakers. Sitting across Galway Bay in the midst of the Atlantic, the islands feature primitive stone forests, early Christian churches, and medieval castles – as well as shops, galleries, and restaurants. An islander guides our tour here, imparting local lore along the way. We stop at Dun Aenghus Fortress, the three prehistoric stone walls crowning the tallest cliffs of Inishmore; have lunch in a local pub; and enjoy some free time before returning to the mainland and our hotel late this afternoon. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant in the village of Bearna.
The Twelve Hotel
(B,L,D)
Another day of breathtaking scenery as we leave Galway for Killarney, traveling south along the fabled coastline of County Clare. We pass through the Burren, the 116-square-mile “rocky place” of craggy gray karst (limestone) formations that stretch endlessly in all directions. Then we visit the Cliffs of Moher, the majestic flat-topped “mountains” that rise vertically from the sea for five miles from north to south. After lunch on our own here, we cross by ferry into County Kerry, reaching Killarney in beautiful Killarney National Park late this afternoon. This evening we enjoy dinners with local families.
Killarney Royal Hotel
(B,D)
Our exploration of this attractive town, founded as a resort in the 18th century, begins with a jaunting cart ride from the center of town to 15th-century Ross Castle, the last stronghold to fall to Oliver Cromwell’s forces in 1652. Then we travel by boat to Muckross House, a 19th-century Elizabethan-style manor, which showcases the art and craft of bookbinding, pottery, and weaving. We tour the elegantly furnished rooms, as well as the informal garden, with it’s lush rhododendrons, and the rock garden, with its collection of rolling dwarf conifers. Lunch is on our own here before we return to Killarney mid-afternoon. Dinner tonight is on our own in this charming town.
Killarney Royal Hotel (B)
Today we experience one of Ireland’s most popular attractions, the stunning mountain and coastal scenery of the Ring of Kerry, a 110-mile route connecting Dingle, Iveragh, and Beara peninsulas. This is the Ireland of postcards and pictures, with tiny villages dotting the breathtaking landscape; we stop in one of them for an Irish sheepdog demonstration and in another for lunch. We also drive through the village of Waterville, home to the famed golf links, before heading back to Killarney. We dine together tonight at our hotel.
Killarney Royal Hotel
(B,L,D)
On our way to Kilkenny this morning we stop in the small town of Blarney to visit the ruins of the 15th-century castle, with its celebrated Blarney Stone believed to bestow the “gift of gab” on those who kiss it. We also visit the Blarney Woolen Mills, housing an excellent selection of Irish crafts as well as knits and woolens of all kinds. After lunch on our own in Blarney, we continue to the Rock of Cashel, the celebrated – and beloved – archaeological complex (c. 432 CE) of medieval ruins atop a limestone outcropping that presides over the surrounding plain. Late this afternoon we return to Kilkenny and our hotel, where we dine tonight.
Pembroke Hotel
(B,D)
Today is devoted to Kilkenny, a well-preserved medieval city known as Ireland’s cultural capital – and the country’s smallest city. We tour 12th-century Kilkenny Castle, considered one of the country’s most beautiful, then embark on an informal walking tour of Kilkenny itself, noting the many buildings of “black” or Kilkenny marble, quarried locally. After lunch together at a local pub, the remainder of the day is at leisure. The city offers the Kilkenny Crafts Trail to guide visitors to the best of the jewelers, potters, glassblowers, ceramicists, and wood and ironworkers who live and work here – in the center of Ireland’s artisan and handcraft industries. Kilkenny also boasts other important historic and architectural sites, including ancient monuments, monastic settlements, old country homes, and burial sites.
Pembroke Hotel
(B,L)
We leave Kilkenny this morning for a final visit to Dublin, where we tour fascinating EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum depicting 1,500 years of Irish history in an interactive environment. Mid-afternoon we reach our hotel outside Dublin; tonight we celebrate our adventure over a farewell dinner.
Barberstown Castle Hotel
(B,D)
We leave this morning for the Dublin airport and our return flights to the United States.
(B)
4 days/3 nights $1,395 per person, double occupancy
Single supplement: $295
Included in Extension Price: Round-trip private motorcoach or van transportation Dublin/Belfast; 3 nights’ accommodation: 2 nights in Belfast at Fitzwilliam Hotel (Deluxe); 1 night in Dublin at Carlton Hotel Dublin Airport (Superior First Class); 7 meals: 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners; Extensive sightseeing including Belfast, Antrim Coast (Giant’s Causeway UNESCO site, Bushmills Distillery, Carrick-a-rede Bridge), new Titanic Museum in Belfast; Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director; Gratuities for dining room servers, airport and hotel porters.
- The Shelbourne Dublin – 2 nights
- The Twelve Hotel – 3 nights
- Killarney Royal Hotel – 3 nights
- Pembroke Hotel – 2 nights
- Barberstown Castle Hotel – 1 night
Meals
- 22 meals: 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 8 dinners
$5,895 per person, double occupancy, land only
$6,495 per person, double occupancy with economy class round-trip airfare from Charlottesville, VA, plus $597 airline taxes and fees
Other Gateway Cities Are Available
A limited number of single rooms will be available for a supplement of $1,595 to the per person, double occupancy rates.
Business Class upgrade (subject to availability) on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight: $3,595 per person from Newark and Washington, DC.
Price includes: Round-trip air transportation from specific cities; 11 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe and Superior First Class hotels; extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees; services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director; private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip; luggage handling for one bag per person; gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers.
Price Does not include: Airfare and airport transfers when purchasing a Land Only package; airfare from your hometown to your departure city; costs of passports and visas; immunizations and inoculations; personal expenses such as beverages, laundry, room service, and meals not specified; communication charges; optional sightseeing; gratuities to your Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director, which are at your discretion (suggested gratuities: $10–$15 per traveler, per day); and travel protection insurance. Additional baggage fees may apply and are subject to change at any time. You should confirm directly with your airline(s) prior to departure.
Ready to register? The best way to do this is by phone so that we can ensure we are meeting all of your needs. Please call us at 866-765-2646 or e-mail cavaliertravels@virginia.edu with your contact information and the best time to reach you.
A deposit of $500 per person (a $200 service fee is non-refundable) is required to reserve your spot. Final invoicing will be done approximately 110 days prior to departure. Final payment is due 95 days prior to departure (July 14, 2024).
Your reservation is not confirmed until your deposit is paid and processed. Payment may be made by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or VISA, or by personal check. If paying by check, please make check payable to our tour operator, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc.
Odysseys Unlimited, Inc., reserves the right to cancel any reservations that are not paid in full at any time after final payment is due. If you make your reservation after the final payment date, payment in full will be required upon reservation.
Early registration is encouraged as space is limited.
Please read this information carefully, as payment of a refundable $500 deposit per person represents your acceptance of the following Terms and Conditions.
Cavalier Travels reserves the right to use photos that might include you in marketing materials and for other purposes unless you specify otherwise.
Payment Schedule: A deposit of $500 per person (a $200 service fee is non-refundable) confirms your reservation. The balance of your invoice is due 95 days (July 14, 2024) before departure.
Cancellation, Refunds, and Changes: If you must cancel your trip, the effective date of cancellation will be upon the University of Virginia’s receipt of your notification. Refunds for cancellations are subject to the following per person charges: cancel 95 days or more before departure: $200 charge; cancel 94-65 days before departure: 25% of tour price; cancel 64-45 days before departure: 50% of tour price; cancel 44-30 days before departure: 75% of tour price; cancel 29-0 days before departure: no refund. If you make any changes to your reservation from 94 to 30 days prior to departure, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. will apply a $100 per person administrative fee, in addition to any fees or penalties imposed by third parties. Changes are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. If your reservation changes from double occupancy to single occupancy for any reason, you will be charged the single supplement. No changes are allowed within 30 days of departure.
Upon reservation, you must provide your full legal name as it appears on your passport, as well as your date of birth and gender. In the event an airline ticket is issued with incorrect information you have provided, you will be responsible for charges associated with the ticket’s reissue.
Responsibility: The liability of the University of Virginia, as sponsor, and Odysseys Unlimited, Inc., as tour operator, is strictly limited. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. purchases transportation, hotel accommodations, and restaurant and other services from independent suppliers not under our control. We serve only as agents for these suppliers in securing tour arrangements, and therefore will not accept responsibility for wrongful, negligent, or arbitrary acts or omissions of these independent contractors, or of their employees, agents, servants, or representatives. The University of Virginia and Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. are not liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, or delay that may be caused by events not within our control, including, without limitation, acts of terrorism, war, strikes, the defect of any vehicle, or the negligence or default of any third party. All coupons, receipts, and tickets issued are subject to the terms and conditions specified by the air carriers, cruise lines, and other independent suppliers. We will make every effort to operate our tours as planned, but we reserve the right to make itinerary changes as necessary. If unforeseen circumstances require us to change a hotel, we will select alternative accommodations of the same or better quality.
Health and Medical Issues: We request that you be in good health to participate in this University of Virginia tour. There is a considerable amount of walking, and you must be able to get on and off motorcoaches on your own. We regret that we cannot offer individual assistance; in such cases you must be accompanied by a companion who will assist you. Please note that many of our itineraries, for reasons beyond our control, cannot accommodate wheelchairs. Please call or e-mail us to inquire and we will do our best to answer any questions you may have. We reserve the right to remove anyone whose physical or mental condition, in our opinion, compromises the operation of the tour or detracts from the enjoyment or safety of the other passengers. In that event, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and the University of Virginia assume no financial responsibility for any unused portion of the tour.
Air Transportation – Important Information: Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. includes in its tour price round-trip economy air from designated gateway cities, and contracts with those airlines the company feels provide the level of service, routings, and value necessary for your entire trip. While another airline may offer a more direct connection, it may be at a price unavailable at the lower group rates. You will receive your preliminary air schedule approximately 2½ months prior to departure. Please note that seat assignment on your international flight is usually done at airport check-in. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. is unable to guarantee any seat assignments. Due to the nature of tour operator tickets, other restrictions apply, including, but not limited to, frequent flyer mileage accrual, stopovers, alternate travel dates, upgrades, and airline taxes and fees. If you prefer to make your own travel arrangements, Land Only is available on most tours. Since international and domestic air schedules are subject to change at any time, we recommend that if you choose to make your own airline reservations, you do not purchase non-refundable tickets or those with high penalties for changes. If you choose to make your own air arrangements, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. shall not have any liability for any loss resulting from cancellation of this tour or changes in this tour.