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Avanti Destinations
OFFER ID 1523520
Silver Screen on Emerald Green
Ireland, the "Emerald Isle," has some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe, which is why it's often been selected for movie locations: "Braveheart," "Far and Away," "The Quiet Man" and "Ryan's Daughter" have all been filmed here. Most recently, the HBO series "Game of Thrones" has used several locations in Northern Ireland. Explore some of these filming locations and other spectacular scenery with this self-drive program.
Includes:
7 nights | Call for pricing
Avanti Destinations: Silver Screen on Emerald Green
Day 1 Dublin
Arrive in lively Dublin to experience the energy of this vibrant, cosmopolitan city, home to Guinness and the Book of Kells. Ireland’s capital brims with the banter of Irish culture, further energized by its many talented buskers and street performers. Add to this a compelling history and rich heritage, and Dublin provides you with an abundance of opportunities to experience and explore. Today you’ll visit the Guinness Storehouse, the main visitors’ center for the brewery, complete with a history museum, souvenir shop, and tasting room.
Centrally Located Hotel In Dublin,
Day 2 Dublin, Belfast
This morning pick up your rental car and head northwards to visit Trim Castle, used to film several scenes from “Braveheart.” Continue on to Bru no Bóinne and Newgrange—two large Neolithic tombs, built some 5,000 years ago. Traveling north, head for Downpatrick, the burial place of St. Patrick, Ireland’s Patron Saint. Then visit Castle Ward, used for filming “Game of Thrones” Series One. Continue on to Belfast for the night.
Centrally Located Hotel In Belfast, (B)
Day 3 Belfast
This morning enjoy a panoramic tour of Belfast City. See some of the landmark sites such as City Hall and Queens University. Visit The Titanic Belfast Experience; a dramatic, innovative and exciting presentation of the real story of the Titanic. This state-of-the-art exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the life of the Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, to her famous maiden voyage and tragic end. In the afternoon travel from Belfast to the northeast shores of Lough Neagh and Shane’s Castle. Built in 1345 by a member of the royal house of O’Neill, the castle ruins and its 2600-acre estate near Randalstown was the scene of extensive filming for the Game of Thrones series. Outside the village of Ballygally lies Cairncastle, the location for many other scenes from Game of Thrones. Return to Belfast.
Centrally Located Hotel In Belfast, (B)
Day 4 Belfast, Ballycastle
This morning leave Belfast and travel towards the picturesque town of Glenarm on the north Antrim coastline, the setting of many Game of Thrones scenes. Time permitting, pay a visit to Steensons Jewellers in the village, producer of many of the jewels featured in the hit TV series. Continue on along the Antrim coastline enjoying the spectacular views, rolling hills and scenic villages. Next visit Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. One of Northern Ireland’s most famous landmarks, the bridge is suspended across a 66 foot chasm between the mainland and the tiny Carrick Island, with a 75 foot drop to the water below.
Centrally Located Hotel In Ballycastle, (B)
Day 5 Ballycastle, Derry
Today you’ll visit the Giants Causeway—a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of a network of 40,000 basalt columns projecting into the ocean. The Causeway forms several miles of Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal route. Later, visit Bushmills Distillery, one of the world’s oldest whisky distilleries.
Centrally Located Hotel In Derry, (B, D)
Day 6 Derry, Donegal
This morning enjoy a walking tour of the walled city of Derry. Leaving Derry you will travel to Donegal, where you can visit Glenveagh National Park and Glenveagh Castle. Situated in the Northwest of County Donegal, Glenveagh encompasses some 40,000 acres in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains. Drive by the nearby Glenties, where Brian Friel’s play “Dancing at Lughnasa” was filmed.
Centrally Located Hotel In Donegal, (B)
Day 7 Donegal, Dublin
This morning you begin your return journey to Dublin. Drive south through the Fermanagh Lake District to visit Castle Coole, a magnificent 18-th century mansion and landscape park. The castle is one of Ireland’s finest Neo-classical houses. Nearby visit Marble Arch Caves, one of Europe’s finest show caves with a natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls, winding passages and lofty chambers. Continue on to Dublin for the last night of your tour.
Centrally Located Hotel In Dublin, (B)
Day 8 Dublin
Bid Ireland goodbye and set out for home…or continue on to your next Avanti adventure!
Centrally Located Hotel In Dublin, (B)
Belfast - Tour of Antrim Coast - Full Day Tour
Belfast: Cultural Belfast - 8 hours
Belfast may be a small city, but it has a wealth of culture and excitement on offer for you to discover! Firstly, visit the purpose-built iconic ‘Titanic Belfast’. With over nine galleries, the Titanic story is brought to life for you with exhibitions, rides, full-scale reconstructions and lots
of interactive fun.
After a hearty Irish lunch (payable locally) head into Belfast city where your guide unravels stories related to “the troubles” of Northern Ireland. You cannot miss the murals across Belfast that offer a fascinating history in pictures. Although huge strides have been made in the fight to combat sectarianism in the city, the marks of the past can still be witnessed across the city, adorning the sides of buildings and walls. A tour of Belfast wouldn’t be complete without enjoying a pint of Guinness at the famous Crown Bar in the city centre. This 19th-century bar is an experience that is unique to Northern Ireland. You are privately transferred back to board your cruise after your tour.
Highlights:
Belfast: Highlights of Belfast - 6 hours
Today you are met by your expert local guide for a sightseeing in Belfast and the surrounding area. Spend the morning on a panoramic tour of the city centre, where you see the impressive City Hall in Donegall Square, St. Anne’s Cathedral and the buildings of Queen’s University. During this tour, your guide talks to you about the sectarian divisions that have been so prominent in Belfast in recent years. You also visit the Titanic Quarter, so-called as it was here that the ill-fated liner was being constructed a century ago. Your guide shows you where the ship was constructed and the Thomson Dock where it had its final fit-out.
Highlights:
Dublin: Highlights of Dublin City - 8 hours
Ireland, known affectionately as the “the Emerald Isle” is renowned for its excellent hospitality and you can be assured of a warm welcome by your guide and driver, who will meet you at the port. Discover the history, literary heritage and culture that lies behind Dublin’s elegant Georgian architecture and famous landmarks, during your full-day tour.
Founded in the 16th-century, Trinity College is Ireland's oldest university and holds the Book of Kells, a greatly treasured example of early Irish manuscript illumination. History lovers may opt to visit the nearby Treasury of the National Museum or EPIC - the interactive museum commemorating the emigration of 10 million Irish. For those interested in art, the National Gallery houses a superb collection.
Afterwards make a lunchtime pit stop at the Guinness Storehouse, where you learn how a pint of the world-famous Guinness is created. The heart of the building is modelled on a giant pint glass, which would hold approximately 14 million pints of Guinness beer if filled! Enjoy a complimentary pint of Guinness in the Gravity Bar, which boast 360-degree views of the capital.
Complete your touring this afternoon, with a visit to St. Patrick's Cathedral, the largest church in Ireland and final resting place of Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels. Here, take a guided tour of the impressive staterooms which are a longtime symbol of British rule in Ireland, before being transferred back to your ship.
Highlights:
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
Dublin - Dublin City & Powerscourt - Full Day Tour
Upon arrival in Dublin Port, you will meet with your private driver/guide and transfer directly to Powerscourt House & Gardens in Co. Wicklow
This stunning 18th Century Stately home comprises extensive gardens, which are open to the public; as is the Main House. There is a lovely restaurant in the house, overlooking the gardens and Wicklow Mountains, which offers the finest in Irish artisan, home cooked cuisine. The 34,000 acres of this estate extend along both shores of the River Dargle . Powerscourt is one of the finest properties in Europe, designed and laid out by Daniel Robertson between 1745 and 1767. This property is filled with splendid Greek and Italian-inspired statuary, decorative ironwork, a petrified-moss grotto, lovely herbaceous borders, a Japanese garden, a circular pond and fountain with statues of winged horses, and an occasional herd of deer. Opportunity for shopping at Avoca Handweavers now located in Powerscourt House. Enjoy lunch here at Powerscourt or at a traditional Irish pub in the city centre.
Upon your return from Powerscourt Estate, your private driver guide will take you on your tour of Dublin City.
Whilst Dublin is a vibrant and bustling city, by European standards it is a small city with a population of just over 1 million people. Much of Dublin’s streetscapes are adorned with beautiful 18th century townhouses and a number of city parks, such as St. Stephen’s Green and indeed Merrion Square. The highlights of any tour in Dublin may include a visit to Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse… and –if time permits –St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Following the city tour, your driver will return you to your ship.
Inclusions
Dublin: An Introduction to Dublin - 4 hours
Disembark for a city adventure this morning accompanied by your expert guide and driver. Your tour of Dublin begins with the impressive Trinity College; Ireland's oldest university. Explore the Old Library, which houses 200,000 antiquarian texts and the oldest surviving harp in Ireland. Here you will see the world-famous Book of Kells; a fabulous example of early Irish manuscript illumination. Hand-crafted by monks, it contains the four gospels and has been resident at Trinity College since the 17th century. Continue to St. Patrick's Cathedral, the largest church in Ireland, where you have the opportunity to see a memorial to Jonathan Swift, the author of 'Gulliver's Travels', who became Dean of St. Patrick's in 1713. Afterwards you are transferred back to port.
Highlights:
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
Swain's Travel, Inc.
35 Old South Road
Nantucket, MA 02554
Monday thru Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Weekends and evenings by appointment
© Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved. Swain's Travel, Inc.
Affiliated with Preferred Travel of Naples
Florida Seller of Travel: FL35159