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TOURS >> BRITISH ISLES AND IRELAND > Irish Explorer 

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COSMOS TOURS
Irish Explorer 
10 Day Tour
Irish Explorer by Cosmos Tours

Your Travel Package Includes

SIGHTSEEING:
Visits to Hill of Tara, Boyle, Sligo, W.B.Yeats’ burial place, Donegal town
Knock, Galway, Adare, Killarney, Blarney, Tramore
handweaving mill at Avoca, Glendalough

Scenic highlights:
Boyne Valley, The Burren and Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, 
Ring of Kerry and Lakes of Killarney, Wicklow Mountains 
Orientation drives in Dublin and Limerick

GUIDES: Local guides for visits to Belleek pottery factory, Derry, Waterford Crystal factory; service of a professional tour director in Ireland

TRANSPORTATION: Scheduled transatlantic flights and airport transfers in Dublin if Cosmos issues the tickets
 

HOTELS: Listed below or equivalent. Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges

COSMOS HOTELS
DUBLIN Jurys Custom House Inn (F), SLIGO Southern (ST), ENNIS Auburn Lodge (F), KILLARNEY Killarney Court (F), TRAMORE Grand (ST), DUBLIN Jurys Montrose (F)

MEALS: 8 full Irish breakfasts (FB); 4 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus and coffee

OPTIONALS: Choice of optional excursions at reasonable prices to customize your own experience. Please find a detailed list in your travel documents


ITINERARY


Day 1 , Tue. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2 ARRIVAL IN DUBLIN, IRELAND. Check into your hotel. At 3 p.m. meet your traveling companions for an afternoon orientation drive through statue-lined O’Connell Street and elegant Georgian squares to Phoenix Park, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College. Your tour director will have some suggestions for dining tonight.

Day 3 DUBLIN-SLIGO. On your first day in the Irish countryside discover why this is known as the "Emerald Isle." Motor north through history-steeped landscapes, with Ireland’s typical round towers and ruined castles, to the legendary Hill of Tara. See mighty Trim Castle, then across the River Boyne and via the agricultural and angling center of Mullingar to Longford, the county capital. On the way to Sligo take your pictures at scenic Carrick-on-Shannon and the Cistercian abbey ruins at Boyle. (FB,D)

Day 4 SLIGO. NORTHERN IRELAND EXCURSION. At Drumcliff see the grave of the native son and poet, W.B.Yeats, then step across the border into Northern Ireland to visit the Belleek pottery factory, renowned for its exquisite cream-colored Parian china. Then follow the route through Omagh to the fascinating city of Derry where a walking tour with a local guide takes in the old city walls and St. Columb’s Cathedral. In the afternoon shop for hand-knitted woollen goods in Donegal town. (FB,D)

Day 5 SLIGO-ENNIS. South to Knock, a village that attracts pilgrims from all over the world since the townsfolk saw apparitions, and Galway, a vibrant city with a great seafaring tradition, where you hear about the infamous Lynch Stone commemorating the day Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen hanged his son for murder. Cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher. Tonight a chance to attend an optional banquet at Knappogue Castle. (FB)

Day 6 ENNIS-DINGLE PENINSULA-KILLARNEY. This morning’s orientation drive in Limerick acquaints you with King John’s Castle and the Stone where the Treaty of Limerick was signed in 1691. Then via Adare, a village known for its prize-winning thatched cottages. Breathtaking scenery this afternoon on the Dingle Peninsula, where the 32-mile Slea Head drive affords magnificent vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, then pass miles of white sandy beaches, setting for the film Ryan’s Daughter. The next two nights are spent in the popular resort of Killarney. (FB,D)

Day 7 KILLARNEY. RING OF KERRY EXCURSION. At Killorglin join the road known as the "Ring of Kerry" for a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive: sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation and spectacular views of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Back in Killarney, a special optional adventure: take a horse-drawn jaunting car to see Muckross House with its lovely gardens. Tonight enjoy the optional outing to Tralee for dinner, and a performance at Siamsa Tire, Ireland’s National Folk Theatre. (FB)

Day 8 KILLARNEY-WATERFORD-TRAMORE. More scenic splendor as you head over the Kerry Mountains into County Cork. Stop in Blarney, famous for its Stone of Eloquence, with time at your leisure to see the castle, and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. After lunch drive past Cork, the country’s second-largest city. Youghal and Dungarvan are further milestones on your way to Waterford, where a visit to the world-famous Waterford Crystal factory is included. Spend the night at the nearby seaside resort of Tramore. An optional pub tour might be fun this evening? (FB,D)

Day 9 TRAMORE-DUBLIN. Highlights on your northbound journey: Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798; a visit to Ireland’s oldest handweaving mill at Avoca; views of the Wicklow Mountains; finally Glendalough with its ruins of a center of Irish Christianity founded by St. Kevin. After arriving back in Dublin, why not celebrate the success of your tour with an optional Irish dinner and cabaret show? (FB)

Day 10 YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (FB)


COSMOS TOURS
Irish Explorer 
10 Day Tour
Cosmos Tours EUROPE
From $1020USD
(Less Discount)

Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. 
Offer subject to availability and change without notice.

PLEASE CLICK
Dates and Rates!
Certain restrictions may apply. Airfares are based on departure from New York.
Actual rate quotes may vary however IN MOST CASES our rates will be 
below the listed published rates.
For year 2008, departures are subject to itinerary and price modifications.
 
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Click here for MORE COSMOS TOUR PROGRAMS!
OR CALL US AT
1-877-510-4653


Requesting Availability
We will check your requested tour program and accommodations  for the date range that you may specify in the boxes below and reply back to you as soon as possible. Of course the more information that you can provide us, the closer we will be in matching your exact request(s). We will not knowingly sell or pass along your information that you provide to any third party for any reason (see Liabilities and Privacy Policy).

We are available to answer your inquiries in person Monday - Friday (except holidays) from 8:30am until 5:30pm CST (1-877-510-4653). We are available from time to time on the weekends via email to answer your questions. Our typical response time for your email request ranges from 3 hours to as many as 72 depending upon the availability of onsite resourses and those of the tour companies and resorts/lodging establishments, as well as, any variations you may request from our listed programs. For those inquirers requesting a trip within two weeks, we will give you a priority due to your need to establish an immediate plan. At any rate, we will respond to your requests as quickly as possible and as soon as we have all components of your package confirmable. All tour program rates are based upon double occupancy unless otherwise specified.

Thank you for your request!
We look forward to serving your travel needs and wants!

REQUEST RATES, AVAILABILITY AND OTHER INFORMATION HERE


You can afford to see the World with COSMOS
Irish Explorer by Cosmos Tours
YOUR FULL NAME: 
 HOW MANY IN YOUR PARTY?: # of Adults: # of Children:
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POST/ZIP CODE:     COUNTRY: 
Please advise us of your requested date(s), closest airport(s) of departure and any additional information that will assist us in planning your tour in the box below:
OPTIONAL ADVISORY LIST:
If you are interested in receiving updates on special departures, seasonal discounts, and special sales discount offers please check the following boxes that would apply:
EUROPE ASIA
S. PACIFIC AFRICA
NORTH AMERICA CENT. AMERICA
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-By Tour/Cruise Company(s)
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ALL ABOUT HAWAII
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Notes regarding How We Will Handle Your Request and Your Privacy:
Your request will be handled by a responsible and knowledgeable tour specialist that can not only check availability for this particular tour but can further advise you as to other general quiries that you may have about traveling conditions, passport/visa requirements, immunization requirements and other valuable information that you may need before making a reservation. We are a full service travel company and we have always catered to the individual traveler and his/her specific needs. We want to get to know you as a valued friend in travel. We are always available with our email service but you may feel free to call upon us if you have an immediate request at 1-817-481-9887.

Humans still do it best!

Your Privacy is also very important to us. If you elected to be listed with us in the above Optional Advisory List then, you will be added to our maillist for the particular area(s) of interest that you have selected to be informed about. If you do not elect to be on our maillist, simply do not complete that section and we will not add you to our list. We will not add you to any other maillist either. We do not sell or otherwise pass along any information that you may provide to to us in the process of completing your inquiry. For further information on your privacy please see Liabilities and Privacy Policy.

A Smart Way to Go
More than three decades ago Cosmos pioneered the idea of quality value travel to Europe. Since then we've developed and refined the concept of vacation packages. Over a million people have come back to us for a second or third vacation...or more!

Our clients' repeat business is the best testimony to the incredible value and experience we offer.

If you've never taken a package vacation, consider this: Traveling with Cosmos is less expensive, more comfortable, and far easier than going it alone. Our volume contracting for hotels and services provides you with travel at wholesale prices. A Cosmos package is carefully planned to make the best possible use of your time.

Our team of experts has refined our itineraries to combine the must-see sights with significant time on your own, offering more choice and flexibility. You can travel relaxed and hassle-free, knowing that we've taken care of all the details.

Once you've discovered the special advantages of traveling with Cosmos, you'll never want to travel any other way again. Cosmos is "A Smart Way To Go."

Cosmos Takes Care of Your Hotels
Where you stay makes all the difference

After a day's traveling you want to relax at a comfortable, clean, and attractive hotel. We have chosen hotels with the best rooms, service, and food for the money. Of course, they vary as different countries have different standards. However, we ensure that everywhere you get the best available in cleanliness and comfort.

Cosmos hotels are always located in good neighborhoods, some more centrally and others in residential areas. Especially in large cities we sometimes prefer good hotels in residential areas on the outskirts to less desirable or overpriced downtown hotels.

Rooms at all our hotels include private facilities: private bath or shower and a toilet.

Triple rooms are usually no larger than twin rooms and the third bed is often a roll-away bed put into a twin-bedded room just for the night.

Cosmos specifies your hotels

Our hotels are mainly superior tourist-class (ST) and tourist-class (T) establishments, but we also feature some first-class (F) hotels. Cosmos hotel ratings follow standards set by the independent Official Hotel Guide (OHG) or by national tourist boards. The specific rating for each contract hotel is determined by our quality controllers.

We reserve the right to substitute hotels listed on the tour pages with hotels of equivalent standard. With your Cosmos travel documents you'll receive a list of hotel addresses, telephone numbers, and fax numbers for your tour. 
 

Stretch Your Vacation Dollars
Value-packed vacations at bargain prices

With Cosmos, a company that specializes in package travel arrangements, you'll visit the world without spending a fortune. Because all our buying power is devoted to package travel, our clout with suppliers is powerfully concentrated -- and we pass the savings on to you with affordable vacation packages for every budget.
Singles save with "guaranteed share" rates

More than one-third of all people traveling with Cosmos are traveling independently. We therefore accept reservations on a "guaranteed share" basis. We charge singles the basic price and match up singles of the same gender in twin-bedded rooms. For mutual comfort we adopt a no-smoking rule in shared rooms. "Guaranteed shares" are not available for extra nights before or after your tour, on tours with overnight trains, or on train or cruise extensions.

If we cannot find a roommate for a traveler who has booked on a "guaranteed share" basis, we'll absorb the single room supplement, and that traveler will be accommodated in a single room at no extra charge.

Of course we do offer single rooms when available to those who prefer to travel solo and pay the single supplement.

Triple room reduction

Cosmos grants a reduction to three people who travel together and share the same accommodation. Triple room reductions, when available, are listed in the Dates ? Prices box on the tour page.

A word of caution: Triple rooms usually are no larger than twin rooms, and the third bed, if there is one, is often a rollaway bed put in a twin-bedded room for the night.
Discount for young tour members

Cosmos grants a 10 percent discount on the land tour price to travelers who are under 18 years old on the tour departure date, provided they are accompanied by an adult. We do not accept children under eight on our tours because we have found that they are too young to enjoy these vacations. 


Take a vacation from worry.

You're planning your annual vacation, or the vacation of a lifetime. Either way you don't want to think about canceling or interrupting your trip. Or getting sick. Or losing your luggage.

We know these things happen and we provide travelers peace of mind with a Travel Protection Plan.
North America  Europe
$69 for Tours Up to $1,000  $79 for Tours Up to $1,000
$79 for Tours Over $1,000  $99 for Tours Over $1,000

Travel Arrangement Protection - Part A

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection up to $10,000

Should you cancel or interrupt your Cosmos travel package due to a covered injury, sickness, death — your own, or that of a Traveling Companion, or of a member of the Immediate Family — or for Other Covered Events as defined, you (in the case of your death, your estate) will be reimbursed up to $10,000: 1) for cancellation charges imposed by Cosmos and/or by any airline that provided direct flight connections to join your Cosmos travel package, if you cancel prior to departure; or, 2) the unused, non-refundable land portion of your Cosmos travel package costs and the additional transport charges paid to return home or to rejoin your original Cosmos travel package (limited to the cost of economy one-way airfare by scheduled carrier, from the point of destination to the point of origin shown on your original travel tickets) if you must interrupt your trip after departure.

Delayed Arrival and Missed Connection Coverage up to $1,000

Should you miss a scheduled flight or your land tour departure because of delay or a public conveyance due to inclement weather, mechanical breakdown, or strike that affects public transportation, you will be reimbursed up to $1,000 for the cost of the extra fare paid to join your Cosmos travel package (limited to the cost of the most economical air or service transport available). Airline-required legal minimum connection times must be observed and the scheduled time between arrival at the tour departure city and the land tour departure must be four hours or longer.

Upgrade Protection up to $1,000

Should your Traveling Companion cancel or interrupt a Cosmos travel package due to a covered injury, sickness, death or for Other Covered Events, you will be reimbursed up to $1,000 for Cosmos charges to change your hotel accommodation for twin to single occupancy (or from triple to twin).

Trip Delay Protection up to $1,000

Should you interrupt a Cosmos travel package due to a covered injury or sickness suffered by you or a Traveling Companion, you will be reimbursed up to $1,000 for accommodations and meals. Coverage begins 12 hours after the tour departs the location where you are detained. There is a maximum limit of $100 per day.

Travel Insurance Benefits - Part B

Baggage and Travel Documents up to $2,500
Pays for items lost, stolen or broken on your trip. Includes borrowed or rented property. Restrictions may apply; please refer to your coverage certificate.
Baggage Delay up to $250
Pays for the purchase of essential items if your bags are delayed for more than 24 hours.
Sickness Medical Expense up to $10,000
Pays sickness medical expenses with no daily limits or deductibles.
Accident Medical Expense up to $10,000
Pays accident medical expenses with no daily limits or deductibles.
Dental Expense up to $1,000
Pays emergency dental expenses with no daily limits or deductibles.
Emergency Medical Transportation up to $15,000
Pays evacuation and transportation expenses as directed by a doctor to the nearest adequate medical facility or home.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment up to $25,000
Pays for direct accidental death or dismemberment 24 hours a day while you are on your trip.
Repatriation up to $15,000
Pays for reasonable and necessary services for transportation of the insured's remains to his or her place of residence.
Flight Accident up to $100,000
Coverage for accidents that occur when traveling on a regularly scheduled flight or charter.
Travel Guard® Assistance

Emergency assistance for your peace of mind anywhere in the world!

• Advancement of funds to cover emergency medical expenses on your trip.

• Telephone interpretation in major languages.

• Assistance with replacement of travel documents.

• Help in locating local doctors, dentists, or medical facilities

24-hour Livetravel Assistance New Feature!

Livetravel — 24-hour hotline to make emergency travel changes, such as rebooking flights, hotel reservations, tracking lost luggage and more!
Live Messaging — relay of e-mail or phone message to family, friends or business associates.
Pre-trip Travel Advice — around-the-clock access to passport, visa, inoculation and vaccine requirements; travel advisories; embassy and consulate contacts; travel health advisories; weather and currency information — all for your planned destination.
Emergency Cash Transfer — assistance in coordinating an emergency cash advance.
Waiver of Pre-existing Medical Conditions
The pre-existing medical conditions exclusion is waived if insurance is purchased within 24 hours of initial trip deposit.
Exclusions apply. Please refer to your Certificate of Insurance for complete details.
 

Travel Protection Plus

For those who have selected the Travel Protection Plan on their booking, we will provide the option to purchase our Travel Protection Plus Plan, at an additional cost of only $20.00* per person. Once this coverage has been selected, Globus and Cosmos will allow you to cancel your vacation up to 24 hours (or the prior business day, whichever is farther out) before the scheduled departure for any reason.

If the reason for the cancellation is covered under the normal Travel Protection Plan provisions, the passenger should file a claim with the plan's administrator, Travel Guard 1-866-729-5220, for the penalty retained. In the event the reason for the cancellation is not covered, the cancellation penalty as retained by Globus or Cosmos will be reimbursed in the form of Travel Certificates (less the Travel Protection Plan premium and the Plus supplement). The certificates are non-refundable, non-transferable and will be valid for one year from the date of the originally confirmed departure date.

The standard Travel Protection Plan premium and the $20.00* supplement for the Plus Plan are non-refundable. This supplement must be added and confirmed on the booking within the original deposit period of the booking. The Travel Protection Plus Plan does not cover penalties associated with air not purchased through Globus and Cosmos or cancellation made within 24 hours (or the prior business day, whichever is farther out).

Special Offers
Cosmos is happy to be part of AARP Privileges' growing list member benefits. When you choose a guided travel package, Cosmos can help you see the world as you've never seen it before. AARP members save $25 per person on any travel package.
Choose your destination.
  • If you are 50 or older and want more information on becoming an AARP member visit www.AARP.org.
  • To receive the discount, a current AARP membership number must be provided.
Not valid for residents of the Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United Kingdom. Price listed is in U.S. Dollars. Offer valid for AARP members only. Additional restrictions may apply. Restrictions and conditions apply.
GLOBUS TOURS and COSMOS TOURS are a member of

If you like the above tour program, you may also want to view 
the following programs for comparison:
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European Introduction From St Pauls to St Peters Europe's Highlights 
The Best of Europe The Grand European European Spree
The Aurelian Imperial Splendors Essential Europe
Heart of Europe Hidden Treasures of Europe Central Europe
From theThames to the Tiber Scenic Delights The Popular 
European Escapade Continental Odyssey TraditionalGrand European
Europe In Depth A Tale of Five Cities   

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A Taste of Britain The Best of Southern England Scenic England
Southern England and West Country British Heritage Britain In Depth
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Best of Germany Grand Tour of Switzerland The Legendary Danube
Munich, Salzburg and Vienna Best of Switzerland Best of Austria and Switzerland
Switzerland and Austria Alpine Countries The Danube River Aboard the Magnificent 'M/S River Cloud'
The Best of Italy Southern Italy and Sicily Italian Holiday
Italy's Great Cities Italian Treasures Italy at Leisure
Northern Italy at Leisure Highlights of Sicily and Southern Italy  Italian Mosaic
 Splendors of Italy The Best of Italy and Greece Aegean Classical Cruise Tour
Ancient Lands Cruise Tour Aegean Discovery Cruise Tour Aegean Discovery Cruise Tour
The Best of Spain and Portugal Spectacular Spain Spain at Leisure
Portugal, Morocco and Spain The Best of Portugal Spanish Fiesta
Iberian Vacation Highlights of Portugal and Spain Spain, Portugal and Morocco
Highlights of Spain Russian River Cruises Jewels of the Baltics
Tulips and Windmills Northern Capitals Russia and Northern Europe
Best of Denmark, Sweden and Norway Scandinavia and a Baltic Cruise   
EUROPE / BRITISH ISLES and IRELAND / FRANCE / GERMANY / AUSTRIA and SWITZERLAND / GREECE / ITALY / SPAIN and POIRTUGAL / RUSSIA / SCANDINAVIA / HOLLAND / EGYPT and the NILE / SOUTH AFRICA / KENYA / BOTSWANA/ ZIMBABWE / TANZANIA / CHINA / THAILAND and VIETNAM / INDIA/ AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND / SOUTH PACIFIC / NORTH AMERICA / CENTRAL AMERICA / SOUTH AMERICA
 
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