Best of Ireland. As a Traveler. The Authentic. Unseen by the throngs of tourists from cruise ships & buses.

Dear friend and fellow traveler: I would like to extend my personal invitation for you to discover once again the authentic ~ as a traveler. Join me on the trip of a lifetime, and one you won’t soon forget. If you’ve ever been to Ireland, then you can re-late to the above sentiment - these destina-tions leave a lasting impression on travelers. Once you’ve been, it never quite leaves you. They become a part of your very

being, whispering to you like long-lost friends, wanting you to stop in for a visit. And if you’ve never been, then you only have to imagine places where heroes fought for freedom, or experience the streets of Dublin, or see the famous Cliffs of Moher to awaken inside of you the part that longs to see and experience a place where history is so alive, it speaks to you from every town square, every museum, and even the very stones beneath your feet.

The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes “sight-seeing.” ~ Daniel J. Boorstin

Frances Mayes wrote, “…most trips have an underlying quest. We’re looking for something. What? Fun, es-cape, adventure-but then what?” Everyone travels for different reasons, but my question for you would be what are you looking for? No matter what the answer to that may be, I can guarantee one thing-this trip can be life-changing. To experience another culture, to open your eyes to another part of the world, to step in another’s shoes, if even for a few days, it changes you, even if only a little. Come, if you dare, and you may just leave with a little bit of the Emerald Isle etched on your soul as well. I do look forward to traveling with you to beautiful Ireland. Please drop me a line with any question you might have!

Sincerely, Mark Story, Program Director, Story Land & Sea Tours Host of Mark Story World Adventures

SMALL GROUP TOUR

A True

Small Group of 6 to 16 Travelers

~ Hotels Really in Center of Town

~ Unique Dining

Venues — No Set Menus

~ No Up-Selling

while Traveling

Best of Ireland

Small Group: 11 Days, 10 Days Land

9 Nights

Your Adventure Begins.

Depart Your Home Airport on Your Transatlantic Flight. Today is your flight date from North America, Canada, Australia or New Zealand — Your

flight is not included, however, we do have an air department that could pro-vide you a quotation. You will cross the Atlantic Ocean tonight en route to Europe.

Belfast, Ireland

City: Belfast

We arrive Belfast and check in to our hotel in the heart of the city. Welcome to Northern Ireland and the beginning of the very Best of Ireland Tour.

Freshen up and enjoy our included orientation walking tour with the Tour Captain.

Welcome Orientation Walk: The Tour Captain will help you discover the area around our Heart-of-City hotel in Belfast.

Accommodation: The Merchant Hotel, 2 Nights

Story® Way Included Dining: Join us tonight for our Welcome Dinner experience

Best of Ireland

City: Belfast

Enjoy a driving overview of Belfast as we head north along the coast. First stop is Carrickfergus, and then on to Bushmills, where there is time for an optional lunch.

Giant's Causeway

The Giant's Causeway is a World Heritage Site and is the most famous natural wonder in all of Northern Ireland. The geological phenomenon features 40,000 interlocking columns - a truly unique site - full of myths and legends and our Tour Captain Guide provides excellent context.

Carrickfergus Castle

Lough Eske Castle

County: Donegal

This morning after a hearty full Irish breakfast we are heading to the Londonderry, one of Europe’s best preserved walled settlements. We will take a driving tour of the city's highlights and have lunch in one of the city center pubs before heading south to our wonderful accommodation for the night, the Lough Eske Castle Hotel and Spa. Upon arrival you will have time to enjoy the grounds different activities provided by the hotel. Lough Eske Castle Hotel & Spa sits within 43 acres of forest woodland, surrounded by the shores of Lough Eske on one side and the Blue Stack Mountains on the other.

Story Way® Dining: Enjoy a special dinner tonight with the Tour Captain

Accommodation: Lough Eske Castle Hotel, 1 Night

To Galway

City: Galway

With a relaxing morning at the castle, we depart around 10:30 and begin our journey south.

We will drive along the coast through picturesque Donegal as we travel through the majestic scenery of Ireland. We are heading for Galway, a harbour city on Ireland’s west coast.

Galway sits where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic. The city’s hub is 18th-century Eyre Square, a popular meeting spot surrounded by shops, and traditional pubs that often offer live Irish folk music. Nearby, stone-clad cafes, boutiques and art galleries line the winding lanes of the Latin Quarter, which retains portions of the medieval city walls.

Arriving to the Hotel at around 2:30 pm. We will join our guests from The Spirit of Ireland & Scotland Tour here.

Our hotel is in the city center, so the guests who arrive early have lunch options and things to do. We get everyone checked in and plan for a 5:00 walkabout and/or reception for all to come together.

Welcome dinner tonight. | Accommodation: "G" Hotel, or similar.

To Galway

Event: Connemara Drive

After a wonderful Irish breakfast at the hotel, meet your driver and guide in the lobby as we set out to explore the Connemara area of Ireland.

Now we are entering the wild beauty of Connemara, mountains start to rise and there are vast, open, breath-taking spaces in the Maam Valley, a spectacular region that divides up the Maamturk mountains of Connemara.

Dropping down into the village of Leenane where the film “The Field” directed by John B. Keane was filmed, Killary Fjord (Ireland’s only fjord) unfolds. Here you can see the salmon and mussel pots floating on the surface of the water where the fish are farmed here. Arriving now at the highlight of the tour, Kylemore Abbey & Gardens, one can absorb the tranquil atmosphere while walking in one of Ireland’s most peaceful scenic areas. Returning to Galway in the late afternoon, the balance of the day is your.

Optional Dinner tonight.

Accommodation: "G" Hotel, or similar.

Galway To Killarney

Today’s Highlights: The Cliffs of Moher & Ross Castle (featured on cover)

We depart Galway for Killarney and do the Cliffs of Moher, a sheer precipice that stretches for 5 miles along the Wild Atlantic, on the way.

The Cliffs of Moher rise to a height of 668 feet above the Atlantic and is one of the most impressive coastlines in Ireland. In nesting season the cliffs are home to a variety of seabirds.

After check in we offer the jaunting carts to Ross lake where we will do a Story exclusive at Ross Castle Ruins.

Note: The jaunting carts may be on the following day depending on weather.

Dinner included tonight!

Accommodation: Killarney Plaza Hotel or Similar.

Killarney & Ring of Kerry

Enjoying the Kingdom of Kerry

Optional Dining: Join your Tour Captain for dinner.

This morning we’re off to explore some of the highlights of the Ring of Kerry from the town of Kenmare. We'll take in a sheep dog demonstration which is quite fascinating.

This afternoon enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure.

For Golfers maybe 18 holes on the Killeen Course at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club or perhaps horse-riding a trek through The Killarney National Park. Bikes are available to rent and enjoy a self-guided route along part of the Ring of Kerry.

Join the Tour Captain for an optional dinner in this town known for its traditional Irish music and pubs.

Accommodation: Killarney Plaza Hotel or Similar.

Blarney Castle and on to

Dublin Day 9: Exploring Blarney Castle & Gardens

Included Dinner Tonight: Tonight's dinner is included in Dublin.

Today we head to Dublin with a stop at Blarney Castle, where you will have the chance to kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence (some call the gift of Gab) and time to pillage the adjacent woolen mills.

Situated 8km from Cork City, this historic castle is most famous for its stone, which has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it. The word “Blarney” was introduced into the English language by Queen Elizabeth I and is described as pleasant talk, intended to deceive without offending. The stone is set in the wall below the battlements, and to kiss it, one has to lean backwards (grasping an iron railing) from the parapet walk.

In the grounds of the castle, the Rock Close, and its surroundings, is a curious place of ancient trees and far more ancient stones, by legend a garden of druidic origin and a centre of worship in pre-Christian days.

The place has an aura of magic and mystique with Wishing Steps, Witch's Kitchen, Druid's Cave and many other delights, telling a story of centuries past. Blarney Castle Estate offers visitors the chance to stroll in one of the country's most spectacular gardens. Blarney Castle & House are set in acres of parkland filled with rare and unusual trees and plants.There will be time for lunch and shopping at the nearby Blarney Woolen Mill's, the largest in Ireland. Our destination this afternoon is Dublin. Upon arrival we will check in, freshen up and join the Tour Captain for a guided orientation walkabout of your Dublin surroundings.

Welcome to Dublin.

Story Way® Dining: Join the Tour Captain for an included dinner this evening.

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin, 2 Nights

Dublin Immersion

Sightseeing Highlights: Trinity College, The Book of Kells, St. Patrick's Cathedral

Optional Dinner Tonight: Pub Crawl with Tour Captain through Dublin. Visit Brazen Head, Dublin's oldest

Pub.

After your full Irish breakfast this morning meet the Tour Captain and our expert local guide in the lobby to commence our walking tour exploring the city center. Enjoy an informed and fun perspective of life and history in Ireland’s capital. The walking tour will end at Trinity College Library where we include entrance fees to see the famous Book of Kells. In the afternoon you may choose to visit Kilmainham Gaol, The Guinness Storehouse, The Dublin Writers Museum or any of the great museums and galleries. Optional dining tonight with your Tour Captain or explore at leisure.

“Why not complete your visit with our 4-Day London Extension? See the majesty of London, from royal palaces to modern museums. London is a city of which one should never grow tired!”

Departure Day

Opt for our Belfast Airport Departure at $69 per person or Dublin Airport departure at $79 per person, two guest minimum. ## Tour Ends ## The Spirit of Ireland & Scotland guests depart for Edinburgh, Scotland. Other extensions also available. Please enquire with Reservations. To reach us by telephone, call toll free 1-877-865-6711 Story Land & Sea®

Small Group Tour Information YOUR DELUXE TRUE SMALL-GROUP TOUR INCLUDES:

11 Days Round-Trip Air (not included), 10 Days Land, 9 Nights Hotel Accommodations. Extend your tour with 4 days, 3 nights to London or other exciting destinations. Inquire with reservations. Tour Begins: Belfast, Ireland. Optional Arrival Transfer is available. Please inquire with reservations: We will pick you up at the Be;fast Airport and transfer you to our hotel. Tour Ends: Dublin, Ireland. Optional Departure Transfer is available. From Dublin hotel to Dublin Airport. Inquire with reservations.

Walking Tour: We walk a lot on this trip. This tour is designed to immerse yourself in the life and history of the destinations. In order to achieve this, we walk at a leisurely, enjoyable pace. Dates & Rates: Tour price is per person based on double occupancy. Solo supplement applies for a private room to yourself. Triple occupancy is available at double occupancy per person rate.

~ All Breakfast with coffee, juice, tea and bottled water.

~ 5 dining “events” included with region-al wine and cuisine. Welcome Dinner in Belfast kicks off the tour, and Farewell Dinner in Dublin caps with the perfect finale experience.

~ Baggage handling, hotel taxes, hotel service charges (items of a personal nature not included).

~ Gratuities are included for your Local Guides and Drivers. (Customary gratuities for your Tour Captain are not included and should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis. )

~ All Sightseeing and Admissions described in itinerary

~ Wireless headsets to hear your guide clearly and distinctly in select public places – select itineraries.

~ Deluxe, air-conditioned mini-coaches with panoramic windows and comfortable seating.

~ Certain departures include Class Rail Travel with Reserved Seats.

~ Services of Tour Captain and authorized

local Story Land & Sea®

Certified Guides. ~ Quality hotel properties with private baths, and non-smoking rooms.

We also feature Small Group Tours to Italy ~ Visit us online at www.StoryLandSea.com