SAVE $600 OR $300 PER COUPLE IN 2009

Book a Jet Vacations escorted coach tour of 10 days or longer for travel between May 1 and October 31, 2009 together with either flights or travel insurance. Pay for your trip in full before February 15, 2009 and receive a discount of $600 per couple ($300 per person). $600 offer code: EARLYBIRD2009600   Alternatively... Save $300 per couple ($150 per person) when you pay the standard land trip deposit on a coach tour of any length  for travel at any time during 2009 together with either flights or travel insurance. $300 offer code: EARLYBIRD2009300 CLICK TO GO TO JETVACATIONS.COM These offers are valid for new bookings only and not valid for group travel or with any other Jet Vacations promotion. This promotion may be revised at any time. Both offers expire February 15, 2009 www.JetVacations.com 800.283-7262

DISCOVER IRELAND PROMOTION

"Live like a Lord" Castle and Manor house stay.

8 Day 7 Night Castle and Manor house stay - Self Drive

Early Bird Price: $899* if booked and paid by February 15, 2009. $1199 if booked after.  Single supplement: $495. * Price is land only per person based on Double Occupancy. Standard rental car is included - Car upgrades are available upon request.  

Day 1: Dublin City (12 Km)      

Welcome to Dublin Airport, where after picking up your car your will travel into Dublin and check into your hotel. The remainder of the day can be spent exploring this vibrant and historic city capital city with its many historic buildings, Georgian streets and colorful gardens. Your first night is spent in Clontarf Castle, which can be dated back to 1172.

Day 2: Dublin city

Today why not spend the day exploring some of Dublin’s fine Museums and Galleries? Trace its history from early Viking origins, through to the medieval magnificence of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Visit Dublinia at Christchurch, which brings the turbulent history of medieval Dublin vividly to life, 16th Century Trinity College, founded by Elizabeth 1, and now home to the famous illuminated manuscript, the Book of Kells. Don’t forget about the Guinness Storehouse for a tasting of this world famous ‘black stuff’. Return to Clontarf Castle for overnight.

Day 3: Galway & Clifden (300 Km)

Leave Dublin this morning and travel across the rich midland pastures. Why not visit Belvedere House, Gardens and Park? The magnificent early 18th century stately home of Robert Rochfort, Earl of Belvedere, stands in 160 acres of parkland on the shores of Lough Ennell. Belvedere is one of the finest of Ireland's historic houses, and together with gardens and park has been exquisitely restored. Before you cross the River Shannon, Ireland’s longest river you can visit Clonmacnoise a 6th century Christian site. Arrive into Galway, which has long traded with Spain and the Spanish influences are many in the city. Of note is Spanish Arch, a gateway in the old city walls and the Spanish Parade, where wealthy merchants and their families enjoyed a stroll along the promenade. Continue out into the wild and rugged Connemara region, famous for the savage beauty of its lake and mountain scenery and on to Clifden where you shall be staying in the wonderful Abbeyglen Castle which has a panoramic view of Clifden and the bay with a backdrop of the Twelve Bens.

Day 4: Connemara Region (80Km – Based on Clifden)

Today travel through the wild and rugged Connemara region, famous for the savage beauty of its lake and mountain scenery. Visit the Connemara National Park, where Connemara ponies and Irish red deer roam freely through 5,000 acres of scenic mountains, bogs and grassland. You can also visit the magnificent Kylemore Abbey - a beautiful mansion in a lakeside setting against a mountainous backdrop. Irish Benedictine nuns, with a tradition of over 300 years run this unique Abbey set in the midst of Connemara, overlooking Pollacapul Lake. On your return, you can take a scenic drive through Leenane where you have an option to board the Sea Cruise through Killary Fjord which will reveal some of the many hidden Coastal and Mountain Scenery of Connemara. Another night will be spent in Abbeyglen Castle.

Day 5: Connemara Region (80Km – Based on Clifden)

Leave Clifden this morning, and travel south through Galway and into Clare, known as the “land of castles”. Why not visit Rathbaun Farm and see the animals being tended, or enjoy a traditional tea and scones break? Travel on through the strange lunar landscape of the Burren region or visit the Cliffs of Moher a spectacular 5-mile long cliff, which rises almost 700 feet above sea level. Stop in the heritage town  of Kilrush, before boarding a ferry to Tarbert in north County Ferry. Arriving in Tarbert and continue through Listowel and on to Tralee to Ballyseede Castle for overnight.

DAY 6: The Dingle Peninsula (145km)

This morning the breathtaking landscape will unfold in front of your eyes as you drive around the Dingle Peninsula before arriving in Dunquin, on the westernmost tip of the peninsula, to visit the Blasket Islands. This living history museum explores all the dimensions of island-living, from the land, the sea, and the language, to the weather and the seasons, as well as the  dstinctive character of the Blasket Islanders. Weather permitting you can embark on a 2 to 3 hour boat trip around the nine main Blasket Islands. The islands are remote, unspoilt and unpolluted and spectacularly beautiful and are home to an incredible number of breading seabirds, with the surrounding seas home to dolphins, porpoises, atlantic seals and even the occasional whale or orca. Return to Ballyseede Castle for overnight.

DAY 7:  Medieval Limerick, Rock of Cashel & Kildare (290km)

This morning spend an hour or two in the medieval city of Limerick, either exploring its history and architecture or purchasing some of the splendid crafts on offer. Why not visit the Hunt Museum, an exhibit of one of Ireland’s greatest private collections of art and antiquities. Leave

Limerick and travel eastwards towards Straffan in Co. Kildare. En-route a small detour will bring you to the imposing Rock of Cashel which rises dramatically from the flat countryside. This site has the best set of varied monuments in any Irish site. The rock is crowned by a group of buildings, both ecclesiastical and royal, including a round tower, a 13th century Romanesque chapel and the beautifully restored Hall of the Vicar Choral. Continue through rich pastures of Ireland’s midlands before arriving in Kildare for your overnight in Barberstown Castle, a 13^th century castle, located in the heart of the horse-breeding county of Kildare.

DAY 8: Dublin & Departure (85km)

Today travel to Dublin Airport for your return flight home.