Cosmos

9 Days from $133 per day. Exclusive Price Discounts available.

Day 1 DUBLIN, IRELAND
Check into your hotel. At 3 p.m. meet your travelling companions for an afternoon orientation drive through statue-lined O'Connell Street and elegant Georgian squares to St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Trinity College. Your Tour Director will have some suggestions for dining tonight.

Day 2 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 3 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-coloured 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 4 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 203 metre (668-foot) Cliffs of Moher. Tonight, a chance to attend an optional medieval castle banquet. (FB)

Day 5 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 51 kilometre (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 6 KILLARNEY. RING OF KERRY EXCURSION
At Killorglin join the road known as the "Ring of Kerry" for a 160 kilometre (100-mile) coastal panoramic drive: sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly coloured 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 along the national park lakeshore for pictures of Ross Castle. Tonight enjoy the optional outing to Tralee for dinner, and a performance at Siamsa Tire, Ireland's National Folk Theatre. (FB)

Day 7 KILLARNEY-WATERFORD-TRAMORE
More scenic splendour 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 8 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 centre of Irish Christianity founded by St. Kevin. Back in Dublin tonight, your Tour Director will have recommendations for a fitting farewell to Ireland. (FB)

Day 9 DUBLIN
The vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (FB)

Images

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Cosmos-Introduction

More than three decades ago, Cosmos virtually invented the European budget vacation. Since then, the team of experts have developed and refined the concept of low-cost travel. Although others have jumped on the budget-travel bandwagon, Cosmos prices are still the lowest by far, and the choice of budget tours is unique. 

With Cosmos, low prices don't mean "cheap tours". More than a million people have come back to Cosmos for a second or third vacation. Their clients' repeat business is the best testimony to the incredible value they offer.

AIRFARES
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EARLYBIRD COACH TOUR DISCOUNTS-COSMOS-2008

SAVE UP TO

2.5%

Huge Discounts-Please see below!

EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNT/INCENTIVES
Book/pay at least 4 months in advance save 2.5%

AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Available from $60 pp return

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Save 20% on QBE Travel Insurance or 10% or HBF Insurance member rates if taken out at time of booking

SECOND TOUR DISCOUNT
Receive $50 Discount of the shortest tour

TRIPLE ROOM
Great Discounts-please call for details

CHILD DISCOUNTS
Up to 10% (Conditions apply)

SINGLE ROOM
Can offer share accommodation at no extra cost

What's Included