Day 1: We meet at your town of departure to board our bus to O’Hare Airport for our early evening departure on our major international airline for our flight to Dublin. We will be served dinner and can watch a movie during our overnight flight. (In-flight meals)

Day 2: Touch down in Dublin, capital of Ireland and one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. We will be met by our Tour Manager; after we clear customs, he will be with us for the duration of our stay in Ireland. Onto the city of Dublin for a short sightseeing tour through Dublin’s elegant Georgian streets and squares. Visit Trinity College in the city centre to view one of Ireland’s greatest treasures, the Book of Kells. Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a 12th century Cathedral which was once the home of Dean Jonathon Swift. In the afternoon enjoy a visit to the National Botanic Gardens which were established in 1795 and today contains over 20,000 floral species. (D)

Day 3: A full day tour to the County of Wicklow which is affectionately known as the “The Garden of Ireland”. In this area of lush mountains and valleys we have a variety of lovely gardens. Visit Fernhill Gardens to see the Victorian laurel lawn and Mount Usher Gardens which date back to 1868 and displays plants from all corners of the earth. Truly spectacular are Powerscourt Gardens and House with its sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes with secret hollows, rambling walks, and walled gardens and over 200 variations of trees and shrubs. Afternoon visit of Russborough House which dates back to the 18th Century. (B, D)

Day 4: Today we depart Dublin and travel to Waterford. Enroute visit Altamount Gardens, beautiful formal gardens with clipped yews, herbaceous borders and a lily pool. There is a lake with inviting small islands and winding paths lead around the lake. Beyond this is a glen, carpeted with bluebells and ferns, leading on through ancient mossy oak woods to the beautiful River Slaney. Continue on to Kilkenny city to visit Rothe House which is an Elizabethian complex built in 1594. (B, D)

Day 5: After breakfast we leave for a morning visit of the world famous Waterford Crystal Factory. Visit Kilmokea which is a privately owned Georgian rectory and has two gardens; the first is the Italian Garden and beyond this main garden a path leads through to the lower garden which sets a totally different mood with a lake, a stream and paths through woodland among rare and tender plants. Visit Lismore Castle and Gardens. It is said that the poet Spenser wrote part of his “Faerie Queene” in these gardens which boast a fine collections of magnolias and mamelias. The history of the castle dates back to 1185 but has undergone several reconstructions since then. (B, D)

Day 6: The Ring of Kerry, today we journey to Kerry stopping off in County Cork to visit Anne’s Grove Gardens, an attractive Robinsonian Garden, on a sloping site, surrounding an 18th century house overlooking the Awbeg River. The woodland garden contains a notable collection of rhododendrons, there is a walled garden with 19th century hedged compartments, fine herbaceous borders, rose beds and a water garden. We will have some free time upon our arrival in Kerry for personal sightseeing. (B, D)

Day 7: Today we travel to West Cork where we will enjoy a boat trip to Garinish Island and its Gardens, designed by Harold Peto. The island is renowned for its richness of plant form and color, changing continuously with the seasons. Then on to visit Bantry House and Gardens, which dates to 1740 when the second Earl of Bantry collected many valuable artifacts which are still to be seen in the house today. The gardens are one of the best examples of Italian style garden in Ireland with panoramic views overlooking Bantry Bay. (B, D)

Day 8: Today we depart Kerry and head back to Dublin. En route we visit the awe inspiring Rock of Cashel, a limestone mound over 60 meters high and the noblest cluster of medieval monuments to be found in Ireland. (B, D)