Itinerary Details
Avanti Destinations: Silver Screen on Emerald Green
Day 1 Dublin
Arrive in lively Dublin to experience the energy of this vibrant, cosmopolitan city, home to Guinness and the Book of Kells. Ireland’s capital brims with the banter of Irish culture, further energized by its many talented buskers and street performers. Add to this a compelling history and rich heritage, and Dublin provides you with an abundance of opportunities to experience and explore. Today you’ll visit the Guinness Storehouse, the main visitors’ center for the brewery, complete with a history museum, souvenir shop, and tasting room.
Centrally Located Hotel In Dublin,
Day 2 Dublin, Belfast
This morning pick up your rental car and head northwards to visit Trim Castle, used to film several scenes from “Braveheart.” Continue on to Bru no Bóinne and Newgrange—two large Neolithic tombs, built some 5,000 years ago. Traveling north, head for Downpatrick, the burial place of St. Patrick, Ireland’s Patron Saint. Then visit Castle Ward, used for filming “Game of Thrones” Series One. Continue on to Belfast for the night.
Centrally Located Hotel In Belfast, (B)
Day 3 Belfast
This morning enjoy a panoramic tour of Belfast City. See some of the landmark sites such as City Hall and Queens University. Visit The Titanic Belfast Experience; a dramatic, innovative and exciting presentation of the real story of the Titanic. This state-of-the-art exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the life of the Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, to her famous maiden voyage and tragic end. In the afternoon travel from Belfast to the northeast shores of Lough Neagh and Shane’s Castle. Built in 1345 by a member of the royal house of O’Neill, the castle ruins and its 2600-acre estate near Randalstown was the scene of extensive filming for the Game of Thrones series. Outside the village of Ballygally lies Cairncastle, the location for many other scenes from Game of Thrones. Return to Belfast.
Centrally Located Hotel In Belfast, (B)
Day 4 Belfast, Ballycastle
This morning leave Belfast and travel towards the picturesque town of Glenarm on the north Antrim coastline, the setting of many Game of Thrones scenes. Time permitting, pay a visit to Steensons Jewellers in the village, producer of many of the jewels featured in the hit TV series. Continue on along the Antrim coastline enjoying the spectacular views, rolling hills and scenic villages. Next visit Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. One of Northern Ireland’s most famous landmarks, the bridge is suspended across a 66 foot chasm between the mainland and the tiny Carrick Island, with a 75 foot drop to the water below.
Centrally Located Hotel In Ballycastle, (B)
Day 5 Ballycastle, Derry
Today you’ll visit the Giants Causeway—a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of a network of 40,000 basalt columns projecting into the ocean. The Causeway forms several miles of Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal route. Later, visit Bushmills Distillery, one of the world’s oldest whisky distilleries.
Centrally Located Hotel In Derry, (B, D)
Day 6 Derry, Donegal
This morning enjoy a walking tour of the walled city of Derry. Leaving Derry you will travel to Donegal, where you can visit Glenveagh National Park and Glenveagh Castle. Situated in the Northwest of County Donegal, Glenveagh encompasses some 40,000 acres in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains. Drive by the nearby Glenties, where Brian Friel’s play “Dancing at Lughnasa” was filmed.
Centrally Located Hotel In Donegal, (B)
Day 7 Donegal, Dublin
This morning you begin your return journey to Dublin. Drive south through the Fermanagh Lake District to visit Castle Coole, a magnificent 18-th century mansion and landscape park. The castle is one of Ireland’s finest Neo-classical houses. Nearby visit Marble Arch Caves, one of Europe’s finest show caves with a natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls, winding passages and lofty chambers. Continue on to Dublin for the last night of your tour.
Centrally Located Hotel In Dublin, (B)
Day 8 Dublin
Bid Ireland goodbye and set out for home…or continue on to your next Avanti adventure!
Centrally Located Hotel In Dublin, (B)
extensive gardens, which are open to the public; as is the Main House. There is a lovely restaurant in the house, overlooking the gardens and Wicklow Mountains, which offers the finest in Irish artisan, home cooked cuisine. The 34,000 acres of this estate extend along both shores of the River Dargle . Powerscourt is one of the finest properties in Europe, designed and laid out by Daniel Robertson between 1745 and 1767. This property is filled with splendid Greek and Italian-inspired statuary, decorative ironwork, a petrified-moss grotto, lovely herbaceous borders, a Japanese garden, a circular pond and fountain with statues of winged horses, and an occasional herd of deer. Opportunity for shopping at Avoca Handweavers now located in Powerscourt House. Enjoy lunch here at Powerscourt or at a traditional Irish pub in the city centre.
number of city parks, such as St. Stephen’s Green and indeed Merrion Square. The highlights of any tour in Dublin may include a visit to Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse… and –if time permits –St. Patrick’s Cathedral. 
