I'm so excited to share an upcoming tour with the Ireland Expert, Pat Preston! Look for an interview with her (and a book review) later this month.

Here are the details on her Summer in Ireland Tour:

Summer in Ireland Tour

August 15 - 24, 2010

With

Msgr. Charlie Coen and Pat & John Preston

A Leisurely Tour Featuring the West Coast of Ireland

10 Days – 8 Nights – 15 Meals
3 Nights in Killarney, 3 Nights in Galway,
1 Night in a CASTLE and Finale Night in Bunratty

Adare    Killarney    Ring of Kerry    Dingle Peninsula    Shannon River
Cliffs of Moher    The Burren     Galway    Connemara    Aran Islands    Cong
Carrick-on-Shannon   Keadue    Athlone    Roscommon Town    Clonmacnoise     Bunratty

Scenes from previous summer trips: tour members enjoy a spontaneous ice cream break; Msgr. Charlie plays a tune on a rock along the coast; group members taking pictures at a scenic lake; bottom row, from left: horse-drawn jaunting car ride; group members try Irish dancing; and Msgr. Charlie joins the musicians at a music pub.

Our Summer in Ireland 2010 Trip is a relaxing vacation that takes you to the Emerald Isle’s most beautiful area – the west coast – Counties Clare, Limerick, Kerry, Galway, Mayo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Westmeath and Offaly. Visit all of the prime beauty spots and attractions, along with off-the-beaten-path places not usually included on motorcoach (bus) tours.

You’ll also have plenty of unique non-bus experiences – ride in a horse-drawn jaunting car around the Lakes of Killarney, cross over the Shannon Estuary on a local ferry, stand atop the awesome Cliffs of Moher, sample tea and home-baked scones beside Galway Bay, step back in time at the Museum of Country Life, take a catamaran cruise on a fjord in Connemara, spend a day learning the “old ways” of the Aran Islands, see the landmark charms of “Quiet Man Country” in Co. Mayo, walk in the footsteps of St. Ciaran at the 6th century monastic site of Clonmacnoise, and join in traditional music and dance. And a special plus: dine and sleep in a Castle!

This is truly a vacation to savor and relish – splendid scenery, legendary attractions, deluxe/superior 4-star hotels including a luxurious Castle, excellent meals, entertainment, fun-filled activities, and lots of free time to explore on your own. Play a round of golf, go horse riding, shop for local crafts, visit a few pubs, or just slow down and enjoy the people and the pace.  And you’ll avoid the bustle of the big cities and stay off the busy motorways. No packing and unpacking every day. Our trip is not the usual hectic bus tour!

Best of all, you have John & Pat Preston and Msgr. Charlie Coen traveling along with you, to share their knowledge, travel tips, and love of Ireland.

Remember the ageless phrase: “The west is best.” This tour concentrates on the places that Irish people themselves go on their holidays. And there’s no doubt that three days and nights based in both Killarney and Galway is as good as it gets in the summertime in Ireland. Our itinerary speaks for itself.

For full information, click below:

The Full Itinerary
Tour Highlights
What the Price Includes
Hotel Photos and Descriptions
Comments from Past Tour Participants
Group Tour Main Page

Sign-up Form

(If you are unable to open and print the sign-up form, send an email to patpreston[at]mac.com)

Price: $2,689 with airfare from Newark on Continental Airlines
$1,993 for land-only. DEADLINE FOR FULL PAYMENT: June 1, 2010.

All information and photos courtesy and copyright Pat Preston, the Ireland Expert.