Travel

In Praise of the Emerald Isle

Posted: 1/7/2012

The Emerald Isle is rich in wild natural beauty, quaint villages and a rich historical legacy.

(NAPSI)—It’s not unusual for people to recommend a vacation destination, but when Queen Elizabeth II and President Barack Obama honored Ireland with their presence, travelers took note.

Visits by these dignitaries helped boost the number of tourists visiting Ireland by 15 percent, according to a recent Reuters article. Both visits took place within a matter of days, with the U.S. president commenting on his distant Irish ancestry and the queen being the first British regent to visit in a century.

Tourists figured these world travelers must know just how much Ireland has to offer.

There is so much to see on the Emerald Isle that many visitors prefer taking a coach tour so they won’t miss any of Ireland’s wild natural beauty, quaint villages or rich historical legacy.

CIE Tours International will feature three of more than 40 tours in 2012: the seven-day Southern Gems, the eight- or nine-day Irish Gold, and the 12- or 13-day Irish Classic, which all include a horse-drawn car ride through Killarney’s National Park; a traditional Irish evening of song, dance and perhaps a pint of Guinness; as well as breathtaking views from the top of the Cliffs of Moher.

Additionally, the Southern Gems tour includes a visit to the National Stud, where you will see prizewinning racehorses. The Irish Gold includes a dinner at the renowned Killeen House Restaurant in Killarney, and the Irish Classic tour includes a visit to Giant’s Causeway, with its astounding 60 million-year-old volcanic formed columns.

Several events on the calendar for 2012 will also draw visitors to Ireland.

• Lovers of nautical history and movie trivia may set a course for the “Remembering the Titanic” event in Belfast.

• Runners may want to participate in The Great Ireland Run, Ireland’s fastest-growing 10-km running event, in Phoenix Park, Dublin.

• Those who appreciate fine stitching may want to attend the first annual International Quilt Festival of Ireland, located in a special Quilter’s Village on the banks of the River Corrib.

When deciding on a tour, consider the benefits of all-inclusive travel. Read the fine print to see what is included in the tour price so you don’t face daily sales pitches for meals and special events or attractions. CIE Tours’ $550+ Advantage means everything is included, so you will not encounter unexpected costs for “extras.”

For more information, visit www.cietours.com/emeraldisle or call (800) 243-8687.