The Principia

Location: Ireland
Trip Leader: Alice Stanley Dervin
Dates: June 18–24, 2017
Cost:  $2,640/person for a double-occupancy (shared) room | $2,900 for single occupancy
Trip Capacity: 44
Final Registration Deadline: February 10, 2017

Trip Overview

This Ireland tour is an ideal introduction to the Emerald Isle. You’ll experience some of Ireland’s most magnificent scenery and most famous towns. You’ll start and end in Dublin, with overnights in Ennis, Killarney, and Waterford. Highlights of this tour include the 668-foot Cliffs of Moher on Ireland’s west coast, where you’ll savor the breathtaking views of these rugged cliffs dropping into the ocean, and the Ring of Kerry, a 100-mile panoramic drive through rugged and magnificent landscapes. Words cannot capture the splendor of these natural beauties; you must witness them in person! You’ll also enjoy guided tours of the House of Waterford Crystal, where you’ll see highly skilled artisans producing this famous crystal, and the Irish National Stud in Kildare, home to thoroughbred champions. This trip also includes special experiences to give you a true local perspective. For example, you’ll enjoy coffee and scones that you’ll bake at Rathbaun Farm, a picturesque thatched farmhouse where you’ll learn about Ireland’s sheep-farming practices. We are pleased to be partnering with Globus, a luxury program provider, to offer this trip.

The trip includes the following:

• Accommodations for 6 nights in four-star hotels in Dublin, Ennis, Killarney, and Waterford
• Full Irish breakfast daily; 3 three-course dinners with choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in Dublin
• Motorcoach (with free Wi-Fi) and a ferry across the Shannon estuary
• Arrival and departure transfers from the Dublin airport
• Tour of Trinity College to see the Book of Kells
• Irish cabaret dinner/theatre excursion on last night in Dublin
• Pre-paid gratuities

The following are not included:

• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Airfare, taxes, and fuel surcharges
• Checked baggage fees imposed by the airlines
• Optional travel insurance (available for $189/person)
• Optional excursions, upgrades, supplements, and personal expenses
• Pre- or post-night accommodations

Meet Your Trip Leader

An educator for more than 30 years, Alice Stanley Dervin has always loved history and enjoys making connections from the past to the present.

Alice lived in the UK for four years where she served as an educator at Claremont Fan Court School, a Christian Science-based school in Surrey. Living abroad gave her the opportunity to travel more extensively and gain a different perspective on what it means to be a U.S. citizen. She knows from experience, therefore, that immersing oneself in a culture allows one to learn not only about the country one visits but also about oneself.

Alice has visited Ireland a number of times. She is also an Irish citizen, which she was able to claim through her grandmother’s birth in Ireland.

Alice looks forward to exploring the rich history and culture of Ireland with you.