Current Photo Tours 2013 Schedule

       - Iceland Photo Tour - July 5th to 13th, 2013

           - Ireland Photo Tour - August 17th to September 1st, 2013 

                      - Namibia Photo Tour - October 23rd to November 7th, 2013

Ireland Photo Tour - "Be part of the Gathering Ireland 2013"  

   Our 14 day Photo Tour of Ireland will see us traveling from Dublin to the coast, the cliffs of Moher, then north to Derry, the northern Slieve cliffs,  Giant’s Causeway, Belfast and region, then down the coast for a final three days for the Dublin experience.

Download a copy of our Ireland Photo Tour Brochure

  Tiny, and with it’s ever changing scenery, Ireland is an addictive place to explore and photograph.  Traveling just a few short kilometers you can see mammoth cliffs to flat landscapes of pasturelands to towering mountains to mystical peat bogs.  And of course the little people with their pot of gold.  The gold is actually the treasures of images waiting to be captured.

     The Gathering 2013 .... Throughout 2013, Ireland is opening its arms to hundreds of thousands of friends and family from all over the world, calling them home to gatherings in villages, towns and cities.  It will be great just to be visiting the country during this year of celtic celebrations. 

   Dave Chidley will be joining me as my co-host on our photo tour to the Emerald Isle.  I can’t wait to share the photographic possibilities of Ireland with you.   See you in August!!!! 

Tour Itinerary:

Day One: Sat. Aug 17th ’13  Depart from Four Points Sheraton London early afternoon traveling via Ayr Coach Lines to Pearson International Airport, also picking up at Quality Inn Woodstock.  We will be flying via AirTransit to Dublin, evening departure.

Day Two:  Sun. Aug 18th ’13  Arrive early morning at Dublin International airport.  We will be met by our motor coach, start with a breakfast stop, prior to our drive to Kildare.  Our Irish adventure begins by a visit and photography at the National Stud, just outside of Kildare. This is were some of the world class racing horses are bred and raised.  Queen Elizabeth has had 5 classic blood line winners from the National Stud.  Many photo opportunities await including the beautiful Japanese Gardens laid out to represent life from the cradle to the grave. In the afternoon we will drive across the countryside to the coast and check into our hotel in Galway.  We will be staying in this region for our first two nights. (D)

We are pleased to be working with MacPherson Coaches on our Ireland Photo Tour, anyone who travelled with us to Scotland will remember the fun and their hospitality.  

Day Three:  Mon. Aug 19th ’13  Breakfast, this mornings photo shoot will start the Cathedral in Galway, a city walk, the Spanish Arch and thatched roof houses.  After lunch a drive along the coast to photograph the cliffs of Moher.  Walls of rock that plunge 700 feet to the Atlantic Ocean.  Winding pathways, cliffs, and panoramic views will make for some amazing photography.  Returning in the afternoon for tea, some free time and dinner.  (B) (D)

Day Four:  Tue. Aug 20th ’13, Breakfast, check-out.  Depart Galway and travel north to Sligo.  Sligo is located fifty minutes from Enniskillen and the border with Northern Ireland.  Once a major port city, Sligo means “Shelly River” in Gaelic.  We will spend the day photographing along the coast, small villages, ruins and quaint village harbours.  We will be two nights in Sligo (B) (D)

Day Five:  Wed. Aug 21st ’13,  Breakfast at the hotel.  This morning we will take a drive further north up the coast of Donegal to photograph Slieve League sea cliffs.  These are some of the highest cliffs in Europe, reaching 1.972 feet.  The cliffs drop straight down to the wild Atlantic waves and will make for great images. After lunch in the little village, we will continue our trek along the coast returning to our hotel mid afternoon. (B) (D)

Day Six: Thur. Aug 22nd ’13, Breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart for Londonderry or also referred to as Derry.  Our next two days will be spent photographing and exploring inside and out of Derry’s medieval walls, the little villages that surround this region, castles, ruins and of course Giant’s Causeway. Two nights. (B) (D)

Day Seven: Fri. Aug 23rd ’13, After Breakfast at our hotel, we will travel up the coast to Giant’s Causeway.  Enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago.  For scenic coastal photography birds and views of the coast we will visit Carrick a Rede and take the walk along the coastal trail and famous rope bridge.  This evening returning to Derry for dinner and an evening walk. (B) (D)

Day Eight:  Sat. Aug 24th ’13,  Breakfast, check-out and begin our journey from Derry to Belfast. Our drive is seventy miles which will take approximately one and a half hours to reach our destination of Belfast.  Of course it would not be a photo tour if we did not make several photo stops along the way.  Today will hold some interesting surprises.  Belfast is rich with culture, and many photo opportunities.  We will be in Belfast for the next three nights.(B) (D)

Day Nine:  Sun. Aug 25th ’13 Breakfast, followed by a Belfast photo walk, and our own Titanic trails photo adventure.  We will start at the new Titanic Memorial Garden at city hall, walk through the Titanic Quarter, where we will visit the Harland & Wolf Drawing Office, SS Nomadic, the Titanic & Olympic Slipways, the Titanic’s Dock and Pump House.  We will return to our hotel for some time off this afternoon then tonight a private viewing of the new permanent Titanic Exhibit, then dinner on the top floor of the Exhibit called “the Bridge”. This glassed room offers a panoramic view over the Titanic slipways and Belfast Lough.  It will be a night to remember, so much history here.  We’ve heard the stories now a chance to experience where it all began. (B) (D)

Day Ten:  Mon. Aug 26th ’13, Breakfast and continue our photo experience in and around Belfast.  Todays photo locations will include a trip along the coast near Bangor and Millisle.  Landscapes and a ancient abby will offer up many photo  opportunities. (B) (D)

Day Eleven:  Tue. Aug 27th ’13,  Breakfast and check out.  Today we start our journey south to Dundalk. As we pass through this region we will see and photograph the landscape of the Mourne Mountains.  This region offers up many photographic opportunities, such as Ravensdale which will be one of todays locations. Optional horse back riding is available.  2 nights. (B) (D)

Day Twelve: Wed. Aug 28th ’13, This morning we will start our day with a photo shoot at Castle Roche.  This little know castle crowns a rocky outcrop in the northwest hills of Dundalk.  It was the seat of the De Verdon family who first came to Ireland in 1185.  This ancient ruins sets a very interesting backdrop just waiting to be explored and photographed.  After lunch we will visit Carlingford a medieval village on the coast. Ancient buildings, abandon castle ruins, abby’s decorate this coastal villages landscape. (B) (D)

Day Thirteen:  Thur. Aug 29th ’13,  Breakfast, check out and depart for Dublin. Our drive to Dublin will take approximately one hour covering a distance of sixty miles.  We will be kept very busy over the next few days in Dublin visiting many of the scenic and historic areas.    Highlights will be Trinity College, Book of Kells, Samuel Beckett Bridge, the Guinness Storehouse, St. Patricks Cathedral, Kilmainham Jail and the Doors of Dublin.  Once checked into our hotel we will visit the heart of the city, St. Patricks Cathedral and Trinity College. We will be in Dublin for three nights. (B) (D)

Day Fourteen: Fri. Aug 30th ’13,  Breakfast, then a morning visit to the Kilmainham Jail.  One of the largest unoccupied jails in Europe.  This location covers some of the most heroic and tragic events in Irelands history.  Followed by lunch and a walk along the River Liffey, Samuel Beckett Bridge.  Then some free time before departing this evening for the Merry Ploughboys Pub for our farewell dinner and a  traditional pub night complete with two hours of Music, Irish Dancers and Fun Entertainment. (B) (D)

Day Fifteen: Sat. Aug 31st ’13  Breakfast this morning we will do a walk along the Famous Doors of Dublin.  I’ve selected the morning as the streets get very busy as the day moves on.  We will continue visiting some of the different areas in the city, lunch followed by a visit, tour and of course sampling at the Guinness Storehouse.  At the end of our tour, you will be taught how to pull the perfect pint of Guinness, then enjoy it from the panoramic observation lounge located on the top floor of the warehouse.  We will have some free time this evening, followed by dinner.  (B) (D)

Day Sixteen: Sun. Sept 01st ’13 Breakfast, check out then transfer to Dublin Airport for our return journey home.  Our direct flight to Toronto then return coach will see us arriving back into London by late afternoon.

Ireland Tour Route

Our Ireland Photo Tour is $3749.00 per person plus air taxes of $464.15 CAD, this is based on double occupancy, single supplement is an additional $495.00.  This tour price is based out of Toronto.  If departing from another city please contact us for pricing.

Includes:

• Round trip motor coach via Ayr Coach Lines to Pearson International Airport, Toronto,
• Departures from London and Woodstock,
• Round Trip Airfare via AirTransat,
• Accommodations while in Ireland,
• 2 Nights Galway, 2 Nights Sligo, 2 Nights Derry, 3 Nights Belfast, 2 Nights Dundalk, 3 Nights Dublin,
• Breakfast and Dinner included each day of the tour,
• All airport and hotel transfers,
• Luxury air conditioned motor coach w/ washroom, MacPherson Motor Coach
• Any local admissions as mentioned in itinerary,
• Guinness Storehouse,
• Kilmainham Jail Tour and Entrance Fee, 
• Private visit to Titanic Exhibit in Belfast, Reception and Dinner,
• Merry Ploughboys Pub Night and Farewell Dinner
• Tour hosted and escorted by photographer James Cowie
• Co-hosted by photographer Dave Chidley

** Schedule may vary according to weather and travel conditions.

** Guests must have a valid passport, your passport must be valid for a min of 6 months after your return travel date.              

Tour Exclusions: Any item not listed on the itinerary, gratuities to Ireland coach driver, personal insurance coverage, alcoholic beverages, and laundry.

Land Only Rate -  $3256.00

A non refundable deposit of $375 CAD is required at time of booking, with a final balance of $3838.15 due on June 17th, 2013.  or  After deposit payment you may also select the payment option of second deposit on May 17th of $1900.00 and final payment of $1938.15 on June 17th, 2013.  We recommend the purchase of travel and health insurance as tour takes us out of the country. Health insurance is highly recommended.

Booking space for this tour may be done online or by contacting James Cowie at 519-679-8520 ext. 2223 or by email jcowie@carlsonwagonlit.com or Shari Parker at 519-679-8520 ext 2231 or by email s.parker@carlsonwagonlit.com  the online booking is available by visiting www.PhotoTourTrekkers.com then select Ireland Photo Tour.

Link to Registration Page

Link to Download a copy of the Ireland Tour Brochure

                

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