Month: June 2018

Breakfast: A full Irish breakfast in the hotel dining room. Choices vary but will include a variety of eggs, bacon, sausages, tomato, potatoes, cereals, fruit, toast, pastries and jams served with water, juices, tea and coffee.

Morning: Enjoy an illustrated talk on the colourful and evocative murals of Belfast, followed by an expert-led field trip to City Hall.

Lunch: Lunch will be served at a local restaurant such as Molly’s Yard in the city centre.

Afternoon: This afternoon, enjoy an expert-led motor coach ride around this endlessly fascinating city.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: At leisure. Your Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions should you wish to further explore Belfast.

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Wow-a very educational and humorous talk on the troubled history of Northern Ireland by Bill Rolston to start the day. Well, actually a full Irish breakfast started the day. Then we walked to Belfast City Hall for a guided tour.

A highlight was seeing and touchig a sideboard built for the Titanic that didn’t arrive on time with the rest of her furniture.

We then boarded the bus for a fascinating 2 hour tour of the city by Ken McElroy. BeIfast is fascinating.

Barb and I took the afternoon to walk to a couple of pubs.. Kelly’s Cellars was built in 1720 and was a meeting place for the United Irishmen from 179I to 1798 as they planned the uprising against British occupation.

We also visted Madden’s Bar – a tiny, quaint pub around the corner from Kelly’s.

For more pictures of this day – CLICK HERE or go to the Photo/Video Galleries link at the top and choose today’s date.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Afternoon: Arrivals continue, with free time for those who have already arrived. Before dinner we will have an Orientation in the hotel. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date Daily Schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities and answer any questions you may have. We have set aside some free time in the schedule for your personal independent exploration.

Dinner: A seated three course dinner will be taken in the hotel dining room with coffee, tea and water. Other beverages are available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure to unpack, relax and prepare for the program ahead.

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We arrived in Dublin and were taken from the airport to the Maldron Hotel where we met up with our group and shared a leisurely morning.

The 2 hour coach ride to Belfast was scenic with green rolling hills, sheep and cows.

After checking in to the Jury’s Inn Barb settled in for a nap and I walked down two blocks to the Crown Bar (the most famous pub in Belfast.) My very first pint of Guinness in Ireland! Definitely better than in the US. Many more to come over the next couple weeks.

I met some great folks: Rosie, Patrick , Alex, Paula. Had a great time with them.

Finally – dinner with our group was fun and a great way to end the day. Time now to pass out and catch up on some sleep.

For more pictures of this day – CLICK HERE or go to the Photo/Video Galleries link at the top and choose today’s date.

We started our trip in the American Airlines Admiral’s Club at the Orlando airport. Breakfast and coffee in the peace and quiet is a great alternative to sitting at the gate.

After a 3 hour flight to JFK in NY, we paused in the Admiral’s Club there for a bite.

Then on to the Hilton JFK for an afternoon respite – using some of the Hilton points I accumulated over the last year and a half. This was Barb’s genius plan to grab a nap and freshen up before the 7 hour transatlantic flight to Dublin.

Crossing the ocean in style. Aer Lingus business class is the way to go. Starting with expedited check in then more leisure time in the Aer Lingus lounge, we felt spoiled before we ever got on the plane.

Oh my. On the plane we are in full luxury mode. Full Irish meal and seats that fully recline.

For more pictures of this day – CLICK HERE or go to the Photo/Video Galleries link at the top and choose today’s date..