Historic Heart of Dublin
The Tour Begins!
Day 1 – An Orientation Meeting at our Hotel
We met our guide, Paul, and chose buddies. Featured on Rick Steves' tours, buddies are partners who look out for one another when "buddy check" is called – a quick way to bring the group together.
Paul, like all of Rick's guides,
was the key to a great tour!
My buddy, Craig,
with his wife, Laura
Gary's buddy, Ward,
with his wife, Cindy
Our Travel Mates
Rick Steves' Commitment: Hand Picked, Passionate Guides and a Maximum Group Size of 24-28
Rick says, "I hire guides I know and trust, and who share my love for Europe and my passion for teaching."
Rick Steves' Commitment: Memorable Meals
Who knew that meals in Ireland would be so great! After our orientation meeting with Paul, we set out for our first group dinner, followed by a walk around the neighborhood. All of our group dinners featured three-course menus with several choices for appetizer, main course and dessert.
We did it our way!
Breakfast every morning featured a large spread of cold dishes and a menu of hot entree choices. We often found ourselves relaxing in our hotel bar for a small, mid to late afternoon meal and Guinness. It was a good way to relax, avoid crowds, keep the expenses and calories under control and leave the fabulous, three-course meals to Rick.
Vegetarian Roasted Squash Risotto
Day 2 – A Morning Historical Walking Tour of Dublin
Book of Kells
Tommy Graham was our guide for our morning historical walking tour of Dublin's city center. A history graduate from Trinity College, Tommy covered essential dates, events, sights and figures in several short hours.
We began our tour at Trinity College and the Book of Kells exhibit featuring the ninth century illustrated gospels of the Bible. Large reproductions allow visitors a chance to photograph and study the elaborate illustrations created by monks 1,200 years ago. A darkened room provides only a brief view of the actual manuscript.
Trinity College Old Library
From the Book of Kells exhibit, we moved upstairs into the massive 18th century Long Room which houses 200,000 of the Library’s oldest books. Marble busts of great philosophers and writers line the center aisle. We were also able to see one of the few remaining copies of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic and the 15th century "Brian Boru's Harp" – Ireland's oldest surviving medieval harp.
Other Sights in Dublin
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