Ireland: Walking the West Country​

The city of Cork is quickly rising as a must-visit European hub. It’s lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere and vibrant social and cultural scene are equally powerful draws. You will have the time to explore it all, including some of the surrounding sights such as Blarney Castle and its famous stone, or Cobh (formerly Queenstown) the last port visited on the Titanic’s maiden voyage and its interesting Heritage Center.

Available only with the Air Inclusive Package.

Depart from the U.S. for Ireland. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary.

Upon arrival at Cork's Airport, claim your luggage and clear customs. If your luggage is lost, fill in a PIR form before leaving the customs area: VBT representatives are not allowed into the customs area. (Please note: Make certain that your VBT luggage tags are affixed to your bag so your VBT representative can identify you.) After exiting customs, enter the arrival hall and look for your VBT representative who will be holding a VBT sign and will make arrangements for your transfer via taxi or van to your Cork hotel (transfer time is approximately 20 minutes depending on traffic).

VBT provides you with City Information in your Final Travel Booklet that includes information and recommendations on what to see and do in Cork. You have the rest of the day to relax or to begin exploring the city.

Enjoy your first day of independent exploration in Ireland's second largest city. The bustle of the Victorian English Market is probably the best place to experience its essence. It's an indoor covered market owned by the Cork City Council and situated on the Grand Parade, a very short walk from the hotel. After exploring the rest of the downtown area you may wish to take a short walk (just over a mile) from the city center up to the restored and atmospheric City Gaol, complete with furnished cells. Both the exhibition and multimedia display trace the lives of individual inmates imprisoned here during the 19th and 20th centuries. At the same location is the Cork Heritage Center depicting life in Cork during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

This morning you may wish to head farther afield and visit one of the several tourist attractions in the close vicinity. Blarney Castle, about 5 miles from Cork city center, was built nearly 600 years ago by one of Ireland's greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney, including a host of American Presidents, making it a world landmark and one of Ireland's greatest treasures. Here you will find the Blarney Stone, the legendary Stone of Eloquence, found at the top of the Tower. Legend promises that if you kiss it, you'll never again be at a loss for words.

About 14 miles away is Cobh, the last port of call for the Titanic on her maiden voyage. Here you can visit the Queenstown Story Heritage Center that tells the story of emigration from Cobh during the famine in 1845 up to the era of the great Liners in the 1950s. You can also learn the historic role Cobh harbor has played as a port.

VBT Air Package guests arrive throughout the day.