IRELAND: COME TO MY CASTLE!
September 24 – October 2, 2012
SPEND A WEEK WITH BILLY IN HIS HOMELAND COUNTY!
ONE DOUBLE ROOM LEFT!
A week in Ireland for 13 lucky, enthusiastic FOOD and WINE lovers. And you get to stay in a CASTLE in my home county of Tipperary.
Think of this as a tapas-taste of Ireland. A quick dose of the soul of the country, its people and culture. A glimpse of why this tiny country has worked its way into the hearts of people worldwide. We won’t be dashing everywhere ‘doing’ Ireland but soaking it up in the environs of our castle. Modern day Kings and Queens!
Irish life is full of contradictions and in that spirit we will combine our luxury castle stay with activities of a more rustic nature. Back-road visits to local sights, pubs and towns. A day in the medieval town of KILKENNY, home of Ireland’s best craft galleries, a spectacular Norman castle (bigger than ours!), Smithwicks Brewery and one of my favourite pubs, Tynan’s Bridge Bar. Kilkenny is also a model of good town planning with bustling, people filled streets. A joy to stroll.
Another day out will take us to a wine merchant for you know what, followed by a spectacular journey up the heather covered Knockmealdown mountains enroute to the historic town of Lismore. Visit some great old churches or old pubs – your call.
For sure we’ll be repeating a favourite from last year – late night traditional Irish music at ‘a local’. With pick-up and safe return by John Ryan, our hired driver for the week.
We’ll be well fed – Irish style. The lush pastures and sparkling waters of Ireland produce wonderful food – incredible cheese, naturally raised lamb and beef, delicious salmon , brown bread and yummy potatoes, of course! The wine will flow, with selections to suit the time of day, weather, food and mood – Billy style. We’ll drink well thanks to Ireland’s long tradition of importing French wines. Honest. And brewing Guinness. Let’s not forget the whiskey – which tastes real good in front of our turf fire.
Our daily schedule will be as unpredictable as the Irish weather but one thing you can be sure of is that it will have ‘lotsa craic’. You’ll know what that means after you’ve taken this trip.
Your co-host for the week will be my ‘can-do-anything’ partner Kato. There is no better party organizer and good time guru. We’re excited to present the BEST IRISH HOLIDAY you could ever hope for. It’s going to be pure magic.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
* A very special food, wine and fun focused holiday in County Tipperary – designed by Billy and Kato for an intimate group (10 to 13)
* 7 nights luxury en-suite accommodation in beautiful Lisheen castle. Not a hotel but our very own party space – a rare find!
* ALL WINE for dinners, happy hours and seminars – selected by your personal sommelier, Billy Munnelly
* 7 Hearty Breakfasts
* 7 Scrumptious Dinners
* Some Lunches/Picnics
* Cooking and Wine Classes
* Daily Champagne Cocktails
* Traditional Irish Music Session
* Private Coach Trips to Historic Towns and Markets including the Rock of Cashel, and Kilkenny’s National Craft Gallery
* Airport Pick up and Drop off to Shannon Airport
* …and a Few Surprises! (can’t give it all away)
NOT INCLUDED: Airfare from Canada, personal travel insurance, a few lunches, pints, and gratuities.
P.S. You may want to consider an add-on week of touring the West Coast or a Dublin visit.
COST: $2,295.00 based on double occupancy
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL! Book before MARCH 17: $2,195.00
*Note about Flight: This tour is designed around Air Transit’s weekly direct flight from Toronto to Shannon airport, which is less than 2 hours from our castle! Flight with Air Transit is approximately $825. including taxes. You can also upgrade for more room and luggage should you wish.
We suggest you wait to hear confirmation that the tour is a go before you book your flight. We are very pleased to have our friend CATHY HAZEN (Stan Blowes Travel in Stratford) as our travel agent for this tour – please call her at home 519.625.8558 any day but Monday, at 1.800.461.8500 on Mondays, or email her at catharinehazen@gmail.com
NOTE: Should you be coming via Dublin there are frequent trains to Thurles, which is only 15 minutes from Lisheen Castle. We’ll pick you up.
PAYMENT & HOW TO BOOK
1. To book your spot, email us at billysbestbottles@gmail.com with IRELAND in the subject line! We need your names, address, email and phone number.
2. Then mail a cheque for $500 payable to Billy’s Best Bottles to 1646 County Road 10, Cherry Valley, ON K0K 1P0, to secure your booking – first come, first served. This will not be deposited until the tour is a guaranteed GO (minimum numbers – we will keep you notified). Upon receiving your deposit we will email you a receipt and invoice for the remaining amount.
3. 50% of the full tour cost (less your $500 deposit) is due July 1, 2012.
4. The remaining is due August 15, 2012.
Price is in Canadian dollars. HST not included.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Up to July 15th, full refund of your deposits less 25%.
After August 15 – 50% refund of entire trip cost.
If your spot can be filled (we will try our very best), then full refund less 15%.
Billy’s Best Bottles is not responsible for any loss, theft, accident or injury incurred on this trip and has the right to cancel for any reason. Should we cancel, you will get all monies refunded.
“The best trip ever! The days were filled with adventure and surprise – it was always amazing, and the evenings were fit for Kings and Queens. Billy and Kato excel at creating a magical journey.”
“Billy and Kato are the best tour guides on the planet! We did and saw so much, but never felt rushed, and got to see all the non-touristy stuff that made our Ireland trip the best week of our lives. I cannot recommend them highly enough!”
