Itinerary Overview
C&H Educational Systems and Traveling Matters will sponsor the Anesthesia
Update in Galway City, Ireland for six days. All participants arrive on
Monday, September 25, 2006 with evening orientation and welcome dinner.
Lectures begin Tuesday, September 26 at 7:30 am with breakfast and registration.
A post-conference excursion beginning October 1-6, 2006, for five (nights)
six days, traveling by private coach through the mid-lands of Ireland
to the historic city of Dublin is also in the offering and is priced separately
from the Galway conference land package.
During the conference portion of your visit, you will experience the beauty
of the landscape, the mystery and the splendor of this ancient country all
nestled against the artistic and cultural city of Galway, surrounded by
Galway Bay. Galway is the fourth largest city in the Republic of Ireland
and one of Europe’s fastest growing urban areas. The arts are paramount
with theatre groups, a thriving film industry plus many musicians and annual
art festivals. Galway was once a walled medieval city, with remains of the
wall still intact today.
Ireland has become vastly prosperous over the past ten years and development
is evident everywhere. Throughout the journey we will contrast the new with
the still unspoiled natural rural landscape as we traverse the backroads
and modern roads of Ireland. At the heart of our stay will be the connection
we make with the warm-hearted and spontaneous nature of the Irish people
and local guides.
There will be plenty of time to enjoy great shopping, theatre, music and
art in Galway. An easy city to explore on foot, or join the casual afternoon
excursions included in the land package. Visits to ancient sites and rural
villages, traditional music and pubs, and time permitting, a visit to the
island of Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands where the native tongue
is still spoken. A dramatic walk to the remains of Dun Aonghusa, a large
eleven-acre pre-historic fort built between 800 BC and 400 AD. We have wonderful
experiences planned for your visit with plenty of time to enjoy the delight
of Irish music and hospitality. The hotel is nicely situated for a leisurely
walk to the city center, or a short taxi ride.
*Tentative Itinerary
Day 1: Sunday, September 24:
Depart USA on your choice of international airline.
Day 1: Monday, September 25: Welcome to the Emerald Isle.
Morning arrival to Shannon Airport where you will be met by Margarita. Travel
by comfortable private coach to Galway City. En-route, stop for coffee,
tea or a light breakfast before continuing to Galway. Settle into hotel,
take a nap, or stroll into town. Evening orientation with warm Irish welcome
and dinner included this evening. (B, D)
Day 2: Tuesday, September 26: Workshop
begins at 8:30 am. (See schedule)
Choose to have the rest of the afternoon free to explore the city or participate
in a journey through Connemara, an exquisitely beautiful, rugged wild landscape
dominated by the twelve bens (peaks) and the Gaeltcht (Irish tongue) area
of Ireland. A visit to Kylemore Abbey in all its glory and Gothic Chapel.
Return to Galway early evening. Remainder of evening free for music, pubs,
dinner. (B)
Day 3: Wednesday, September 27: Lectures begin at 8:30
am. (See schedule)
Afternoon free to visit nearby shops, museums, sit in one of the many cafes
and just enjoy the views. Evening pub and music crawl or free to follow
your hearts desire. (B, L)
Day 4: Thursday, September 28: Lectures begin at 8:30
am. (See schedule)
Afternoon excursion to the Burren. There is no other area in Ireland like
the Burren. A luminous landscape of limestone rock that was once entirely
under the sea covers the Burren. We will walk to a monolithic wedge tomb
and then onward to the famous coastal village of Doolin where many of Ireland’s
finest musicians began their journey to fame. We will soak in this wonderful
coastal village with traditional music and great pub food.
(B,D)
Day 5: Friday, September 29: Lectures begin at 8:30 am.
(See schedule)
A highlight of our stay will be to cross by ferry to Inishmor where many
people still depend on pony and trap for transportation. This is a step
back in time and history for the native Irish. Lunch on the island and then
walk to Dun Aengus, an eleven-acre prehistoric stone cashel (fort) situated
on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. (B,L)
Day 6: Saturday, September 30: Lectures begin at 8:30
am. (See schedule)
Final day of workshops. Afternoon free to shop and explore the city and nearby sites. This evening we will board our coach
and travel a short distance for our farewell dinner of wine, music, poetry
and song. Remainder of the evening free to pack and take in more Irish music.
(B, D)
Day 7: Sunday, October 1: Morning transfer by
coach to Shannon Airport for those returning home. Those opting for the
post-conference tour, approximate departure time between 11am and 12 noon
from our hotel. (B, D).
Note: Traveling Matters reserves the right to change the
itinerary if deemed necessary and the cost based on the fluctuation of the
Euro and number of participants.
GALWAY LAND PACKAGE COST: $2,348.00, single room add $225
Note: The conference registration fee is separate from the land package and is paid directly to C&H Educational Systems (details here).Land Package Includes:
• Round trip ground transportation by private Coach from Shannon Airport
to hotel
• Daily ground transportation by private coach for all excursions
• On-Site Coordinator
• Six nights accommodations at 4 Star Ardiluan House Hotel (based on double
occupancy)
• Full Irish breakfast served daily; 2 lunches; 3 dinners
• Bottled water on bus during afternoon excursions
• All afternoon excursions to ancient sites and rural villages, walking
tours
• Entrance fees to excursion sites
• Evening entertainment with Traditional Irish music
• All in-country guides and leadership
• Pre-trip materials, luggage tags
Not included: international air flight; personal spending; pints
of Guinness; other beverages; meals not included in itinerary; laundry service;
discretionary tips to wait staff, driver, guides, and musicians. Single
Room: add $225.00.
ABOUT YOUR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS:
We recommend Beeline-Hickory Travel Agency to arrange your flights. They
are working toward providing the best fares and possible group fares depending
on your gateway departure city. For assistance booking your flight contact
Mike Savitt or ask for the agents that are booking the flights for Traveling
Matters Group to Ireland in September, 2006. You can reach Hickory Beeline
Travel at 1-800-845-1054, M-F 10am-5pm EST. You may choose to use
your air miles or book your own flight to Ireland. However, if you would
like to take advantage of the group's ground transportation to and from
to Shannon or Dublin Airport you will need to arrange your arrival and departure
times to coincide with the group. For more information please contact Margarita
(707 939-7638).
DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM HERE.