St Patricks Day Parade

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary is subject to change.

Day 1

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

  • Depart USA for your overnight flights to Ireland.
Day 2

Wednesday, March 13

  • Arrive at Dublin International Airport 
  • Transfer to Killarney, Co Kerry via Blarney Castle, Co Cork  
    • Built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, and has been attracting attention ever since. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney making it a world landmark and one of Ireland’s greatest treasures. Now that might have something to do with the Blarney Stone, the legendary Stone of Eloquence, found at the top of our tower. Kiss it and you’ll never again be lost for words.
  • Arrive at the hotel in Killarney for 2 nights

Blarney Castle, Cork

Day 3

Thursday, March 14

  • Breakfast at your hotel
  • Visit the Inner Ring of Kerry via Kilgarvan, Kenmare and Molls Gap
  • Stop at Kissane Sheep Farm
    • A Large Mountain Sheep Farm, with many hundreds of Sheep and Baby Lambs and has been owned by the Family for almost 200 years. We are in a Special Area of Conservation and our main aim is to preserve the Farm and its sheep and baby lambs. To help the Farm survive they have opened the Farm to visitors since May of 2005 and every-day they welcome many Group Tours and Individuals & Families to come and visit the Farm and see our Sheep Dog Demonstrations. In the Spring time the visitors will have the opportunity to see the many baby lambs that will be born on the Farm.
  • Jaunting Cart ride   
    • We invite you to step back in time by experiencing Ireland’s most traditional mode of transport with a Jaunting Car Tour/ horse and carriage to view Killarney’s most loved beauty hotspots. Our intimate knowledge of Killarney coupled with an in-depth expertise of our trade derives from generations of experience, allowing you to enjoy the very best that Killarney has to offer whilst learning about the history, legend and folklore of the area.
  • Enjoy time at leisure to explore the National Park
  • Banquet Dinner in your hotel to include the Family & Friends Group 



Day 4

Friday, March 15

  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Check-out of hotel and begin trip to Dublin
  • Visit Bunratty Castle 
    • Bunratty Castle, the most complete and authentic medieval castle in Ireland. Built in 1425, it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendour and now contains mainly 15th and 16th-century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art which capture the mood of those who made this their home.
  • Visit the Cliffs of Moher
    • Step on to the edge of the world and into an awe-inspiring view that dreams are made of – at the Cliffs of Moher you will encounter nature in its wildest, purest form – see the rugged cliffs facing the mighty ocean, taste the salt air, hear the birds cry, feel the ancient rocks beneath your feet, and smell the wind!
  • Arrive in Dublin and check into hotel for 3 nights
  • Dinner at the hotel





Day 5

Saturday, March 16

  • Breakfast at hotel
  • Enjoy a Panoramic Bus Tour of Dublin, Ireland’s Capital
    • Dublin, Ireland’s capital, is one of the friendliest cities in the world. Founded in the 9th century, the city is proud of its Viking past, and its streets and buildings are a living museum of its history since then, with medieval castles and cathedrals on display alongside the architectural splendors of the 18th-century when Dublin was the most handsome Georgian city of the British Empire. On our tour today you will experience Dublin in its own unique way, from the famous highlights to it’s hidden gems. 
  • Visit the EPIC Museum.
    • The Epic Museum was Winner of Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards 2019 & 2020.  You won’t find leprechauns or pots of gold here, but you’ll discover that what it means to be Irish expands far beyond the borders of Ireland through the stories of Irish emigrants who became scientists, politicians, poets, artists and even outlaws all over the world. Discover Ireland from the outside in and find out why saying “I’m Irish” is one of the biggest conversation starters, no matter where you are.
  • Time at leisure in Dublin
  • Dinner at Taylors Three Rock with Family & Friends group 
    • Ireland’s most loved pub and entertainment venue Taylors Three Rock involves a rip roaring evening of traditional Irish song and dance accompanied by a great selection of quality Irish food to delight your palate.





Day 6

Sunday, March 17

  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • 9.00 am – Depart your hotel to stage for the St Patricks’ Day Parade 
  • 12:00 pm –  St. Patrick’s Parade Begins
    • The 2024 Festival Parade will weave its way through the heart of the capital city in a flourish of color and flair. Ireland’s finest street-theatre companies will swirl by with fantastical pageantry and raucous performances. Bands from Ireland will be joined by music ensembles from around the world and deliver uplifting rhythms for the spectacular procession.
  • Late Afternoon: Celbridge Parade Begins
    • The community of Celbridge hosts an annual St. Patrick’s Parade, which has is recent years become the envy of community parades around Ireland. With it’s proximity to Dublin City, this town has become the second parade for many bands and artists to continue their celebrations after the Dublin City Parade has finished!
  • Return to hotel
  • Dinner at hotel

Parade Route

The Parade is 2.5 kilometres long ; from Parnell Square on the city’s Northside down O’Connell Street, over the River Liffey via O’Connell Bridge into Westmoreland Street, past Trinity College at College Green and on to Dame Street. It then turns left at Christchurch Cathedral into Lord Edward Street, Nicholas Street and Patrick Street before finally finishing at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.






Day 7

Monday, March 18

  • Breakfast at hotel
  • Check out of hotel and depart for return flight to USA
  • Transfer to Homewood

Slán Abhaile 

Safe Home



Please note that the itinerary is subject to change.

INCLUSIONS & PRICING

INCLUSIONS

Price Includes:

  • Roundtrip economy commercial air flights to Ireland
  • 5 nights hotel accommodation based on sharing triple rooms with private bath & shower facilities (hotel details below)
  • Two meals per day beginning with dinner on Day 2 and ending with breakfast on Day 7 (excluding meals en route on the aircraft)
  • Four (4) Full Irish breakfasts in the hotel (bag breakfast on Day 7 for early departures)
  • Light lunch on Day 6
  • Five dinners including two special dinners:
    – Banquet in the Killarney Hotel on Day 3
    – Traditional Irish Night in Taylors Three Rock with Irish music, song & dance on Day 5
  • Admissions to: Blarney Castle, Kissane’s Sheep Farm, Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle, and EPIC Museum
  • A jaunting cart ride in Killarney
  • Equipment truck for the band’s instruments
  • Post departure travel insurance
  • All local taxes and service charges.
  • Drivers and Irish Tour Guide gratuities
  • Group Travel Video App
  • Services of a Grueninger Music Tours travel director In Ireland

What Is Not Included:

  • Transportation to any of the US departure city airports
  • Meals and attractions not listed “as included” from previous pages
  • Drinks – All breakfasts include juices, tea and coffee. Contracted dinners include tea and coffee but unless otherwise stated, meals do not include bottled water, juices or soft drinks.
  • Lunches, other than Day 6 (en route to Celbridge)
  • GMT travel director gratuity
  • Hotel porterage
  • Private hotel security dedicated to the group at the hotel
  • Upgraded travel Insurance
  • Any medical testing required per itinerary
  • Items of personal nature, such as souvenirs, etc.
  • Any not listed as “included”
PRICING

Estimated Student rate

$3,549 – $3,999 per student sharing in a triple

  • Pricing based on Currency Exchange Rate of € 1 Euro = $1.05 USD Exchange rate is subject to change
  • Pricing based 46 – 50 passengers per motorcoach
  • Pricing based on a minimum of 300 paid students in the band group. A change outside these number of participants or passengers per motorcoach will affect the per person tour price. 
  • All services and prices are subject to availability at time of booking.

All prices are based on current availability of transportation and accommodations. At this time, nothing is being held, only quoted. All prices are based on current transportation fuel charges and taxes/fees. Any changes to fuel or taxes/fees which are beyond our control will be passed on.

Travel documents – Official Identification is required to depart the United States and to enter into Europe (and return)

Passports: All travelers will need a valid US Passport (valid six (6) months after return date). The easiest way to secure a valid passport is to go to a US Post Office and sign up for one; paperwork and details are listed at the websites below.  Regardless of how you get your passport, ALL PAPERWORK needs to be processed by October 1st, 2023. Please check the following website for all other information: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html or http://www.usps.com/passport/

Also, children of divorced parents need to file proper documentation to leave the country w/both parents’ consent. 

Vaccination: As of January 1, 2023, no travelers will need to be vaccinated to travel to Ireland and back to the United States. Subject to change.

HOTELS

Killarney Area Hotel – TBD

Dublin Area Hotel – TBD



TRAVEL INSURANCE AND OPTIONAL UPGRADES

Grueninger Music Tours strongly recommends that participants purchase a travel protection plan. Travel protection safeguards your travel investment, your belongings, and most importantly, you. Your travel protection plan should cover at a minimum, cancellation, cancel for any reason, curtailment, medical, emergency travel and personal accidents, and damage or loss to personal belongings.

Included Travel Protection:

  • Travel Insured International’s Student Protection Plan has been purchased on behalf of all travelers, which helps provide coverage post-departure. Plan details can be found here.

Suggested Travel Protection Upgrade:
This policy offers more protection than the included policy above.

  • Travel Insured Student Deluxe CFAR Plan can be purchased (restrictions apply). Plan details found here.
  • This plan must be purchased through Travel Insured International within 20 days of your initial payment.
  • Below is a link that will allow you to purchase the the upgraded plan for your trip. You will need to enter the cost of your full trip cost, the trips dates and some other basic information. For questions on the plan, coverage or procedures, please contact the Group Desk at Travel Insured 844-440-8113.

https://www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=147201&guid=96cb16578bc8461cb849089c7049a067

NOTE:  Grueninger Music Tours is not qualified to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of travel protection plans. Grueninger cannot evaluate the adequacy of the prospective insured’s existing insurance coverage. If you have any questions about your travel protection, call your insurer or insurance agent or broker.

Declining travel protection plan coverage could result in the loss of your travel cost and/or require more money to correct the situation. You also acknowledge that without this coverage, there may be no way to recoup any losses, costs or expenses incurred. If a participant chooses to travel without adequate travel protection, Grueninger will not be liable for any of your losses howsoever arising, which would have been covered by adequate travel protection.

FAQ

How do I pay GMT?

GMT will create a dedicated web site registration and payment portal available January 12, 2023.  You will be able to use the same account information you have used for the December 2021 and the November 2022 trips.  You will be able to pay by credit card, ACH (electronic check) or by mailing in a check to their office. Any missed or late payments beyond that are subject to the GMT’s policies.

Can I just wait and pay it all later when I’m sure?

No. Beginning January 12, 2023, the dedicated website registration and payment portal will be active.  A deposit is due upon registration for the trip.  The trip payment plan will be posted on the site. You may register for the trip at any point but availability is limited and will be based on date of registration.

If I change my mind and decide not to participate, or can’t go, do I get a refund?

A timeline will be provided so travelers will know what percentage of a refund is possible at a certain date. The first deposit is non-refundable.  Travel insurance with “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage is highly recommended. We will make a third-party vendor available for you but you may also purchase travel protection through any vendor of your choice.

Will all students fly to and from Ireland on the same plane?

No.  There will be several flights through various connecting cities.  All flights will have adults accompanying students. GMT is very experienced at this and will have everything worked out in a well-documented plan.

Will we have any help getting passports?

You are required to obtain your own passport for the trip.  For details, visit  https://travel.state.gov

If I forget and wait too long to get the passport, is there a way I can go on the trip anyway?

No.

What about spending-money in Ireland?

They use the EURO as currency.  There will ample opportunity at airports to exchange currency as well as an explanation to the students on how to do this. Currently 1 Euro exchanges for US $.99.

What about debit/credit card purchases?

Major credit and debit cards work in Europe the same as the U.S.  Be sure your bank knows you will be traveling before leaving.

Who can travel as part of the Friends and Family Group?

Anyone other than students and staff.

Are flights included in the price?

Yes, but the price is currently estimated. Airlines open reservations about 10-11 months in advance.  Updated final pricing will be available in the spring of 2023.

Can I use miles for my flight?

No, not for the student/chaperone trip package, but it is possible for the Friends & Family group.  A “land only” package will be offered.

Is it required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to go on the trip?

Though the trip is too far in the future to know for sure, but as of January 1, 2023, for all COVID19 travel restrictions have been lifted for travel to Ireland and back to the United States for US Citizens.  However, travel requirements are constantly changing and will be monitored and will be communicated as needed.  For more information, please visit travel.state.gov.

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QUESTIONS?
Contact: [email protected]