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Paris | Iceland | Ireland | Scandinavia & Russia | Spain

A Paris City Stay

To Benefit Salem Art Works
Escorted by Ben Hillis

Paris is a work of art with wonderful food & wine, a one of a kind experience! Join Ben Hillis, the Associate Director and Curator at Salem Art Works on his trip to visit the great city of love, life, and masterpieces! Unpack once and choose your own adventure as you explore Paris on your own!

Download Itinerary & Application (PDF)
January 31 - February 7, 2012

Day 01
Tues
Jan. 31

USA - Paris: Depart JFK on your overnight flight to Paris with Aer Lingus. Dinner is served aboard, shortly after take off.

Day 02
Wed
Feb 1

Paris: You will be greeted by a Celtic Tours representative, who will direct you to your awaiting motorcoach for transfer to your Paris hotel, your home for the next 6 nights. The Métro is an easy, fast, and cost-effective way to see Paris. After check-in in the afternoon, the remainder of the day is free to rest or explore Paris on your own. Dinner is on your own.

Day 03
Thurs
Feb 2

Paris: Free day in Paris. Get acquainted with this city, known for such classic sights as the Eiffel Tower, Musée du Louvre, Notre-Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, Sacré -Coeur, and all those atmospheric cafes. Don't forget the parks, and squares, the Champs-Elysées and other grand boulevards, or even the river Seine and its quays. Dinner is on your own.

Day 04
Fri
Feb 3

Paris: Free day in Paris. Dinner is on your own. You may wish to visit Sainte-Chapelle, a tiny chapel, called a jewel box by many writers. On a bright day, the 15 stained-glass windows seem to glow with Chartres blue and with reds that have inspired the saying "wine the color of Sainte-Chapelle's windows."

OPTIONAL Versailles: You may wish to join an option ½ day excursion to Versailles ($99 p.p. additional, where you visit the Versailles Palace, which has out dazzled every other kingly residence in Europe, a symbol of a regime obsessed with prestige.

Day 05
Sat
Feb 4

Paris: Free day in Paris. You won't want to miss the Musée Rodin, acclaimed as the father of modern sculpture, the single best-known work, The Thinker. Dinner is on your own. Tonight you may wish to go out in style and treat yourself to the Moulin Rouge dinner show (must arrange on your own) with its renowned show girls at the home of the French cancan.

Day 06
Sun
Feb 5

Paris: Free day in Paris. Museums in Paris are free on the first Sunday of the month. Ask your concierge what hidden delights Paris has to offer or chose a day enjoying the art collection at Musée de l'Orangerie, Musée d'Orsay, The Picasso Museum is in a huge 17th century mansion, tucked away on a little backstreet in the 3rd arrondissement. Some say this museum is one of the best (and leastcrowded!) museums in Paris. Dinner is on your own.

Day 07
Mon
Feb 6

Paris: Free day in Paris. Dinner is on your own. Today visit one of the spots still on your list, or revisit a favorite before you leave.

Day 08
Tues
Feb 7

Depature: After breakfast, with the help of an English-speaking assistant, depart for nearby Charles de Gaulle International Airport for check in for our flight back home.

Iceland: Scandinavian Art & Culture

Iceland is being born right now, geologically speaking and is a wonderful and exciting place to visit. Directly over the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where plates come together! Fun things to experience while being in awe of natures beauty, diversity and natural wonders.

Learn More at Celtic Tours

Download Itinerary & Application (PDF)
November 6 – 11, 2011

Day 01
Sunday,
Nov. 6th

U.S. – Reykjavik. Depart JFK on Iceland Air's overnight flight to Iceland.

Day 02
Monday,
Nov. 7th

Reykjavik. Morning arrival into Keflavik International Airport. We are met by our driver for transfer via motorcoach to our hotel in Reykjavik, where we spend the next four days. Over the ages a lot of groups have had their hand in creating the vibrant city of Reykjavik, including rebel farmers, Vikings, daredevil fisherman, musicians, artists, and poets. Catch the contagious energy that this place breeds with its pristine air and water, glaciers, volcanoes, steam rising from geothermal vents in the Earth, the fun-loving crowds out until all hours downtown under the midnight sun, and the vast open spaces where we can lose ourselves in other worldly landscapes. Enjoy a welcome dinner and overnight in Reykjavik.

OPTIONAL Reykjavik Tour. Get acquainted with an optional city tour.

Day 03
Tuesday,
Nov. 8th

Reykjavik. After breakfast at our hotel, the day is free to explore on our own. Find out about some of Iceland's unique music, catch a look at the Imagine Peace Tower built as a tribute to John Lennon by Yoko Ono. Tonight dinner is on our own. Overnight in Reykjavik.

OPTIONAL Golden Circle. After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a full day excursion to the Golden Circle.

Day 04
Wednesday,
Nov. 9th

Reykjavik. After breakfast at our hotel, the day is free to explore on our own. We may wish to visit one of the many glaciers, as approximately 10% of the country is covered in them! There are many wonderful art galleries and museums to visit, such as the Harbor House Museum, the National Museum of Iceland, the Einar Jonsson Museum and the National Gallery of Iceland. We may wish to choose from two wonderful eating options, the cafeteria or the revolving Perlan Restaurant built on top of the city's hot water tanks where we may see the beautiful view. One of the water tanks at Perlan holds the Saga Museum. It tells us about the Icelandic sagas as well as some other history. It also shows us how Icelanders used to live and how they live now. If we are lucky this evening, we may catch a view of the Northern Lights. Tonight dinner is on our own.

Day 05
Thursday, Nov. 10th

Reykjavik. After breakfast at our hotel, the day is free to explore on our own. Explore the harbor area and its activities or join a horseback riding tour to get acquainted with Iceland. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner with the group. Overnight in Reykjavik.

OPTIONAL Vik Tour. After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a full day excursion to Vik.

Day 06
Friday,
Nov. 11th

Reykjavik – USA After breakfast, enjoy some free time to catch that one last museum we didn't get to visit, or join the Blue Lagoon option as your one special experience before departure for Keflavik International Airport for our return flight home. We take with us our wonderful memories of this very unique and fascinating destination.

OPTIONAL Blue Lagoon. After breakfast join the Blue Lagoon option, a special experience before departing this wonderful country.

Spring Time in Ireland

Galway - Dublin - Kilkenny - Waterford - Ennistymon
Escorted by Noreen Yost

Download Itinerary & Application (PDF)
March 21 -28, 2012

Day 01
Wednesday
March 21

USA - Ireland: OPTIONAL - Motor coach transfer from Albany Area to JFK International Airport. Evening departure from JFK on our overnight flight to Dublin, Ireland via Continental Airlines. Dinner will be served shortly after take-off.

Day 02
Thursday
March 22

Dublin, Ireland: Morning arrival at Dublin Airport, where you are greeted by your friendly Celtic Tours Irish driver/guide to escort you in your luxury motor coach. Upon arrival, our Irish guide will give you a wonderful panoramic tour of Dublin on the way to your Clontarf Castle, your castle hotel. The afternoon brings us the opportunity to have a bit of time to explore the capital city on your own or join the optional Guinness Storehouse tour. Dinner is on your own. You may choose to have a quick bite in one of your castle's restaurants. Overnight in Dublin.

OPTIONAL - GUINNESS BREWERY STOREHOUSE TOUR ($23 p.p. additional, must be prebooked). This afternoon visit the Guinness Brewery Storehouse. Sample a pint of their famous stout in the glass-enclosed Gravity Bar, 197 ft. above the ground, with 360-degree views of Dublin City.

Day 03
Friday
March 23

Dublin – Kilkenny: Travel south to Kilkenny which is Ireland's best preserved medieval town, known as the "marble city", because of the nearby quarries. The sights to see are 13th. Century St. Canice's Cathedral built on the site of an earlier 6th. Century monastery; Trinity gate, Kilkenny Castle, Rothe House, 1594 and the Kyteler's Inn, home of dame Alice Kyteler, accused of witchcraft in 1324. Check into your hotel, where you are free to independently explore or join the optional Kilkenny Castle visit. Dinner is on your own. Overnight at the Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel in Kilkenny.

OPTIONAL - KILKENNY CASTLE VISIT($11 p.p. additional, must be prebooked). Afternoon visit of the majestic Kilkenny Castle, a 12th. Century fortress and home of the Butler family, whose members were the earls, marquesses, and dukes of Ormonde. See the modern Design Center housed in the former stables of the castle.

Day 04
Saturday
March 24

Kilkenny – Waterford - New Ross – Kilkenny: Today, journey southward to the crystal city of Waterford where during your free time you may visit the new Waterford Crystal Factory Showroom. On then to New Ross in County Wexford. Visit the towering masts of the tall ship Dunbrody on the quayside. Enjoy some time to independently explore this town before you return to Kilkenny. Tonight dinner on your own. Overnight at the Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel. Tonight experience one of the many pubs, some with entertainment.

Day 05
Sunday
March 25

Kilkenny – Cashel – Limerick – Cliffs of Moher - Ennistymon: Travel westward through the lush green pasturelands of South Tipperary, known as the Golden Vale that boasts Ireland's richest farmland. A photo stop at Cashel to see the mighty Rock of Cashel, which in ancient times was the seat of the Kings of Munster. From here we travel through historic Limerick, the market town of Ennis to the Clare coast. Visit the mighty Cliffs of Moher, rising 700 feet above the Atlantic and stretching along the coast for five miles. Dinner and overnight at the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon.

Day 06
Monday
March 26

Ennistymon – Burren – Galway – Ennistymon: After breakfast, we skirt the unique Burren region, a limestone desert with its Stone Age structures, underground caves and ancient monuments. Continue through the charming villages of Ballyvaughan and Kinvara along Galway Bay to Galway City. After a panoramic city tour, enjoy free time to shop and explore. Later today, travel to Ardrahan in County Galway with a visit to Rathbaun Farm. Enjoy tea/coffee and farmhouse scones. Enjoy the feeding the baby lambs, sheep shearing and watch as the dog herds the flock. Return to your Ennistymon hotel. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon.

Day 07
Tuesday
March 27

Ennistymon – Boyne Valley – Dublin: Journey across the midlands to Navan, just north of Dublin through the Boyne Valley. We visit the tombs at Newgrange. These burial mounds along the Boyne are older than Egypt's pyramids! Finish the tour of the Boyne Valley at Drogheda, at the mouth of the ancient river and take the scenic coastal route back to Dublin, via Balbriggan, Skerries and Rush. Enjoy a farewell group dinner and overnight at the Maldron Hotel Cardiff Lane in Dublin.

Day 08
Wednesday
March 28

Dublin – Dublin Airport – USA: Early morning departure from your hotel and you will be transferred to Shannon Airport for your return flight home. Arrive home the same day.

Scandinavia & Russia Sailing

7 Nights Aboard the Vision of the Seas, Sailing from Oslo, Norway

INCLUDES: Round-trip air (direct flights on Scandinavian Air) from Newark, all meals, entertainment onboard, taxes, transfers, plus a $50 donation to the Church of the Covenant. Optional Insurance Available: $89 pp for cabins noted.

SPACE IS LIMITED AT THIS SPECIAL PRICE:
Reserve early for the best cabin! Deposit of $420 per/person due by November 30th, 2011—fully refundable up to final payment due date. Final payment is due on February 4, 2012. Don't wait too long...Cabins will book quickly!

Note: No Visa required in Russia for Cruise Tours! Rates are subject to change until paid in full. Based on 10 air seats from Newark.

VISION OF THE SEAS
The 2,435-guest Vision of the Seas has beautiful onboard amenities too. There's the very soothing Day Spa, two pools, six whirlpools, and the Masquerade Theatre, which features nightly entertainment, like contemporary musical stage productions. And that's just the beginning of your cruise vacation.

Download Itinerary & Application (PDF)
June 1-9, 2012

Day 01 - Friday, June 1

Depart Newark

Day 02 - Saturday, June 2

Oslo, Norway

Day 03 - Sunday, June 3

Cruising

Day 04 - Monday, June 4

Cruising

Day 05 - Tuesday, June 5

St. Petersburg, Russia

Day 06 - Wednesday, June 6

Tallinn, Estonia

Day 07 - Thursday, June 7

Cruising

Day 08 - Friday, June 8

Copenhagen, Denmark

Day 09 - June 9

Return flight to Newark

Barcelona, Spain

On the Mediterranean — To Benefit the New York State Museum
Escorted by Noreen Yost

Tour Includes:

  • Airfare from Newark to Spain
  • 6 Night Accommodations at 4 Star, First Class Hotel, near the beaches of the
    Mediterranean
  • All Rooms with private facilities
  • 6 breakfasts
  • 1 Farewell Dinner
  • Tips included for all restaurants & hotel
  • Taxes included
  • Celtic Tours Flight Tote and portfolio of travel documents
  • $50 donation to NYS Museum

Download Itinerary & Application (PDF)
March 5 1-2, 2012

Day 01
Monday
March 5

US - Barcelona: Board your overnight transatlantic flight to Barcelona, Europe's largest metropolis on the Mediterranean Sea.

Day 02
Tuesday
March 6

Barcelona: Morning arrival in Barcelona El Prat Airport. You will be greeted by a Celtic Tours representative, who will direct you to your awaiting motor coach for transfer to your Barcelona hotel, your home for the next 6 nights. You are free to relax for the remainder of the day. Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is unequivocally a Mediterranean city, not only because of its geographic location, but also because of its history, tradition and cultural influences. Barcelona's history dates back to the founding of a Roman colony on its soil in the second century B.C. Modern Barcelona experienced spectacular growth and economic revival at the onset of industrialization during the second half of the 19th century. Barcelona's culture and arts flourished and includes the wonderful Catalonian achievement of Modernism. Dinner is on your own tonight.

Day 03
Wednesday
March 7

Barcelona: After breakfast, the day is free to explore Barcelona on your own. Dinner on your own.

OPTIONAL 1/2 DAY BARCELONA CITY TOUR: $125 pp. Enjoy a half day guided tour of Barcelona. Visit the Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece, and one of Barcelona's most popular tourist attractions. Construction on this church will continue for at least several more decades, but it has already become Barcelona's most important landmark. Continue to Parque Guella, a stylish park designed for Barcelona aristocracy with amazing stone structures, stunning tiling and fascinating buildings.

Day 04
Thursday
March 8

Barcelona: After breakfast at the hotel, the day is free to spend as you please. Perhaps a visit to the Royal Palace. The Royal Palace is no longer used as a residence, but it has been kept intact since it last functioned as home to the king, primarily serving as a tourist attraction. Art enthusiasts may wish to visit the Museu de Picasso, five medieval mansions that contain the work of Pablo Picasso. The highlight of the collection is Las Meninas and the Harlequin. Dinner on your own.

OPTIONAL 1/2 DAY MONTSERRAT CITY TOUR: $110 pp- Enjoy a half day excursion to Montserrat, a Benedictine Monk retreat that offers some of the most spectacular mountain views of Catalunya. You will learn about the holy grotto where visitations by the Virgin Mary were reported.

Day 05
Friday
March 9

Barcelona: After breakfast, enjoy a day at leisure. You may choose to take a stroll along La Rambla, Barcelona's most famous promenade with its array of living statues, street musicians and performers, or stroll along the nearby beach. Another place you may not want to miss is the Cathedral de la Santa Creu (Le Seu) in the center of the Barri Gothic area. Dinner on your own.

Day 06
Saturday
March 10

Barcelona: After breakfast, enjoy a day at leisure. Dinner on your own.

OPTIONAL FULL DAY GERONA & FIGUERES EXCURSION: $199 pp- Enjoy a full day excursion to Figueres and Gerona with guide. Visit the Dali Theatre Museum, situated in the old municipal theatre, has become one of the main cultural places to see. Designed by Salvador Dalí, it holds an important exhibition, which shows the career of the man considered a master of Surrealism. Continue to the Cathedral of St. Mary of Gerona.

Day 07
Sunday
March 11

Barcelona: After breakfast, enjoy a day at leisure. Today visit one of the spots still on your list or revisit a favorite before you leave.
Enjoy a farewell dinner with the group.

Day 08
Monday
March 12

Barcelona – US: After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flight to U.S.A. Arrive home the same day. "Adios" Madrid!