Tim Thompson, frequent assignment photographer for National Geographic and three-time Travel Photographer of the Year, is the photographer of the spectacular Graphic Arts Center Publishing book on Ireland. With Tim as guide, a very special look at this most photogenic country will include Bunratty Castle, Kinsale, Cork, Cobh, Cape Clear Island, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Inishmore, the Connemara, Donegal, Killybegs, Giant's Causeway, and Malahide during this most favorable time of the year to photograph in Ireland.

An optional extension to stay on in Dublin can be arranged.

Day 1 - SHANNONSIDE

Arrival in the Emerald Isle at Shannon Airport. You will be transferred from the airport to nearby accommodations. As there may be different flight arrival times throughout the day, the coach will be available to take you on an excursion to nearby Quin Abbey and the Bunratty Castle. Overnight in Bunratty area.

Day 2 - BLARNEY CASTLE, COBH AND KINSALE

We head for County Cork today, with a stop at Blarney Castle. Continue to the town of Cobh with its multi-colored buildings and large harbor, where most immigrants to America last saw their native land. Continue to the charming port town of Kinsale, with some of the best seafood restaurants in the country. Overnight at Kiernan's Folkhouse Inn in Kinsale.

Day 3 - CAPE CLEAR ISLAND & BANTRY

Tour through Skibbereen to Baltimore, where we'll take the ferry to nearby Cape Clear Island. Wander past fields where the people do the haying by hand, and over to the dramatic cliffs of the island for some great photo opportunities throughout the day. Return to mainland and continue to Bantry town for the evening.

Day 4 - KENMARE & KILLARNEY

Cross the spectacular Caha Pass and into Kenmare. Stop at Ladies View in the MacGillycuddy Reeks which overlooks the Lakes of Killarney -- Upper Lake, Muckross Lake and Lough Leane. Visit the extensive grounds, mansion and lake at Muckross House before arriving into Killarney town. First of two nights at the Lake Lodge in Killarney.

Day 5 - RING OF KERRY

Travel the loop road on the famed Ring of Kerry today. Once reaching Cahirciveen on the western end we'll head over to Valentia Island, stopping at Portmagee and Knights Town with their unique fishing harbors. We'll stop along the way for pastoral views and perhaps a few local farmers out in their fields.

Day 6 - DINGLE PENINSULA

It's off to the Dingle Peninsula today, with its wild, open landscapes and country villages. Past Dingle town, and its busy fishing harbor, we'll continue on the Slea Head and its sheer rock outcroppings. Heading west, this is the last point of land until you reach the New World. Tour through the village of Dunquin and Ballyferriter to picturesque Smerwick Harbour. Overnight in Dingle town.

Day 7 - COUNTY CLARE COAST

From Dingle we'll head past Tralee to Tarbert, where we'll take a ferry across the Shannon River to Killimer. Continue on past Spanish Point and through the famous golfing town of Lahinch on our way to the spectacular 900 foot Cliffs of Moher. From the cliffs, we'll swing through the Burren - an eerie landscape of bare limestone rock. If there's time, we'll stop in Ballyvaughan before heading on to Doolin, where we'll overnight. After dinner this evening we'll visit some of the local pubs, famed throughout the country as a magnet for folk musicians.

Day 8 - INISHMORE

Take the ferry this morning from Doolin to Kilronan, Inishmore in the Aran Islands. We'll be met on the island by a tour guide with minivan. Enjoy a day's exploration of the island visiting the 2,500 year old stone fort of Dun Aengus, high above the pounding waves of the Atlantic Ocean. We'll be staying on Inishmore this evening, enjoying a guesthouse on this quiet island of great stone fences.

Day 9 - THE CONNEMARA

We'll spend a relaxed morning looking around the village of Kilronan before going to the pier for the ferry to Rossaveal in County Galway. We'll tour through the dramatic Connemara area and the quaint village of Roundstone before heading for our overnight accommodations in stately Clifden.

Day 10 - KYLEMORE ABBEY AND ACHILL ISLAND

We'll leave Clifden along the Skye Road, with its spectacular views and head for Kylemore Abbey, the most photographed location in Ireland. After passing along picturesque Killary Harbor, we'll stop in Westport before continuing on to Achill Island, where we'll find ancient stone buildings and spectacular seascapes. Head on to the town of Ballina for the overnight.

Day 11 - DONEGAL TOUR

Today we'll head through Yeat's country and past Benbulben Mountain on our way to Donegal town. From there we'll continue on to Killybegs, the largest fishing port in Ireland. Beyond Killybegs are gently rolling valleys leading to the grand cliffs of Slieve League -- at 2000 feet the tallest in all of Europe. From there it's on past the rugged coast to Ardara, and if there's time, Glenveagh National Forest. First of two nights in Donegal town.

Day 12 - GIANT'S CAUSEWAY

Today we'll take a trip to the jewel of Northern Ireland, Giant's Causeway. Near the great puzzle of hexagonal stones that lead like a pathway into the Irish Sea, is a lovely coastline walking path with magnificent views. On our way back we'll stop at Dunluce Castle, the most impressive ancient castle in all of Ireland.

Day 13 - BELLEEK AND THE LAKES DISTRICT ON THE WAY TO DUBLIN

Heading towards Dublin today, our first stop will be in the Northern Ireland border town of Belleek, famed for the tour of its fine porcelin factory. From there we'll run along the Lakes District's Lower Lough Erne into historic Enniskillen. We'll continue on through the gentle lakes area back across the border into Cavan and then on to Malahide, just north of Dublin. Overnight at the Grand Hotel in Malahide, near Dublin Airport. Tonight's our farewell party.

Day 14 - HEADING ON

Some may choose to stay on in the Dublin area today for further exploration on your own. For those of you heading home, there will be transportation over to the airport throughout the morning.