Expedition Overview
Expedition Overview
SPECIAL OFFERS
- Disney Vacation Club Member Special Offer: Save Up to $500 on Select 2023 Departures
For a limited time, eligible Disney Vacation Club Members can save on select 2023 Signature Land and River Cruise departures. Book by July 24, 2023 for travel between June 2023 and December 2023 and enjoy savings on trips to amazing destinations throughout the world:
Save $350 per person on select 2023 North America Signature Land itineraries:
Alaska: Denali to Kenai Fjords
- August 30, 2023
- September 6, 2023
Canadian Rockies by Rail and Trail
- September 18, 2023
Costa Rica: Wildlife and Conservation
- October 10, 2023
- November 7, 2023
- December 5, 2023
Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion National Parks
- June 3, 2023
- September 23, 2023
- October 7, 2023
Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
- June 10 & 23, 2023
Save $500 per person on select 2023 International Signature Land itineraries:
- September 16, 2023
- December 4 & 28, 2023
Hiking the Alpe-Adria Trail through Austria, Slovenia, and Italy
- June 19 & 30, 2023
- July 21, 2023
Human History: Northern Spain and Southwest France
- June 1 & 8, 2023
- September 14 & 28, 2023
Iceland: Volcanoes, Glaciers, and Whales
- June 28, 2023
- July 20 & 27, 2023
- August 19, 2023
- September 3 & 15, 2023
Ireland: Tales and Traditions of the Emerald Isle
- June 29, 2023
- August 31, 2023
- September 21, 2023
Italy: Renaissance Cities and Tuscan Life
- June 14, 2023
- October 18, 2023
On Safari: Exploring Wildlife Conservation in Kenya
- June 2, 2023
- July 9, 2023
- August 11, 2023
- September 30, 2023
- December 4, 2023
Morocco Photography Expedition
- September 16, 2023
Morocco: Legendary Cities and the Sahara
- October 7 & 21, 2023
New Zealand From North to South
- October 13, 2023
- December 29, 2023
- June 4 & 18, 2023
- July 16, 2023
- August 13, 2023
On Safari: Tanzania’s Great Migration
- August 16, 2023
- September 2 & 20, 2023
- December 27, 2023
Palau: Snorkeling and Kayaking the Pristine Seas
- October 16, 2023
- November 12, 2023
Remembering D-Day: London to the Normandy Beaches
- June 1, 2023
Scotland Hiking Adventure: From the Highlands to Islands
- July 15 & 22, 2023
- August 5 & 19, 2023
Southern Africa Safari by Private Air
- August 30, 2023
- December 28, 2023
Spain: Walking the Camino de Santiago
- June 16, 2023
- September 15, 22 & 29, 2023
- October 6, 2023
Swiss Trains and the Italian Lake District
- June 4 & 25, 2023
- July 2, 16, 23 & 30, 2023
- August 13, 2023
The Holy Land: Past, Present, and Future
- November 11, 2023
- December 30, 2023
Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia: Ancient Temples and Natural Wonders
- October 14, 2023
- December 30, 2023
Save $500 per person on select 2023 River Cruise itineraries:
Danube Christmas Markets River Cruise
- December 9, 2023
Rhine River Cruise: Basel to Amsterdam
- September 18, 2023
Rhine Christmas Markets River Cruise
- December 7, 2023
Take advantage of this National Geographic Expeditions 2023 Offer for Disney Vacation Club Members by calling (877) 728-7282, contacting your Travel Advisor or booking online with the Offer Code: DVCNGE23
Important Information
- Book by July 24, 2023
- Offer is good for select itineraries and dates only
- This is a cash-only offer; Members cannot use Disney Vacation Club Points or a combination of points and cash
- Offer is for new booking only
- Offer availability is limited for each departure
- May not be combined with other offers, discounts or promotions
- Not all stateroom categories are available for booking; not valid for Suites
Between May 23 and July 24, 2023, Disney Vacation Club (“DVC”) Members who book select National Geographic Expeditions itineraries save: (1) $350 off per person on select North America Land departures; or (2) $500 off per person on select International Land and River Cruise departures. Offer valid only for select departures between June and December 2023, and offer availability is limited for each departure. The per-person savings is taken from the non-discounted prevailing rate for each departure as quoted on the date of booking (“Regular Rate”). Regular Rates are based on double occupancy, vary depending on departure date and time of booking, and are subject to change. Travel must be booked 30 - 60 days prior to applicable departure date, depending on the itinerary. Not applicable to deposit, baggage fees, extensions, or airfare. Not all stateroom categories are available for booking, and the offer is not valid for Suites. Availability of the offer is subject to confirmation at time of booking and paying the standard trip deposit. Any courtesy hold, without payment of the standard deposit, will not guarantee availability of the offer for the selected departure date. Offer valid for new, cash bookings only; not valid for bookings with points or a combination of cash and points. Subject to availability at the time of booking. May not be combined with other offers, discounts, or promotions. Offer not transferable or redeemable for cash in whole or in part. Not valid for group bookings. A limited number of staterooms of certain categories are available for the promotion. Offer valid for residents of the U.S. and Canada (except for Quebec where the offer is only available to travel agents). Void where prohibited. Offer is subject to restrictions and conditions and may change without notice. Bookings subject to restrictions and trip standard terms and conditions. Disney Vacation Club Members can book by calling National Geographic Expeditions directly. To receive these discounts, Members must be eligible for Membership Extras. Membership Extras is an incidental benefit subject to change or termination. Members should refer to the Membership Extras Acknowledgement and Disclosure Statement for more information or visit disneyvacationclub.com.
Available Departures- Jun 29-Jul 7, 2023
- Aug 31-Sep 8, 2023
- Sep 21-29, 2023
- Wake up amid the regal splendor of Ashford Castle and take a private tour of this medieval retreat with the on-site historian.
- Visit ancient sacred sites known as holy wells with a medievalist historian who worked on a National Geographic-sponsored project to preserve them.
- Join an archaeologist at the Irish National Museum in Dublin to examine prehistoric artifacts and fascinating “bog bodies.”
- Witness traditional Irish farming practices in Connemara, and hear about conservation efforts that earned the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark a National Geographic World Legacy Award.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Across the Emerald Isle, history and a vibrant culture intermingle against a landscape that is endlessly magnificent. In the company of local archaeologists and historians, visit some of Ireland’s most intriguing monuments—from prehistoric monoliths in the Burren to the Rock of Cashel—and uncover mysteries from the Neolithic, Bronze Age, and medieval eras. Delve into the Gaeltacht, where Irish traditions hold strong, while exploring the windswept Connemara and fishing villages on the stunning Dingle Peninsula. Then venture to the lesser-known County Mayo and settle into our base at a medieval castle to explore the stunning landscapes and culture of the Irish countryside.
Arrive at the Dublin Airport (DUB) and transfer to our hotel. This afternoon, set out on a walking tour to see the city's charming historic center. Then visit the archaeology branch of the National Museum of Ireland. Join an archaeology expert here for an in-depth look at Early Bronze Age gold and jewelry, prehistoric weaponry, and Iron Age “bog bodies.” Cap off the tour with a visit to Sweny’s Pharmacy, featured in James Joyce’s novel Ulysses.
Begin the day in the Old Library at Trinity College, home to the illuminated manuscript known as the Book of Kells. Then drive to Kilkenny, a charming medieval town with narrow, winding streets; a 12th-century castle; and many well-preserved churches and monasteries. Check in to our hotel and enjoy dinner on your own this evening.
Join a local guide for a tour of Kilkenny. Explore Kilkenny Castle, and visit the former stables, converted into a design center that houses the National Craft Gallery. After lunch at the historic Kyteler’s Inn, visit St. Canice’s Cathedral.
Head west to the Rock of Cashel, an imposing fortress atop a shamrock-green hill. Step inside the age-old ramparts to discover a Gothic cathedral, high crosses, and a beautifully preserved Romanesque chapel. Continue to Killarney after lunch, stopping in the Gaeltacht town of Ballyvourney to meet with a local medievalist and learn about his work on a National Geographic-sponsored project to preserve Ireland’s holy wells.
Trace the rocky, wave-beaten coastline of the Dingle Peninsula on one of Ireland’s most scenic drives. Peek into ancient beehive huts that dot steep hillsides, and walk through the seemingly endless shallows at Inch beach. Stop at a local pottery shop, and then tour the colorful seaside town of Dingle, where traditional Irish language and lifestyle still flourish. Later this afternoon, take an optional hike in Killarney National Park.
Depart Killarney, crossing from Kerry to Clare counties. Travel toward the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, which rise more than 700 feet above the crashing North Atlantic. Then drive through the Burren National Park, an otherworldly limestone landscape strewn with megalithic markings, and marvel at the ancient portal tomb of Poulnabrone Dolmen. Continue to our hotel, a lovely 18th-century manor house just outside Galway. Enjoy a talk about local conservation efforts that led to the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark receiving a 2016 National Geographic World Legacy Award.
Spend the morning discovering the coastal city of Galway on a tour of this vibrant center for Irish art, music, and theater. After lunch, meet a whiskey expert for a private tasting. Then discover our next destination, the majestic Ashford Castle which serves as a gateway to the gorgeous landscapes of County Mayo. As National Geographic guests, we’ll have the opportunity to step back in time with the on-site historian, who will share tales from the long and colorful history of this meticulously restored 800-year-old castle.
Get a feel for traditional farm life during a sheep-herding demonstration this morning. Then return to the castle and enjoy the rest of the day to explore its grounds and enjoy its amenities. Take a self-guided nature walk around the property’s parklands, go boating on Lough Corrib, or simply relax and enjoy the castle’s spa. This evening, celebrate your Irish adventure during a farewell dinner.
After breakfast, transfer to the Shannon Airport (SNN) and catch your flight home.