YOU’RE INVITED!

Dublin is a historic city rich in culture and knowledge. It is the perfect setting to expand your horizons and learn more about what it means to be a group leader on a Passports tour.

This teacher training conference will provide you with an opportunity to network with other educators, learn new techniques, and gain a better understanding of how a group tour works and what to expect on your upcoming Passports tour. In addition, you will have the chance to explore the city and immerse yourself in the local culture. Please, join us in Dublin for an unforgettable experience!

Agenda

Learn the ins-and-outs of what to expect on a Passports tour

Meet Passports Tour Directors and Passports staff

Experience Passports tour services for yourself

What’s Included

Roundtrip airfare to Dublin, Ireland

Meet and greet transfer from Dublin airport to your hotel

Hotel accommodations for the duration of your stay

All breakfasts and dinners

A half-day instructional session on the finer points of being a group leader

Welcome Reception, Walking tours of Dublin, Dublin City Sightseeing Tour, Old Jameson Distillery Tour, Special Farewell Dinner

Detailed Itinerary

Days 1-2: Arrival in Dublin, Temple Bar District Walking Tour, Welcome Reception

Arrival Dublin
"Fasten your seat belts, ladies and gentlemen; we're now first in line for departure." A meal and a movie later the sky is orange off the left side, and it's Ireland that looms below.
You land in Dublin. Begorra!
Settle in, relax and get ready to discover a fascinating city, the hometown of many distinguished writers such as William Butler Yeats, Jonathan Swift, James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker (author of Dracula), and Samuel Beckett.

Tour director-led walking tour in the historic Temple Bar district
Explore a fashionable district as you follow cobbled streets dating back to Dublin's medieval city. The residence of Sir William Temple was a landmark in the 17th century, as was O'Neal's Music Hall in the 18th century, when it hosted the first performance of Handel's Messiah (1742) . Nowadays, the Temple Bar is a lively neighborhood that is home to several cultural institutions as well as pubs and restaurants.

Photo stop at Ha'penny Bridge
Cross the pedestrian span officially known as the Liffey Bridge, which elegantly arches its way above the River Liffey. When it was built in 1816 to replace ferries, it cost a ha'penny at the toll booth to walk over to the other bank, same as the ferry fare. By 2001, some 27,000 people crossed this bridge daily (for free)!

Welcome Reception
Tonight, enjoy a welcome reception to meet Passports staff and fellow group organizers. Enjoy refreshments and canapés.

Day 3: Training Conference, Dublin City Sightseeing

Group Leader Training Conference
Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, our group leader training conference can provide an invaluable opportunity to network with other group leaders and learn from their experiences. Attendees can expect to receive plenty of practical advice on everything from itinerary planning to dealing with difficult travel situations. If you're serious about becoming a successful group leader, our travel training conference is a must-attend event.

Agenda

• Keynote address by David Markle, the President of Passports

• “The Importance of Completing Your Status Report” by Dale Davies, Vice-President of Passports

• Discussion of enrollment tips and best practices by veteran Passports group leaders

• Questions and Answers

Half-day city sightseeing in Dublin
A city tour highlights landmarks such as Dublin Castle, Ha'penny Bridge, Christ Church Cathedral, Georgian squares and the Dublin Spire, built to celebrate the new millennium and hailed as the world's tallest sculpture at nearly 400 feet. Of course, you'll see the General Post Office on O'Connell Street, which became the headquarters of the rebels in the Easter Uprising of 1916. From its steps, Patrick Pearse announced the establishment of a republic. See how the building still bears scars from the fighting.
A half-day local guide, well-educated and specially-trained on the history and culture of Dublin, will accompany you today.

Visit to St. Patrick's Cathedral
Visit Ireland's largest church, founded in 1191 near the well where, according to tradition, St. Patrick baptized converts. See the grave of Jonathan Swift, Dean of the Cathedral and author of Gulliver's Travels, who was laid to rest in 1745.

Visit to Trinity College to view The Book of Kells
At the prestigious Protestant college established by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592, you will view the Old Library and its best known treasure, the medieval Book of Kells.

Dinner

Day 4: Walking Tours, Old Jameson Distillery, Farewell Dinner

Tour Director-Led Walking Tours
Spend time in the company of Passports Tour Directors while they guide you through the city on various walking tours including:

• Irish Rebellion Walking Tour

• Old City Walking Tour

• O’Connell Street Walking Tour

• James Joyce Literary Walking Tour

Old Jameson Distillery guided tour with tasting
Discover the history of Irish whiskey on a tour of the renowned Old Jameson Distillery, a company which was first established in Dublin by John Jameson in 1780! Hear about the ingredients (unmalted and malted barley), the triple distillation, and the aging of the whiskey in seasoned oak barrels. Then, have a taste of the smooth final product.

Farewell Dinner
After our whirlwind time together, let’s kick back and enjoy a nice meal with entertainment.

Day 5: Departure

Depart Dublin
The lush landscapes of Ireland fade beneath the wings of your jet as you head home, but the memories of thatched cottages, pubs, and the wit and poetry of its people will last forever.
Recline your seat, remember the beauty of the Emerald Isle and plan your future visit. Next time, find that leprechaun and claim his pot of gold!

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