Destination Highlight: Waterford Crystal Showroom and Kilkenny Castle with Lunch

This tour brings you to Kilkenny, capital of Ireland in the Middle Ages, seat of the medieval Irish parliaments and rival to Dublin. The city's origins date back more than 1,500 years. The great building ability of the Normans is very evident in the 11th- and 12th-century buildings they bestowed on the city. It is characterized by many beautifully restored buildings, the most splendid being Kilkenny Castle, stronghold of the Butler family until this century. The castle began life as a Norman fortress and gradually became more domesticated through the centuries. Your self-guided visit will allow you to explore the drum towers, library, and incredible art gallery of regal Kilkenny Castle before stopping for lunch. Kilkenny is undoubtedly one of Ireland's loveliest cities, and you'll have ample time to explore it after your lunch. Re-join your driver and guide for your return journey to Waterford, where you will visit the House of Waterford Crystal. Completed in 2010, the state-of-the-art center traces the history of Waterford Crystal from its founding in 1783 by brothers George and William Penrose to the present day. The tour includes a reconstruction of the manufacturing process and shows how the original factory would have worked. Following some free time in the showroom, you will re-join your driver and guide for the return journey to your waiting ship.